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Chapter 8 - Legacy
>> Monday, June 14, 2010
Melinda's shoes clicked loudly against the concrete as she moved toward the coffee shop. Charmaine wanted to talk and she wanted to do it away from the St. James which had Mel's imagination spinning. After her encounter with Garrett Winslow she had begun seeing him at the St. James on a regular basis. He had recommended her to some associates and while she would have preferred not doing it at all, the money was good and Melinda needed it badly.
If she didn't think about it too much she could get through it. She was skilled at pleasing a man, Damian had taught her that much, so she managed to detach herself from these liaisons, at least until she looked in the mirror.
But now Charmaine wanted to talk to her and Mel wasn't sure why it needed to be in a cafe on the other side of town. Had she done something wrong? Was she being let go? Melinda couldn't think of a thing she had done that would displease her employer. Except for that first time Melinda never held back money, kept everything the girls said to her in confidence and always kept the customers comfortable in the lounge while they socialized.
If she were honest with herself Mel was certain she was better at hosting than she was at the sex part. Fortunately she had not been asked to perform any sexual favors that would have been out of her comfort zone and she had clearly pleased Garrett who more often than not just wanted to talk. Melinda was very discrete and Garrett, because of his aspirations, was generous as a result.
Charmaine had chosen a table outside the cafe and sat there smoking one of her exotic cigarettes as Melinda sat opposite her. The air was heavy and hot and the aroma from the cigarettes amplified the stifling heat. Looking rather melancholy Charmaine took one last puff before snuffing out her smoke and turning her attention to Melinda.
"I like to watch people," her voice was rough from too many cigarettes. "I've watched you Melinda. I gave you about two weeks before I thought you would bolt but you surprised me. You have a strong will to survive despite your inexperience." Charmaine reached into her oversized bag and lit another cigarette before returning her gaze to Melinda.
Melinda picked absently at a speck on the table. More than once she considered how she ended up in this place and working for Charmaine. But for the first time she was able to breathe easier financially and provide a few more comforts for her and Thalia. Her skin prickled from the heat beating down. Shifting in her chair Mel brushed a strand of damp hair from her face as she glanced at her employer. "To be frank I think I surprised myself. Look Charmaine I need this job so if I have done something, anything wrong..."
Charmaine laughed and Melinda noticed relief wash over her face. "My dear, you have done nothing wrong. I would venture to say that if you had been given the opportunity you could have gone to school and become quite successful. You are a smart woman Melinda, driven and hard working, and I like that. I like you."
Charmaine fumbled for another cigarette, lit it and took a long drag. "I'm dying. I'm not happy about it and hardly giving up the fight but there you have it."
Shocked, not knowing what she could say to that, Melinda inhaled sharply and stared intently at Charmaine while a thousand thoughts raced through her head. None of them seemed remotely appropriate all things considered. "What...are you sure...can't they do something? Oh Charmaine I just...don't know what to say. What can I do for you; how can I help?"
"Honey, I've been putting up a fight for a long time now. I won't say I am giving up but I know when I am on the losing side of a battle. I will not bore you with the details. I want to put my house in order so to speak. I have no family and while you may not understand this right now I have felt as close to you as if you were my daughter. I'm leaving the St. James in your care when I am gone Melinda. I think you could do great things with it. It is my legacy such as it is and I want you to run it when I am gone."
"Charmaine, I don't know if I can do that." Melinda was stunned. It was an inconceivable and unlikely plan, one that she was sure would be impossible for her to pull off. Could she see herself at the helm of a brothel? This was insane.
Charmaine put out her cigarette and folded her arms under her ample bosom. "Of course you can do it. I told you I've watched you. You are a smart girl and you are good with the clients, all of them. I watch you work the lounge and you have quite the fan club. You're like a chameleon Melinda; you are who you need to be. I cannot think of anyone better to carry on my legacy. Hell, you could sell it off for all I will know once I am gone."
Charmaine leaned forward and held Melinda's gaze. "But I would hope you would take it and make it your own, put your own stamp on it and take it higher. I daresay you may even have Garrett's support in that."
"It's...quite a lot to consider...and much more than I deserve."
Charmaine waved her hand dismissively. "Nonsense, I don't want to hear that kind of talk. The place will be yours, I have already seen to it. Humor me and just say you'll do it."
Melinda's mouth curved in a wistful smile. A gentle breeze brushed against her bare skin. Shivering despite the heat Melinda hesitantly answered, "All right Charmaine. I'll give it my best and that is not just humoring you; that is giving you my word."
"Of course you will my dear and with your best I know I have nothing to worry about. Now let's go do some shopping shall we?"
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NEXT CHAPTER: Sessions Chapter 24
18 comments:
I am always stunned at the emotional content in these CH pieces. This is no exception.
Melinda has come a long way. It's a road she didn't choose, and whether or not she'll end up somewhere she really doesn't want to be is yet to be seen. She's strikingly more composed now than she was when this began.
The conversation between the two women hit me very hard for a lot of reasons.
Lovely, perfect poses. Every expression. Every gesture.
And into this uncertain situation comes Ryan.
Wow, that's definitely a weight on her shoulders, having to take up Charmaine's mantle so suddenly. Melinda's pretty good about rolling with the punches, though--the poor girl hasn't really had many opportunities to make a choice, but she's a survivor. She takes what life throws her way and makes something of it.
Beautiful work, Gayl :)
This a good situation to go along with this prompt. Unorthodox as it is Charmaine is the closest thing to a mother that Melinda has and the brothel is the closest thing to a legacy that Charmaine can give. Just a reminder that comfort and stength can be found in the most unlikely places. Very touching and well executed piece on all levels.
Thank you Beth. This is a turning point for Mel, one of a couple. Feeling less financial pressure went a long way in her composure. She still struggles with what she is doing however.
As for their conversation, it had always been planned but not until recently did it take a different turn for me.
And of course Ryan, the wild card, how he eventually fits in is still a mystery even to me.
Thanks Van! Mel still has a little while before she actually inherits the place and she will eventually make a lot of changes once she does. In the meantime she will learn the ropes.
You're right, she hasn't really had a lot of choice and if it hadn't been for Thalia I think she would have crumbled. Having a child makes you strong in ways you never imagined.
Muzegoddess I am so glad that you felt the prompt worked here. Since I didn't really show how much time had passed it could seem sudden I suppose. But Charmaine has no one and she sees a strength in Melinda, a loyalty that makes her feel that the decision to leave the place to her was a good one.
Thank you so much!
Ah ha! So this is how Mel came to control St. James. I had wondered about that. I find it interesting to compare Mel's character at different times of her life. She's really changed a lot from her early days.
Melinda has gone through many changes from the time she met Damian to the present day. I am glad to see that those changes shine through from chapter to chapter.
Thanks Kara!
It seems that everyone else sees the strength in Melinda that she doesn't know she has. It was nice to have another glimpse of her world :)
She is strong. Melinda definitely changes throughout the story. She has learned to adapt as her life moved forward after Damian left her. I am thrilled that it comes through.
Thank you goodbye_sun!
It is so interesting to see her younger and unsure and compare that to the woman we see later who appears to be so much the opposite.
I think you manage though to retain that grain of self with the character. We all change in ways that surprise us. Sometimes I look back and feel like the "old me" was a stranger. And yet there's always that bit of self you can point out. I don't think that's an easy thing to capture with a character at all.
Lunar, we haven't seen the worst of what happens to harden Melinda yet. She was so naive and starry-eyed, married so young. Although only 10 years (I think - or was it 8 years) has passed from the time that Damian left her to the present, she learns how strong and confident she can be. Unfortunately her heart gets locked away in the process.
Retaining Melinda's character was important to me and the fact that you see it in her makes me very happy. Thank you so much!
Had no idea you updated this, I watch your main blog for announcements!
Nice to see Melinda again, and looks as though her world will be spinning off in a new direction. I loved Charmaine's look, and you described her well, you can almost hear the raspy, sandpaper, cigarette voice laced with weariness, well done~
Did I forget to post on my blog? Wow, I guess I did...I meant to...
Thanks Drew! I'm glad you can hear Charmaine. I try very hard to convey what I hear from the characters so that means a lot.
I almost missed this one too! I'm not sure where it would fit in but you left it out of the chapter guide which is how I get caught up! :D
I loved the posing too, it felt so realistic and natural and my favorite pic is the second from the bottom, you can almost feel her being overwhelmed by the offer.
Lovely piece as usual, you always amaze me at how well the prompts fit in with what's going on, well done!
Emily I am so bad about the chapter guide...
Glad you liked the posing. I took a page out of Beth's book and mapped them out so I knew what I needed before I started. And I like doing shorter more focused pieces. Now if I could only get onto some sort of regular posting schedule - but I'm afraid that isn't something that works with me.
Thank you so much - I really try to make the best use of the prompts and it means a lot that they fit!
How did I miss this? Really, really love the shots and dialogue at the tables. The poses, conversation, setting, it all felt very real.
These can be easy to miss when I don't update them regularly LOL! But thank you. It has been written for awhile, I just had technical difficulties with my neighborhoods and lots. Thanks so much Rad!
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