The sound of beeping and the smell of disinfectant was enough to wake Lauren from the nap she had decided to take in her brother's room in the hospital. Working all night and just a few hours left before she jumped into another job as a barista, she knew she needed to only close her eyes—not sleep—but close her eyes and rest.
She stood up from the chair swaying on her feet to the side of the bed where lay a frail boy. She clutched his fingers bending low to kiss it and then his forehead "you will be fine. I will make sure of it. Just a little more work and we can get you on your feet again" she raised her head to the ceiling blinking back the tears. She can't cry. She needed to be strong. Not just for herself but for her brother.
She was tired. Dead hungry. Dirty and stinky. But she knew the end was going to be worth it if she gets to see her brother playing around in the park again, not scared of fainting and finding himself in the hospital afterwards.
"Just a little. Just wait a little" she bit her lips, rubbing the back of her hand on her eyes, she looked around the room and smiled. It wasn't luxurious or one of the exclusive rooms in the hospital but it was enough to tone out the noises from the other children in the ward.
Kissing his head one more time, she pushed the stray dark hair by the side. She always envied his dark hair he got from his mom. "I will be back soon" with that she left the room, not turning back to greet or talk to anyone. She was on a mission and that was earning enough money to pay for the hospital bills of her little brother.
She arrived at the small coffee shop she worked in the early hours of the day. She cleaned the counter, though the coffee shop was small and not worthy enough to step in and order from the view. The coffee was great and the tip was good and worth the stand.
"Good morning" she greeted her first patron smiling as she brewed the coffee for him. Hours flew by and it was noon which was when she was switching with another coworker. She loved this shift so much.
Stuffing all her tips inside her purse, she cleaned up and bade everyone a goodbye. Stepping outside she looked up to the rumbling sky and breeze and groaned. Rain was coming and that was bad. She sprinted her way down the road to get a cab which thankfully stopped on the first hail.
"Where?"
"The Lover's house" she mumbled, getting in and shivering from the AC in the car. Leaning back she whimpered, closing her eyes. This was pure torture as she rubbed her arms "please can you turn down the AC?" She whispered, her teeth chattering. Her top was flimsy after pulling that of the coffee shop. She ran her hand through her blonde hair as he turned it down and she thanked him.
They arrived at the restaurant which wasn't a surprise that he knew the place without being told the actual location. At a high end restaurant only the rich went. How she got to work here was beyond her and she was grateful to God and happy that it happened.
She sighed paying him then stepped out. Today was going to be a long day, she had seen it and was happy it was all for a productive cause. Her sweet brother, alone right now in the hospital. No one even cares to look after him if not her. She plastered a smile able to convince people of how glad she was working here.
Taking the back door, she closed it behind her steering her way to the right which leads to the kitchen area. Everyone was busy, she was glad that no one saw her. She wanted to be as insignificant as the good food they threw in the trash everyday but that wasn't possible as the sous chef nudged her arm calling out to her. She waved smiling as she walked down to the lockers for workers to change and start her day.
Another productive and rewarding hours went by and she called it a night, she couldn't go to the club right now and needed to hop home and rest. Pulling off her sandals she walked barefoot down the street, feeling drowsy, exhausted and debilitated. She wobbled on her feet, tears filled her eyes as her lashes fluttered. God, how she wanted this suffering to end. Thunder rumbled at a distance and she knew this was it. The rain was here and…she looked out to the streets, cabs weren't coming.
She was going to die. She knew if this rain dared to beat her up, she was going to die and her brother was going to die also because no one was going to help and take care of him. Well at least, they were going to be at peace up there and not suffer here…
"Hey you okay?!!" She heard from the side but didn't turn her head due to the rain hitting hard on every surface of the earth. "Hello?!!" The voice called again and she staggered shuddering as she turned to the stranger blaring his horns.
He pulled his car closer to her side of the road yelling "Are you okay? Do you need a ride? I will drive, no charge. Get in"
She said nothing but stared at him. No word coming from her mouth, the only thought in her head was how it would feel if she let someone. A man. Help and take care of her, without wanting something in return.
How would it feel to let go.
She wasn't a saint or a virgin nor inexperienced. Working in a sex club will open your eyes to the outside world which she didn't know if it should be open to a twenty year old yet. She knew what all men want before they give you anything important and worthy.
Sex.
And she would do it at the cost of her little brother laughing and playing again. She gulped down the rising bile and clutched her sandals tighter in her hand and the straps of her handbag on her shoulder.
"Yes I'm coming" she whispered knowing he may not even hear her however ran to the car. Who helps people these days without payment?. No one. But she would do anything.
Anything.
That was what she would do to save her little brother's life.