Making ends meet
A few weeks had passed, Drew and I hadn't spoken since that day. Truthfully? It hurt to even think about him, and I had bigger things to address. Madison had been taking care of the finances by herself for a really long time. I knew she had been making decent money, but I did not know just how much she made it.
"$100k? For one week?!" I exclaimed, reading over the bank statements.
She smiled. Since the incident, she hadn't worked. She actually dressed casually for once, her blond hair pulled back in a messy bun. "That is not the norm, but it does happen. It used to happen more, but I am old news these days."
She had been insisting her career was over, that they used her up… blah blah blah. "I really doubt that, from everything I have seen, you are really popular." I thumbed through the pages upon pages of transactions and bills.
I came to the hospital bills. My heart sank. "14 million dollars?"
She sighed, "Well, that was before we got the state to step in and help, but I had to keep payment up or else they would have let you die." Callousness of the American healthcare system is infamous.
"Madison…" I started.
"No, don't even say it. I would not let you die." She said, snatching the bills from my hands.
"Well, that isn't a thing anymore," I said, handing her the new statements. "I canceled my physical therapy, so the only thing left is the mandated therapy sessions, which the state pays for."
She looked at the paperwork. "The patient has recovered physically enough to take part in everyday activities. Any further physical therapy can be self-managed through a diet and exercise routine. Patient has exhibited the ability to provide care for herself and should be allowed to remove all restrictions." She paused, staring me down. "So, all that time, and this is how it ends?"
She knew what I knew. Drew had put in a petition as a final goodwill gesture. He really believed I was physically healed enough to function on my own. Also, it was an easy way for him to be able to step away and maintain his reputation. "Yeah, I guess so." I grabbed the letter, tossing it back into the pile. Damn him.
"Wow, have you talked to him since…" she questioned shyly.
"No," I said, pushing the box out of my way. "I have more important things to focus on right now."
She bit her lip, wanting to say something, but she refrained. I made it clear I didn't want to dredge it all back up. Instead, I was okay with just focusing on moving on. "So, how can we save money?"
I tossed my notepad into her lap. "We are going to have to cut a lot of miscellaneous things, but having the apartment paid off definitely helps. We just have to pay taxes."
She scanned the list, her eyes going wide. "Geez, I have never felt poorer in my entire life."
"We can shop for our own groceries, sell all but one car, and start cooking for ourselves. That will keep us going while we work on a steady income." I sighed. "There is a café within walking distance. I spoke to the owner, and he is willing to let me start as a part-time waitress while I am finishing up my GED class."
She huffed, "That isn't going to be enough, Kavi. I need to figure out what I am going to do."
"Did you really want to go back to that life?" I inquired earnestly.
Taking a moment, she smiled. "I didn't hate it. I enjoy sex and money… But I lost Markus as a client, and he was my safety net for a couple of years now. I haven't really been out there looking for new clients in a while. No one would want me. That's why I'm terrified.
I rolled my eyes at her. "Just because you are a bit older, doesn't mean you're not smoking fucking hot, Madison."
She smiled, "You should be talking, have you looked in the mirror recently…" she licked her finger, pretending to sizzle it on my ass.
"This isn't about me, Madison. No one is paying for this." I gestured at my body, still skinny. My once larger breasts were filling in nicely. Drew wasn't shoving food down my gullet, so I lost a few pounds. I was strength training daily, trying to add some meat to my ass, but it was going to take a while.
Madison fiddled with her phone, looking up at me nervously. "So what if I said I have a chance to potentially get back out there… But I need your help?"
I knew Madison liked to scheme, but I didn't think another one of her plans was the way to get through this. "Madison, what could I possibly do?"
"Well," she started, sitting up straight, like an excited child, "there is an event coming up. Like a fancy ball, where a bunch of big spenders get together, and they buy paramours, usually for a year or so at a time. I could make enough money on a new contract to keep us going."
I chuckled. "So, what does this have to do with me?"
"Well," her face soured, "the people who generally make the most do like experiences as a sales pitch. Something unique to make people want to pick them." I didn't have a response; I just bit my tongue. "If you were to join me," she started, and I instantly started walking away, "it would be just one night, and the money we make would be enough for you to get into school and start a new life. I would finish my contract, then I would be open to do whatever."
My brain was telling me to run far away… But I knew something like this could fix everything. If the money was right. And what was one night of sex? It's not like I had any delusions of a grand love sweeping through my life, so maybe letting go and enjoying myself was just what I needed. Despite my instincts, I stopped. "How much are we talking?"
She couldn't contain her excitement, bounding slightly as she spoke. "I know a few old clients. They are fans. I might be able to get us 3 or 400k." She quickly followed up, "I will give you half and you use that to put towards your tuition, get your own place, anything you want. And I PROMISE I will make sure whoever contracts me knows it's a onetime thing. And"
"That's good enough Madison, I get the idea."
She walked up behind me, leaning against my shoulder. "I didn't want to ask, but the further along we get, the more it seems like a viable option."
"Let me think about it." I pulled forward, shrinking into myself. "I don't know how to be in your world, Madison… Are you sure I would even help?"
She turned me to face her. "Listen, you've seen Drew, right?"
Just the sound of his name bothered me. I shook my head. "Yes, of course."
"Well, he is so super hot. Like RED HOT. He could have super models, or movie stars, that is his level of hot."
"Not making me feel better," I murmured somberly.
"He knew how gorgeous you are. He was lucky to have a chance with you. That's how beautiful you really are. You just need to see it." She pushed me towards the standing mirror. "Take off your clothes."
"What?" I said, pulling away.
"Just take off your shirt and pants. I want to show you what everyone else sees."
I pulled off my top and shorts, stripping down to my underwear. She walked up behind me, placing her hands on my hips. "Look, you have everything someone could want. Hourglass figure, giant tits, a nice jiggly ass and just that," she grabbed my face, forcing it towards the mirror, "gorgeous face. Those eyes could hypnotize just about any person on this planet. That doesn't even scrape the surface of the amazing person you are, just using your body."
I stood there, looking at my reflection. She saw all these wonderful things, and all I could see were the flaws. My breasts could be fuller, my ass thicker, and the scar adorning my neck was small, but it was the only thing I could see when I looked at myself. Maybe others saw the surface and liked what they saw. Maybe doing something like this would be just what I needed to feel it too…
"Okay, I'll do it." I said, still staring at myself, running my hands up and down my body.
Madison shrieked a little. "Oh thank you, Kavi! You're not going to regret it! It's super professional. Everyone is clean and tested, and I will get you prepared in whatever way you need."
"Don't be so excited, it's just a onetime thing."
She shook her head, trying to quell her excitement. "I know, I just…" she stopped, her expression twisting. "I think this is going to be good for you. You're going to see that sex isn't a bad thing and help with your body image."
"Yeah, maybe so." She excitedly bounced around, sending off some messages to whoever her contacts were. I put my clothes back on, lingering in front of the mirror for a moment. The only thing on my mind was Drew. Is that how he saw me? The way Madison sees me? The pain rolled over me again, and I ducked into my bedroom. I threw myself on the bed, having a small pity party, nerves eating at me.
I knew if I did this, I would be able to do more than make ends meet; I would be able to follow my dreams.
It had to be worth the price.