Excerpt from Servicing the Pole

Angels

Dressed in my gown, I rush up the stairs, but carefully, so I won’t trip. I walk out onto the floor and nod at Tim, the manager. He’s sitting at the bar with his clipboard, marking off the late fees and the no-shows. It’s seven-fifty-eight – I made it. I smile at him like I swallowed the fucking canary and didn’t bother saving any for the cat. He scowls at me.

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Barry’s Gift

Barry is out of breath and covered in sweat when he walks in the door.

“What happened to you?” I ask dryly. I’m only mildly interested. “Get in a fight with someone?”

“No, baby,” he grimaces with exaggerated patience. “Not today, not yet. Think you could help me with the boxes in the hallway, though? They’re fuckin’ heavy.”

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Meeting Sean

“What do you really do?” he asks suddenly, catching me off guard.

I hesitate. “You’re looking at it,” I say.

“I don’t believe you. Do you go to school?”

I can’t believe I’m considering telling him anything about my personal life, but it spills out of me before I can stop it. “Not yet. I’m saving for music school,” I blurt.

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House Guest

Alannah emerges from the basement, still looking dark and unhappy. I’m ready to just leave her alone, but she sits down next to me. We don’t speak for a while.

Both of us stare straight ahead at the nearly identical wall across the room, our reflections distorted by sweat and many years of thick, grimy disappointment.

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Fame School

Sharon crawls over to a large pile of clothes that’s sitting in the corner, and collapses on top of it. She looks like a broken doll that’s been tossed away. She breathes deeply to stop crying.

“Are you gonna be okay?” I ask reluctantly. I really want to go home.

“Stay with me… Please. I can’t be alone right now.” Her voice comes out small. I rub my eyes, and sit down beside her.

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Sunday Walk

It’s Sunday afternoon. I gaze out onto the East River from a walkway next to the park. The air smells fresh and the breeze is mild. I’m standing between two bridges.

Directly across is Randall’s Island, where they have concerts in the summer. To the north is Hunt’s Point. To the south is Harlem. It’s a lovely view.

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