"Housekeeping, how may I help you?" Brooke answered the call cheerily just like she was supposed to.
"Oh, is it umm, Penelope?" Lucas asked, recognising the voice but not sure about it.
"Yes sir, how may I help you?" Brooke asked, realising that it was Lucas instantly.
"Uhh, we uhh, we needed some fresh towels, actually, if that's okay," Lucas requested rather awkwardly.
"I'll get you those right away, sir," Brooke replied as professionally as she did even as a stripper and that scared Lucas. How did Brooke have nerves made of steel? She was so unfazed. Be it working housekeeping, a diner or a strip club, Brooke always wore armour and she was bloody good at it.
Brooke sighed after she put down the phone receiver. Images of her dream from the night before circled her mind. She shook her head disapprovingly. She needed to forget that and bury it to the deepest darkest corner of her brain, especially far away from her heart.
Brooke grabbed some fresh towels off the rack and made her way to Lucas' suite. Knocking on the door, she waited outside, staring at her feet.
"Here are the towels that you asked for, Sir," she mumbled and handed them to him, looking at him respectfully like she was supposed to with every client, be it here or at the diner or the club. She had perfected being Tier 2 especially at the club where she had been treated as an accessory on a man or a commodity rather than a person. She was an object of their affection, not a subject of their fantasies.
"Oh good, I need some more help, can you come in?" He asked. He sounded agitated, his step had a little urgent bounce to it and he reminded Brooke a little of Jamie on a sugar rush who could not keep still. Brooke looked at him, trying to figure out what was going on in his mind. Something was definitely up.
"Brooke! Good, you managed to pull her away!" Karen said with a grim expression.
"How can she say no to a guest?" Lucas rolled her eyes. "Now that she is here, will you please finally tell us?"
"Tell us what? Guys, I really can't do Six Flags," Brooke rolled her eyes.
"Oh forget about that! This is important," Karen explained. Brooke got quiet and looked at her. There was something about the way they sounded that Brooke couldn't place. Karen too looked nervous and stressed, maybe even a little agitated.
"I got a call from the adoption agency today. They asked me questions about you two, tried to see if you guys were legit, asked me about your histories and verified if I owned Tric and whether Lucas, as my beneficiary, was reaping the profits. They asked me about the living conditions and the home environment. We had already filed your financial statements, medical records, birth certificates and things so they cross-referenced and verified a few facts. All that went well, until they came to the Dan of it all. I am sorry, but they also questioned me a lot about Lucas' father being in prison for murder. I didn't even think about that. I told them that Lucas never really knew him well as Dan never claimed him. I showed them that I never received child support and kept Lucas as far away from that man as I could. I told them that the only father figure Lucas had growing up was Keith, the man Dan took away from him, but they sounded grim. I am sorry honey, I did the best I could with the line of questioning. I told them how incredible you are as parents to Jamie and how much Samantha would benefit from being with the two of you. They had done their digging and research. They knew Lucas briefly stayed with Dan and Dan saw basketball games that Lucas played at in High School. I tried to explain that he was there for his other son, Nathan and that he hated that Lucas was even on the team, but I don't know. Their tones were too hard to pick on, so I don't know how my words are going to swing," Karen said apologetically.
"Shit. Dan. Wow! I never even thought about him," Brooke said, feeling cold dread run through her veins instead of blood.
"I did," Lucas said grimly. "He was never my father. He does not get to screw this up for me." Lucas strangled the towels he was holding as if asphyxiating an imaginary Dan's neck and then flung the towels at the wall in anger. Brooke and Karen gasped at his sudden outburst, not expecting it.
"Hey, umm, thanks Karen. I am sure that they will understand and dismiss Dan, hopefully, but I'm going to head back down now," she replied, unsure how to respond to anything she had just learnt. She wanted space to process the new information she had received. What if this stopped her from getting Sam? She expected hitches on her end, not Lucas'. Wasn't he living the perfect life? Apparently not.
Lucas watched Brooke and felt his heart crush into tiny fragments. How was he supposed to get out of that mess? A mess that wasn't his fault, a mess he couldn't do anything about. Dan killed the only father he ever knew and he was rotting in prison like he deserved. Tree Hill was a small town, of course he had run-ins with Dan. Lucas and Nathan were in the same grade, they played in little league together until Lucas saw how much it hurt his mother to have to see him and so baby Lucas made the sacrifice of giving up playing basketball under a coach or with a team. Was it a bad thing that he joined the varsity team in high school, inadvertently bringing Dan back in his life?
"I am so sorry, Brooke," Lucas apologised as he followed Brooke to the door.
"Hey, you can't apologise for your parents' screw ups. We'll talk to Lorelai and get it straightened out if it comes to that. We'll try to explain how he never claimed you. Wait, do you think they will contact Dan in prison? Do you think they will want to talk to him?" Brooke asked, freaking out. "Oh my God! If they do…. Dan will know about Jamie! Lucas!" Brooke was trembling as she stood there looking at Lucas helplessly. Now it was Lucas' turn to experience cold dread.
"I need to go to Tree Hill. I'm going to sort this out," he said, getting out his laptop to book a flight ticket.
"Hey Nate, I am going to need your lawyer's number. Can he meet with me today? I am just booking a flight to Tree Hill. I should be there by afternoon. I'll ask Haley to pick me up… I'll explain everything to you at night. Right now I need to sort some things out urgently," he spoke on the phone while simultaneously clicking on his laptop.
"Okay, I'm sorry. I'll be back soon, as soon as I sort this out," Lucas said and began to grab some of the things he would need.
"Wait? Shouldn't we call Lorelai or Nancy instead?" Brooke asked, a little dumbfounded by everything that was happening.
"No, if we go poking, they will think we have something to hide and they will dig deeper. I promise you Brooke, I will not let this come in the way of you getting Sam," he squeezed her shoulders reassuringly.
"Mom, I'll keep you posted. One of you is going to have to go to get Jamie. My flight is in two hours. I love you," he said.
Brooke just watched him leave. She was so amazed. Lucas was so dedicated to helping her. He was so concerned. Tears streamed down her face without her even realising it. He owed her nothing. No, what he did owe her was a court case she could not afford. She deserved to be sued for keeping Jamie from him. She deserved a custody battle. How was he being so gracious?
"Oh honey! I promise you, we will get Sam!" Karen said, running to Brooke's side as she clocked the tears.
"No, it's… It's nothing. I'm fine," she said, shaking her head at how close she was in admitting to Karen just how touched she was by Lucas' actions and his dedication. He was dedicated at being a great dad to Jamie, he was dedicated to helping Brooke, he was dedicated in not giving up on Brooke no matter how many challenges she put for herself in her path, he was dedicated in not being like his father. Brooke felt small. How had she let such a great guy not meet his son for three and a half years? How had he forgiven her for that and then gone so many extra miles? Brooke's face broke again as she thought that and a fresh batch of tears fell. How had she been so horrible to Lucas and how had he found the grace to forgive her? She was a Monster!
"Brooke?" Karen asked with concern.
"May I use your bathroom, if that's okay?" Brooke asked.
"Of course," Karen replied and stepped aside.
Brooke went in and locked the door behind her. She breathed deeply a few times, trying to jolt her body back to normal. She needed to trust Lucas. Honestly, she trusted him. It was herself that she was ashamed of. Brooke washed her face and left the bathroom. She had been upstairs for a long time. Grace could question her about it. She began thinking of excuses for her absence as she silently prayed for things to go well on Lucas' end.
"I guess we'll have to cancel lunch now," Brooke said meekly as she walked towards the door.
"No, we all still have to eat. We'll take Jamie with us," Karen smiled. "If you want, we could go to your apartment and I could cook for you."
"I'll come up once my shift ends. Then we can go pick Jamie up together, eat lunch and pick Sam up from her school. She is really looking forward to shopping. I have never been able to take her shopping. Any clothes I have given her have been sewed by me. I bargain buy Jamie's clothes from thrift stores because he outgrows everything so quickly and I usually live my days in uniforms anyway," or you know, easy to take off bras and g-strings, she thought the last bit to herself.
"We'll do it all. It will be a good distraction. You can buy something for yourself too. Don't worry, I am sure that Lucas will figure everything out," Karen affirmed.
"Yeah," Brooke said and went back down to finish the remainder of her shift.
Brooke changed into jeans and a top that she had carried for her lunch with Karen. She sighed as she stuffed her housekeeping uniform into her bag. She swapped her shoes, leaving her uniform ones in her locker and opened her hair from the neat bun she was required to have it in for work. She checked her appearance in the mirror once before clocking out and heading to the twelfth floor.
She knocked on the door and waited for Karen to open it. Karen smiled on seeing her in her regular outfit and grabbed her things so they could head out. Brooke started walking towards the service elevator, which Karen didn't understand.
"Oh God! I am so sorry, I forgot that you take the guest elevator," Brooke replied when she saw Karen wasn't following her but standing and looking at her with confusion. "The staff elevator is out there in the back. If it is okay with you, can I meet you outside? I'll ride the service elevator."
"Brooke, your name is added to the suite as a guest," Karen reminded her. "You have every right to leave with me."
"I love you, but trust me, the Manager will not appreciate it. He thinks Lucas has my name added for other reasons," Brooke tried to explain, biting her lip.
"What reasons?" Karen asked, not understanding what Brooke meant by it.
"Nevermind that, please, just let me meet you out back," Brooke requested.
"Then let me take the service elevator with you," Karen smiled and said.
"Through the laundry room and kitchen? No way!" Brooke said a little too loudly.
"Let's just take the guest one. It's fine," Brooke sighed and gave up. She would just have to hide her face from the Manager and try to be as discreet as possible.
Brooke sighed but followed Karen. When they were walking out, she kept her head tilted sideways to avoid the Manager. He was circling the hotel it seemed and luckily wasn't in the hotel lobby. Brooke breathed more calmly once they were out. She led the way to Jamie's school making small talk with Karen.
"How is the planning going with Andy?" she asked.
"Good, he responded to my email last night where I had asked him a lot of questions. I feel like I am back in school again. It really makes me wonder how I did it back in High School. It seemed so achievable back then, but I mean, I was hand-stitching every dress myself and all I had done for my business was launch a website and upload pictures of my friends wearing my designs, so of course all of this is different. We are starting with incorporation. Luckily Andy said he can manage all the registration work for me. Are they coming here or are you returning?"
"I was going to return if I am being honest. Lilly has school but now that I messed up the adoption, I think I should have them come here. Lilly is only four. She won't exactly suffer if she misses school. Andy still owns that large property in Tree Hill," Karen mulled.
"No, you didn't mess up. You can't be responsible for Dan's actions. I mean just look at the son that you raised all on your own. If Jamie turns out to be even half the man that Lucas is, I will be so grateful to God. Your son is literally flying to make right a problem that is not his to begin with. If anything, he should be searching for ways to make my life hell for what I did to him and dragging me to court knowing that I can't afford it and getting custody. You forgave me, you're helping me, you're staying away from your daughter to help me. I'm not related to you, in fact I hurt the ones who are. I don't think I could be as kind and large-hearted as you have. I am so selfish with Jamie. Karen, I didn't sleep the night that Jamie stayed over here. I was a wreck. Please don't make Lilly miss school and fly down. Please, you have to return," Brooke begged. She was starting to feel too obligated to the family. They were doing too much instead of being petty and horrible.
"Honey, you need to calm down. Lucas and I are being very selfish here too. He wants as much time as he can get with Jamie and that is possible if you move to Tree Hill. The way to get you to Tree Hill is by getting you Samantha's custody. I love Lilly and I love Lucas and I love Jamie and I love Samantha and you. So, if Andy and Lilly fly down, I get to be with everyone I love all at once. It's simple math," Karen replied enigmatically.
"I have never met anyone with as much grace as you have," Brooke replied admirably."Oh, look Jamie is here." Jamie came running outside and jumped into Brooke's open arms. He hugged her tight as she lifted him in her arms.
"Where's dad? Wasn't he going to pick me up today?" Jamie enquired.
"Yeah, I'm sorry honey. Something really important came up and your Dad had to return to Tree Hill. He will be back soon though," Brooke explained.
"What? No! What about Six Flags this weekend?" he asked sullenly.
"I'm quite certain he will be back by then and if not, don't worry. We are still going," Karen smiled. "Now, I have a very very important question for you… Ice Cream before lunch or after lunch?"
Jamie's eyes began twinkling. Karen knew the boy's weakness. He was easily distracted. "How about both?" he asked with a hint of evilness in his voice.
"James," Brooke warned. Jamie knew better than to argue when his mother called him James. He knew better than to tempt fate. So, they had a casual dinner and then walked to Samantha's school. Sam got out excitedly, awaiting the shopping spree ahead. She had never got to experience what she was just about to. It sounded so normal - going shopping with family. Yet, it was a privilege to Sam to have a chance to have that. She was unwilling to not soak it all in. However, she was also super awkward. They walked to a mall and entered H&M. Sam browsed through the options and checked price tags. She could not believe the amount a tiny piece of fabric cost. She didn't want to drill a hole in Brooke's purse. Brooke saw Sam's expressions and decided to help her. She went through the racks and pulled out some pieces for Sam to try. Sam looked at her awkwardly, asking for permission whether Brooke actually meant it.
"Come on, go put them on. I want to see how they look on you," Brooke gently nudged her towards the trial room.
Sam walked slowly as Brooke followed her. She sat on the ottoman as Sam closed the trial room door behind her. Sam put on the first one and looked at herself in the mirror. It fit her but it did nothing to flaunt her barely there assets. She opened the door and allowed Brooke to view what she looked like.
"Not bad, now try the other one on," Brooke encouraged. Sam was already awkward. She saw that the other two were a lot more expensive than the first one she had tried. Regardless, she changed and swung the door again to show Brooke the second one. Brooke gasped on seeing her.
"Baby, you look lovely!" she replied, seeing the orange and yellow swimsuit hug Sam's frame perfectly. "I'm pretty certain that we have our winner, but go try the third one too." Sam did and although it looked nice, the second appealed to both of them a lot more.
"Brooke, no, can we get the first one or can we maybe try another store? Maybe you can make me a swimsuit," Sam suggested.
"Don't you like this one?" Brooke asked with trepidation.
"No, I love it but it's so expensive. I don't need this particular bathing suit," Sam replied.
"Sammy, let me worry about the money, please. Go be a kid, remember?"
"But -" she tried to argue.
"No buts! We're getting that one. I know that we have never done this before, but I really do like shopping with you. The feeling is truly incredible, watching your teenage daughter try on new outfits and see them do the fashion show. I want us to be able to do more of this," she wished, prayed, dreamt - all of it.
"Soon enough I'll be hauling loot for the best store - Clothes over Bro's," Sam said before musing at the racks of t-shirts.
"Oh good, I found you two. Found anything you like?" Karen asked as she walked towards them. She was carrying a few items of clothing in her hands while Jamie strutted by her side, clearly bored.
"Yeah, we found a gorgeous bathing suit for Sam. I was just going to go bill it," Brooke replied, looking at Sam who was red with embarrassment over a purchase.
"Oh wait, I liked some other things that I found pretty and thought you should try on," Karen said. She raised her arm to hand the outfits to her.
"Sorry Karen, but I wouldn't be caught dead in pink, or a blouse for that matter," Sam replied, immediately disliking Karen's wardrobe choice for her.
"No, I didn't pick these for you. They're for Brooke to try on," she smiled and shook her arm for Brooke to take them from her hands.
"What? No, I'm good. Thanks," Brooke said, her eyes getting wide at the prospect of splurging on herself.
"Hey, this is a shopping spree! Brooke, when you lived with me, I had to literally cut you off monetarily because you had to get that top and you absolutely needed that make up. I love how responsible you have become, but now I'm beginning to wonder if you have completely lost yourself. Stop it now. Go try on anything that you like, I am not sure if you will like what I picked. Also, while we are on the subject, tell your boss that you can't make the Saturday shift. You're coming to Six Flags with us. It's mandatory for the family, non-negotiable," Karen said, putting her foot down. For a second, Brooke felt like she was travelling back in time to when Karen had first grounded her. She felt like a spoiled teen all over again as being admonished by Karen. She stood there ineptly, unsure about what to say.
"Ooooh, Mama Scott bites," Sam teased and whispered in Jamie's ears who was so confused by the entire ordeal.
Brooke sighed and grabbed the outfits from Karen's arms. She tried them on, but none felt like her anymore. She stood in front of the mirror and looked at her appearance. The outfits looked well on her, it wasn't like they were a bad design or fit. It was more that she didn't associate herself with those kind of clothes. The pink blouse would rock with a pencil skirt and heels for a corporate meeting. Brooke wasn't corporate. She tugged the blouse and tried to adjust it further as she swung to her sides to watch herself. It worked as a semi casual too with the jeans she had on. Yet, she felt ill at ease. When had she begun to feel more at home in her work uniforms? Her mind went to the scrapes of fabrics she used to wear as a stripper. Did she feel just as inhibited in those? Her mind wandered to when she had accepted the job and how irked she had been by herself.
FLASHBACK
Brooke walked into the club with a carseat. She looked around at the dimly lit dingy space. It was daylight outside but inside, you could never tell. The place had leather couches, velvet ropes and poles every few feet. A curtained area was at the back with neon lights decorating the place. A gold spiral staircase on the side took you upstairs and the back had a large bar. She took in the surroundings and clutched onto the carseat a little tighter.
"Oh, aren't you a beauty," a man said as he walked out of a door labelled Staff Only. "Name's Marty. What are you here for? You clearly don't seem to be the lesbian types with a kid. Wow, you do not seem to have lost yourself after having a kid." Marty licked his lips as he hungrily moved his eyes up and down Brooke's physique.
Brooke felt like barfing at that moment. What was she thinking going there and actually considering doing it? She almost stood out to run out of the door and never look back, but just as she started getting up, her eyes fell on her sleeping baby boy. The boy she loved and needed to take care of.
"I uh, I am looking for a job," Brooke squeaked.
"You do seem to have the body for it. What all are you willing to do?" Marty asked.
"What do you mean?" Brooke asked. "Yes, she had been to strip clubs before. She had been the one sitting on the leather couch, watching the show. She had booked one for Haley when she got married to Nathan and she had taken Mouth to one during the boytoy auction. Hell, when her credit card tanked, she was willing to get dirty in a seductive way to pay off the bill." Damn Lucas and his nobility that had rubbed off on her in the year that followed.
"I can strip, but only my top and I can dance on the pole," Brooke replied. "But… I also have a kid, so how am I supposed to do that?"
"Girl, nobody under 21 is allowed inside the club. Wait, you are over 21 right?" he asked.
"Yeah, yeah, but I don't have anywhere that I can leave him. I'm- I'm alone," she squeaked again.
"I'm sorry then. I can't help you. If anyone gets to know that I am allowing a kid inside, I lose my licence and have to shut the place down. I can't gamble it for someone only willing to take their top off," he answered as if he was discussing the financial conditions of the stock market.
"What more do you want?" Brooke asked.
"You could become a hooker, but with protection this time. We have rooms upstairs, real nice. Our clients love them," he said with a wicked smile.
"No!" the words flew out of Brooke's mouth before she even realised what she was saying.
"Then sorry kid, I can't help you," Marty said and started to stand up.
"Wait, I can maybe give handjobs and blowjobs," Brooke compromised. She shut her eyes firmly as she said that, hoping that it would all be imaginary when she opened them again. She did and it was not imaginary.
"Workplaces have probations, right? Let's see how well you do the first week. You tell me what nights you plan on coming on, weekends are non-negotiable. We don't provide outfits or makeup. You need to manage your own. You go on stage and shimmy your tits and ass. I get 20% of all the money you make. You give me a fixed rate as stage time but how much you charge is upto you. I will ask the clients how much they paid, so do not try any underhanded tricks to not give me my 20% cut. I think I am reasonable. Also, you will make money here if you do well. Use some of it on a babysitter. I don't want my clients to come here and hear a kid wail. Most of the men here come here to forget about their wailing kids and wives back home. Also, you will work the bar for a few hours as well as a part of your service. Am I clear, what's your name?"
"Yes, we're clear. My name's uhh, Penelope." she replied, biting her lip.
"Good, will I see you here this weekend?" he asked and Brooke nodded her head, unsure whether she was making the biggest mistake of her life.
END OF FLASHBACK
"Brooke, are you okay in there?" somebody knocked on the door and pulled Brooke out of her thoughts.
"Huh, yes, one moment," she replied and changed back to her t-shirt.
"Oh, we thought you'd show us how you look in it," Karen replied with disappointment.
"It didn't fit well. Didn't seem like me," Brooke replied and returned the top to a sales assistant.
"Okay, do you want to see something else?" Karen asked.
"No, I don't like anything here… too stereotypical," she replied.
"Are we done?" Jamie asked with a bored undertone.
"Yes, we are done. We can go get you that ice cream now," Brooke replied, picking him up in her arms and kissing his cheek. They went and paid for Sam's swimsuit. Karen insisted on paying and Sam looked giddily at the bag in her hand.
"Thanks, Karen," she replied and then in the most surprising manner, she went ahead and hugged her.
Everyone was stunned. Sam was not a hugger. She only allowed Brooke to hug her on occasion with eyerolls and Jamie on days when he was scared or upset. She never let anyone invade her personal space and she was barely ever one to initiate a hug unless she was too excited or scared. Both Brooke and her were scorched and reserved like that so it worked. It was only with Jamie that they went overboard on the affection. Karen hugged Sam back like a proud mom. She smiled and patted her back soothingly and Sam seemed happy and content by it.
They walked to the ice cream parlour and each got a scoop of chocolate chip cookie dough. Sam was opening up to Karen so much. They were talking, laughing, making plans on what rides they wanted to go on at Six Flags. Brooke wasn't sure whether to feel jealous or grateful. Karen would be a more idealistic mom for Sam than her. She was perfect in every way. Brooke kept quiet though.
She remembered the day Sam had walked into the club.
FLASHBACK
Brooke had been working there for two years. She had learnt the ropes of the place and was the most sought out stripper at the club. She was used to men touching her hips where the thin band of her g-string kept her trace ounce of modesty. She was used to men grabbing her ass. She had made her peace with sitting on the laps of strangers, feeling their hard ons. She could walk on the stage and gyrate her body at the pole. She could go to the backroom and dance for the pleasure of a stranger. She had even swallowed her pride and excelled at the blowjobs she was required to give as a service to men. It had taken her two years to mentally reach acceptance. It had taken every ounce of her will and vigour to not succumb to drugs to get by. It had taken her gallons of tears to accept the fact that Jamie was spending nights in the backroom of a seedy club. She had tried to find babysitters, but nobody was willing to spend the night, especially in the neighbourhood she was renting at. Mrs. Shapiro could only care for him during the day and she wasn't the most alert thanks to her age. Marty was angry, but Brooke was his highest paying employee. He wasn't willing to lose her.
Jamie was wailing in the backroom an hour before the club opened up for the night. He had a stomach ache. Brooke had cancelled her shift at the diner to care for him and had taken him to the doctor. They had given him some medicines to settle his aching stomach but they were taking longer to kick in than she had anticipated.
"Penelope, calm that kid down before paying customers get here," Marty grumbled in annoyance.
"I am trying!" she replied in frustration. Jamie's face was red and he was clutching his stomach in pain as he looked at his mother to fix it for him. Brooke was in tears herself.
"I am sorry baby. You need to give the medicines a little time. If you don't feel better in half an hour, I will take you back to the doctor," she tried to explain to the toddler. Yet, what was he supposed to understand?
"Make pain go, Mommy," he cried.
"I'm sorry Jamie. Why don't you try falling asleep? It will heal your stomach faster," she tried and took him on her chest and started rubbing her back. Jamie's wails only got louder. Brooke began to feel helpless. She got up to go tell Marty that she couldn't go on that night. However, he walked in instead with a timid scrawny brunette behind her.
"Everyone, this is Serena. She is joining us from tonight. One of you, show her the ropes for bartending tonight and make sure she looks the part," he said and walked out of the room. The girl was young, very young. She looked terrified to be there. Brooke remembered the first day on the job, she was equally terrified, if not more. It wasn't just her safety she was throwing to the wind but also her son's. She remembered that within the first five minutes of being out there, a man had come and spanked her ass, making her yelp and ready to punch the man in defence. It took all her resolve to remember that all this was willing and she had no defences. That man had later booked her for a lap dance even though she hadn't gone on stage. Brooke was asked to take her top off and he went on to fondle with her as he desired while expecting Brooke to shimmy to the music as if she was having a great time too. Her first blowjob at the club made her literally throw up after in the bathroom.
Serena's eyes immediately lay on the still sobbing Jamie cradled in Brooke's arms. Her eyes were soft as she watched Brooke struggle.
"Hey, uhh, what's wrong with him?" she asked.
"He has a stomach ache. I gave him his medicine about thirty minutes ago but he's still in a lot of pain," Brooke sighed.
"Try getting him on his side, it helps sometimes," she replied. Brooke was willing to try anything at that moment. She did as Serena said and although Jamie was still in pain, his wails turned to hiccups. Brooke sighed with relief.
"How did you know what to do? You don't have kids of your own, don't you?" she asked. "I'm Penelope, by the way."
"No, I don't but I have, err, siblings?" she said but it sounded more like a question.
"How old are you?" Brooke asked her.
"21," she replied quickly.
"No, you're not," she replied with a straight face. Jamie was almost falling asleep on her lap.
"What? I am, I just have a young face, I guess," she replied.
"Honey, you are definitely younger to me. You cannot work here," Brooke said. She herself was not 21. She, too, was lying to Marty about her age. The new kid was definitely too young to be there. "Now what's your real age?"
"Look lady, I don't know why you are all up on me right after I did you a favour and helped you with your kid! Jeez, leave me the heck alone!" Serena said angrily. "Are you afraid I'll take away some of your clients?"
Brooke sighed. She looked at the girl. She had deep pain in her eyes but also a defensive stance. Brooke understood those very well. "Listen, I am sorry I stepped on your toes. You're here to make money, right? You seem to be good with kids. Will you babysit him for me? I got to get on stage soon. I will give you a cut of everything I earn for staying in the backroom with him."
"No, what if you earn a measly sum. I need the money!" Serena continued to argue.
"Okay, how about I give you a hundred dollars upfront and then a 10% cut of what I earn. If you don't trust me, come out and waitress during my first performance. You can count your tips serving drinks and then count the cut you would have received," she answered in a business-like fashion.
Serena was taken aback but she nodded her head. "But first, are you high or are you in your senses?"
"What!" she was flabbergasted another time by this lady's line of questioning.
"If you're going to watch my kid, I can't have you high," she replied frankly.
Sam just stared at her and kept quiet. She was not clean. She had just done drugs before entering the club. She quickly wiped her nose as if some remains of the powder she had snorted were there for the crazy chick to view. Her actions were enough for Brooke to understand that she was, in fact, high. Her heart broke to watch the girl.
She looked down, Jamie was asleep. "Yolanda, are you staying inside for your break? Please can you watch Jamie?" she requested.
"Sure," she smiled. Brooke steadied her nerves and walked to the back of the stage for her performance. Sam was as intrigued and enticed by the brunette beauty as the guys in the club. She had a power to her. She followed her out and asked for help orders and table numbers. Carrying the tray, she walked, but she couldn't take her eyes off Brooke who had begun her set. Everyone was mesmerised. She was sexy, she was real, she was a dream come true and she was graceful. It was insane how she played every role. The men were glued to her act, they were silent, until she took her bra off. Then they cheered. Brooke was standing in front of the pole, holding it from the back and squatting down. She closed her parted legs and moved to give them a view of her bare butt, shimmying it for them. The crowd cheered again. Sam didn't realise that she had not taken any drinks to their tables and had instead stood and watched the entirety of Brooke's performance. She saw Brooke walk around the tables as men stuffed her g-string, stockings, literally everywhere with dollar bills. Brooke smiled and paid attention to each of them. She thanked, air-kissed, shimmied her bare breasts, her butt, anything to provoke them into giving more bills. When one man tipped her fifty dollars, she sat on his lap as thanks. She really knew how to work a crowd. Sam suddenly felt inferior and small. She was nowhere as good as Penelope. She did not even have the rack Penelope seemed to be naturally gifted with.
"What are you up to, girl? Table Twelve has been complaining that they didn't get their drink orders! Hurry up and give it to them, make sure to do them a favour for delaying them," another girl yelled at her.
Sam felt bile rise in her mouth. What did that girl mean by favour? She quickly placed their drinks on the table, apologised for the delay and began searching for Brooke. When she didn't see her around, she walked into the Staff Only door.
Brooke was pulling out all the money she had made from wherever the bills were hanging while her eyes remained fixed on Jamie. Once she had put all her money away, she went to feel her son's forehead. She inhaled his scent and kissed his cheek. The kid didn't move as the medicine had made him pass out.
"Penelope, I'll take you on the offer," Sam said quickly.
Brooke looked up and raised an eyebrow at her in amusement.
"Okay, but to do that, I need some honest answers from you first. How old are you? What drugs are you on? How long have you been abusing them and why the heck are you here instead of school?"
END OF FLASHBACK
The air was murky which seemed to go well with where they were headed. Two men walked in grimly and silently. They had an agenda. They wanted to get it done and be out of there. The place had maximum security. They went through all the checks and screening, put on their visitor tags and entered a room. They waited patiently for the one they had come to see. It didn't take too long. Ten minutes later, the door swung open and in walked a man dressed in an orange jumpsuit.
"Well well well, the prodigal son has returned," the man said with a creepy smile.
"Hello Dan," Lucas replied.