Sweep Me Off My Feet

“Really, how sure are you?” Candy sat down next to her. “I know that you are probably a little hesitant because of the stigma, but, honey, stripping is not a personality. It is a job, just like being a lawyer is. Or a doctor.”

“This is still not what I wanted to do…I thought that part of me was over,” Angela said, shaking her head.“And in case you have forgotten, I am more likely to swing dope at the club than just staying here.”

“You could just dance and maybe even do some bottle service. The money has to be a lot better than whatever that retail store pays you after hours of sacrifice.”

Angela shrugged.

“I don’t know…” she started before Candy interrupted.

“Well, right now dancing is a necessary evil, Angie. Like I said before, it is just for a moment. Just until you get enough for that house at the lake you have always wanted.”

There was a long second of silence before Candy spoke again.

“Think about it, Angie. If it is an issue about Brandon’s care then I can make a plan for you to get a nanny or I could stay and watch him on some nights,” she said.

“That is very sweet of you, but you don’t really have to.”

“You’re my friend. My best friend. I would not be able to live with myself if I didn’t help you when you needed it.”

Angela nodded as Candy reached for her hand.

“Now, come on. Brandon’s is going to start wondering why the grown-ups have left him all alone.”

She got off the bed and began walking towards the door with Angela following close behind.

“I hate to say this, sweetie, but I have to go,” Candy said as she sat back down at the island and took one last bite of her pizza slice.

“But you just got here,” Angela lamented.

Candy shook her head.

“I would have loved to stay longer, but I have some errands to run before I go back home.” She reached into her bag and got a stack of bills that she placed on the island. “Take this and think about what I said.”

Angela wanted to tell her that she did not really need her to leave her money even though they both knew that she needed that money more than ever. Instead, she watched as Candy went over to where Brandon was and give him a warm kiss on his cheek before coming back to give her a hug. She smiled at Candy as she walked out of the apartment. Brandon was still at the living room table eating his slice as if he was tackling a mountain. Angela reached for the stack of bills and gasped silently. She could already tell that there was a whole lot in there, but it was not until she counted it to find three thousand dollars. It was more than enough to settle her bills and have more left over. She had to admit, the idea of having such money was attractive to her. She could not help but wonder how awesome it would be to have that kind of money lying around, but at the same time, it was hard for her to think of herself as a stripper.

She grabbed a napkin and made her way to where her son was.

“All done?” she asked as she wiped his hands.

“Uh-huh.”

“Good. Why don’t you go on playing with your new truck?” she said as she caught a glimpse of the time. It was already late.She had to get going or she was going to be late. She needed to get to work earlier than usual to deal with the stocktaking. After all, summer was around the corner.