“It is not even close to even. You must have been really bored.”
“You know what, fine. You can pay for dinner and then we’re even, okay?”
There’s no winning with her, so I agree. “Fine.”
“Let’s get back to this adventurous streak you were talking about. Any of your stunts land you in jail? Or did you and your hockey buddies go all bad-ass on a rival team and end up in jail?” she teases.
I chuckle. “No. Jail would’ve gotten us in too much trouble. I’ve never been arrested. Never even had a speeding ticket. Have you been arrested before?”
“As shocked as you may be by my answer, I have never been in trouble with the law. My mother is a different story. She’s been in and out for everything: drugs, prostitution, trafficking, the list goes on and on. Not a normal, everyday role model, I guess.”
“Aside from your job, you’ve never followed in any of her footsteps?”
Jade’s face pales a bit. “No, I’ve never been paid for sex. I strip for money, but I’ve never crossed a line with any guy. I don’t…I don’t want that kind of life,” she says softly.
“Her life doesn’t follow you, does it? It doesn’t try to make you cross that line, I guess is what I’m asking.”
“I’d be a liar if I said I hadn’t thought of it. Younger girls like me can make good money if you get the right clients and do a good job. I don’t want it though. I’ve seen what’s it has done to Mom and other ladies in the hood. A lot of them were really smart, and if their situations were different, they could have been great. Even,” she continues with a whisper, “my mom. She was so smart in high school, but she thought she was in love and had me. Her family disowned her and she had no where to go. She started receiving help from the state and they set her up with a place in Greenwood and the rest, I guess you can say, is history.”
“You’re probably going to disagree with me, but I think there’s always a way out, even if you have a hard time finding it. Maybe one day, you’ll both find your way out.” I pause, realizing I don’t know her exact age. “How old are you, Jade?”
“I turned twenty-one two months ago. What about you, Valo?”
“Twenty-eight. I didn’t realize you were that young, even though it’s not a huge difference number-wise.”
“I do look older, but I’m only twenty-one. I’ve been with older, so we’re good.”
That is not something I want to think about. We’ve finished eating our dinner, so I ask, “What’s part two?”
“Well, I thought–” Her phone rings, interrupting her. With a frown, Jade answers. After a moment, she says, “Seriously, Mom?” She listens some more, making a few comments, and I gather that something is wrong with her mom. Whatever it is, Jade’s pissed when she hangs up. “Valo, we need to cut this night short. Do you think you can drop me off at the police station?”
“At the police station? What’s wrong?”
“Mom got pinched by an undercover cop. She’s in jail and I’m going to see if they’ll offer her bail or not. Not like I’m going to bail her out, but I need to check on her. Can you drop me off?” She’s already gathering her stuff.
“Yeah, I can take you.” I leave enough cash on the table to cover our meal and we’re off to the police station. Jade doesn’t say anything the ride there. I’m not so sure I know what to say, so I stay quiet, too.
“Thanks, Valo. I’ll talk to you later.” Jade hops out of my truck without another word, and I follow suit. When she realizes this, she stops and looks at me, confused. “Why are you following me?”
“I’m coming in with you. Maybe I could help.”
She laughs. “You can’t help. If you bail my mom out and she jumps bail, then your Finnish ass will be in that cell. On top of that, you’re not coming with me. People will recognize you and in two seconds, you’ll be all over Twitter with that shit. Go home. I can walk back to Greenwood after I find out what’s going on.”
“It’s not a big deal, Jade.” I don’t have to bail her mom out, but I could stay with her while she deals with this and then take her home.
“Valo, yes, it is!” Her eyes turn angry as her rant continues. “You don’t know what kind of people are in there, okay? They’re not hockey players who come from a two-parent home with a nice yard and a picket fucking fence. We’re the scum people walk on as they head to their mansions. That’s who we are and I’m one of them. I told you that and you know this. Now, get in your nice truck, and go to your house that has running hot water, and stop trying to fix what can’t be fixed.” Jade turns and walks away, into the police station, leaving me speechless.
My mind doesn’t know what to analyze first. How she’s bringing up we’re from two different worlds, that she called herself scum, or that she obviously doesn’t have running water. All I want to do is help in whatever why I can, but she’s not allowing me to do a damn thing. With a sigh, I get in my truck and go home.
~
It’s been a week since I’ve seen or heard from Jade. I’ve been to Canada and Alabama, plus a home game, and not a word from Jade. I texted her twice, just to check on her mostly. Tonight, I’m determined to hear from her. She can avoid me easily over the phone, but can she avoid me as well in person?
I’ve been leaning against the front of my truck for an hour, my arms folded over my chest as I watch people from all walks of life leaving the strip club. I don’t even know if she’s working tonight. The plan is to wait and see if she walks out of that door as well. About half an hour passes before she makes her exit.
When her eyes land on me, her shoulders sag. Not the best sign to see. Thankfully, she does walk over to me. Jade stops about two feet from me, her arms crossed over her chest much like mine
.