Perfect Ten (14 page)

“Ut uh.” Chloe shook her head at me, warning me off.

I did have the grace to look away then. “Yeah, sorry.”

“What are you two talking about?” Faith turned and handed Chloe and I both a can of Molson.

“Nothing. So, did you enjoy the game?” They were probably bored. It was stupid to invite her. I
think maybe I just wanted to show off for her.

“Yeah, I did.” Faith’s answer was short and to the point. Chloe was more animated.

“Holy hell. Fuck yes I enjoyed the game. Seriously, it’s a shame you’re all man whores, I would love—”

“Chloe! Rude!”

With no shame, Chloe shrugged her shoulders. “Sorry, but it’s true, isn’t it?”

My head hung down.
Again, I was ashamed of my occupation. “I guess it is. I just never thought about it before to be honest. I’m not proud of my job anymore. There was a time not so long ago that I felt like I was on top of the world, but people change. We grow—evolve.”

“Yeah. Sorry, Joe. I tend to blurt things out that don’t pass my brain first.”

“No problem. I’ve been known to do that myself.” But it was a problem. Not because of what Chloe said, but because it was true. And there was nothing I could do to change my past. I wondered if Faith would always think of me like that. Like someone who sold their body for a living. It really wasn’t that far off. Yes, I escorted women where they needed to go, but I had a ton of sex. There’s no denying that.

“Well, I tend to do it a lot. I’d like to say it’ll never happen again, but I know myself.” In a rare show of the softer side of Chloe, she put her hand on my shoulder. “I really do like you, Joe. And I think you and Faith could be good together, but your past scares me. And as much as I like you, know this. If you
ever
hurt our girl, you won’t be able to run far enough.”

“Understood.” Wow, this was supposed to be a light night of me flexing my muscles for Faith and her giggling like a school girl. Sometimes I was seriously stupid. Why did I think it would be a good idea to invite the girl I wanted to make my own to a game filled with men who pretty much fucked women for a living? I needed to talk to my mom—or my sister. I was in so far over my head I couldn’t see straight.

I walked the girls over to Faith’s car and waited until Chloe climbed in. “Thanks for coming tonight, Faith. It was nice to see you. Are you sure I can’t take you to lunch or something?”

“No. I’m sorry. Not yet. I’ll see you in about a week and a half.”

“Twelve days. It’s still almost two weeks.” I sighed, but I understood her feelings. Really, I did, I just didn’t like it. “Good night.” I leaned in to give her a kiss, but she’d already jumped in the car.

“Twelve days, Joe.”

I watched her drive away until I couldn’t see her car’s taillights any longer.

The second of
my last five dates was an easy and pleasant one. I was escorting an eighty-five-year-old woman named Esther Covington to a semi-private tour of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. She came from an old family with even older money.

I’d escorted Mrs. Covington to several museums throughout the years. She was simply a lonely lady who had no family and enjoyed good conversation with handsome young men. Those were her words, not mine.

I drove Perfect Ten’s antique Rolls Royce to pick her up, because that’s what she preferred. Black tie attire was also called for, even at three in the afternoon on a Wednesday.

She was one of my favorite clients. Sex was not something I ever had to be worried about with her, and she had such great stories to tell. There was nothing not to like about Mrs. Covington. I felt bad that she was so alone in the world, but she never felt bad for herself. She had some friends she played cards with, two dogs, a
cat, and a handful of other critters ranging from hamsters to rabbits. Her mansion was also stocked with a very loyal and caring staff to see to her every need. I wondered what would happen to her estate when she passed. Her family was in the oil business, but sadly, no one was left.

I pulled up fifteen minutes early, just
as she preferred. The sight of her mansion still astonished me. It was by far the largest house I’d ever seen. She gave me little bits of information about it each time I saw her.

It was an astounding seventy-five thousand square feet with twenty-nine bedrooms and three pools! I forget how many bathrooms it had. At one time, she had been offered a staggering $165 million to sell it, but she wouldn’t budge. She didn’t care about the grandeur of the house. It was simply her home. She’d lived there most of her life.
Like Faith’s father seemed to be, she was of a different brand than the bulk of the Richie Riches in Beverly Hills.

Straightening my jacket and tie, I strode up to the door and lifted the heavy brass knocker. As expected, when the housekeeper opened the door, I saw her seated on a heavily padded deacon’s bench in the entryway waiting for
me. “Mrs. Covington, permit me to tell you how ravishing you look today. You do that dress a lovely justice.”

She pulled herself up with her cane, smoothing the skirt of her sophisticated black and white dress as she did so. I knew better than to try
to assist her. Independence was the last thing she had left, she’d told me before, and I wasn’t to take it from her. There were times though, that I’d sneak a steadying hand under her elbow just the same. I’m sure she knew it, too.

“Oh, Joe. How many times do I have to tell you? It’s just Esther.” She slipped her gnarled hand through the crook of my elbow and allowed me to lead her out the door.

“I just can’t do it, Mrs. Covington. You deserve my utmost respect.” That was exactly what she wanted to hear. We’d done this a time or two. “Now tell me. How are all your lovelies doing?” That’s what she called her animals.

“Oh, Joe. You’re so sweet to ask. You know you’re my favorite young man, don’t you?”

“I count myself honored.” I really did, too. I never knew any of my grandparents. Mrs. Covington was a marvel. It was such a shame that she had no family left. A tragedy. Her husband had died of heart failure six years ago. Her children never would have had to work a day in their lives if they chose not to. Her son felt the call of duty to help and protect. She lost him overseas during the Gulf War to a random shooting spree. He was a fifty-four year old retired police officer trying to teach security forces how to effectively keep the peace when he was senselessly gunned down. His wife and two twenty-something year old children were killed in a horrific multi car pile-up on their way home from his funeral.

Her other child, a daughter, died giving birth to her own stillborn child.
The daughter’s husband was so distraught at losing both his wife and unborn child that he took his own life. I don’t know how she survived it all. I’m not sure that I could have. The only thing that had kept me sane when my father died was knowing how much my mother and sister needed me.

“Well, Mr. Darcy and Fancy—they’re my two newest kitties—tend to fight a lot, but they’ll work it out. Old Duke finally gave up a couple of months ago and died in his sleep. I miss him terribly. He was a German
Shepherd, you know.” I did know. We went over all the animals each time I saw her, but I didn’t mind. She went down the list of the next eight or so animals, naming them all, and telling me of any ailments they might have had.

“It sounds like, for the most part, your critters are
happy and healthy. I’m sorry about Duke.” She patted my hand in acknowledgment. “You know, I’m actually taking a friend of mine to Lion, Tigers, and Bears in a couple of weeks. She loves animals, too.” I’m not sure why I told her that. My private life stays private. I rarely talk about myself with clients. I like to pretend I lead two completely separate lives.

“Oh, Joe. Do you have a special friend now?” She patted my hand and waited anxiously for my answer.

“I do. Actually, Mrs. Covington. I only have a couple of weeks left at Perfect Ten. I quit.”

“That’s interesting, dear. And why now?”

“Well, I want more. I’m going to go back to school and finish my architecture degree. And then there’s Faith.” Even though I could feel my face flush at the mention of Faith, it felt good to talk to someone about leaving. For some reason, Mrs. Covington always made me feel like a little boy again, looking for approval. I hadn’t even told my family yet.

“Good for you. You always were too nice to do the kind of work you do. Oh
, now don’t look at me like that. I may be an old lady, but I know what goes on with those women you take out.”

Now that was uncomfortable. I had no idea what to say to her, so I stuck with the truth. “Well, I don’t want that kind of life anymore. I met a really nice girl
, and I think I’d like to have a life with her. Or at least find out if I do. I just know I’m tired of dating different women all the time.” Oh, shit! I didn’t want to make her feel bad. “Present company excluded, of course.”

“Nah. Who wants to go to a museum with an old lady like me when you could be out with a young gal doing something fun?”

“To tell you the truth, Mrs. Covington, I love our outings. You’ve brought culture to my life. Would you believe I even have a small collection of classical music now? I’m not saying I’ll ever give up my rock-n-roll, but you’ve taught me to appreciate the finer things. I’m glad for that.”

She patted my hand again and wiped suspiciously at her eyes. “That’s very sweet of you to say.”

I wasn’t just saying that, and suddenly, I felt it was important for her to know that. This sweet, loving woman needed to know that she mattered to me. “That’s not just something I’m saying. When I saw your name on my list as one of my last dates at Perfect Ten, I was glad. I enjoy our outings so much that I’m hoping you’ll allow me to visit when you’re not paying me to do so.” I flashed her a warm smile and hoped she’d say yes. Faith would adore her; I just knew it.

“Joe Starling. You are welcome to knock on my door anytime. Day or night, holidays, anytime at all. And I’d love to meet this young lady who has so touched your heart.”

***

After we did our slow tour of the museum, I took Mrs. Covington to her country club for dinner. My time was officially up with her, but I didn’t want to leave her yet.

“Oh, my!” Mrs. Covington exclaimed as she woke up from dozing off in the car. We had just pulled into the parking lot of the club when she awoke. “What are we doing here, Joe? I only booked you to take me to the museum, dear.”

“Well, I thought it might be nice to take you for a bite to eat before we head back. I told you, I enjoy your company, Mrs. Covington. Please, let’s have dinner before I drive you home.”

Her beaming smile told me right away that I’d made a good call. “Well, isn’t that lovely.”

As I was helping her out of the car, I saw an achingly skinny woman out of the corner of my eye, who looked somewhat familiar. She was accompanied by another extremely thin waif of a thing. And then it hit me. It was Faith’s mother and her model sister.

Mrs. Covington felt my hesitation and followed my line of sight. “What’s wrong, dear?”

“Oh, nothing. I’m sorry.” But she knew something was amiss and wouldn’t budge until I told her. “Those women over there, going into the club, are Faith’s mother and sister. They’re not nice to her at all.”

“Does your Faith have pretty, wavy reddish-blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes? Does she look pretty, like she eats more than a celery stick for dinner?”

I guess it shouldn’t have surprised me that she knew who Faith was. After all, the rich mingle with the rich. “Yes. Yes
, she does. I apologize if I offended you. Is Mrs. Graham a friend of yours?”

“Heavens no! She’s a right bitch
she is.”

“Mrs. Covington! I’ve never heard you utter such a word.” She had certainly shocked me with her choice of words describing Faith’s mother.

“Well, Joe, sometimes you have to call a spade a spade. She’s a nasty old witch, she is. Oh, she’s super sweet to my face. See, I have more money than she does, but I’ve had dinner with her family once or twice, and as sweet as Mr. Graham is, Mrs. Graham is rotten to the core! Of course, I remember your Faith, too. What a nice young lady she is. Nothing like that skinny sister either. There are two other sisters that I don’t remember as well.”

I certainly remembered them. “Sassy and Marge. I actually met Faith when I escorted her to Sassy’s wedding.” I went on to give her a quick recounting of the wedding. “The second I saw her at Perfect Ten, I knew there was something special about her. I want to find out what it is. Please don’t say anything to them if they happen to speak to you. I
don’t want them having more ammunition to attack Faith with. They don’t know I’m a paid escort, although I would have taken her for free.”

“Don’t you worry about a thing,
dear. Oh, and please, call me Esther in there, or better yet, Essie. That will drive Patricia Graham crazy. That’s how it works in these silly circles. I have more money than her so she calls me Mrs. Covington, but I call her Patricia.” She let out a sneaky laugh and nudged me toward the door. “This is going to be such fun.”

When Mrs. Graham spotted me across the room, she froze, mid-step and stared at me with her eyes wide open. Dana turned and did the same.

Mrs. Covington continued to lead me directly over to them. “Oh, hello, Patricia. Fancy seeing you here this evening. May I introduce you to a close friend of the family? This is Joe Starling. Joe, these are the Grahams, Patricia and—oh, I’m sorry, dear, I’ve forgotten your name.” It took all I had not to burst out laughing at her antics.

“Her name is Dana, Essie. We’ve actually met. I’m dating one of Mrs. Graham’s other daughters.”

“Oh, please say it’s Faith and not that other one.” I couldn’t believe she said that! And I was further surprised that Mrs. Graham had no retort.

“Actually
, yes, it is Faith. I quite adore her.”
Quite adore her?
I guess I was getting into my role, too. It was fun.

“E—Essie? You know
Esth—er, Mrs. Covington?”

Mrs. Covington was leaning a bit more on her cane so I placed my hand under her elbow and began to lead her to her usual table, allowing the Graham’s to follow or not. I spoke to them over my shoulder. “Yes. Essie and I go back a ways, don’t we? She’s one of my favorite people, not to mention one of the most interesting.”

“Joe’s such a flatterer. Stop that now.”

“I’m no such thing. You should know better
, Essie. I never say things I don’t mean.”

We had arrived at her table
, and I pulled out her chair, assisting her as she sat down heavily. The hours at the museum had obviously taken their toll. “I think I’ll take a glass of wine, Joe. I am so happy to hear about you dating sweet Faith Graham that I believe we should celebrate. You deserve a good girl to enjoy your time with.”

“Actually, I don’t deserve her. She’s too good for me, but I won’t let that stop me. Her beauty alone lights up a room as soon as she enters, isn’t that right
, Dana?”

Both Dana and Patricia still looked as though they couldn’t believe I would dare grace their beloved country club, and with Esther Covington
, no less.

“Oh, yes. Yes
, of course. Faith is, um, very pretty.”

Mrs. Covington sat and stared at them for so long, even I was getting uncomfortable. “Please take your seat, Joe. I’m sure the Grahams were just about to sit down to their meal
, as well. Good day, Patricia, and Dana, was it?” With a brief smile, she plucked up her pink cloth napkin and shook it out, laying it expertly on her lap.

Well, if that wasn’t a cutting dismissal
, I can’t imagine what it would take.

“Of course. Yes, well, it was good to see you, Mrs. Covington.” The next words out of her mouth surprised me and were potentially difficult to agree to. “Joe, we’re having a family dinner this Saturday at seven o’clock. Why don’t you and Faith
come early, and we can chat?” Without waiting for my answer, she grabbed Dana’s arm, none to gently, and steered her decisively to their table.