Page 2 of Bianca's Choice

I roll my eyes at my brother and his giddiness. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best that I could do to make sure I kept in contact with him. “It’s a prepaid phone with unlimited talk and text. I saved my number in the contacts. You can call or text me anytime you want, day or night.”

“This is awesome B, but why did you get it for me?”

I look away from him, this is the hard part. “I heard back from that lady at Child Protective Services. She said that I wouldn’t be granted custody of you unless I had a job to support us and a safe place for us to live.”

“That’s bullshit!” He growls, stomping around the yard huffing and puffing. I don’t like the news any more than he does, but I get it. It’s their job to make sure he’s safe and properly cared for. Currently, I wouldn’t be able to give him that.

Walking up to him, I put my hand on his back and rub it slowly. “Hey, I don’t like it either, but until I can get a better job and move into my own place this is just how it’s going to be for right now. You’re lucky, Laurie is good people, she’ll treat you right.”

Alex turns and looks down at me with a frown on his face. “I know she is, but it isn’t the same. What if… never mind.”

I shake my head. “Nope, no secrets, remember. What if what?” I ask.

“What if you leave me? Is that why you got me this?” He asks, holding up the phone. “So you don’t have to come and visit me anymore?”

“No, of course not. Alex, that isn’t going to happen. You’re my brother, the only family I have left. There’s no way I’m going to leave you here and never come back.”

“Do you promise?” He asks, sounding worried for the first time in a while.

“I promise. I’ll do whatever I need to do, as fast as I can do. Just give me a little time and trust me, okay?”

He grins at me. “I trust you B, you’re the only one I do trust,” he says, swinging his arm around my shoulder and squeezing me tight.

“Dinner,” Laurie calls through the kitchen window.

“Let’s go, I heard she’s making shepherd’s pie tonight,” I say, hoping to lighten the mood.

Alex’s eyes widen. “She makes the best yeast rolls with shepherd’s pie,” He says, then runs back into the house.

I grab my backpack off the bench and walk into the house after him. Every one of Laurie’s foster kids and Laurie are already seated around the large oval table. I sit down and we pass the food around making our plates. I’m thankful for what Laurie has given Alex, and the rest of the kids here, but he’s right. It’s not the same.

Once dinner is over, I help Laurie serve warm peach cobbler with melting vanilla ice cream on top to everyone at the table. I’m reminded at every turn there’s no way I could give Alex this kind of life, not right now anyway. Something needs to change or this is how it will be until he turns eighteen.

After changing into my work uniform, a tight black fitted skirt, and a black button-down shirt, I catch another bus. While on the bus, I put on some makeup and let down my long brown hair. Just before the bus pulls over at my next stop I switch my slip-on Vans for a pair of black heels and spray on some perfume.

I walk into The Marquee Club, thankful to shut out the noise that is my chaotic life. Here I can focus on my job and serving the elite of Atlanta. Here I can let my reality slip away and pretend I live in this world instead.

I’m a few hours into my shift when I bring a drink to a woman who’s been flitting around the rooftop bar, mingling with several well-dressed, handsome men. I can’t help wondering who she is and what she’s doing here. So many people seem to know her and like her. She’s well put together and could be anywhere between her late thirties and early fifties, and is dressed impeccably.

“Thank you,” she says, taking a sip of her drink.

I nod with a smile. “Can I get you anything else?”

“Actually, have a seat with me.”

I look around the bar wondering where my manager is and if I should sit with her since she asked or if it’s frowned upon.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head. If they get onto you, just tell them Madame Lillith asked you to.”

“Madame?” I ask.

She looks me over with a sneaky grin on her face. “Yes dear, Madame. Do you know what a Madame is?” She asks, tipping her head to the side.

“Ummm… I’m not sure,” I shrug hesitantly, although I’m pretty sure it has to do with prostitution or something. My cheeks burn in embarrassment. That can’t really be a thing, right?

Madame Lilith laughs. “I think you might, sweet girl. I own and run an elite escort service for the rich and powerful.”

My eyes widen as I look around wondering if anyone heard her. Is this legal? She says it with so much pride I doubt she’s worried about getting into trouble. “Oh,” I manage to say.

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