I stopped off at the liquor store on my way back from dropping off Troy. The old man behind the register looked me up and down and smiled at me. His name was Fred and he was a regular at Playpen. He liked it when you made fun of his penis and called him names. I took a deep breath and went looking for the vodka. As I was checking out, two men walked in behind me. I heard them whispering and I rolled my eyes.

“Hey, you work at Playpen don’t you?” The less nasty one asked. I grabbed my booze and started to leave.

“Yes I do.” I said with a smile and tried to walk out the door. The nasty one blocked my escape.

“Why don’t you come party with us sweetheart? We’ll show you a good time.” He said.

I held back my vomit and shook my head.

“Sorry boys, but I’ve got somewhere to be. Maybe next time.” I said with a wink that made my stomach sick and I half ran to my car.

I fired it up and peeled out of there so fast it was like I robbed the place. For once, I was thankful to be home. Mom was watching TV on the couch, nursing a drink when I walked in.

“I brought you some vodka.” I told her. She grinned and jumped up.

“I knew you were good for something.” She said as she cracked it open.

I rolled my eyes and went up to my bedroom. After such a long night, I was exhausted. I collapsed on my bed and pulled the covers up. I had to work tonight, so I had to get some sleep. It didn’t take long for sleep to pull me under into the blackness.

The sounds of my mother cursing woke me up hours later.

“Where the hell are you bitch!” She shouted from the living room.

I groaned and looked at the clock.

“Shit.” I said as I shot out from my bed and ran downstairs.

I was late to pick Troy up from school. I got in my car and drove so fast, I managed to get to the school just as the kids were running out. I breathed a sigh of relief and waited for Troy to come out. He was smiling wide when he saw me. He ran over and got in the car and reached over to hug me.

“Hi Kyle!” He shouted.

I smiled and messed up his hair.

“Hey bud, how was school?” I asked as I started driving away.

“Great, guess what?” He said.

I shrugged.

“What?” He grinned and looked away.

“Today, Emma kissed me on the playground.” He said with a blush.

I smiled.

“Aw! How cute! Did you kiss her back?” I asked him.

He nodded excitedly and rolled up his sleeve. On his tiny wrist was a beaded bracelet with EJK on it. I smiled at Troy and he blushed harder.

“Aw, you’ve got yourself a girlfriend.” I told him.

He nodded and ran his fingers over the initials. I smiled and we drove in a comfortable silence the rest of the way home. It was about 4:30 so I had a few hours before I had to be at work tonight. Mom had left, probably to bother Tate some more, but I wasn’t about to track her down. Not yet anyway. Troy went right up to do his homework and I went to fix him some dinner.

After we ate and I checked his work, I had to get ready for work and to bring Troy to Shawna’s. Tonight I left my hair straight and put on a matching set of bra and panties and my fuck me heels with a simple skirt and jacket. Troy was waiting in the living room with his pajama’s already on and he was staring at the bracelet. I smiled and walked over to him.

“What should I give her?” He asked. I shrugged and sat down.

“I don’t know, what’s something that you really like?” I asked.

Troy thought about it, then ran up to his room. In a few seconds he came back down clutching something in his hands. He held it out to me and I took it. It was a stuffed pig that I gave him when he was little. He loved that little pig and never slept without it.

“Are you sure you want to give that to her?” I asked him. He nodded firmly and looked at me.

“I love her.” She said.

A tear formed in my eye and I hugged him.

“She’s a lucky girl, Troy.” I told him. He smiled and we headed off to Shawna’s.

This time, instead of Charlie waiting for us, Shawna was. I said a silent prayer and got out of the car.

“Hey Kyle.” She said with a smile. I smiled back and hugged her.

“Hey Shawna.” I said back.

Troy ducked in the house and I told Shawna about his girlfriend. After an awkward silence, I cleared my throat and stuffed my hands in my pockets.

“So, where’s Charlie?” I asked.

Shawna looked down and then up at me.

“At his place. He needed some time to think.” She said. I raised my eyebrow.

“Think? About what?” I asked. She shook her head and I knew it wasn’t my business.

“I see. Well I gotta get going. Goodnight and thanks.” I told her.

She nodded and I got in my car and headed for Playpen. Mac was waiting for me in the parking lot.

“Hey Sin, you’re on time for once.” He said with a smile. I laughed and he walked me in.

Poison was in the dressing room getting ready and I didn’t see Candie around.

“Hey babe.” Poison said when I walked in. I smiled at her and unzipped my jacket.

“Hey.” I said back.

Angelo popped his head in the door and smiled at me.

“Sin, you’ve got a request tonight.” He said with a grin.

I rolled my eyes.

“Is it Fred?” I asked. Angelo shook his head.

“No, it’s Zacky Vengeance.” He said with a wink.

I felt myself smile as walked into room number one.