by York, Mattie
“It’s odd, when we first met, on that first appointment, I thought Joseph was totally into me. The way he looked at me, you know that ‘hungry wolf’ look guys get when they want you. And he said he would enjoy saying my name, over and over again, but then nothing.” Alex took another bite of the chocolate cake. “I talked to Angela this morning and she said that Joseph had called her to ask for my home phone number. Can you believe it? He said that he wanted to call me to wish me good morning.”
“Did Angela give it to him?”
“No, you know her policy. But isn’t that weird, I mean, since we haven’t actually done anything?”
“Do you think maybe he is in love with you?”
“No. Of course not. Don’t be silly. No, I mean he couldn’t be. He’s a client. That’s not allowed right? Plus, it’s not like, he couldn’t find a girlfriend without, you know, paying for one?”
“He couldn’t find you. Plus, you say he is rich. He must be really rich to pay you extra just to talk to him. Maybe he is too busy to look for a girlfriend.”
“I don’t know. Do you think he could be? Anyways, I have an appointment with him tonight. Ahmed is picking me up at 7. Ugh. Do you have Ahmed as a driver?”
“Yes.”
“Do you like him?”
“He’s ok.”
“Yuck. He is so gross. All he wants to do is talk about sex. Can you imagine women actually pay to have sex with him?”
“Not so many. He is still our driver.”
“Yeah, that’s right,” Alex scooped up the last piece of cake off the plate. “So, how about you? When is your next appointment?”
“Tomorrow. I’m not sure who with. I think it is another new client.”
“Do you get a lot of new clients?”
“A few,” Chieko started riffling through her purse.
“It’s weird, always meeting new guys.”
“Yes, in the beginning, I was afraid. Really scared, I was shaking before the appointment. But, now, it’s ok. I have a few regular clients, I see once in a week. Usually, though, I think, the new ones are more good looking and more young. But, never mind, it’s just one hour, and I can close my eyes. And I don’t kiss, so I don’t have to worry about their,” she pointed inside her mouth, “tongue?”
“True.”
“You know, I think most times the client is more nervous than me. I’m getting used to it. But sometimes, it’s better when they are married. I know it’s wrong, right? But when they are married, they are so much more thank you, no, thankful, to me. See what I got last week from Carl,” Chieko held up her wrist to show Alex her delicate pearl bracelet.
“That is beautiful.”
“Yes,” Chieko twirled the bracelet around her wrist, “Sometimes, it can be worth ten minutes of not comfortable.”
“Ten minutes? That’s too long!” Alex laughed.
“Sometimes,” giggled Chieko, “yes sometimes, less. Ok, here.” Chieko opened up her day book and flipped to the month of June.
“Are you kidding?” Alex grabbed Chieko’s book. “Why is this so full? Do you work every day?”
“No,” Chieko reached for her day book back.
“Chieko, are you crazy?” Alex held the day book high out of Chieko’s reach. “You are going to exhaust yourself. You can’t work every day.”
“But I don’t work every day.”
“Really? Let’s see. Ok. Sunday, Mr. Roberts. Monday, Mr. McSweeny, then Mr. Anderson. Tuesday, English. What’s that Mr. English? Wednesday Mr. Stewart. He’s new. Thursday English again? And then Friday, Mr. Dobbs. Who is this English? The same guy twice in one week?”
“No,” Chieko grabbed her book back. “That is my English class. I don’t work on Tuesday or Thursday. I study and go to class.”
“Really? Why didn’t you tell me? I could help you. I do speak English, you know.”
“I know, it’s just, well better for me to learn in a class.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I noticed your English was getting better. I just thought you were watching TV all the time.”
Chieko smiled. “Very funny.”
“Hey, any cute guys in your class?”
“No. Give me my book back.”
“Ok, ok. Hey wait,” Alex paused looking closely at the calendar. “What’s this next week? Oh my god! Are you serious? You have Mr. Nimbin? It can’t be the same one, can it? I just had him a few days ago.”
“But then, why does he want to see me?”
“Obviously, he didn’t like me. But I guess, I should say thank god.”
“Why? What is he like?”
“Oh my god, he is awful. Nuts. Odd. He made me wash my hands before he touched me. And he made me hang up my clothes in the closet.”
“Oh, my, so bad.” Chieko covered her mouth to hide her smile.
“No, I’m not joking. Ok, maybe it doesn’t sound that bad. But, he spent like, half an hour giving me a science lecture on all the parts of his penis and what he liked. And then everything I did, he didn’t like. He is so weird. He literally tried to tell me, me, how to give him a blow job. Like I don’t know? Hello? Who is the expert here?” Alex shook her head. “He used to have this regular girl, Abigail or something. Apparently, she knew how to please him. Ugh, and he is so skinny and short and old. Seriously, I swear he is one of those little old bachelor men who live with their mothers, like forever.”
“Is that strange? Most men in Japan live with their mothers.”
“Huh? They don’t get married?”
“Oh no, of course they married, but in Japan, children must look after their parents. It is usually the first son who must ask the mother to live with his family when the father dies. Actually, the mother asks the son and family to come to the family house, which is more big, but the son now is the head.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that. That’s weird. But, I guess, it would be good, you know for babysitting. And cheap. Then you wouldn’t have to pay for a retirement home. I don’t know if my mother would like my grandmother around like that though. I think they would just fight all the time. And then I would be so fat! All my grandmother does is bake. Oh,” Alex sighed, “the best chocolate chip cookies and pecan pies.”
Chieko laughed. “Most Japanese don’t eat cookies or pies, so it doesn’t matter. But yes, me too, my grandmother made delicious rice balls.”
“Anyways, seriously, good luck with Mr. Nimbin. I would bet that that man has never had sex, real sex, you know, for free. There is no way, any girl would put up with that shit. If I were you, Chieko, I wouldn’t do it,” Alex shook her head. “Seriously. Don’t go.”
“What? You mean cancel? No, I can’t do that. What would I say to Angela? She would be upset. Plus, how can I ask her for more clients, if I cancel one I didn’t meet before.”
“I’m sure Angela won’t mind. You already work so much for her. But, whatever, that’s just my opinion. Mr. Nimbin is just weird. It’s not like he’s dangerous. But, make sure you ask for the money first. Oh, and make sure you shower and are really clean. And don’t wear perfume. And wear nice socks,” she laughed.
Chieko shrugged. She didn’t get Alex’s joke. But why would Alex tell her to miss an appointment? Maybe, Alex was just angry because Mr. Nimbin chose to meet her and not Alex again?
“I’ve got it,” Alex turned back towards Chieko with a mischievous smile, “You know what you should do?”
“What?”
“You should totally go to the appointment. Yes, but dress up, you know, like your naughty nurse. You could tell him he’s sick and then make him lie down on the bed. Yeah no, that might not work. He would probably scream if you tried to touch him. But then, you could wear plastic gloves. Oh, that would be hilarious! No wait,” she said slowly, “you should dress up in leather, like a dominatrix.”
“Like a what?”
“You know dominatrix. You can dress up in black leather with kick ass boots, and take control. Totally. That is what Mr. Nimbin needs. That would be so awe
some!”
“I don’t think so.”
“No, I bet that is exactly what he needs; a strong forceful woman.”
“Ohma! But I can’t do that. You are the strong force woman.”
“He didn’t ask for me again. He asked for you. No really. Someone has to do this for him. He is so controlling and, well, afraid of everything. I am being serious, Chieko. You would be helping him. Listen, I saw this Sex TV show on W last night. This lady is a dominatrix. That’s her job. She has all these stressed and repressed men come to her. Just like Mr. Nimbin. They have to bow to her and be polite. And do whatever she says. All she does is crack her whip and yell at them. And they have to pleasure her and she doesn’t have to touch them. And get this, they love it! They interviewed a few men, after their appointment and they said it is so liberating. Totally, that is exactly what Mr. Nimbin needs.”
“I don’t know. He didn’t ask for that. And I already said to Angela I won’t do those things. No, if Angela gave him to me, I’m sure he asked for, what did Angela say, a submissive girl.”
“Of course, that’s what he asked for, that is what he thinks he wants because he is afraid of his mother.”
“How do you know that?”
“Ok, well I don’t. Not exactly. But you’ll see when you meet him. A grown man should not worry about if you hang your clothes on a hanger or where you put your shoes, especially when there is a hot naked chick standing right in front of you.”
“Would you do that, dominatrix girl, if he asks to see you again?”
“Oh my god, in a heartbeat! It would be hilarious just to see his face And damn it, he owes me. But I don’t think he ever wants to see me again. Not if he is already asking for you. Maybe I scared him, that was why he was such a dickhead, I don’t know. But I warn you, you’ll be insulted and bored, if you just go like a normal appointment. Anyways, aren’t you getting sick of all these guys ordering you around? It’s not like he’s going to do anything if you come in all dressed in leather. He’ll either like it or he’ll scream and hide in the bathroom and you’ll leave. Why not? It’s only one appointment. You have so many regulars already. Is it so much if you lose one appointment?” Alex was surprised how much she really wanted Chieko to do this. “How funny would it be? Mr. Nimbin would be so surprised. And you could make him touch you,” Alex laughed, “with dirty hands.”
Chieko looked curiously at Alex then stared out the window. This man must have really upset Alex, she thought. She didn’t believe he was as awful as Alex said. How could he be? But, then Chieko thought, maybe Alex was right. She was getting bored of her clients. And, it was starting to make her feel bad, always pretending to be dumb and helpless and letting the client tell her what to do. It was true, Chieko realized. She wasn’t having any fun for herself. She hadn’t had any fun for a long time. She missed that. She used to have fun. And, it was only one appointment. She did already have enough regulars to keep her busy and well paid. But could she really do it?
“What would I wear?”
26
Diary,
See? What do you know? Get rid of that son of a bitch and my luck changes! I just got the most intriguing phone call. From a Mr. Jerome from LA. He’s in Toronto scouting for movie locations. And he needs a girl. And he wants to find an agency that can be his exclusive agency. He’s talking big movie stars. Big film crews. All needing girls. And he picked mine! He wants to get a taste of my girls to see what I have to offer. Damn and he sounds fine.
I’m sending Alex. Why? She is available. And she’s blonde. That’s what he wants. Blonde, big tits. Isn’t that what all guys want? Whatever, I hope to god, she doesn’t screw it up. I know she screwed up with Mr. Nimbin. But fine. I can understand. He is a trip. A complete dick head. She pissed him off good though. I don’t know what she said. Probably gave him attitude. She’s been giving a few clients attitude lately, acting like she is better than them. And they are paying her. Damn, I might have to have a talk with her. I’ll call her tonight. Tell her about Mr. Jerome. Maybe that will straighten her out. I understand, it can be tough at first.
She’s so naïve – that’s her problem. She probably thought being an escort would be glamorous. That she’d meet J.R. bloody Ewing or something and he’d whisk her away in his private yacht. Then, she has these appointments with old, bald men. Flabby. Fat. And married. That’s got to be a letdown. So, she needs some time to adjust.
Luann said it was a good idea to get rid of John. Stupid fucker. She said I needed time on my own. To find myself. She said he was just making everything worse. Letting him come back and trying to make him love me. She said I can’t save him. I can’t help him. And yes, she agrees that he does need help. But that’s not her problem. And she said it shouldn’t be mine.
I don’t love myself. That’s what she said. I don’t value myself. Goddamned love shit. What is so important with love? She said I had to learn to love myself before I could even think about letting anyone back in my life. Get this. Luann said I have to write a list of things that I love about myself. And then when I look in the mirror, I have to say ‘I love you’ to me. To my reflection. Stare in my eyes and say it till my eyes understand. That’s what she said. She said I need to do a lot of mirror work. I’m supposed to stand in front of the mirror every morning and tell myself 5 things I love about myself. Every morning! Bloody fucking stupid, is what I say.
Ok, fine. F.I.N.E. What can it hurt, right? Sure. Ok. So,
Angela, I love you. God. Ok. I love my eyes. They are beautiful. And without them, I’d be blind. So that’s good. Ha!
I love my legs. Yes. They are sexy as hell. Everyone tells me that. And they don’t look like the legs of a forty five year old. Not everyone can get away with the short skirts I can still wear. Yes, I love my legs. And they work. Carry me up and down the stairs. Maybe they could work more?
Luann said I need to start meditating. What like sit in a room and do nothing? I told her I couldn’t do that. I’m not a bloody monk. That is ridiculous. So, she thought it would be a good idea if I took a walk in the afternoon every day. Just to relax. That woman has some crazy ideas. I don’t know where she gets all these things. Like walking is relaxing? Shit. Ok. Me.
I love my fingers.
I love my fingernails. Love my red nail polish. Love it on my toes too.
I love my hands. They are so graceful. Really. Maybe I should have been a piano player. I don’t know how I got such long fingers. Elegant. That’s what they are. I need lotion. They are getting dry. I’ve been so busy I haven’t been looking after my hands. Maybe I should go for a manicure. A paraffin wax one. That will make them nice and soft. Kind. Gentle. It’s funny, you can tell a lot about hands. Like when you shake someone’s hand. My handshake is soft and elegant. Barely there. I like it like that. All these girls come in with strong handshakes. Grab your hand like they have something to prove. No, I learnt mine from those old black and white movies. Who was the actress? Marline Dietrich. Marilyn Monroe. Just a hint of a handshake. Leaves the other person wondering. Wondering but not knowing. Underestimating my power. Like a fox just outside a hen house.
I just read what I wrote. I am insane. Sometimes I wonder about myself. Yes, I am a crazy evil genius in a blonde wig because I have a soft handshake. Mwah ha ha ha ha!!!!!
I love my hair. My blonde long hair. It’s nice. It is. And its gets me noticed on the street. So even nicer.
Oh, and I should say a great big thank you for the girls. They may have lost some of their oomph, but they are still there and standing strong.
I love my mind. It’s a good one. I am damn smart. Goddamned smart.
I love my smile. My teeth are straight. I love my teeth.
I don’t know. I have to get the boys to hockey practice. I’ll write later. All is well in the universe.
I love you Angela. Fucking hell.
27
“Now that is what I am talking about.” Mr Jerome clapped his hands together as he looked Alex up and down.
He reached out and took her hand in his, slowly folding his large black fingers around hers and lifting her fingers up to his mouth. Alex quivered at the warm touch of his soft full lips.
Alex stood transfixed staring up as her new client licked his lips. Her eyes followed as his tongue softly caressed the full red lips, wetting them with his salvia so they glistened in the light. Every fiber of her being wanted to reach out and touch them, kiss them, feel their silky softness nibbling and caressing every inch of her body.
Alex gnawed on her fingernail as she followed him into the hotel suite, drooling as she watched him saunter ahead of her, his strut showing off a finely toned ass. She restrained herself from reaching out and squeezing it. Just knowing that she would soon be able to grab it and pull it close to her made her wet. What a body, she thought admiring how Mr. Jerome’s oversized silk t-shirt and baggy workout pants hung off his strong shoulders and well defined hips, clinging to bulges in all the right places. A thin gold chain circled his thick neck and one very large diamond earring sparkled in his ear. Damn, Alex shivered. There was something about a black man in a gold chain. So sexy!
“I’m Alex.”
“Mm,” Mr. Jerome almost purred, “I am Martial.”
Alex nodded, not really trusting her voice to speak.
Martial walked slowly across the room, pressed play on the stereo. As the smooth seductive sounds of D’angelo filled the air, he took Alex’s hand and twirled her around, wrapping his thick arms around her waist and pulling her close. With a gasp, Alex felt Martial’s excitement pressing hard into her back. “Baby, you are so fine,” he brushed her hair away from her neck and kissed her gently.
Martial hummed along with the music as his hands moved up and down her body, squeezing her breasts together and pushing himself hard into her back. Alex felt his hot breath on her neck and arched her back enjoying the sensations rushing through her body. She closed her eyes and swayed her hips to the music as his hands slowly began to undo her buttons. Lazily, Alex lowered her hands to help Martial remove her suit jacket and unzip her pants. “No, baby,” Martial shook his head as Alex began to kick her shoes off, “leave those on. I love a girl in fine shoes.”