The young woman walked out onto the stage, paused for a few
seconds, observing the spectators, then moved to the center of
the stage. She started moving her hips provocatively on the
pulsing beat of the music. The black dress clung to her body,
giving the men in the smoked-filled room a taste of what was yet
to be displayed. She raised her arms, threw her head back and
moved her body in an erotic, rhythmic, sensual dance. Her legs
slightly spread, she moved her hands seductively over her full
breasts, her belly, her hips and lower. The audience started
cheering and shouted: "Take it off, Babe!" She didnt want to
hear the lustful, filthy words they were hurling at her. She
blocked out every sound, concentrated only on the music and her
dancing. Her hands moved to the buttons in front of her dress
and slowly she undid them, one by one, then pushed the dress off
her shoulders. It fell to the floor, revealing her beautiful,
firm, sexy body. She moved closer to the front row and had to
endure the sweaty hands of the drunk, lusting men as they
reached out to touch her. Two bodyguards stepped forward to push
the groping hands away from her. She went down on her knees, and
leaned forward, just enough for the men to get a glimpse of her
breasts, and at the same time she collected her tips from the
groping hands. A few minutes more and it will be all over. The
music died down and she retreated to the dressing room she
shared with four other girls.
Fifteen minutes later, she walked into the managers office to
collect her fee for the evening. Raymond, a bulky, pleasant
fellow, got up from behind his desk, handed her an envelope, and
said: "Well done, Girly. Now check your innings and scoot. You
look awfully tired.""Thanks Ray." She said as she took the envelope from him. "I'm
not coming back. This was my last night at the club."
He looked at her warmly. "I've expected this, Maddy, but you
can't leave until I found someone to take your place."
She reached inside her handbag, produced a piece of paper and
handed it to him. "Here. Its the details of a professional
stripper. Her name is Ursula and she is much better than me."
With that she held out her hand to him and said: "Thanks for
everything, my friend. I will never forget what you did for me."
He moved around the desk, embraced her and kissed her on the
forehead. "No, Girly. You did old Ray a favour. You were always
my special little girl and I will miss you. Now don't forget old
Ray. Come and see me whenever you have time."
Tears filled her eyes and she could hardly speak. "Oh, Ray, you
were so good to me. I will come and visit and if you ever need
me, just call."
"I will, little one, I will. Now if you don't mind, get a move
on, or see a big man cry."
As she reached the door, Ray called out to her. She turned
around.
"Come here, Madeleine." He said. She obeyed and was surprised
when he held out a small stack of notes to her.
Confused, she asked: "What's this, Ray?"
"Lets call it unemployment insurance fund or something like
that. The boss can afford it and you deserve it. He would do the
same, you know."
She smiled at him: "Thank you, Big man."
Maddy left the building, got into her car and drove home. She
was free at last. Never again will she set foot in this
building. She would like to see Ray again, but it will have to
be somewhere else, as long as she doesnt have to set foot in
this or any other nightclub again. Mrs. Nell, the housekeeper,
was still awake when Maddy walked into the three-bedroom house.
"Hallo, Mrs. Nell. Is my mother still awake? She inquired.
"No, child. She fell asleep a few seconds after she took her
medicine. She is getting weaker by the moment, Maddy." Mrs. Nell
answered.
Maddy kicked off her shoes and curled up on the sofa. "I know.
The doctor said there is nothing more they could do for her. A
heart transplant is totally out of the question."
"Child, I just hope your little Ingrid will get over you know
what when the time comes." Mrs. Nell said, looking very worried.
Maddy knew exactly what she meant. Her five-year old daughter,
Ingrid, adored her grandmother and heaven knows how she'll react
when her grandmother leaves this earth. She, Maddy will have to
talk to her daughter and prepare her for the worst. "As long as
we're together, we will get over it."
Mrs. Nell got up from her chair. "Yes, Child. Life was never
kind to you, and now this. But never fear. There will always be
a new tomorrow. As for me, I'd better get my old body into bed.
Good night, sweet child." She picked up the magazine she was
reading and left the living room.
"Good night, Mrs. Nell, and thank you. " Maddy answered, closed
her eyes and dozed off.
"Mummy, wake up! Mummy! I can't wake granny! She doesnt want to
open her eyes."
Maddy woke up with a start and saw her daughter, anxious and
upset, standing in front of her. "What's wrong, love?" The
little girl threw her arms around her mothers neck and cried:
"Granny won't speak to me. She's cold."
Shivers ran down Maddy's spine and she knew that it was over.
"Hush now, my sweet angel. Granny's tired and she needs to
rest." She told Ingrid, trying to hide her own tears. "The Lord
Jesus took all her pain away and she will be all right now." But
what about the pain in her own heart. If only the old wounds
would heal, she will then be able to nurse the new ones.
Butterfly.
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