Read Keeping Blossom for Free Online

if she’s on them?”
    “There is, but I don’t know how long it’ll take. What’s the time frame?”
    “Yesterday.” I need to find her. Damn it, my heart is pounding in my throat.
    “Okay. So what’s her name and when did she leave?”
    “That’s the thing, my information is really lacking. Her name could be under either Brooklyn or Blossom. I don’t have a last name, and she could’ve left anytime between now and two weeks ago. I met her getting off a flight at the same time as mine at Midway.”
    “Fuck, you’re not kidding, that’s not really shit to go on. It’s going to take some time. Do you know her age or where she’s from?”
    “Ohio, but I don’t know from which city, and she’s nineteen.” I remember every single detail our conversation. It replays in my head every night; she never told me the exact town she came from. 
    “Okay, I’ll see what I can dig up. But if you’ll excuse me, Sarah needs some TLC,” he says, his words full of innuendo.
    “Thanks, man. Tell the lovely Mrs. Vitale I said hi,” I tease him. He’s jealous when it comes to his wife.
    “Will do,” Michael grunts before hanging up.
    By the time I get home it’s after midnight, so I try to sleep and not think about her safety, but it doesn’t work.

Chapter 5
    I take a deep breath and walk into the “The Pole”, a Chicago gentlemen’s club. Gentlemen’s club my ass; it’s a strip joint, but at this point I’ve got nothing else left to do. I can’t get a hold of David. He’s not answering or returning any of my calls— family friend, yeah right.
    It’s the morning, so the club is not up and running with men looking to get hard. Thank goodness. I don’t think I’d have the nerve to come looking for a job with a crowded house. An older woman approaches me in a respectable outfit. I don’t know what I was expecting, but a matronly woman wasn’t it.
    “Hello, dear. How can I help you?” She gives me a smile but arches her brow like she knows why I’m here.
    “Um…I’m looking for a job.”
    “I don’t have anything available except a temporary position on the pole itself. So if you’re interested in that kind of opportunity, I could give you an audition.”
    “Audition?” I ask sheepishly. I know that she can’t just give me a job with any experience, but I’m nervous.
    “I can’t put you up on stage if you can’t dance, sweetie. No matter how sexy you are.”
    “Okay. Do you have a name?”
    “Brooklyn Bennett.”
    “Okay, Brooke. Go up on the stage and start strutting your stuff.” I leave my luggage on the side of the table nearest the stage while she puts on a song. Closing my eyes, I think about if it was only one person in the audience and how I’d want to please him. Dancing for Devin is easy since I can’t shake him from my system.
    The song is only on for about a minute before she ends it, and I think I’ve lost my last chance for fast money.
    “Was it that bad?”
    “Honey, it wasn’t bad at all. With moves like that, you’ll have men begging to marry you. Come down here.” I join her at the table with my luggage. “This is how it’s going to work. You get paid by what hits the stage or what they hand you. The more you strip, the more these fools will toss their money at you. No removing your panties, but the rest is up to you. It’s getting close to prep time so I want you to go in back with Star and she’ll get you nice and waxed for the show. You start tonight.”
    “Tonight?”
    “Yes, might as well rip the bandage off quickly. Don’t worry. I can tell this isn’t your thing, but some of the girls were in the same boat.”
    “Thanks, so much. I need this. I can’t sleep at a shelter one more night.” I cover my mouth.
    “Shelter?”
    “It’s my only choice at the moment. It’s either that or the street.”
    ~~~~
    It’s almost show time and I’m frazzled. I spent the afternoon getting torn to shreds by these monsters; waxing is not my thing. I hope