CHAPTER NINE
Heather—
It’s been a month, and my entire life has changed.
I’m the new headliner at Sonny’s and hauling in a mint. Marnie’s mother has started watching Tucker, and the two of them get along like they’ve always known each other. She’s become like a surrogate grandmother to him, and he’s fallen in love with her. I have, too. She’s been a godsend.
With the money I’m making, I was able to move us into a nice apartment.
I fell in love with it the moment I stepped onto the huge corner balcony.
There are a bunch of amenities—a washer and dryer, there’s a pool and small playground, plus it’s walking distance from some cute shops and restaurants.
We don’t have a lot of furniture yet, but I’m working on it, little by little.
Tucker seems happier than he has in a long time.
I still haven’t told my family where I am. Something holds me back.
Snake has probably moved on by now. Most likely he’s gone back to Cowboys and found another dancer to obsess about. My brain tells me all this, but a part of me doesn’t feel completely safe. I still check over my shoulder when I go anywhere, and I scan the parking lot when I get in my car.
I hate living like this, but at least I’m free and creating a life for me and Tucker.
In the back of my mind, I think I harbored some hero fantasy that somehow Ryan’s buddy, Cody, would find me and become my savior.
But what I’ve created is so much better. I’m saving myself, and though I know most people would look down on what I do, I’m doing what I need to provide for my son.
I’m fighting with the government to get Tucker his due.
His father was a veteran who died in the service of his country.
The fact that Ryan and I waited to marry really screwed things for us.
I’ve been stuck in a red-tape nightmare and have been tempted to give up.
Somehow Tucker fell through the cracks, and getting anyone to listen has been exhausting.
The buzzer rings, and I let Mrs. Harding up. It’s become a habit for Tucker to race down the hall as soon as the elevator dings and she steps off. I open the door, and we watch. When she steps out, Tucker races to her, and she stoops and catches him in a hug.
“How’s my boy?”
“Good. What’s in there?” He points to the plastic food container.
“I baked chocolate chip cookies. If you’re a good boy, we’ll have some after dinner.”
“Yay!”
They step into the apartment, and Mrs. Harding pulls off her shawl.
“Something smells good.”
“Thanks. I made my mother’s chicken casserole recipe. It’s Tucker’s favorite. I just took it out of the oven. It’s cooling on the stove. I hope you like it. I’ve really got to run.”
“Okay, dear. Drive carefully.”
I kiss Tucker. “I’ll be home when you wake in the morning, baby. I love you.”
“Love you, Mom.”
I hug him, and then he runs off to tug on Mrs. Harding’s hand. “Come on, let’s play Candyland. I already set it up.”
Closing the door, I smile and thank God for Mrs. Harding.
*****
It’s almost midnight when Ronnie catches me in the hall and motions me into his office.
I take the chair across from his desk.
He shuffles some paperwork to the side, then meets my eyes. “Got a new girl on the day shift. She’s good on the pole, but her skills out on the floor are shit. I want you to sit with her tomorrow. Give her some tips. I think with a little help, she could do fine.”
“Sure. I could try to come up early tomorrow. When’s her shift?”
“Noon to four. She’s like you. Got a kid. ‘Bout the same age as yours, I think. He’s in daycare now, but starts school in the fall. She’s a sweet girl. You two have a lot in common.”
“What’s her name?”
“Jackie, but she goes by Sparkle.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to her. Anything else?” I’m about to stand and leave.
“Yeah.” He leans back in his chair and studies me. “You seem to get along with most of the girls. That’s rare in this business.”
“Well, except for Velvet, I suppose.”
He grins. “Yeah, except for Velvet. Can’t blame her, though. You took her spot on the marquee. But don’t feel guilty. This is just business.”
“For her, it's money.”
He nods. “Look, Marnie has been wanting to take some time off for a trip. I haven’t felt I could spare her.”
“A trip?”
“Yeah. Wants to go to New Orleans and visit an old friend. I’ve put her off for six months now, but she needs a break.”
I stare at him, wondering what this has to do with me. “I suppose we’ll manage without her.”
“I was thinking you could fill in for her. I’d make up what you lose on the floor.”
“You want your headliner to not dance?”
“I’d still want you to dance, but also come in early and do the schedule and handle any problems the girls have.”
“I don’t know about coming in early. I’d have to see if I can get my sitter to cover that. When do you need me?”
“Next week, if possible. I could cover opening, but you’d need to be here two hours earlier each day. See what you can do and let me know. I won’t give her an answer until it's decided. That’s all.”
I stand to leave, but before I get out the door, he stops me.
“Oh, and there’d be a bonus in it for you.”
“A bonus?”
“You’d get a cut of the house.”
“How much?”
“Same as Marnie gets for those nights. Think about it.”
I nod and walk out. It’s a bonus I could definitely use. My car’s been acting up. The mechanic said it was the timing belt, and the quote he gave me was astronomical.
Returning to the dressing room, I tap a text to Mrs. Harding, asking her if she could cover the extra hours with Tucker so I could cover for her daughter here at work.
She answers that she’ll have to double-check, but probably she could.
Setting aside my phone, I think about how exhausted I’ll be, but I need that money.