Sharon woke with a start; her subconscious telling her it was time. Wiping her eyes, she rose from her bed and walked to her bathroom. Looking into the mirror was always a scary sight. Hair everywhere, sleep in her eyes and a face lined with tiredness. Used to the sight however, she turned the cold water tap on, rinsed her face, applied some face cleanser, and rubbed in until it formed lather. She washed it off, undressed and stepped into the shower.

After fifteen minutes, she finished her shower and wrapped her dripping body in a soft, expensive towel, with an emblem of a famous city hotel on it. After grabbing the face toner and moisturiser from the vanity, she applied them. She wiped the remains of her moisturiser into her face, as she padded out to her bedroom. She sat down at her dressing table. Whilst sitting, she began blow drying her long dark hair, aided by long careful strokes of a well-worn brush. Her face shone, clean, massaged, and refreshed. Her hair lightened as the water evaporated, leaving it with a clean smelling freshness.

Whilst unwrapping her towel from her body she glanced at herself. Her beauty reflected in the mirror, a body she had grown used to over the years, nothing special in her opinion, yet one that certainly had the desired effect on men choosing her services. Her breasts sat proudly, firm and inviting, a shade lighter than the smooth olive brown skin that covered that part of her body never hidden by a bikini. Her stomach showed no signs of fat, and helped to make her figure a dress size eight to ten. Sharon was pleased with her reflection.

She turned from the mirror and walked to her cupboard, choosing a tightly fitting navy blue mini skirt, a fluorescent yellow top, and from the drawers beneath, a lace set of panties and bra. She put the clothes on slowly, not in a rush, making sure it all sat right. Her top she tied in a not, leaving her taut stomach visible. A spray of deodorant under her arms, dashes of Eclipse perfume and she was ready to apply a little makeup. She started with light orange eyeliner, running it along the bottom eyelash and the top. Then, selecting a soft yellow and a bronze eye shadow, she carefully applied them. They were visible in the light, attractive to look at, yet hardly visible at first glance. Her foundation, a darker shade, matched her skin almost perfectly with a mat finish, set off with a slightly lighter blush. Her lips were coloured first with a light red lipstick and topped with a gloss amethyst, creating a dark glossy purple colour.

Five minutes later she walked onto the streets, a fresh clean and aromatic smelling beauty. With a brisk walk she managed to enter Joey�s at about twenty to five. She walked in. Seeing Joanne wave from their regular seat, she walked over to greet her.

Across the road in McDonalds Mike sat eating a Junior Burger. When he saw Sharon arrive, his pulse quickened. The old man could pick em.

"So how are you Jo?" Sharon asked, looking at her friend having a Joey�s special cappuccino in a long glass. She took a seat.

"Fine, now."

"Hey?"

"Oh. That heroin I took this morning. It knocked me round a bit. Man it was strong. It just kept on coming. Wave after wave of it hit me and took me to a high I had forgotten existed. I almost overdosed. After you rang I must have spent half an hour almost unconscious at the toilet. My eyes wanted to close forever. I was lucky."

"What! You nearly overdosed? That was why your phone didn�t answer."

"Yeah, that would be it. I mean I think I remember a phone call. But there was no way I was moving from that toilet! There�s no way I could have, if I�d wanted too! I�ve been using heroin for years now. I�m not the biggest user, but I�m not just a casual. I�ve seen strong stuff before. But this stuff. Man it was almost lethal. If a casual user had of shot it up it would have been the end of them."

"Is this the stuff that the client gave you?"

"Yep"

"Nothing�s free anymore. So are you alright now?" Sharon asked placing her hand on Joanne�s.

"Yeah"

"Hey Joey!" Sharon called. When he looked over to her, she pointed to Joanne�s cup and he nodded, knowing to get her a cappuccino.

Joey went to work on the coffee. He liked these two girls. They were always polite and quiet. He felt sorry for them in a way, and he did his little bit to keep them happy. He knew exactly what they liked, their drinks, and what they preferred at any time of the day. He rustled up the chef to put nice warm soup on most nights because he knew they liked it around midnight. He could see today though that Joanne looked a little off colour.

The girls chatted freely. From time to time a laugh would rise into the air. Joanne�s colour seemed to return slowly with the laughter. When he�d finished the coffee he took it over, with a fresh donut that he�d cut in two. As he approached he closed his ears to their topic of conversation and strode cheerfully up with the coffee.

Sharon turned to greet him, as he placed the order in front of her. "What�s this Joey!" She exclaimed, a smile on her face.

"Just a little treat, for my lovely girls." He said, in a cheerful Italian accent. "Yous look as though you need a little food to keepya strong."

"Thanks Joey, you looka like you take little of that advice yourself, hey?" Sharon said, mimicking his accent and patting him on his belly.

"My wife, she always feed me well. She looka after her man you see." He turned smiling, rubbing his belly, as he returned to the counter.

Sharon liked Joey. Thick set, with a receding hairline, brown eyes and weathered olive skin he stood proudly washing glasses. She looked upon him as the father figure she had never had. Cheerful pleased to see her and always trying to look out for the two of them. It was no co- incidence that he brought the donut over. He had seen the colour of Joanne�s face. He knew she may not have an appetite, so he picked a sweet she wouldn�t resist as a gift. Joey was Sicilian. He had some heavy connections in Kings Cross and was very respected. His jovial manner was easy to warm to and natural, yet, another side of him was very powerful and loyal. He treated the girls like family and this came with all the affection and protection he�d afford his own daughters.

*******

Bondi beach was alive with people, most of whom had finished their swimming for the day. The shoreline swept with a gradual curve of a little over a kilometre. People lay on a section of grass that flowed from a retaining wall with intermittent steps to the sand of the beach. The grass was cool and comfortable to lie on, not as hot as the sand in the summer�s heat, nor as messy. Tony lay on the grass, his head resting on his elbow, as he gently stroked Tracy�s drying hair. Tracy was lying on her back in a one-piece costume, talking freely as she looked into his eyes. As he listened to her, he couldn�t help being attracted to her, even though he was younger than she was, by a year or two.

The waves rolling in and the company they were keeping allowed Tracy to open up a bit. She told Tony of her past. She mentioned her drunken father. She recalled the physical abuse and mental torture she witnessed her mother go through for years. She spat her father�s name in a clipped tone as she explored the depths to which he hurt her. With Tony being so open to share in the memory, she pushed further and recounted the times her fathers dirty hands crawled over her own flesh. She spoke of her mothers� resolve to leave him over the years and eventually the custody case where she was fought over like a piece of furniture.

It was important for Tracy to unload her grief. But it was Tony�s patience, and the way he held her as she told him that meant the most. When she had shared what she had to say she asked him a little of his past.

Tony had nothing but praise for his parents. The way he spoke about them brought fresh tears to Tracy�s eyes. Tony�s own eyes filled with tears as he remembered those days when he had a family. His father was a minister, he had one sister and everything was fine until a drunken driver killed everyone but him one afternoon. The way he spoke was like a mother reading a fairytale to her child. Indeed, Tony�s life before that accident was and probably would have continued to be happy if fate hadn�t intervened.

The joy of the memory suddenly left Tony�s eyes. He touched lightly on his life since the accident, with the institutions, and the foster homes. It wasn�t so much the words that Tracy heard; it was the look in Tony�s eyes that drew Tracy�s emotion out of her. When she tried to comfort him, he shrunk away from her touch like a beaten dog.

"What�s the matter Tony?" She asked, her eyes pleading.

"I don�t talk about it. I just thought�"

She put her hand over his lips. She pulled him down to herself and kissed him full on the lips. He kissed her then pushed her away.

A couple of large tears formed in his eyes. He looked down at her silently. After a short while he wiped the tears away, and smiled.

In response, she just beckoned him to kiss her again, and this time Tony leant over comfortable to try again. For what seemed ages, the two of them kissed lightly then more passionately as they held each other. The two young adults bonding with a display of affection didn�t look out of place on Bondi beach. Many a couple, lay on the grass enjoying each others company, many an onlooker remembered the first time they had kissed on the beach.

 

*******

At five thirty Mike saw Sharon and Joanne bid each other farewell. He watched Joanne walk down the road and he lingered until she was far enough to make it safe enough that he wasn�t recognised. He crossed quickly to meet Sharon, and hurried to catch up with her. She stopped, a man asked her something, and Mike waited. The man said thanks and Sharon started off again.

"Excuse me!"

Sharon turned to see a blond muscular man standing before her. Her eyes slid from the tip of his toes, to the face that smiled before her, and said, "Yes?"

"Can I see you?" Mike asked, overcome a little by her presence, her perfume.

"Well I can certainly see you!" Sharon laughed jokingly.

Mike laughed also, and said again rephrasing this time. "Can I hire your services, that�s if you�re available?"

"Yes, you can take me home," Sharon said, watching for the reaction in the guy that stood before her. She could pick when a guy was new to the game. He was nervous; he mumbled and didn�t know how to approach you. They were fun to go home with because of their innocence. Sometimes, however, they could be a pain, with their barrage of questions.

Once again Mike laughed, warming to the girl before him. She was funny, and seemed as jovial as her friend. Certainly, she was very attractive. He reached down to readjust his trousers, so his arousal would be less evident, a sign Sharon picked up on immediately.

"Your place or mine?" She asked, "if you can wait long enough that is!" She said pointedly.

"I can wait, don�t you worry, and your place would be good," he said with a smile.

" Okay." Said Sharon, taking his hand and setting off towards her apartment. She liked this guy already. It was always good to meet an attractive man. This one seemed sweet, and yes, he was certainly new at this sort of thing. Little signs gave that away, as well as the more obvious one she had jibed him about. He had a good sense of humour, and a warm hand, probably a warm heart also, she mused. Only time would tell.

As they approached the eastern bend in Bayswater Road, Mike saw a shop selling waffles. He�d decided beforehand, his task would be simpler for him, if he just pretended he was with Loran. So as he neared the waffle shop, he led her into it and asked "Do you want one?"

A smile lit Sharon�s face. He looked at her. She appeared so surprised and happy.

"I take it that�s a yes "

"You�re right, I�d love one." Sharon couldn�t believe it. She passed that waffle shop frequently. Actually she passed it with clients every day, yet none of them had ever felt inclined to ask her if she wanted one. Of course she liked them. She liked chocolates, flowers, sweets, and a man at her side and all the regular things. What she liked most of all though, was a person who gave those things without a second thought. She smiled to herself as he ordered them. What a treat.

"This must be a regular part of your diet, as you walk past here every day, with this delectable aroma in the air?"

"No not really. I mean, thanks for this. It really is a treat." She said, opening up. She felt comfortable with this guy, and for a second down came her professional mask. "You know I pass this shop, often, but I usually don�t buy anything. Perhaps I should indulge myself more often."

"Yes I know what you mean. Sometimes it�s good just to let your hair down once in a while. Like me, I�m treating myself to seeing you. But I�ll admit this is all new to me. Is that alright?"

"I�ll let you know," Sharon said grabbing his hand and squeezing it as he ordered.

"This man is different� Sharon thought to herself as he handed her a waffle. They continued down the street towards Sharon�s apartment. As they walked Mike couldn�t believe his eyes; his ears, and luck. What an assignment! This girl was refreshing to be with. As they strolled down the street licking their cream filled waffles, he glanced at her from time to time. He saw her brown all consuming eyes, her smile, and her carefree manner and wondered what the old man wanted with her. He hoped that whatever it was, it wouldn�t harm her.

Within a couple of minutes, they arrived at Sharon�s apartment. Sharon waved to the security guard, and led Mike to the elevator whilst holding his hand. The lift opened. They entered and embraced as the doors closed. The lift opened again and Sharon led the way to her apartment. Mike�s eyes feasted on her bottom hidden in a mini skirt. The lights went on as they entered, and she led him to her lounge, and invited him to sit down. She leant over in front of him, taking her high heals off one by one and giving him a view of her breasts. He gave her money for the three hours and settled back to a beer he�d chose, when she'd offered him a drink.

" How�s your beer?"

"Cold and bitter, reminds me of my ex." He laughed.

Sharon smiled.

"Sorry"

"Don�t be. It�s okay."

"No. It�s just the beer. That�s all. Memories. You know. It brings em back"

"I know. Something sets them off. A smell, a show," Sharon encouraged.

"It�s funny how you only come to realise what you had, after you�ve lost it"

"There�s nothing like a cliché. Ain�t that the truth." Sharon agreed remembering all of the things she had managed to lose in the past, her family, her virginity, and her self-esteem.

"Do you miss her?" Sharon asked, taking a seat next to him and stroking his hair.

"Yes I�d be a liar if I said I didn�t miss her." His blue eyes misted over. His facial expression showed concentration. It seemed he was actively reliving the past as he continued. "She was a nice girl, we had some good times together. But I�m glad it�s over. I�m happier now. Though it�s the good times. It�s the BBQ�s and the beers. They�re the hardest to deal with."

Sharon nodded, silently watching him closely, giving him her full attention. She had slipped again. Once again she had taken off her professional mask, and became vulnerable by exposing her natural concern.

"I�m upset in a way. I mean we could have worked things out. She was paranoid with the obsession that I was playing around. I spent a lot of time in the gym, mostly instructing aerobics, with all those young girls, jumping up and down under my control. I made the sweat run off their bodies and they looked at me as a hero. Most of them could only handle an hour of aerobics, and they knew I could do up to six lessons in a day. Despite their advances, I remained faithful to my girlfriend. She was attractive and gave me all I wanted. Why would I want more?"

"Because you�re a guy, with a male ego. You�re expected to play up." Sharon jibed, a laugh coming out of her lips.

"That�s something I�ll never understand, I don�t know why a bloke would want to play up if he had a woman that he loved in his life."

"One of those mysteries I suppose." Sharon admitted.

" Look at me. You don�t want to hear this. I�m sorry."

"Please. You don�t have to sleep with me to make me feel happy. It�s fine. How�s your beer?"

Mike shook his can. "It�s okay."

"Well come on. Spill it." Sharon kissed him on his cheek and sat back. She waved her hand. In front of her mouth. "Come on"

"Anyway I tried and tried to tell her I wouldn�t cheat on her. She was always checking me out for perfume, and going through my bag looking for evidence. I had her friends tell her I wasn�t. I had my friends tell her. Hell, I even turned down an advance from one of her friends who suggested � you may as well play around if she�s already blaming it on you�. I just couldn�t win. I loved her but I lost her."

"You couldn�t fix that. I�m sorry. What�s your name? "

"Mike"

"You couldn�t fix it, it was her problem."

"What do you mean I couldn�t fix it?" Mike asked leaning forward.

"The problem was her jealousy. She needs love and acceptance, to learn to trust. She refused to accept your love because it made her feel awkward. Instead, her own jealousy drove you away from her. She couldn�t accept love, so sadly, she pushed anyone away that loved her. It�s sad because it�s near impossible to cure."

"I�ve never understood." Mike said. "The way you put it makes so much sense. Have you ever thought of being a counsellor?"

Shocked with the question Sharon retreated back into the shell of the prostitute. "I don�t think I�m qualified to give anyone advice. Look what I�m doing for a living. I�m the last person, people would listen to."

He looked into her eyes; her honesty was refreshing. She was right. A pain shot through his heart in compassion for her.

"You�re gifted. You want to look at that."

"I�m a street walker Mike. You want to look at that. Yeah, I�ve done some reading. But I�m just a good listener. And for a hundred and fifty an hour I�ll listen all day."

"I didn�t mean to hurt you. It�s just�." Mike looked away. With his head turned from her.

"I have a lot of good friends. But none of them put it that way. It was her. I could never deal with it. I just thought if I�" He looked up.

"Thanks Mike. I understand. People interest me. I�m fascinated by life. I suppose it shows sometimes. But life goes on hey.�

"Well you should look at counselling girl,� he said jabbing her in the stomach.

"Maybe I will some day. But for the moment I�m here�"

Embarrassed by his interest, she was intrigued nonetheless. She was attracted to his honesty, but cautious of her emotions, turned on slightly by his presence, yet reserved as a professional. She took his hand in silence and led him to her bedroom.

 

*******

 

At 6.20pm there was a knock on Joanne�s door. Peter, the old man stood nervously, awaiting his dream to start. His heart beat faster as he heard footsteps approach. He readied himself. A chain latch was undone and the door opened.

The door swung open and Joanne took a second for her eyes adjust to the dimness of the hallway before the colour drained from her face. Her eyes filled with terror, and she screamed as she tried to slam the door shut. Peter blocked the door with his boot and pushed the door open.

 

*******

 

After a while, both parties lay onto their back exhausted. Mike found himself attracted to this girl. Her honesty and words had helped remove the guilt he felt toward his ex. Sharon�s lovemaking was exquisite. He had a suspicion that she actually enjoyed herself too. Rather than dwell on this feeling he purposely dismissed it. It was her job. He was glad he�d come today, she�d helped him. Yet as happy as he was, he hated himself for why he was here.

Sharon had never enjoyed sex. Sex was something you gave a man to make him happy. She�d been undressing, kissing and spreading her legs for years now. And she knew how to please a man. The better she was at it, the faster it was over, and sooner she could be in the shower washing their smell from her body

Today however, with Mike it had been different. For the first time, she had enjoyed giving him pleasure. She tried so hard to please him, she felt so drawn to letting go and rewarding his compliment that she found herself enjoying herself too. Suddenly it wasn�t Sharon the worker doing her job, it was Sharon the female responding to his love. She hadn�t orgasmed as such, the heroin saw to that, but she�d enjoyed letting herself go with the feeling it brought her.

This experience was a little dilemma for her to face. She couldn�t make men pay for sex that she had pleasure giving freely. Men paid because that�s what they do. The question of last night came back again as she lay still. What was she doing here? What had happened?

Try as she may though, she couldn�t explain it. She�d let her defences down when he bought that waffle, and it had been a struggle to put them back up. She couldn�t work it out. She reasoned: it was her; it was enough; she�d had enough of prostitution. Silently she said under her breath, almost audibly �God, help me!�

Mike once again thought of his mission. It hit him like a steamroller. But he had the voice activated recorder listening in his bag. He thought of Sharon. He liked her He was intrigued with this girl who had just massaged his manhood with her body, and his emotions with her soul and understanding. For both his interest in her, and the olds mans� he asked.

"So what do you do when you relax?"

"Oh, swimming, books, movies. You know!"

"Where do you go s... " He caught himself aware of his intrusion into her privacy.

"Where do I what?"

"No, sorry. It�s personal. It�s private, don�t worry "

"It�s okay, I�ll soon let you know if I think it�s too personal. Go ahead!" Sharon insisted.

"Where do you like swimming?" He asked.

"Coogee mainly". It�s fairly quiet on weekdays, which is when I go mostly. I may go tomorrow though. It�s been a long week."

"That sounds relaxing "

"It does doesn�t it," she continued laying back on the bed her hands under her head. Naked and quite at ease to lay exposed. "I usually go with my friend Joanne."

"Oh, that would be a sight to see. This body lying before me scantily clad on the beach, whilst I had a nice cold one at the Coogee Bay Hotel," he thought out loud.

"You pervert." She said laughing, whilst swinging a pillow at him and covering herself with a sheet.

He wrestled the sheet off her playfully and ended up face to face with her. He wished he could tell her he why he was here. He wished he hadn�t of met her in these circumstances. Instead, he kissed her passionately to which, strangely, she responded, with the same urgency.

She thought she noticed a slightly confused expression on his face, and advertised her gaze whilst she ran her hand across his chest. His body, his care in making love to her, his understanding, everything seemed to attract her. She wished he wasn�t a client. He seemed different to most of the guys she slept with. The time was so natural, so right. His touch showed a mixture of both strength and meekness. His lovemaking was creative and so wonderfully refreshing. But she was smart enough to pull her thoughts sharply back to reality. He was just a client, nothing else.

The hours passed and as he left with her business card Sharon wondered if she would ever see him again. She was glad he had come. She would look out for him at Coogee whenever she went there. She was about to invite him to visit anytime. Instead, she sighed when he left, dismissing him from her mind, for she knew that it would never work.

 

*******

 

Peter forced his way into Joanne�s apartment, and after removing a long knife from his overcoat he waved it in the air. " Do you want to calm down and shut up or do I have to cut you up first. "

"What are you doing here?"

"I�m your seven thirty appointment, I thought I�d come early ". He sneered. "I figured we could do some catching up before I make love to you."

"What makes you think I�ll ever sleep with you again. You bastard. You�re a perverted sad excuse for a stepfather." Her voice quivered, her legs felt week as memories came flooding back. Memories she�d thought she�d dealt with.

"Ah, but this says you will!" He let the knife catch the fluorescent light showing its razor sharp edge. You will sleep with me. With or without those lovely breasts of yours. And because I�m a sick, perverted stepfather I�d prefer you to let me have a reason to use it."

Joanne�s rage reached a crescendo. She didn�t want to live anyway. She was a prostitute today because of this man. There was no way her hatred for him, would let her willingly lay down to relive her childhood nightmares. Charged with her hatred and rage, she threw herself at him as he admired his knife. The sheer force of it sent the old man sprawling.

 

*******

 

Tony was walking back into the main street of the Cross with Tracy, when a couple of street kids approached him. " Hi Tony. Hi Tracy, how was your afternoon? " The older boy asked sarcastically, with a smile written all over his face.

"It was very enjoyable." Tony said, smiling at Tracy as he did, and ignoring the guys sarcasm.

Tracy flashed Geoff a look of warning

"So what are you up to tonight Tony boy?"

"I dunno."

"Well we�ve arranged for you to meet a friend of ours. We rip things off, and he unloads them for us. It keeps the cash rolling in and," he laughed, "we do our bit for staff policing levels. They always seem concerned about those."

" How�s that?" Tony asked cynically.

"Ah, they base the quota of police in the area on the crime level. We just keep that level high for them so they can get the officers they want. More officers, more high positions, more pay rises and promotions. Everyone�s happy."

"Except the people who have their stuff ripped off!" Tony said picking him up.

"Most of it�s insured, it�s only the bloody insurance company�s money, and who cares about them, they�re all con artists."

Tracy pulled Tony�s arm. "Don�t worry about it Tony. We�ll be right."

"I can�t live off you." Turning to face her squarely. He added, "besides you could stop what you�re doing, and I could look after you."

Tracy was upset and said "Go away Geoff! We�ll see you at the park"

Geoff, sixteen, left with his cohorts. Colin, the youngest was about twelve, and Rodney fifteen. They walked down the street wondering what was to come of this lover�s tiff.

"Tony. I want you to stay clean. I don�t want you in trouble with the law. I�m all right I can be a working girl I�ll look after you."

"Clean? You don�t want me in trouble with the police. Look at you. You�re sixteen. You�re prostituting yourself under age. The police don�t like that I�m sure."

"Now that�s where you�re wrong." Tracy smiled.

"What do you mean?"

"My first client was a judge. Set up by our own police chief himself."

"You�re kidding. Why? How?"

"Well look at me." She did a turn. I�m young. I�m fresh. I�m younger then their children. She grabbed his nose and gave it a playful squeeze. "It turns em on."

"You didn�t tell me�"

"You didn�t ask," she cut him off. "Besides. That�s work. I don�t want to go on about it round you."

"But. "I can�t have you look after me. ", His male pride rose. He had a protective instinct for his girl. "It�s a nice offer but I can help you."

"What if I want to Tony?"

"What?"

"What if I want to look after you. What if I want to sleep with these guys."

"Why?" Tony asked shocked and hurt at the same time.

"I want the bastards to pay. I want to tease them. Annoy them. Make them beg and make them cry. Walk away from them. Say no."

"But"

"I don�t like that man they work for. I don�t want you involved. Something else will come up. Just wait. There is a certain pleasure in giving these sick bastards what they want. And they pay well."

"Please Tracy. Why? I don�t understand. Let me just meet the guy. That can�t hurt. If�"

Tracy started to cry. Tony was concerned and worried" What�s the matter?"

"I�ve seen that fat man they steal for. I think he likes little boys. You know? He�s a pervert. I�m scared for you. You�re a good-looking guy. I mean he might make advances on you. I don�t want to see you get hurt. I don�t care about the law. If the law cared we wouldn�t be on the streets. They would have put my dad in jail and taken the bastard away so he couldn�t hurt me anymore. I couldn�t care less who had their houses broken into. All I care about is you Tony." she pleaded " All I care about is you!"

 

*******

 

Joanne pushed her father into the wall and started hitting him in a rage. She went back to get the knife and felt a shoe connect with her jaw knocking her onto her back.

The effect of the kick and dizziness from the residual effects of the bad heroin made her see stars momentarily. As her vision came back she could see her stepfather approaching her, his eyes glowing in anticipation, his belt wrapped tightly in his hands, his fly undone. She sobbed, too weak to push him off and closed her eyes. She would never forget the glint of his eyes as he approached her. Never forget them, and never forgive him.

 

*******

 

At approximately eight o�clock a fat shabbily dressed man took Tony into his car and left the streets of Kings Cross.