Chapter 25: Flashbacks

June 2015 part 1

Over two and a half had passed since that night. For several months, Spinelli had tried looking for a job, without success. It seemed there was always someone else, more experienced, that had actually graduated high school who would be offered the jobs she searched for. This, coupled with the hours associated with her work on The Strip, meant that it proved difficult for her to be up at a reasonable time to apply to most jobs, or attend interviews; yawning when trying to convince someone to hire you really wasn't preferable. In the end, Spinelli had given up, she'd gotten used to working as a hooker, and the money that went with it. She not only managed to pay off all her debts, but she now had some money, and savings of her own. Spinelli's work was just a part of her life now, she liked the sense of self control it gave her. She knew that she would be highly unlikely to find a job that not only gave her the income she was not accustomed to, but the level of independence, and control, that she needed.

"That smells good" said Kelly, walking into the kitchen wearing her dressing gown, having not long woken up.

"Yeah, I was hungry and fancied a change" replied Spinelli, who was cooking an omelette, it now felt normal to have breakfast at 3pm. Dishing up the food, she and Kelly sat down "How are you? You're looking a lot brighter?"

Almost a week ago, Kelly had picked up a client, one of the regulars, she'd taken him back to the apartment as normal. Everything had gone as normal, he'd paid her, and they'd began to get started when he suddenly collapsed. This was when Spinelli had gotten her phone call.

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Kelly was hysterical, crying and panicking as she couldn't get a response from the client. Spinelli phoned an ambulance, and ran home. By the time she'd arrived, Kelly was sat on the edge of her bed sobbing, the client on the floor, as the paramedic stood above him.

"I'm sorry Ma'am, but he has no pulse, he is in an unshockable cardiac rhythm, he isn't responding to the drugs we've given. His pupils are fixed, and undulating. What is his name?"

"Um, um I-I dont know" sobbed Kelly, it was a normal situation for the girls not to know the name of their clients. Until this moment, it had been practical, and had worked in their favour.

"Do you know this man Miss?" asked the paramedic, as Spinelli entered the room, sitting next to Kelly and hugging her.

"No, I'm sorry" replied Spinelli, realising how this looked and thinking quickly "I think he was wanting to use the toilet, right Kel?"

Kelly nodded mutely, seemingly in a state of shock from what had happened.

"Ok, well seeing as the death is unexplained, I need to contact the police, and you'll both need to be interviewed.

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Needless to say, the police didn't believe the excuse that the client was using the toilet, they clearly knew what was really happening. However, with no actual evidence, they could do little more than give Kelly a warning. As it turned out, the client had a massive intercranial event, which after some internet searching, Kelly and Spinelli learned that it was something to do with the brain, although thye didn't understand much further than that . After being questioned by the police, Spinelli and Kelly were found to have no involvement, and went back to their lives.

"You know, I'm feeling a lot better" replied Kelly "What about you Spinelli? Are you okay? You just don't seem happy these last few weeks" Spinelli opened her mouth to responded, but Kelly cut across her "and do not blame it on what happened with the client! You're not right within yourself, and you weren't right before all that shit went down, both you and I know it!"

"I don't know Kell" sighed Spinelli "I've just been thinking ya know, it's been well over two and a half years since that douche-bag dumped me on the street. Do you ever just wonder if there something more? I mean all in all life is good, the best it has been since I was a child. There is nothing hugely wrong, I've got what I've always wanted: to be independent and self-sufficient. The thing with this guy has just made me think even more"

"Not really, I mean when it comes to hooking I'm a lifer, but you? You were only intending to do it for a short while, from the little you've said, you had a pretty good start in life. It makes sense that you're getting a bit restless."

"I guess; this just isn't really what I'd of seen for myself. Don't get me wrong, I'm not depressed or really down or anything, I'm just ...not happy. I've been happy for the last two years, at least the happiest I had been since my childhood, but now I'm just not"

"Hmm"

"What?" asked Spinelli

Kelli hesitated, choosing her words carefully "If I'm honest, I think you're a lot lower than you're willing to admit to yourself. I can see it in you, it's in your eyes and it's in your face. If I'm honest, I think you need a change in your life, but its your life babe, just do something that makes you happy"

"Happy? Yes I've been happy enough, but I've not been completely content and properly happy since I was in Elementary School. The thing is Kell, I think that sort of happiness, the blissful happiness, it's just to sort of dwindles away as you grow up, and face the reality of being an adult"

"You really believe that don't you?"

"Of course, don't you?"

"No, as odd as it sounds, I feel completely contented and happy with my life. People probably think I'm mad, or lying to myself, but it's true. I really hope you find whatever it is in life that makes you feel like me, sooner rather than later, and I hope I'm still a part of your life to see it"

"You're my best mate, the only person I have! Whatever I do, you'll always be part of my life" replied Spinelli, smiling at her friend "Now enough of this mushy crap, I've hit my quota for the day. Let's eat and get ready for work"

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Well, sadly, time has passed, and Spinelli is still hooking, however on the bright side, life is much better for her, and she has been happy. Now she is just getting restless, and ready for a change in life? Lets hope that things take a positive turn for once!

Aryal Stone: Glad you liked the chapter! I tried to fit a lot of emotional conflict, and ups and downs for Spinelli! At least finally, in this chapter, things are at least stable, and settled for her, and she has finally got her life! I'm good, life is busy, but its nice getting to post, I'm looking forward to posting the next turn in Spinelli's story, wont say when that turn will be though!

Rose-Aki: I agree that Kelly chose a nice guy for Spinelli, at least it made a difficult situation a little easier for her to manage! I wanted to make the two different persons, as, like you said, I thought it would be the best way for Spinelli to cope, and as you can see by this chapter, she has, even if she is feeling fed up now! Lets hope any life changes that she takes on next, will be positive, so she can get back to being the old Spinelli, as it seems like its what she wants!

Please review, it would make my day! If not, and you can offer me some constructive criticism, please do! I will just ask for "no flames" please? I am dyslexic, and have worked hard to make sure this is perfect, but if you see any, please highlight any spelling/grammar errors that I've missed in proof reading, please highlight them, so I can correct!

I will update as soon as possible, but can't update every day.

Big Cliffy Meanie