At this point i did something completely uncalculated. But, it saved my life at least three times, saved me from countless beatings, and won me many small comforts and even the occasional scrap of food.i reached out and put my small hand on his bulging forearm. He looked down at me in surprise and i noticed his eyes were shiny, his breathing ragged. i saw that the man was nearly as upset by what he had been doing as i was. And, god knows why, but i felt a surge of compassion.i whispered, "You have a hard job." and embraced him.To this day i can't think why i did it. i condoned his brutally beating a 14 year old girl for being unable to make some prick cum. But, to my eternal shame, i don't really regret that i did it. Because it made me Benny's favorite. Instantly.He enfolded me in his huge arms and held onto me for a few long seconds. Overwhelmed, exhausted, and confused i lay my head on his chest and hung on.He rubbed my back and whispered, "Edward uses all the new girls first. But, you're going to sleep in my bed tonight."And, after the things i had seen. i was grateful. Sleeping in this man's bed would be preferable to John's. i was terrified of John. A fear that would only grow. A fear that was completely founded.And, he took me over and made the introductions i had expected John to make. The girls at the table were Candy (of course, *sigh*, if i had a nickle for every girl i met called Candy i'd be rich, i guess no one was feeling very creative on her first night.) and April.While we were standing there, the girl on the pool table finished up with her guy. He put himself back together quickly and she tied his tie for him. He kissed her cheek and told her he'd see her the next week. On his way out he stopped and handed Benny a hundred dollar bill."I swear Pearl, I don't know why John always gives you the easy ones," he grinned at her. She shrugged and laughed and pulled a nightie over her head."Cuz I'm his favorite."This playful banter seemed reassuring, until i noticed the looks of clear dislike on the faces of the other two girls. Apparently, being John's favorite was a hard thing to accomplish.Listening to the sounds drifting in from the other room... i was terrified of getting on John's bad side.
