| The music blared in an apartment in the centre of New York as a group of around 2 dozen men steadily got more and more drunk. The stag night of Daniel West, a Broadway actor was the occasion that resulted in this group of select men meeting together on a humid summers evening. Amongst the group were painters, novelists, play writers and fellow actors from movies, Broadway and TV. The doorbell rang and excited calls of “stripper” rang out. The best man reappeared in the room a few minutes later with a leggy blonde concealed in a black Macintosh coat coming just past her knee. Michael Guiern, a painter, had left he room not interested in seeing some girl strip. It didn’t give him that rush it gave the other men. He poured himself a glass of water hearing the song change to an oldie, ‘I Just Wanna Make Love to You’. The cheering then started as the girl had obviously started her act. Michael headed outside for some fresh air wondering behind the girl’s reason for such a profession. Whether it was to get through college or to support a drinking, drug or gambling habit. About half an hour later the girl walked out the door. Michael looked up to catch a glimpse of her face. He gasped. “Maria,” he managed to get out. She looked up at hearing her name. Before she could respond he’d butted in. “You’re the stripper?” She nodded mutely, not sure what to say. “Why?” “Not that it’s any of your business but it pays well and I need the money,” she answered haughtily. There was an awkward silence as both looked anywhere but at each other. “Well, I better be on my way. Gotta get home.” She walked past him but was stopped by his arm. “Where do you live? Can I at least give you a lift?” She hesitated, not sure whether to accept or not. She needed to get home but was it a good idea with him? He saw her hesitation. “Please?” “Okay,” she said with a sigh following him towards his bike. He climbed on and felt her climb on behind. It was a very familiar feeling for them both. She was so close he could smell her perfume, the same as always. “You’ll need to hold on tight,” he murmured. “I … know,” she said her arms sliding hesitantly around his waist as he revved up the engine on his bike. “You ready?” he called back to her. He felt her nod into his back. They raced along the fairly deserted street as Maria shouted out directions from behind. Twenty minutes later they pulled up outside a grotty block of flats of peeling paint and boarded up windows. Michael frowned at the building and said, “You live here?” “Yes,” Maria said with a frown climbing off the bike. “It’s not as bad as it looks. It puts a roof over our head.” “Our?” Michael asked. “You got a boyfriend? A husband?” “No,” Maria said hurriedly. “It’s just me.” “Oh, okay.” Michael was silently relieved, as he hated the thought of her with someone else. “You gonna invite me up?” Maria frowned which made Michael say, “You got something to hide?” “No. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt if you came up for a couple of minutes.” They made their way up the stairs and as Maria was unlocking the door a small child ambushed the pair. “Mommy!” Michael looked at them in surprise. As the child pulled back she noticed him. “Who are you?” “I’m Michael.” Maria looked away. She wondered if he realised who she was. As she looked up she caught his eye and saw the recognition in his eyes. He knew this was his daughter; it was hard to miss with her flyaway fair brown hair and her chocolate eyes. But something told her that he wasn’t too pleased with her. Gone was that look of happiness he’d had at seeing her again, when he had realised the child was his, replaced with contempt and fury, at her. Maria knew that some rough times were ahead. TBC |
| Part 1 |
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