Group Writing
Friday, the end of a long, hard day at work. Shelly had just slipped into her comfy clothes, and then settled into her comfy chair and put her feet up, when doorbell rang. She made her way to the door and opened it. Walter what are you doing here her body tensed.
“Can I come in? We need to talk.”
“Why? she said. We’re done. I don’t want to talk.”
“You will when you hear what I have to say,” Walter said, pushing his way in. He smiled but his eyes were cold. Shelly hugged her soft sweatshirt around her as she stepped back.
“Look, Shelly, I need you to help me and it will help you, too. My brother died and left me an inheritance, but my other brother is contesting me for it.”
“But how can I help? I don’t understand.”.
“It’s not a normal inheritance, Shelly. This is awkward, but I’m begging you. He left me…” Walter paused as if trying to figure out exactly what to say.
“What is it, Walter? Just say it!”
Walter looked at his feet and then, red faced, looked at Shelly. It’s…” But the words wouldn’t come out. He collapsed to the floor in a heap.
“Walter, get up!” She began shaking him and he started moaning. She could smell the liquor on his breath and knew he’d stopped at the Half-Pint Lounge before coming to her home. Gradually, Walter sat up. “Finish what you’re saying, Walter.”
“Can I have a drink first?”
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?”
“Please, it will help me get this out.” Shelly grudgingly poured him two fingers of Scotch and continued staring at him.
“Well, get on with it.”
“My brother left me a brothel.” Shelly stared at him, stunned. Walter was a Catholic priest.
“I guess I didn’t expect that, Walter. I will have to think about this for a minute. It’s a little complicated, you’re right. You know there are good people at a brothel too. They are all worth saving. Maybe you have a new group to help. It will be a challenge, but you can do it. Maybe saying a little prayer instead of having a drink is a starting point. What do you think?”
“It will be a challenge, to be sure. But you see why I need your help.” “For sure you need help, but why me? What do you need me for?”
“Well, I will be busy dealing with lawyers and judges and such, trying to get legal possession of the business; but meanwhile, I need someone to run the brothel. I thought of you right away with your background. I figured you would know what goes on in a brothel and how to manage the girls, and the customers. You could be Miss Kitty to my Matt Dillon— just until we get this cleared up.”
Shelly stiffened. She felt her face turning hot. How dare you! I should never have come to you for counseling. I should never have confided in you. I’ve never been so insulted!”
“Take it easy lady,” he said. “Calm down. It’s just a business.The girls are a little different, and they can be hard to handle sometimes.”
Shelley slapped him hard across the face. “You can take this job and shove it!” she yelled, as she pushed Walter out the door.