Chapter 3: Day of Refuge
I sat sipping sweet tea on my balcony as I listened to the commotion of the city streets below as the sun was just rising above the low lining clouds in the distance. My gaze glanced that way as I considered myself lucky to have the view over the river which was a distance off. Though the nature aspect was a great bonus, well what was left of it after humans cannibalized the area in an attempt to civilize the city. This was my only day off most weeks and I tried to always enjoy every moment of peace and rest, although as my eyes fell back down on the newspaper in hand I read the top headline once more. "East Side Killer Strikes Again: Sixth Victim Body Located" I shook my head at the thought, and I knew half his victims, which they were the lower class girls of the area, the street prostitutes. I released a sigh and dropped the paper onto the glass topped table that I sat at; it was troubling to think of it, and how dangerous the area was becoming for my own kind. I looked at the contents that was spilled over the table top that had fell from my bag when it toppled over earlier.
My three weapons of choice for the streets laid in sight, pepper spray, taser, and pocket knife. One or all of which I kept on me somewhere, just in case. I set the cup down which gave a clink sound as the two glass surfaces clashed. My eyes casually swept through the article on the front page about the girls, and it seemed they had electrical burns and were often found strangled or their throats cut. I slid my chair back from the table, and the metal legs making an annoying scratch sound against the cement as I stood abruptly. The story always sent a chill down my spine and I quickly tightened my floor length, furred robe about my body as I slid the glass door open and stepped back inside the apartment living room.
My son who still sat in his pajamas on the floor in front of the T.V smiled at me and I couldn't help but to return the gesture, and I stepped away and he went back to his cartoons which blared on the wide screen. He was always the main reason I walked the path I did, I wanted the best for him, and would always strive to give him the finest things in life such as schooling. I never want him to know the hardships of the same life I walked and do walk. Moving to a brown writing desk I opened the top drawer and pulled out a little black book, inside was jotted down names, dates, and descriptions of clients along with sheets of folded paper hidden between pages. I withdrew the document I had obtained last night from the limo and unfolded it. My eyes carefully read over the contents which I hadn't done last night since I was in such a hurry.
Though it did contain what I had suspected, account numbers, names and dates of contacts; even enigmas that were often drug related. Refolding the piece of information I slid it within the pages of the book as well and returned it to the bottom of the drawer. "Alex go get dressed please, Elaina will be here in a bit for brunch." I watched my boy nod and venture off to the back rooms. My mind turned to other things such as I had a special request to meet with a guy I've known for years. He had left a message on my cell to meet tonight, even though it was my day off. I didn't mind him, but he only traveled to this part of the country once or twice a year, and he didn't use and abuse like most clients.
So against my better judgment I called him back early this morning and arranged an early night dinner date. I had already picked out the evening gown and light makeup I would wear, and so it seemed set. We were to have dinner at the Monte Palore down town and see where it went from there. Moving swiftly through the rooms I heard the ruffling of my robe as it rubbed against random objects as I made my way to my room to change into something casual. Elaina had been my first friend I had made here in this city, though she was a couple years younger than me which didn't seem to faze her any. We always tried to meet up every couple weeks to get the latest's stories and gossip from each other. She was one of the only people in this town who knew what I really did as a profession, some thought I was an eccentric writer, others a divorced woman of a wealthy businessman who supported me to this day.
I closed the door behind me and peeled the robe and night slip off my body, glancing at my pale flesh in the mirror I didn't bother to count bruises or scratches I simply snatched up a loose fitting blouse and long length skirt that lay draped over my vanity chair. With haste I gathered my red curly locks in a bun and pinned it upon my head before I once again stared at myself in the mirror. I looked casual enough for a brunch I assumed, Jessica my house keeper and cook had been busying herself in the kitchen near an hour before dawn. She had three to cook for and two other meals to prepare before she left early this afternoon. I had told her not to worry about cleaning today, and the rooms were in good enough order. With a sigh I dragged myself back into the living room and scurried about tidying the area enough for company.
Glancing at the clock it was near quarter till 10 a.m. Elaina would make her appearance soon and in a way I'd be glad to be rid of her. I felt on edge this morning as the sensation hadn't worn off from last night. I just felt like an eerie presence had gripped itself over the whole situation I was in. I had been on the outskirts of Philly for near four years, and I was starting to think it was time for another move soon, although I'd rather cut all ties and end things here if that was the case. My foot nervously tapped against the waxed wooden floor boards as I waited as I heard a boyish chuckle and girlish giggle from the kitchen area briefly. Alex must have scurried his way into the kitchen after I went to change. On cue the buzzer rang for the door most likely announcing Elaina's arrival. Standing I smoothed the invisible wrinkles from my dark blue skirt and tugged the edge of my black blouse down before strolling to the door.
The camera confirmed my assumption of it being Elaina and I swung the door open to greet her with a wide toothy grin and playing the generous hostess for the next hour or so. "Elaina so nice to see you, it has been near a month, how has things been for you?" My voice sounded steady and clear to my ears as I waited for her response and watched her as the young woman with dirty blonde shoulder length hair and green eyes quickly hurried in with two bags in hand. She was wearing a long sleeved fall pattern dress with an assortment of leaves printed on the material.
"Oh, I'm just fine dear, just fine; my two girls are doing wonderfully, my husband traveling as usual with his business executives, currently in Montreal last I recall. I can't believe been near a month since we chatted, and my, time flies too often these days. I hope all is well with you and your son; or clients not giving you too much trouble I hope?" I watched her give a toothy smile of her own as she ventured further into the room and set the bags down on the coffee table in the living room.
"Yeah, just fine here as well, Alex is doing well in school and such. Clients are coming and going as they always do…" I trailed off as I took a seat on the recliner. Elaina always did most of the talking and I just had to answer here and there and keep an ear open for her. She was a sweet young woman, but too chatty half the time for my own taste. This went on for near the next hour; her filling me in on the latest round about news about politicians, celebrities, her family's escapades. Jessica served up sliced grilled chicken sandwiches with tea and cake on the side. The hour went fairly quickly and she had told me the bags she had brought in had been food from a party she had hosted last night and also some older clothes that I might like.
Elaine was gone before I knew it and I casually watched Jessica gather the tea cups and trays from the early meal. I glanced to Alex who was now gaming enthusiastically on one of his four game systems. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and focused on tonight. I hadn't seen Jason Glenmore in near three years. He had made a miraculous appearance about six months after I settled in this area, and I hadn't seen him since. He had been one of my first clients, right after I had graduated from university; and a rather generous costumer at that. My eyes focused once more on Alex who was currently screaming at the T.V because he lost a character.
I couldn't help but giggle slightly at the scene, the reddish brown hair of her son fell in his face repeatedly as he swiped at it to remove it from his vision; and yet he refused to cut it on many occasions. I watched his sky blue eyes narrow in for the kill on the screen as his fingers moved a hundred times a second over the controller to keep up with whatever action was playing out on the game. If nothing else he'd gain useful coordination skills I thought sarcastically. He had just turned twelve a couple months ago and I decided to give him a little breathing room to trust him enough to be at home by himself during most of the evenings I was gone; which was too often for her liking, but for the time being necessary to survive. Well at least that is what I always told myself. Though so far Alex seemed to follow the rules after my departures, and until I could prove otherwise I would continue to trust him in being alone.
The rest of the day ticked by fairly slowly for the most part, and I played games and spoke with Alex; and had another meal with him and helped him with his school work for the following week. I taught him another simple song on the grand piano which took up a large corner in the dining area, but I didn't care; if it helped my son be a better person, and to expand his horizons; I would teach him everything I could, while I can. The late afternoon approached faster than I desired and I sent Alex to go find something easy to eat in the kitchen, and then instructed him to go do his nightly routine and play a while longer before bed.
I ventured myself back to my room and dressed in the crimson colored, floor length dress I had chosen for the evening. It revealed a bit of cleavage and dipped down low in the back; the silky material resting right above my buttocks to keep everything well hidden for the imagination. I painted my face with a light layer of makeup and reorganized my hair so a few curls cascaded down along the sides of my face. The last of my tasks was at hand as I looked down and slid one petite foot after the other into matching heels, which had a weaved design along the top across my toes and up toward my ankles. I reviewed my appearance in the mirror and gave a sigh. "Here is to a grand evening…" I muttered to myself.
