Fatherly Guidance, The Final Chapter by Wetfly6969 (wetfly6969@aol.com) *** I had to take a break and walked down a couple of blocks to the doughnut shop for some caffeine and a sugar rush. They opened at three and I was the first customer. I'd been working for fifteen hours straight and standing that long was killing my back with my bulging belly. This early in the morning the streets are quiet, the noisy crowds, flashing lights, honking horns are all gone. Only a few stragglers, pimps, hoes and junkies were usually out this late and I knew I wouldn't get any more business, not here. Sitting at a table to finish my early morning breakfast I saw a couple walk in holding hands while kissing and laughing. They seemed so happy, so normal and so much in love. That was something that I'd never have. With everything that I'd done, no one will ever want me, not that way at least. Even if I got away from Ronnie, what would I do and where would I go? I had no money, no skills and no one but him and my mom. Finishing my coffee I dropped the empty cup into the trash can. It was time to get back to work. The last time Ronnie came to check on me was around one o'clock and I hadn't quite made a grand for the day. He wasn't happy about that and irately informed me that I couldn't go home until I made another two-fifty. I was eighty dollars short of that number but could hardly stand any more. I rubbed my belly sighing. Six months along and I was so much bigger that I was nine months the last time. I had no idea how many I was carrying as Ronnie still refused to take me to the doctor. I needed to sit down and used the bus stop bench to rest. Just for a while. It had been a week since my ordeal on the riverboat ended. Ronnie left me there five weeks and I still get chills thinking about that place. Sometimes I wonder if I wouldn't have been better off going with Dawg. I don't think he would have done too much harm to me since I was pregnant. Ronnie wouldn't let him, of that I was sure because I was carrying his future income. Five weeks of hell, that's what I call it. I was locked in a small cabin below deck with no window and very little ventilation, compelled to service not only the kitchen staff, but every other employee on the boat and then some. Sometimes customers of the casino were allowed down to fuck me, but the majority of the sex was from casino employees. I was on call 24-7, not given any time off except to eat and use the bathroom. The difference between there and New Orleans were fewer johns per day and my time was spread out over weeks and not days. Patrick used my heroin as a bargaining tool and reduced the dosage and frequency to keep me desperate for it. I only got what I needed when he felt like it and I think he was selling the excess that Ronnie gave him that he didn't give to me. I jumped when a bright light shined in my face, blinding me. Holding my hand to shield my eyes, I could see a police car under my palm. Shit, the cops. I didn't move and waited to see what they wanted. "Are you okay, Miss?" someone asked. "I'm fine," I called back still squinting from the bright light. "What are you doing out here this time of night?" I wanted to laugh, to scream out that my father was making me whore myself out here to put money into his pocket and wanted to beg them to take him, or me, away. "I'm waiting for my ride," I finally said rubbing my stomach to display my pregnancy. I was sure that they wouldn't arrest a pregnant girl. "You shouldn't be out here alone. It isn't safe," he said turning the light off. "Okay, thank you," I said still seeing bright stars dancing in front of me. "Can we give you a ride?" As much as I wanted them to, I knew that I couldn't. Ronnie would be here any minute to get me and I'd better be here. Graciously I declined, opting to wait for Ronnie. Even after I got home from the casino, he still beat my ass, careful to avoid my stomach, and left me black and blue over most of my body. That was just a warning, he informed me. I noticed a truck coming down the street and stood, leaning against the cop car for support. "I think my ride is here," I told them motioning with my chin. They turned to see the pickup slowing down, but not stopping. He drove two blocks down and made a U-turn, parking just beyond the doughnut shop. I grumbled at having to walk that far, but I needed to go before the cops got to asking too many questions. "Be safe," the cop told me before pulling away. I had hoped that Ronnie would drive to me now that the cops were gone, but the asshole stayed almost two blocks away and made me walk. I was ready to flay into him until I saw the expression on his face. He wasn't happy about something. "Gemme my money," he ordered even before I had the door closed. Shaking my head I reached into my purse and handed him $160 in wrinkled money. "I said two-fifty," he added. "Where's the rest?" "I only made one-eighty and used some to get a coffee and a couple of doughnuts and a soda earlier. You can have the change if you want it." "Don't fuckin' get smart with me, bitch. I said I wanted two-fifty!" "Ronnie, there isn't anyone out this time of night to make any money from. Not on a Wednesday. I haven't had a customer in over an hour." "You best not be holding out on me, cunt, I'll fuckin' gut you, you hear me?" "Yes, I know," I said rolling my eyes in the dark. How many times over the past few years have I heard that same threat. It's not that I don't think he would, he's very capable of doing it, but it get's old after a while. We remained silent for the rest of the drive home. Everyone was asleep when we got home and I went straight to bed. I didn't even shower as I was too exhausted. I didn't like going to sleep with the scent of those bastards who pay to fuck me, but tonight I didn't care. I needed to sleep. ~~~ I slept until ten and was awakened by momma brushing the hair from my face. Slowly my eyes opened to see her smiling down at me. I returned the gesture, taking her hand from my face to hold it. "Good morning," she said leaning over to kiss my forehead. This was too weird. "What's going on?" "It's time to wake up. Ronnie wants you ready in thirty minutes." "Ready? Ready for what?" "Work. You'll need to start earlier because you disappointed him." "I disappointed him? How?" "By not earning enough last night. You'll need to make it up today so hurry and get dressed." I couldn't freaking believe what I was hearing! My own mother was telling me her husband wants me to start prostituting earlier because I *only* made $1140 yesterday!?! I'm six months pregnant and I look like a walrus waddling down the street and he's disappointed that I didn't make him enough money? "Mom, I'm tired. I can't keep working like this. Look how big I am." "It's only for a little longer, Debbie. After we have enough money saved, we can both quit and move away from here. Ronnie said Boloxi is where he wants to move and we'll get a house on the beach and have a big yard for the kids to play and we won't have to think about anything but spending time with the family." "Do you really think he'll let us stop, mom? Seriously. He's in it for the long haul and when you and I are all used up and worthless, he'll start using Dawn and the twins and soon whatever baby girls we have in the future. He won't stop, mom, not until he can't make any more money from us. Then he'll probably sell us for a few more bucks to a low-life scum." "Debbie, you're being ridiculous. Your father loves us and wouldn't do something like that." I knew it was useless to argue with her and pulled myself out of bed. I didn't know how much longer I could actually do this. Right now I can't even feel when someone is fucking me and I haven't seen my pussy in months. I could still smell the men from yesterday and showered for almost twenty minutes, scrubbing myself to remove any trace of their encounters. I would have stayed longer but Ronnie came in yell at me to hurry. None of my clothes fit any longer and I had to resort to wearing moms with a few modifications. I didn't care how I looked and sat quietly until Ronnie pulled to the curb just past the doughnut shop. "I'll check on you in a couple of hours," he told me handing me a syringe half filled with liquid. Staring at it I licked my lips. That is what I had been waiting for since I got up. Taking it, I pulled up my skirt and searched for a vein. I had shot up so much in my arms that the veins weren't usable. I moaned feeling the euphoria washing over me like a warm blanket. "I want a hundred an hour," he said reaching over to open my door. "And you still owe me for yesterday!" I half heard what he said as my head was floating. I wouldn't remember what he said until much later. Right away I started hustling, waving down my first car within ten minutes of standing out there. He seemed delighted that I was with child and made some comment about getting a two for one special. His car was some Japanese import and there wasn't much room to fuck, but he managed to get off, remaining inside of me until it slipped out. It took a while to get out of the back seat as I couldn't find anything to hold on to and he was too weak to pull my fat body out. Two more customers graced my inner thighs and one other wanted a blow job by the time Ronnie came for his money. After three hours, I had $280 ready for him and he complained about me being short. I wish I had the nerve to tell him something, but I remained silent, promising to make it up. "You better," he warned before driving away. "Or you'll have your ass out here all night again!" I knew he'd hold true to that threat. I had one more john before I needed to rest and sat on the bus stop bench. My head was over the back rolling back and forth, trying to devise a plan to rid myself of that bastard. I didn't want to leave my little sisters with him but knew that I couldn't take them with me. Maybe I could leave now and come back for them when I could. I groaned knowing it was just wishful thinking. The screeching tires and whoosh of wind from the bus broke my thoughts as I turned my head to avoid the dust and dirt blowing on me. That's when I saw the young woman and a young girl walking toward me with a smile. She looked familiar, but I couldn't place where I knew her from. The woman started to gallop faster, leaving the small girl behind her as her arms widened for a hug. "DEBBIE!!!" she cried out and I stood just as she reached me, throwing her arms round my neck for a crushing hug. "Oh my god I'm so glad I found you!" For several minutes she latched on to me, rocking back and forth whispering how much she missed me. It wasn't until she backed away that I got a good look at her. "Rachael? Rachael is that you?!" I blubbered, grabbing her back, pulling me to my swollen belly. "Oh my god, Rachael, I never thought I'd see you again!" We hug again, both crying for the longest time. When she pulled away, she patted my stomach. "You're as big as a house," she observed. "When's your due date?" "I'm not sure. In about three months, I think." "Who's the father?" I laughed, waving my hand in a semi-circle. "Pick one, anyone could be the father." "Oh my god, you're so huge; I can't imagine being that big." That's when I remembered the little girl with her. "Who's that?" "Her name's Emma," she informed me. We're on our way to California and I wanted to stop by to see you as we went by. You are just like a sister to me you know that, right?" I looked at the young girl. She couldn't have been more than seven or eight and introduced myself to her. "Is she your little sister or something?" "Not exactly. It's a long story and I don't want to bore you with the details. So tell me, Debbie, what's been going on since I last saw you?" I had to laugh and shake my head. "Come, let's get a doughnut and coffee and I'll fill you in on a few things." We ended up eating a dozen doughnuts between the three of us and stayed talking for hours. It felt good having a friend and I didn't once even think of Ronnie or the repercussions of not earning him money. At the time I didn't care. I wanted to spend time with Rachael and told her everything that happened. She was in shock and kept her mouth opened from surprise for the last fifteen minutes that I spoke. "Come with us," she offered extending her hand across the table to hold mine. "Rachael, I can't. There's a lot more involved than just me. I have three little sisters and my whacked-out mother to deal with. "Fuck `em. She wasn't there for you and you can't ruin your life to help your sisters. What good will it do to sit by and watch what's happening to you happen to them? Do you think you can stop him from doing it? I don't think so." What she said made sense but I was still scared and the fact I'm pregnant and didn't want to be on the road when I had them. "How will we live?" "I met this guy on the internet; he's a huge talent agent in LA and wants me to go live with him. Emma and I have been paying our way through sex with the truckers to get there." "YOU'RE HAVE SEX?!" I asked amazed. "Did you have the operation?" "No, not exactly. I'm still a little short but once I make it to LA, I'll be raking in the money and should have it soon, I hope." "Then how do you have sex with the truckers?" She smiled, patting the girl on the top of the head. "That's where she comes in. Remember how you were my surrogate?" I nodded. "She is too." "WHAT!?! Rachael, you're not making her do what you did to me, are you?" "God no, I'm not making anyone do anything. She wants to do it, don't you, Sweetie?" she asked kissing her ear. "She really loves ice cream and used to work her little ass off to get some," she said with a smirk. "Now we just fuck for food, rides or cash." I looked at the girl and knew I'd needed to find out more about her. This was just too weird for me to think about right now. She was far too young to be doing that crap and where are her parents? Why would they allow their young daughter to go across the country with Rachael? My head was full of questions as I stared at the girl. "So, are you coming with us or not?" she asked disrupting my thoughts. I wasn't sure how to answer. It was tempting but still, what about my mother and the girls? "Come on, Debbie, what's keeping you here? It's not your mom and certainly not your dad. You can start fresh, no one knows you in California and maybe you can find a man. Just one this time," she added with a giggle. I had to laugh too. Emma stared at us confused. Glancing out the window I saw Ronnie's truck passing and held my breath. She saw my distress and I told her why. I watched as he made a U-turn near where I work and drove back our way. I slid lower into the seat, praying that he didn't see me. There was no way I could explain why I wasn't working all this time and only had sixty dollars. My heart pounded in my chest as my eyes followed his truck until it turned at the next street. I knew what I had to do. "Okay, Rachael, let's do it!" I said standing. "I know what I have here and I'm willing to take my chances in California." She smiled and scooted Emma from her seat. "I'm glad you decided to go, Debbie, it'll be just like old times," she added with a smile until she noticed my reaction and changed. "Without all the sex, that it," she added touching my hand. "Let's go. The truck stop is about a mile away, do you think you can walk that far?" "I'll walk to the ends of the earth to get away from that monster. But before we leave, I have to do something. Heading to the pay phone, I dialed the number I had dreamed about for years. "9-1-1 operator, what is the nature of your emergency?" "I want to report a crime." ~~~ I don't know how long I talked to the woman on the other end but I was hoarse by the time I finished talking. I told her as much as I could remember. Told her about Ronnie, Deek, Jimmy and the cop Lucky. I mentioned everyone along the way that I knew and told them about what he was doing to me and my mother and his plans for my little sisters. I said so much that I was sure that she couldn't write it all down, but she got most of it, enough I'd hoped to do something. Many times she asked for my name, but I wouldn't give it. I couldn't. I just wanted to get away from Vicksburg and start fresh, but wanted to be sure Ronnie got what was coming to him. When I saw the cop car pull in front of the shop, I hung up and rushed to Rachael. "Let's go," I said tugging on her arm. "Let me get some doughnuts to go," she replied digging in her purse of change. "We need to go *NOW*," I urged, looking toward the door at the two officers entering. Her eyes widened and we quietly slipped outside, rushing down the street. We had a mile to walk, but I walked a lot further than that everyday, just one block at a time. The truck stop was busy with the late afternoon rush but the first three truckers we talked to were going the wrong way to help us. The fourth one was heading north but offered Rachael a hundred dollars to fuck her. Of course she declined and offered Emma instead. The man seemed offended by the gesture and walked away. "Fuck `em," she mumbled watching him climbing into his rig. "We'll find someone else. "Rachael, maybe you shouldn't do that to her. I mean she's young and so small. I think maybe you shouldn't, you know, make her do that." "She likes it, don't you?" she asked smiling at Emma. The girl looked at me and then back to Rachael before nodding. "See." I shrugged my shoulders and dropped it. I noticed a tall cowboy type wearing boots, jeans and a cowboy hat leaving the station. He had a bicycle mustache and a big smile as he carried a jug of water toward his truck. I went over to him. "Hi," I said smiling wide. "Howdy ma'am," he replied tipping his hat and walking past me. "Excuse me," I called out, rushing to catch up to him. "Can I ask you something?" "Sure can, lit'l lady, what can I do fer ya?" He had the sweetest Texan accent. "Are you going west?" "Sure am, on my way to Dallas right now, and I gotta get movin' `cause I'm gunna be late," he said turning to leave. "Do you mind if I, ur, we hitch a ride with you?" "We?" he asked looking around. I pointed to Rachael and Emma. "We're on our way to California. I'm willing to pay for the ride," I added with a wink. "I ain't `posed to take no riders, but I guess I can take you as far as Dallas, but that's where I gotta leave ya though. As far as payment, that ain't necessary, I don't mind helpin' a damsel in distress." "Dallas will be fine, thank you, sir," I blurted out waving to Rachael. His name was Carlton and he lived in Waco and had been driving a truck for half of his life. I sat in the front seat with him while they slept in the back. At first Emma seemed nervous about getting into the truck with the man but just past Monroe she was relaxed enough to fall asleep. We talked the entire way to Texas. I found out a lot about him, he's divorced; he's forty-four with no kids and lived his entire life in Texas. After a few hours of talking, he finally asked about me. There was no way I was going to spring on him my life's story. Not yet. "It's complicated," was all I said and he didn't push the subject. "You on your way to meet your baby's daddy?" he asked staring at my large stomach. "No. He's out of my life for good." "Are you running to something, or away from something?" "Away." "I see. What's waiting for you in California?" "Nothing really. I just want a fresh start." "What's gunna happin' to your baby?" "I'll put them up for adoption." "Them?" he asked looking at my stomach again. "Like I said, it's complicated." We stopped in Shreveport. I needed to pee really badly and he was kind enough to stop. For the next few miles we were silent as he drove and I stared at him. He was old enough to be my father but he was good looking and very kind. He noticed me looking and smiled. There was something about him that I found attractive and he must have felt the same way. A thought flashed in my mind about the couple I saw in the doughnut shop but I quickly dismissed it. I was starving, Rachael wanted to stretch her legs and Emma needed to use the restroom. I'm sure he wouldn't have normally stopped if he was alone, but with three girls with him, he pulled over at the next rest stop. Rachael and Emma were walking around the compound while we Carlton and I sat at the picnic table. "You don't gotta go to California, if you don't want to," he said. not quite looking at me. "What do you mean?" "I like you, Debbie. I know I'm probably too old for you, but it would do my heart good if you stuck around a while." "Huh? Are you serious?" "Sure am. You're a very special young lady and I'd like to get to know you more, if that's okay with you. Maybe you can stick around `til the baby comes and if you're not happy with me, you can leave. I'll pay for a bus ticket to any place you wanna go." I was speechless. As long as I could remember men have been using and abusing me and here this guy just wants me because he `likes' me? Without knowing anything about me? I looked into his bright blue eyes trying to determine if this was some sick joke to get me to have sex with him and then dump me off some place. I quickly discounted that because I had already offered him sex to give us a ride and he agreed to do it without the sex. "I'll understand if you say no," he added looking down at the table. "Carlton, are you sure you want that? I mean you hardly know me." "I know enough to say that you're special." I felt warm all over. Someone wanted me for *ME* and not because of what's between my legs. "Debbie look!" Emma called out showing me a translucent rock she had found. I smiled and felt Carlton's hand on mine. "The choice is yours, but I'm hoping you say yes." I had nothing to lose. Everything I had and had known is gone and there's really nothing for me in California. I smiled, nodding. He smiled, leaning across the table and kissed me. Not a kiss like the other men who paid me, but a tender, loving kiss. I felt butterflies in my stomach and kissed him back. "We need to get moving," he whispered pulling away from me. "I've got a deadline to make." I nodded and called for the others. Rachael noticed something had happened and asked. I could only tell her that I wouldn't be going to California with them. Moving closer to Carlton, I pulled his arm around me and snuggled against his side, looking out at the setting sun. Soft amber with splashes of red melting into shades of gray. I never before noticed how beautiful it was. ~ the end ~ Epilogue... Debbie gave birth to sextuplets two months later. All but one, a boy, was given up for adoption. She and Carlton married just before the birth and he was named as the father. She adjusted well to her new life and slowly revealed her past to her new husband. She now sees a councilor for help in dealing with her trauma. Rachael and Emma made it to California where Rachael became a popular transsexual porn star. She decided to keep her useless cocklet as men in California were more open to her sexuality. Emma was returned to Florida to her father and soon forgot about her encounter with Rachael. Ronnie received the harshest of all the sentences handed down and will be spending the rest of his life behind bars. Deek and Jimmy each received twenty years and Lucky was fired from the police force and given a five-year sentence for planting evidence to incarcerate Debbie. Her mother was given five years for her role and will get out in two with good behavior. Debbie's little sisters were placed in foster care and will be adopted out to good homes... ~~~ wetfly6969@aol.com ~~~