“You, my dear, have a lot to learn about the fine art of seduction. It doesn’t take that long to bed a man. Further, each time you communicate with the guy…or girl, if you like, you get paid the eight hundred dollars, as if you were actually spending the night together.” She grinned, and added, “and there’s no law against juggling multiple men, which means more money. Further, if you end up in bed, the fee goes up to fifteen-hundred dollars. Every day you stay overnight with your lover is an additional fifteen hundred dollars.”
“Huh. We’ll let me think this over. I’m still not sure how this kind of thing works, but it sounds interesting, and sure pays well.”
“Can I buy you some lunch?” she asked.
“No thanks. I usually eat my lunch around five o’clock. But I appreciate your offer.” With that, Phoebe got up and left.
* * *
Monday, July 21st
Poisonous’ thoughts turned to Roger as she sipped her cocktail. What she hadn’t expected was for the anticipation to work on her as well. Once sex inhabited her thoughts, her mind worked overtime. Her body slowly primed itself for an encounter. A happy smile pasted itself to her face for the rest of the day. About an hour later, she returned to the condo.
Her mood did not escape Evie. “My, but you’re in a good mood. You must be planning something naughty.”
She shot Evie an evil glance. “What I do is none of your business. Now do me the favor of staying out of my affairs.”
“Affairs. Yes, that would be the right word. But, don’t worry: I’ll be praying for you.”
“Oh shut up.” She turned her back on Evie and walked away. “I’m ignoring you.” By ignoring Evie, maybe those prayers of hers wouldn’t haunt her as much. Those emotional bombs devastated her.
Poisonous went to Roger’s condo by herself. Taking charge of the events of her life gave her a sense of control, and she liked it. A quick knock on his door and she heard his footsteps approaching. The door opened, and he eyed her with interest.
“Nice outfit. It really does wonders for you.” He motioned towards the inside of his condo. “Please. Won’t you come in?”
“Why thank, you.” His gentle manner pleased her; she felt appreciated, and liked it. “My but you’re a gentleman tonight. This is a pleasant turn of events.”
“I thought it might be nice to do something different than just jumping into the sack as quickly as possible.”
“Why thank you, Roger. I know I’m evil, but I am a lady.” It really did feel nice. They enjoyed a conversation—surprisingly, not about all their conquests, but getting the most out of this life.
Tongue-in-cheek, Roger said, “You know the aphorism, ‘let us eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.’”
“You don’t know how much truth is in that. Trust me.” She shuddered, not wanting to start thinking about being in agony while fire consumed her for eternity.
The clock on the wall read, ‘12:17.’ “Oh my. It’s getting late, and I know you have to go work tomorrow. I’d better get going.”
“You know, Perri... this may sound strange, but I really enjoyed talking to you. It was fun. We really ought to do this again.”
She stared at him, realizing they hadn’t had sex, or even made out. Now that she thought of it, the conversation reminded her of her heart, and the one who had captured it. “You’re right. I actually enjoyed your company as well.” She got up, and walked towards the door. “But I must be going.”
He retrieved her purse, put her wrap around her shoulders and kissed her gently on the forehead. “G’nite, Perri.”
“Good night, Roger.”
She walked out the door, and headed towards the main lobby. The train at the U Street/Cordoza station rolled up, stopped and opened its doors. A seat in the middle of the row, being empty, found her sitting in it.
BAM! The thought hit her so hard, she gasped. He sat next to her, one arms around her back, another cradling her head as he kissed her tenderly. She held him, and drank in his kiss with every ounce of her being. The pain in her heart overtook her happy reverie, so she banished the thoughts from her mind.
“No. No. NO! Stop it, you foolish heart. I’ve told you before, I cannot love like that. It will make me weak. And, besides...” She fought back the tears, and spoke in a quieter voice. “... it hurts too much.”
Her face contorted while she pounded her fist on the seat next to her. The thought hit her with a force as strong as a hard, swift slap to the face, bringing out her fury and accompanying execrations. “Evie! She and her prayers! I thought there was something unusual about this evening.” She fluctuated between being intensely angry and intensely sad all the way home.
As she walked in the door, Evie looked up from her book.
“Hi. How was your evening?”
Frosty icicles shot at Evie. “You know, I’d really appreciate it if you’d quit praying for me. You’re making me crazy... quit ruining my life!”
“I’m not sure how I’m ruining your life. I’m just changing your habits by having the Father intervene in your life. You’re only feeling crazy, because it’s the diametrically opposed to your way of thinking. You’re not used to having to deal with positive emotions.”
“And quite frankly, I don’t want to. Now I’m going to bed. I can’t deal with you or any more of this...this positivity.”
Walking away, she ducked into her room, where at least Evie’s prayers wouldn’t plague her—at least she hoped.
* * *
Saturday, July 26th
Fingernails brightly polished in a shade of bright red tapped nervously on the table as she waited
