What I Call Life

Another Listen & Write. Just one story this time.

Song: What Would You Do - City High


"Hey babe," someone called me. I turned my head to see a middle aged man trying too hard to look cool in his old Volkswagen.

"Hey," I greeted him back. In my world, this is how bringing the bacon always starts.

"Get in?"

"You paying?"

"Hell yeah."


And just like that, I hopped into his car. I could see him smirk even though the only source of light we had is a flickering street lamp 10 feet away. And it's a long shot, but I asked him if I could borrow his cellphone anyway.

"After we have some fun, OK, sweet cheeks?"

"No, how 'bout before? 5 minutes, 10 minutes tops,” I paused to see his reaction. But his face said he didn't want to wait. So I tried again, “I'll do anything."

He snickered. And I hated myself even more.

"Well now, I cant miss that offer can I?"

He handed me the phone, and I started to dial. As he was groping me all over, I found an escape in the form of a dial tone.

"Hello," there it is. My sweet, sweet sound of heaven.

"Hi, sweetie. Did you do your homework yet," I asked the voice on the other side, and the hands that were roaming all over my body dismissed themselves.

"I did, Mommy. Are you coming home now?"

I glanced at the man prepping himself for our impending escapade and convinced myself that I'm doing this for the right reasons. One of them being my son, and the other being the future. Our future. So, instead of answering his question, I hid.

"I will, baby. I'll see you in morning, okay? Go to sleep. I love you." My baby's answer was lost in a yawn, but I heard it just fine.

I hung up, then gave the phone back to its owner who was then starting to peel off my clothes. He put on his disgusting half-smile and reminded me about my promise earlier. "Anything," he breathes to my neck.

"Anything," I confirmed.

For the rest of the night I recited, over and over in my head, "for my baby. For my baby."