Sapphic Voices General Fiction

My Sweet Polly

Something rotten and putrid came up from deep within the bowels of the sewer. The odor was so strong that Polly felt light headed and sick. It reminded her of death and decay like an odor of a long dead animal. Regardless Polly still stood there waiting for a car to pull up to claim her for the night or hour. Today was a cold rainy day, about 40 degrees; of course this was typical for late November. She watched as the cars raced past her not even stopping to take a second glance at her. Business was slow today, after all it was thanksgiving. People were in a rush to get to their families. Polly knew she would be in a rush too if she knew where her family was. She left home years a go and did not look back. She had been living on the streets since 15 she was 18 now. She depended upon the money she got from her tricks for lodging for the night. Her pimp Rodney occasionally would let her stay in a rundown apartment on the edge of town. There were too many other girls that lived there so Polly stayed there only when her pimp took all her money. She hated this life, the streets were cold and mean. No one cared about you even if you were dying. She knew Rodney was going to be angry with her she had made no money today and it was she had stood out all day practically. Suddenly a black limo pulled up to the sidewalk by her. Her heart leapt wondering if it was for her. She somehow doubted it but many "Johns" were rich and wanted a girl for the night. They were mostly from out of town and had a wife and kids at home. As a window rolled down, she heard a feminine voice ask her to come over. Polly jumped up surprised. When she got to the window she saw a woman in her 30s, wearing sunglasses and a hat. Most of the woman's features were masked by the hat and glasses but she could tell the woman was exquisitely beautiful.

"How would you like to come to a thanksgiving dinner?" The woman practically whispered.

Polly stood still and breathed in. Thanksgiving dinner sounded so divine right now! Polly merely nodded. The woman opened the door and Polly slid into the leather seat. What's your name?" She asked.

"Polly."

"My, you must be cold." The woman said squeezing her leg. She was wearing shorts but had a jacket on.

Polly shrugged "I am used to it."

"Well we will just have to do something about that." The woman said, tapping on the window between the driver and backseat.

The window rolled down. "Yes ma'am" a voice said in a faint British accent.

”Monty, please take us to Saks on main street."

"As you wish." He replied.

Soon they drove off onto a ramp to the highway. Polly's heart beat fast. She had never been to a Saks before. It took only 15 minutes for the driver to arrive. He parked directly in front of a huge building that had a sign reading Saks Fifth Avenue.

An hour later Polly was dressed in stiff business suit set. It was maroon and looked pretty good on her. The woman went around the store taking her time picking out things for Polly to try on. She would shake her head every time the young girl would come out with something that she did not approve of. "No I think that is not your color." She would say and off Polly would go again to change. Finally Polly had put something on the woman had liked and just she nodded and put it on her credit card.

When they got back to the car the mystery woman finally told Polly her name. Her name was Victoria and she was very rich. She owned a company in town but did not say anymore. She had said there several locations but did not want to reveal what it was. She said her company was in financial trouble so she her to rescue it. It was the family business so she had to make sure she visited her family even though she hinted that they no longer wanted much to do with her.

It took only 10 minutes to get to the house. It was huge and had a gate around it. The walked up to the door and rang the bell. Only minutes later they were lead in by an elderly gentleman. He led them into a table. Several people were sitting around with food in the middle. A chubby man with black hair looked at Victoria eyebrows raised. "Victoria?" He exclaimed. “When I did not hear from you I assumed you were not coming!"

Victoria walked closer to the table nudging Polly along. The young girl's heart raced. The man at the table did not look at all pleased. Victoria took Polly's hand.

"Father, I have not been to see the family in years now. I figured it was time." The father looked at Victoria firmly holding Polly's hand in hers. Polly gulped nervously wandering what pawn she was playing.

The father shook his head, “We don't want your kind here." with that he waved his hand in dismissal.

Victoria's face fell, tears in her eyes. She turned to Polly. "We are not welcome here." With that Victoria turned around walking out.

When they finally were in the limo again Victoria burst into tears. "I though they would be over that by now. I came out to the them years a go. "Oh well...” She sighed.

Polly put her arm around Victoria and she smiled.

"Well I am going to go find a new job. I am sick of the family business guess I am going to be poor too."

Polly shook her head. “I am sure your father won't cut you out totally."

She shrugged, "I can be your new pimp." She laughed.

Polly laughed too. As the limo came back into Polly's part of town she saw Rodney there gun in hand. He looked angry.

"Oh no." Polly said feeling panicked.

“What it is it?" The older woman asked.

"He is angry because I am not back on time."

"Oh my sweet Polly don't worry about him anymore. I will help you find an apartment I have some money in savings." With that Victoria tapped on the middle window. The window rolled down. "Drive to the Ramada on main."

The driver drove off in the general direction of uptown.

Suddenly there was a gun shot. A bullet passed through the open window. All Polly heard was a scream. Then all was silent.


The End

If you have enjoyed Summer Lynn Forester's "My Sweet Polly", then please be certain to e-mail her at  SummerLynnForester[at]yahoo.com  and thank her for posting this Story.

Click here for a list of all of Summer Lynn Forester's  Stories and Poetry at  Sapphic Voices Authoresses.