Chapter Four: Washington Street Whore



Sparrow

Sparrow stared at a tree through the window of a rust-colored old Crown Vic, as the owner of the car finished his business. She hated having to work the streets and she hated all of her clients too, but she needed the money. She gritted her teeth and tried to make out shapes in the bark of the tree that she kept her eye on. She spotted a dolphin in the bark and smiled.

Finally, the man was done and climbing out of the car, zipping his pants. Sparrow pulled her skirt down and exited the car behind him. He pulled a twenty from his wallet and handed it to her. She crumpled the cash up into a little ball in her hand as the man climbed into his car and drove away. Just a few more and she would have enough money for her and Nico to have a pretty good night.

She began walking to the front of the fast-food place, combing her tangled hair with her fingers as she walked.

She was hungry. She didn’t like to eat; the drugs kept her appetite mostly nonexistent, but she knew that she had to. So, she headed to the front double doors of the burger joint with warm, salty fries on her mind that made her mouth water.

Sparrow pulled the door open and sauntered inside, taking a furtive look around the dining area.

Eli Raines, straight edge cop, was sitting in a corner booth by himself. He had a third of a burger in his right hand and he was staring at Sparrow. He kept staring as she walked toward the restrooms.

Sparrow needed to clean up. Fucking busy body Eli, he already looked like he was suspicious.

She stepped into the restroom and removed her sliver of soap from her bag. She pulled a handful of paper towels from the rack on the wall and wet them while rubbing in the soap. She started with her face and then moved to her armpits. Her mother called this a whore bath. Face, pits and lady bits. Ironic, now that Sparrow was an actual whore. Her mind wandered as she scrubbed.

Most people in town didn’t know, but Sparrow and Eli had shared a passionate summer together during their junior year of high school. That was before Sparrow had started doing hard drugs, but by high school she was already drinking heavily every night and she always had her marijuana on her.

Eli was the brainy type that never got into trouble. He had a strict father, and Sparrow had felt sorry for him. The first time he drank alcohol was with Sparrow that summer of junior year. She couldn’t get him to touch the pot though. Eli was adamant about keeping their relationship a secret. His father would kill him. At the time Sparrow thought it was exciting, a forbidden love, like Romeo and Juliet. Looking back on it all now, Sparrow was ashamed. She hadn't been good enough for Eli, so therefore no one could know about them.

Sometimes she still felt that Eli was ‘the one,’ but after more deliberation Sparrow came to the conclusion that that was bullshit. There was no such thing as ‘the one.’

Of course, she told Nico that she believed they were meant to be together, that they were soulmates. She liked Nico, he was a sweet guy, and he was totally committed and in love with her despite her many flaws. She told him that she loved him, but she knew that she didn’t.

Sparrow's reputation had finally caught up with her and she stayed with Nico because she didn’t want to be alone. She enjoyed being put on a pedestal and she got a thrill out of acting the ‘devoted, good girl.’ He was just a warm body to cuddle up to. When she got fucked up enough, she could imagine that Nico was anyone she desired. Most often that someone was Eli Raines.

Sparrow walked out of the bathroom feeling refreshed. She looked up and locked eyes with Eli, and he beckoned her over to where he was sitting, pulling up a chair for her.

She took small, tentative steps toward him and hesitated a moment before sitting down, looking anywhere but at Eli.

"Hey Sparrow. How the hell are ya? Been a while," Eli said.

"Mmmhmm," was the only response she gave him.

"Sit down a spell. I'll buy you a burger. Whatever you like." He winked and motioned to the chair with his delicate hand.

Sparrow sat, still not looking him in the eye. Barely above a whisper she said, "I want a cheeseburger and a large fry. What do you want with me?"

"I need to ask you some questions about Nico." Eli smiled.