Azeira Marks
(Ah-zair-ra)
Adjusting the baseball cap on my head to block the sun out of my eyes, I walked through the courtyard of Willow Community College, where I’m in undergrad. At twenty-five, I was finally nearing the end after some time off and preparing for medical school. Some students were scattered around laughing and talking to themselves, while others sat in the surrounding yards studying and goofing off.
I had just finished my last class of the evening and was headed home for the day. I anxiously checked my phone for a text from my dad to see how my mom’s latest appointment had gone. My shoulders fell forward and gloom filled me seeing nothing from him. I planned on skipping class today to go with him but he assured me it wasn’t necessary and he would let me know right away how things were.
Just as I was about to lock my phone, it vibrated, causing me to stop mid-step and straighten my spine.
“Excuse you!” someone said from behind me, but I ignored them.
My stomach stirred checking the screen, but disappointment filled me seeing it was a notification from the booking app. I clicked it then entered my PIN. It instantly took me to the secured messages where I read a request for a dinner date tonight, a new client who needed eye candy on his arm. I had been working at Elite —a luxurious, exclusive escort service—for five months now and so far it hadn’t been that bad.
My teeth sank into my bottom lip thinking about it. There were different tiers when it came to payments. Dinner dates started at six hundred and fifty dollars an hour. After Vee’s cut of forty percent, I would walk away with a nice amount plus whatever tip the client wanted to give. I was in no position to turn the money down right now. The jobs sent our way weren’t mandatory and we were allowed to turn them down if we wanted, but most girls didn’t. Elite took its girls through strict screenings to ensure we were the right fit and the girls were brought on by invite only. And even then, you could be turned down. Thankfully a close friend of mine had been able to put me on.
Sighing, I confirmed the date and knew the rest of the details would be sent shortly. I checked the time. I had about four hours to get home and get ready. I was glad I had decided to get a silk press at my last hair appointment, so I wouldn’t have to worry about doing my hair. I knew my mom’s appointment had to be over by now. Before heading home I stopped by my parents’ house to see what was going on.
When I pulled up to their house, relief and annoyance filled me seeing my dad’s truck in the driveway. I cut my car off, snatched my key out the ignition, and hurried to the front door.
Using my key I unlocked the door and rushed inside, heading directly down the hall to where I knew my parents, at least my mom, were.
When I got to the downstairs room that had been converted into my mom’s bedroom, I paused at the door for a second, watching her lying in bed with her head propped up, more than likely watching her stories. A colorful, silk scarf was wrapped around her head.
“Hi, Mommy,” I called out, stepping into the room.
Her eyes left the TV and fell on me. A smile curled her mouth.
“My pride and joy. How are you, my sweet girl?” She coughed a couple of times, making me rush to her side.
“Are you okay? Do you need water?”
She shook her head and held up her hand. “I’m fine.” She coughed again, waving me off. I took note of how frail her hand was. Although it was hot outside, she was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and bundled under her blanket.
“You guys didn’t call after your appointment. How did everything go?”
My mom had been diagnosed with stage two ovarian cancer that unfortunately had progressed to stage three. The tumors they found were too large to operate on until they shrank which was why she had an appointment today. They wanted to see if chemo was working enough to finally operate.
“Girl, would you sit down? All that stressing over me isn’t healthy.” She nodded toward the chair near her bed. I hated hearing how weak her voice was. My mom was always such a strong and vibrant woman. The past year had taken a noticeable toll on her.
“Mom, what did the doctor say?” I took a seat and leaned closer.
“Everything’s about the same,” my dad sounded behind me.
I twisted my neck and watched as he stepped into the room. “Hi, sweetheart.” He came over and kissed my cheek, then sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed my mom’s hand.
“I thought you were going to call me when you left,” I scolded.
“I had to get your mom settled in bed first and I just got off an important call. The doctors say the tumors are still there but they have shrunk a small amount, not enough to operate but they’re hopeful,” he let me know.
I sighed. It didn’t relieve the tightness in my chest though.
“So that means she has to keep up with the treatment plan?” My eyes bounced between my parents.
My dad gave me a stiff nod. “Yes, for now at least.” I frowned.
“What do you mean for now?” My mom began coughing again, instantly gaining our attention. I jumped out of my seat and hovered over her.
“I’m fine,” she struggled out.
“Let me get your medicine.” My dad hurried off the bed to the cabinet in the room. I stood there watching as he went through the meds, getting what she needed.
“Here, sweetheart. I’m gonna get you some soup so they don’t upset your stomach. Azeira, come with me,” my dad demanded. I wanted to protest, not wanting to leave Mom’s side, but decided against it.
“Is she getting worse?” I rushed out as soon as we were out of the room. I didn’t like the sound of my mom’s cough. It didn’t sound as rough the last time I saw her and that was two days ago.
“Chemo is taking a toll on her body, making her weaker. Not to mention the cocktail of meds she’s on. She’s fine though, just feeling weak now.” I scraped my teeth across my bottom lip.
“What about the nurse you were gonna hire to help? Did you find one?” We walked into the kitchen.
My dad sighed. I took the time to notice the worry lines on his face, along with the exhaustion. It almost matched my mom’s. “I did. I’m just trying to get everything settled with the insurance company.”
“Do you need money? Because I can—”
My dad cut me off and raised his hand. “No. I’m handling it.”
“But, Daddy.”
“I said no.” This time his voice was sterner and rougher.
I swallowed hard and balled my hands at my sides. The whole reason I had gotten the job as an escort was to help my parents with bills. They had fallen behind with all the household and medical bills coming in. I hated to see how stressed my dad was. He was such a proud man and half the time hated accepting my help, but I refused to see my mom suffer even more than she was because he wanted to protect his ego.
“I know you want to help, but I’m handling it, Azeira. I promise everything’s under control.” He moved to the pantry door while I stood near the kitchen entrance. I wanted to protest, but I knew he wouldn’t budge.
“Now tell me about your classes. How’s school?”
I stared at my dad, watching him move around the kitchen almost robotically. I hated how he brushed me off, but I knew my dad was hurting. He felt hopeless when he was used to fixing problems. I didn’t want to bring more stress his way so I let the subject go for now. Instead I planned on doing what I always did, sneaking into his office, seeing what was past due, and handling it.
“Your picture doesn’t do you justice.” Frank, my date for the night, grabbed my hand and lifted it, bringing it to his mouth and kissing the back. “You’re stunning and that dress is beautiful on you.” Blushing, I gave him a small smile.
“Thank you.”
I was wearing an orange, satin, spaghetti strapped midi dress with an asymmetric hem.
I handed the valet my car key and Frank led me to the doors of the restaurant where the other valet opened them for us.
“Now all I need you to do is sit next to me and look pretty, which you should have no issue with.” He glanced at me with desire burning in his deep brown eyes. A lump formed in my throat and a knot in my stomach, but I kept the forced smile on my face.
“I’m aiming to score this deal for a merger with my company and the man insisted on bringing his wife. You keep her occupied and I’ll handle business.”
I nodded, adjusting the thin purse strap on my shoulder. We got to the hostess stand and Frank gave his name.
I looked around La Noir , a high end restaurant I was sure didn’t have anything under a hundred dollars on the menu. I had never been here before since it was way past my budget but I had to admit it was nice and classy looking inside. The people we passed to get to our table screamed money which made me shift slightly. This scene wasn’t me, but whenever I was on a job I always put a mask on and acted the part I was being paid for.
“Ah Frank, there you are,” a larger medium brown man said, standing. He and Frank shook hands.
“Gregory, good to see you again. I hope you two weren’t waiting too long.”
Gregory waved him off and his attention shifted to me. “Who is this beautiful young lady on your arm?” Although his wife was sitting next to him, drinking a glass of wine, he ogled me shamelessly.
“This is my date for the evening, Belle.” I faced the man, giving him a stiff smile. I refused to give these guys my real name, instead using my middle name whenever I took a job.
“It’s nice to meet you, Belle. The name fits you well.” His eyes raked over me again. My stomach twisted. “This is my wife Janet.”
His wife barely gave us a second glance as she waved then reached for the wine bottle on the table, refilling her glass.
“Shall we sit?” Frank suggested, pulling my chair out.
“Of course.”
I knew tonight was gonna be a long night. The wife was already through her second glass of wine and just seeing how her husband was in our quick introduction, I didn’t blame her. Part of me felt like I would be following her lead at some point during the night. The only thing that would make this night bearable was the nice payout I would have sitting in my account at the end of the evening.