Chapter 18

Tuesday - Joey�s, Kings Cross 5.00 am

The air was crisp. It had obviously been raining throughout the night. Dampness still hung in the air as a cab pulled up outside Joey�s. At five in the morning, there weren�t many people around. "In here John," Joanne said, leading him into Joey�s.

"Hi Joanne. Who�s this distinguished man at your side?" Sharon greeted her smiling. John grinned at the evident warmth of her tone.

"This is John. One of my clients. He wants a quick chat with you." Joanne said by way of introduction.

"Oh?" Sharon asked her curiosity aroused. Standing to her feet, she shook John�s hand. " I�m pleased to meet you."

"Happy to meet you also."

John said holding her hand with both of his. He could see the curiosity in Sharon�s eyes. He also saw warmth.

"You fill her in John, and I�ll get the drinks. What does everybody want?"

"I�ll have a cappuccino." Sharon answered.

"I�ll have the same," John said, as Joanne looked to him for his order. Joanne could see a slight redness in his eyes for the night was taking its toll. She smiled at him before she turned and went to order the coffees. As she approached the counter, she could see through the glass front a nice selection of pastries, Joanne liked this time of the morning when the smell of freshly baked bread and pastries permeated the cafe.

"So you�re the one responsible for whisking this girl off all night. What�s this on the chair?" Sharon raised her eyes questioningly, eagerness showing on her face.

"That�s a dress you�re looking at, John said smiling. "It�s a dress I designed and showcased last night using Joanne as my top model."

A surprised look came over Sharon�s face, followed by recognition. "You�re Jonathan P Alexander?"

"That�s right. I had a fashion launch last night. Joanne was not only my star model; she was my escort and lover for the night. You have a very special friend here. She�s very considerate and great company."

"Yeah, she is great isn�t she? Too good for our profession. I love her."

John could see the admiration in Sharon�s eyes. He�d hit on what looked like a favorite subject of hers. She spoke again" Looks like you had a good night then?"

"That we did. Which brings me to why I�m here this morning. A few days ago, I decided that I wanted to do something to help the street kids. So, I took the opportunity to advertise that the profits on my lead dress will go to helping them. Joanne told me you knew a policewoman that had a good heart. She thinks I should contact her."

"That�s right, Christine. She helped me only yesterday, with a street kid. She certainly has a heart for the children of the Cross. She has a pretty good friend also." Sharon said thinking of David. "So you want to help the street kids?"

"Yes." John said, leaning forward, the tiredness disappearing.

"Have you much time to contribute or are you just going to provide the financial support for other people to give theirs? "

John was a little taken back. First, Joanne had said that money doesn�t fix anything, for what they really need is help and love. Now Sharon was implying that he�d have to invest his time, as well as his money. He recognized that he had a lot to learn, yet the feeling in his heart that had drawn him to try and help, encouraged him to ask, "Well could I do anything? Could I help?"

"Are you willing to try? I mean to say many people have good intentions and never achieve their original goals. Street kids have had a very traumatic start to life. I know. I was one of them. It takes a lot for a child to trust anyone again, especially when all the adults they know have betrayed them. Are you willing to give it your best, the best of your time? That�s more important."

"Yes, I�ll admit that I don�t know very much about the situation." He looked steadily at Sharon. "But I have the desire to help, the best way I can."

Just as he said, this Joanne returned. Pleased, John greeted her. "Thanks for all of this Jo."

Sharon turned to Joanne" Where�d you get this lovely man?"

"He picked me up, " she said, her face beaming. " I love him."

John blushed. The feeling was mutual. But it was a surprise to hear nonetheless. This man was good. He didn�t seem pretentious. He was approachable and Sharon trusted him" Sorry I was so blunt. I had to be, so many people talk about the street kids, the suicide and drug abuse, yet that�s all they do. Nothing gets done because the kid�s need time invested in them, not handouts. People would rather talk, or go to a charity dinner, than take an hour a week to come down here and listen to the kid�s problems. I can�t really help you or the kids for that matter; I can�t even help myself. But, Joanne was right in suggesting Christine. I�ll give you her number and you can take it from there."

"Thank you. Maybe I have been spending too much time with my head in the clouds. It�s so refreshing to meet real people, who have real solutions without a need for memos and committee meetings. Thank you for your honesty."

Silence followed. Both girls just drank their coffee as their heads tried to decipher what he�d just said. Each of them knew they wore a mask a lot, yet they also saw the truth in what he was saying. Maybe he was right. In any case, it sounded pretty good.

After about half an hour both girls bade John good-bye as he left to get in touch with Christine. They watched him as he walked out with a confident stride, not at all embarrassed with the company he kept and not worried about having himself seen with them.

"Pretty damn good, girl!" Sharon commented." I think he�s taken with you. You should have seen the looks of admiration he threw your way. She waved a finger at Jo. You shouldn�t steal their hearts like that."

"Yeah, he was nice wasn�t he. I meant what I said. I love him. He is the best man I have ever been with. I made love to him last night Sharon. I orgasmed."

"What?"

Joanne�s face reddened. She put her hands up to cover her face and peaked mischievously out of her eyes.

"How?"

"I don�t know. He was so charming. Really."

"But. You really climaxed? Sharon asked in shock. Her own hands mimicking Joanne.

Joanne lowered her hands. She placed one finger in her mouth like a naughty little child. "More then once!"

"You are kidding?"

Joanne nodded her head and smiled.

"But he�s just a trick."

"Not that man. I would do it all again without money. The guy is precious. Tonight has been the best day of my life. I could happily die right here and know I�ve been loved."

Sharon sat with her mouth open in absolute shock. It wasn�t that she didn�t believe. She wasn�t jealous either. It was just so amazing. Right out of the blue.

"I was on television last night. I met some of the biggest shakers in Australia and all the while John held me by his side, proudly. I�m so happy. I haven�t had a shot of smack for twenty four hours, yet I�ve got such a high."

Sharon leant back in her seat. Joanne�s face was glowing. A joy illuminated her beauty to an alarming level She�d admit John was everything a girl would be happy to have as her man. Wealthy, successful in the worlds eyes, yet so humble and down to earth. Although prostitution didn�t offer many joys, she was happy to have met some very interesting people. "Do you think you�ll see him again?"

Joanne looked up from stirring the dregs of her coffee. "I hope I do."

"Let me see the dress." Sharon asked, pointing to the box on the chair."

" It�s mine, he gave it to me. She opened the box, stood, and held it to her chest. "Isn�t it fantastic!"

"It must have looked good on you." Sharon said.

"I was absolutely stunning. After the speech, we danced. You should have seen the guys lining up to dance with me. I was a star for the night."

Sharon could see the happiness in Joanne�s eyes. It must have been one of those wonderful nights you remember forever. She was happy, and Sharon shared in that happiness.

"Oh, and that�s not all he gave me. Here, look at this!" Joanne pulled out a necklace that shone, even under the dim lights of the cafe. Sharon�s eyes shone also when she saw it.

"What! Did he give this to you?" She said surprised.

"Certainly did." Joanne replied.

"It must be worth a fortune. These are diamonds. And this is good quality gold. Look how heavy this is. It must have given you a neck ache."

"I was on such a high that I didn�t have the time or energy to even think of it. He led me around like his princess. Look, he gave me these perfumes too. She took three small bottles of perfumes from her bag."

Sharon looked them over and sprayed them on. Rubbing each into the underside of her forearm, then smelling them. "These are divine. They must be so expensive. This one�s from Paris, this from New York. Girl, didn�t you score well."

"That isn�t even the start. He gave me a thousand dollars for the night. Oh, by the way, on International television he dedicated the dress to me. Anyway after the show, when we went back to his room, he told me that I didn�t have to have sex with him. He went to have a shower and left me to think about it. I mean, there isn�t an end to this guy. I can�t believe it actually happened. I�m lucky I have these things to remind me that it did. It was for real!"

"That�s great Jo, I�m so happy for you." She grabbed Joanne�s hand" You�ll have to get that necklace insured. It�s worth a fortune. Oh, to change the subject. Tony told me you called yesterday."

"I remember. Yeah, I wanted to borrow one of your skirts. It�s okay though; I wore a nice dress. Turns out I didn�t need the skirt."

"You had me a little worried, disappearing all night like that. Did you see the paper yesterday afternoon?"

"No" Joanne admitted.

"They found a youth in China Town. Yes it is terrible. The guy made a real mess of him. Christine thinks the man responsible is a monster. It�s always a worry when someone like that is loose."

"Boy, that Christine must be busy!" Joanne said. "Maybe she would be too busy to talk to John about the street kids."

"I don�t think she�d be too busy for anyone. She�s very nice. So.�s her friend David. The man I had lunch with yesterday. "

"That�s right. I wondered why you were being cagey yesterday afternoon. Tony mentioned you were with some guy. Who is he hey! So you got yourself a lunch date with him."

"It�s not like you think." Sharon said, but as she did her face flushed. Joanne was looking for that sign and seeing it, she pushed.

"Don�t give me that. I can see right through you girl. Come on. Come clean with me. What is going on?" Sharon looked up from the table into Joanne�s penetrating eyes. "Come on, spit it out"

"I met him yesterday morning. He came to the interview with Tony. His name is David. He�s cute, has long blond hair and a warm heart. I was so taken by his honesty about his past that I went back after the meeting to talk to him further."

"Hold that thought. I�ll get a couple more coffees." Joanne got up and skipped over to the counter to order the coffees. Sharon smiled. They both had been fortunate. Joanne with her client and Sharon meeting David. Everything seemed to be going okay. Her mind drifted to yesterday. Staring blankly out of the window of the cafe, she remembered the kiss he had given her. It was such a surprise, so innocent. It had been years since she had been party to a Non-client kissing her. Her mind couldn�t fathom how he�d turned her down, suggesting no sex. More surprising, though, were his words. "It would be more loving if he didn�t have sex with her." The guy was amazing. She�d battled yesterday to share her happiness with even Joanne, her closest friend. David meant a lot to her; she didn�t want anyone making smart remarks about him. Joanne returned with a couple of coffees. "Here you go." Sharon didn�t look up. "Well let�s continue. Go ahead. You met this guy and....."

There was a long pause." Sharon!"

Sharon blinked and turned, pulled away from her thoughts. She had been off in a world of her own. She looked blankly at Joanne." Come on, what�s with this guy?"

"Sorry. I was just holding that thought. His name is David, as I said. We went to lunch and we met a couple of his friends." She didn�t bother to tell Joanne who the friend was. "He had to discuss some business. It was pretty awkward, yet I survived. After a really nice lunch we went home to his place."

"Really! " Joanne asked astonished. "Go on" she insisted eagerly.

"We had a little coffee. You should taste the coffee he has. It was from heaven .He blends his own coffee beans. Apparently, he used to be a chef. We had some cheese and biscuits and we talked a little. He used to be a homosexual and an alcoholic. . Now he isn�t either. He is remarkable, such a shine on his face. A really nice guy. He�s a Christian and he understands me. He said he�d help me out of my lifestyle."

"Is he for real? "

"That is the best part, Jo. He is. You can see the hurt that�s in his eyes. He really has had a similar past to ours. He said it was really difficult for him to come out of it. Yet, he said

that with a lot of help from others, you can do it. I asked him if he was attracted to girls these days. And you know what happened?"

"No," Joanne said leaning forward

"He kissed me fully on the lips. Then he said. Does that answer your question?"

"What! He just kissed you. What a hide. I suppose it answered your question though." Joanne laughed. "I wonder how he�d answers other questions."

"I did too. So, I pushed him. I said, "Are you attracted to me?" I was expecting another kiss, a bit more passionately this time."

"What happened?"

"He got up. He walked into the kitchen to make another coffee. He had an erection. I could see he was excited. Then he told me he�d love to take me in his arms and make love to me. Yet, he said, it wouldn�t do me any good. He said it would ruin any chance of my recovery."

Joanne couldn�t believe her ears. She asked laughing "What, is he that bad in bed?"

"No that isn�t it. He was right you know. I wouldn�t have respected him if we�d made love. It would have wrecked everything. It makes sense, now I think of it. If I didn�t respect him, I wouldn�t want to listen. Yet now, all I want to do is see him again. Instead of physically fulfilling our desires, he suppressed that desire for a greater one, in order to help me.

After a while Joanne asked. " Did you say he was gay?"

"Yes."

"I thought if you were gay you should accept it. You shouldn�t try to be something you�re not. You�ll only end up hurting yourself."

"That�s what I thought. ". Sharon said. "Yet I believe this guy you know. His very presence spoke of hope and a way out of hurt. He had obviously had a hard life similar to ours. And yet he doesn�t resemble that sort of person now. Any way he had no reason to lie to me. I was the one that chased him after the meeting with Christine and he just answered some questions for me."

"So you were attracted to him?" Joanne had leant forward and was listening to every answer, with anticipation

"I certainly was. He had this quality about him and it just drew me in. I noticed it was coming mostly from his eyes. It put you at ease and made you comfortable. He just seemed to care. You could see the pain in his eyes, remnants of his past, yet they were also just so full of love. I�ll never forget those eyes as long as I live. He got onto some religious stuff and talked about God and Christ as though they were friends of his."

"Was he one of those born again nuts?"

"By definition, yes." Sharon admitted.

"So didn�t that put you off. I mean God. What has he ever done for us? God�s a jerk!"

"Well ordinarily I would just walk out. I mean, I felt the same way about it as you. Yet, David was something else. He didn�t preach or anything. He just took time to explain how he felt. He didn�t try to convert me or anything and this sort of encouraged me to listen more. This guy had attracted me because of other reasons and I wanted to know what made him different. He just told me that�s all."

"So did you believe him about this God stuff and all?"

"I don�t know. All I know is that this guy has kicked the habit of homosexuality and alcohol abuse. He was happy to talk to me and show his concern for me by giving up his time,

I mean, he didn�t rush me to leave or anything. He invited me to lunch with his friends, when it could have been embarrassing for him. He spent nearly the whole day helping a total stranger with no ulterior motive. I must say I�ve never met anyone so unselfish. He really was aroused yet he considered my needs more important than his own. If God is really responsible for who David is today, I want to meet him."

"Do you mean David had the hots for you?" Joanne asked changing the subject.

" He certainly did. I did too, I�ll admit it." When he restrained himself saying it would be more loving of him not to do so, he really had my interest."

"I suppose I can understand a little. I mean John last night told me I didn�t have to make love to him. When he said that, I just about jumped onto him. I mean, he really meant it, and his letting me off made me fall for him all the more. So yeah, in a way, I can understand. So, are you going to keep in touch?"

"Yes I think so." Sharon said. "I can�t help but think it wouldn�t work out between us. I mean look at me. I don�t s�pose anything�ll come of it. It�s like you probably feel about John."

"No it�s not like me and John. Your bloke has been where we are now. He, as you�ve said, can understand your feelings because his had them himself. He also seems to have hope for a way out. I haven�t met the guy, and I�m sure not into this religious stuff, but maybe there is some truth in what he says. Maybe he could show you how he did it. Maybe it might work for you. You seem convinced he�s genuine and he has changed. If I were you, I�d stay in touch. What harm could it do?"

"Maybe I�d get my hopes up and be let down again."

"We get let down every night of the week. We�re pretty good at being hurt. I think it�s worth the risk, don�t you?" Joanne patted Sharon on the arm. "Don�t get negative girl." She smiled her. "At least your man lives local."

"I suppose" Sharon said, reaching over to Joanne and holding her hand. "You�re so good to me Jo. That�s exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks."

"Don�t mention it."

"Well I�m off to bed. You coming?"

"Twist my arm." Jo said.

The two girls walked arm in arm out into the streets of the Cross. It was quiet this Morning, too early for many to be up. The sun could be seen rising in the east over the buildings towards Bondi.

John had returned to his Hotel. This time, as he entered, there was no press. He went back to his room and looked over the Harbour. He could get used to being in Sydney, spending more time with Joanne. He went over to the bed exhausted. Taking his shoes off, he remembered once again Joanne�s chip that he was an old man. At forty seven, he certainly was feeling the tiredness Christine�s phone number and full name was written in his diary, along with a note to call later in the morning. He was happy with his visit to Sydney. He lay back on his bed and fell to sleep with the smell of Joanne�s perfume on his pillow.