Authors: Valerie Vera
“Here… I give you $2000. I hope it will help you…”
“Thank-you!! is this the same you gave Tracey?”
Ben laughed. “I don’t give Tracey no money this time. I don’t trust her no more…”
Chloreene was confused and hoping she did not understand…
“Ben, what did you give Tracey? what was the package you put in her luggage?”
Ben looked at Chloreene. She was so naive. She didn’t understand what had happened to her “friend” but she still cared. Even after all this she cared.
“Don’t worry about Tracey… you won’t hear from her for a long time… She told me she would move to Europe with all the money I gave her.” He chuckled at that like it really made him happy.
Chloreene found that hard to believe but she had decided she did not want to see her ever again. Not ever.
Pamela came in the room smiling. “Well, today is the day you will go to your home. Are you happy? you should be, Ben has done you a big favor. Come here girl, I have something I want to give you… Would you wear this red velvet dress? One of Tracey’s friends left it here a while ago and I’ve got no use for such a warm dress.”
Chloreene was truly speechless. Could this be the dress Melinda wore? It certainly looked like it. Could Tracey’s skipping town and Melinda’s “vacation” be connected?!
Chloreene was careful to not look overly horrified but it was hard. “Yes I would like to have it…”
Chloreene took the dress off the hangar, trying to act casual about the whole thing. “Do you remember anything about the girl who left the dress? I bet if Tracey knows her, I do too… anything at all would help so I could get her dress back to her…”
“Nooo I don’t think you’re going to find this girl… she’s off “to Europe” like Tracey.” She laughed so hard… “Anyway, enjoy the dress… you know I just remembered that girls name… it was Melinda. Did you know her?”
“Oh… OH man, I think I used to know her but I haven’t seen her in a while. Do you know where in Europe she went? I’d especially like to find her…”
Pamela seemed to caught on that Chloreene did not fully understand what the joke was. She patted her hand and said, “it’s about time for you to go dear”
Pamela gave Chloreene a quick hug. Ben took her bag and put it in the car… Chloreene caught up to him and put the red velvet dress in it. He handed her her passport, id and ticket. She got in the car and waved goodbye to a smiling Pamela.
The beach was on the way to the airport… Ben stopped and took Chloreene’s hand for a moment… he said, “I hope you go on to have a happy and full life Chloreene. Whatever you do, don’t trust everyone you meet. If you get into trouble, give me a call..”
Chloreene stared at the card for a second and said, “ok thank you”. She was thankful he did not try to kiss her or touch her further than her hand.
He started the car again and carried on to the airport. He stopped briefly to let Chloreene out but sped off with very little sentiment. Chloreene made her way to the line. She made her way through the scanner line, no problem. They did give her bag a second look but ultimately let her through. Chloreene took her seat among the other passengers.
All of the events of the past few days flooded her brain.
What happened to Melinda? why would she leave her dress behind? what was the package that Mr. Beautiful put in Tracey’s bag?
The tv news came on just then. The lead story was recent drug busts! A mug shot of Tracey came across the screen. Chloreene tried to conceal her shock! The story described a rash of young American women being used to transport small amounts of cocaine through the local airport!! The women would be spending a LOT of time in jail it seemed…
The lady next to her, looked directly at her and said, “they just use the stupid young girls as gifts for the po-lice…”
How could Tracey get involved in this! Now it was all clear what Ben meant by sparing me! I was going to get set up with those drugs but they turned on Tracey in favor of me!! But why did Tracey do this? there must be a reason… did she know that Melinda and I spent some time together?
Everything was fitting together now.
When Melinda visited me she was just getting out of a bad relationship. Maybe she sensed something wasn’t right! she was the former roommate that ‘moved out’. I just can’t believe Tracey could be so shady!!
--------
“You cheating whore!! I was going to reunite you with your cheating lover Chloreene!! You ruined us Melinda! You ruined us with your cheating whorish ways Melinda!”
“Is that what this is all about?!! I didn’t even do anything with Chloreene! we started to but it didn’t work out!!”
Melinda went for Tracey’s halter shirt and put a huge rip in it. Tracey was not wearing a bra since it was such a hot day. Now Tracey’s large firm breasts were exposed. Bouncing with every breath she took. She was hot and upset and on the verge of a breakdown.”
Melinda was still so furious she lunged at her again and pulled her hair kicking her face and screaming!!
It was all so unbelievable. After a while, Melinda felt spent. She left Tracey in a pile on the dirty cement floor. She looked pitiful. Exposed and a total disgrace.
---
Tracey arrived in New York. She made her way from Kennedy airport to her home by train. She’d considered taking a cab but could not trust that she wouldn’t get a chatty cabby. The train was as good a thinking place as any. She decided she would sleep at Tracey’s as if nothing had happened and move out in the morning.
She racked her brain thinking of where she could go. She decided to contact an old friend that had offered her couch to her once. Helen was very happy to hear from her. The only problem was she did not want any pets… She needed to rehome Brownie if she accepted this arrangement.
Chloreene contacted another friend… a friend that like her always seemed strapped for cash. The friend leapt at the offer of $300 a month and she would accept the kitty as a part of the deal.
Whew! tomorrow would be a big day. Moving out and moving on but first she had to go to work tomorrow.
With the cash Mr. Beautiful gave her and her direct deposit coming tonight things financially were looking up.
Chloreene slept like a baby. Maybe the best sleep she’d had in years. She vowed once she got settled she would help Melinda. At least try to make her time easier and better than it was now.
A few days went by. The move into Marie’s went well and they were getting along great. Marie was never interested in girls so it was nice to just spend time together as friends. They spent their evenings together. Cooking, eating and watching tv…
Note from the author…
Do you think Chloreene should go back and try to get Melinda out? what about Tracey? should Chloreene try to help her?
Would you like to see more stories about Chloreene’s struggles with love and life?
Would you like to read more about Melinda’s and Tracey’s prison plight? Were you relieved when Chloreene was spared by Mr. Beautiful?
Please contact me with your ideas and constructive criticism. Thank-you for reading.