“Okay. I’ll do it.” Amber fell in step with Jill as they entered the classroom. “I thought about it a lot, and decided to give it a try if you’ll still help me.” She tried to cover her anxiety with a smile as they located seats and sat down.
Jill smiled back and leaned over to whisper, “Tell you what, after class we’ll discuss my idea and go from there. How does that sound? I---”
“Excuse me ladies, but I do believe this is a classroom, and whatever the important personal discussion you’re having is can wait.” Professor Williams eyed them sternly.
“Yes, sir.” Both girls replied and opened their books.
The history class felt like an eternity to Amber. Would the professor ever shut up? She needed to know what Jill had in mind, so she could decide how hungry she had to be in order to hit the dumpsters in search of food. After the viewing the other day, total starvation would probably be what it took. Jill said phone sex, but was that all that was involved? Surely she could handle talking about sex on the phone. Amber felt heat rise in her cheeks as she thought about saying some of the words that flowed around campus to a man on the other end of a phone…hmm, maybe not.
Finally. Class was over.
“When’s your next class?” Amber had been so lost in thought Jill’s question startled her. “I thought if you had the time we could go over to my apartment where we could talk without being interrupted.”
“Uhh, I don’t have another class today.” Amber was anxious to see if Jill’s place reflected her taste in clothing.
When they walked through the door of Jill’s apartment, Amber couldn’t help comparing it to her dump. They entered into a spacious, well-decorated living room from which you could see a dining area, and an actual kitchen. “This is really nice."
“Let me give you the grand tour.” Jill motioned with her hand, “As you can see, living, dining and kitchen.” Amber followed as Jill proceeded down a hallway. “This is my bedroom—the master bedroom of course—and bathroom. I turned one of the bedrooms into a study room.” A quick look in revealed a computer desk, and two comfortable chairs. “Then down here is the spare bedroom. I’m thinking this would be a good place for you. So, what do you think?” Jill turned to face her.
“I----I----What are you saying?” a stunned Amber asked.
“I’m saying that if you moved in with me it would solve the rent problem. I also have an extra telephone line because my former roommate was in the business too. When she moved out I kept the extra line just in case. Looks like it’s a good thing I did.”
Amber looked around the tastefully decorated room. It was larger than her current apartment, even if you included the closet of a bathroom. “If you’re serious, I say yes. I’d be stupid not to.”
“Well, there is one drawback. You’ll have to use the bathroom down the hall.” Jill said.
“I think I can manage.” Amber looked around the room. “Yes. I could definitely manage. But there’s a problem. No way can I afford the rent.”
She heard Jill chuckle before replying. “I know where you’re coming from. I’ve had some rough spots too and someone gave me a little help. Okay, here’s the deal. I have the rent covered for now, along with the phone, utilities and food. When you’re making money from your new job, then we’ll set up shared expenses. This way you’ll have a chance to get on your feet. It takes a little while to get the checks rolling in. So, what do you say?” Jill asked.
Amber couldn’t believe her luck. All her life she'd had to focus on the money she didn’t make, now here she was being handed the opportunity to focus on the money she could make, without having to worry about where the next meal was coming from. “I’d be a fool not to say yes. You have yourself a roommate.” She felt like pinching herself as she looked around. This was far nicer than any place she had lived, even when at home with her parents.
“I think the next thing we do is take a ride over to Morgan City so you can meet Dulcie.”
“Who’s Dulcie?” Amber wasn’t familiar with the name.
“Dulcie, my dear, is your ticket to a richer life. She owns the service I work—we work for. I’ve told her about you and she wants to meet you. She’s also the one who trained me, and will work with you. I told her you are greener than I was,” Jill grinned and winked at her new roommate.
“What did she think of that?” Amber was feeling a little anxious.
“She laughed. You’ll like Dulcie. She’s cool.” Jill grabbed her car keys and headed for the door. “Get a move on. You’re about to begin a new life.”