“I’m sure it will, but you have to remember something.” He turned to face me as he continued, “This place is just a means to an end.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“It’s not just about sex.”
“Oh, really?” I motioned my hand over to one of the girls who was grinding up against some guy, tempting him to get a lap dance. “You could’ve fooled me.”
“Well, yeah. Sex definitely has a part to play in it.” He chuckled under his breath. “But that’s not the only thing. Coming here gives people an escape—a place where you can forget about work and all the bullshit at home for a little while.”
“You could do that at the movies.”
“Maybe, but I doubt a movie can distract a man as well as our girl Candy can.”
I rolled my eyes and giggled. “You may have a point there.”
“So, should I tell Menace you’re interested in the position?”
“Menace?”
“He’s the one who does most of the hiring around here. Once I give him the go-ahead, he’ll do a background check and—”
“A background check?” I asked, sounding more horrified than I’d intended. It wasn’t that I had anything to hide. I’d never been in any kind of trouble or associated with anyone who had, but I feared there would be questions about my past I wasn’t prepared to answer. “Is that really necessary? I’ve been working at Crockett’s for all this time, and Gladys never did a background check.”
“There a reason why you seem so concerned about it?”
“I’m not concerned. I was just wondering why he thought it was necessary.”
“It’s standard measure for all new hires. It’s a way for us to make sure we know who we’re bringing into the fold.”
“Okay. That makes sense. I’ll get him whatever information he needs.”
As the words left my mouth, I thought back to the day I’d left San Antonio and the mix of excitement and sadness that had filled my heart as I prepared to leave. Before pulling out of the driveway, I looked up at our large two-story home and searched for any sign of my parents. I hoped one of them might come out and try to stop me from leaving or at the very least give me a hug goodbye to show they actually cared about me, but they were nowhere to be found. Kate, on the other hand, was standing in her bedroom window. Despite all the hurt feelings and bitterness, I loved my sister, I truly did, but as I’d sat there looking into her cold, dark eyes, I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d felt the same about me.
I was pulled from my thoughts when Rafe placed his hand on my thigh and asked, “You good with all this?”
“Absolutely. Leaving Crockett’s and starting here is a lot to take in all at once.”
“It definitely is.” He studied me for a minute, his eyes searching mine, then he replied, “I think it’s time to be getting you home.”
“Yeah, you might be right.”
Rafe took my hand in his and lead me out to the parking lot. After I buckled on my helmet, he helped me get on his bike behind him, and then we were on our way to my apartment. Unlike the time before, I didn’t even notice the lights or anything else about my surroundings. Thinking about the day I’d left home had dredged up feelings and memories I’d tried desperately to put behind me, and no matter how hard I tried to push it from my mind, one of my worst memories came rushing into my thoughts.
It was Christmas morning. I was seven, maybe eight, and Kate was five. We were gathered around the tree opening presents. As usual, my parents made a huge fuss over every present my sister unwrapped, going on and on like they’d never seen anything so adorable, while I sat off by myself and opened mine with little notice. I didn’t mind. At that moment, I was too anxious to care. I’d written Santa a thousand letters, each one pleading him for a Mommy and Me doll, and I couldn’t wait to see if I’d actually received one. When I’d gotten down to my last present, I eagerly reached for it and started ripping away at the paper. To my grand surprise, it was the exact doll I’d been hoping for. Without thinking, I held the box up in the air and gasped. “Momma, look! Santa brought it.”
Without even turning her head to look at me, she answered, “That’s great, Marlie. I’m glad you got it.”
“I love her!”
“I want dat dolly, Momma,” Kate fussed
“Well, I’m not sure if Santa brought you one of those dolls, sweetie.”
Big crocodile tears filled Kate’s eyes as she whined, “I want to play with the dolly, Mommy.”
Mom quickly turned to me and said, “Marlie, let your sister play with the doll for a little while.”