Chapter 2
Hunger left me with no energy to study, so I wouldn't get into college and wouldn't take up family resources.
This family would only support her daughter.
I put down my plate contentedly.
"Done?" Elmer stood up. "Let's go."
I suddenly gripped his arm.
Elmer froze.
He was burning up, his arms scorching hot as if they could cook someone.
Oh, adolescent hormones.
So hot.
Elmer's gaze was even hotter.
"Hannah," he asked in a hoarse voice, looking down at me, "Are you short on money?"
I smiled.
Asking the obvious.
Of course, I was short on money.
That was why he came to me, right?
"Come with me to the grove," he said.
I shook my head, my hands slowly climbing upward, my body following closely, until I was pressed face-to-face against him.
"Shall we go to a hotel?" I whispered into his ear.
In the dim, narrow alley, the word "hotel" glowed in the darkness.
Elmer gulped.
*****
Once in the room, Elmer's breathing grew heavier.
He lunged forward, pinning me against the door, but held himself still.
It made sense.
Eighteen years old and inexperienced, he was merely agitated but didn't dare to make a move.
I said, "Shower first? You first, or me?"
Elmer snapped back to reality and looked at me suspiciously, perhaps finding it strange that I knew the drill so well.
"Well, you first," I said.
Elmer shot me a disdainful glance and tossed his bag into my arms. "I'll be out quickly."
"No rush."
The bathroom door closed. I opened Elmer's bag and pulled out the camera.
Then I picked up the hotel phone and dialed a number.
That woman sitting outside the hair salon downstairs wasn't doing anything just now.
The number was written on the glass door.
And I had a photographic memory.
After the call connected and I gave the room number, I hung up and took out his wallet—a large stack of banknotes.
Elmer was rich.
His father owned the largest supermarket in our county.
His father doted on him.
Doting on him meant money.
Elmer had a lot of money.
But I only wanted half; the other half would be for payment for services.
Soon, the doorbell rang.
Elmer had also finished his shower.
He walked out of the bathroom, surprised. "Why are the lights off?"
No one answered.
The bedside lamp was dim, and a lumpy shape lay on the bed. Elmer's breathing grew heavy, and his voice trembled.
He called out, "Hannah?"
He walked over and bent down, his bathrobe tied around his waist, revealing a young man's lean back.
I licked my teeth with interest.
In the darkness, only his heavy breathing could be heard, then he pulled back the covers.
Soft arms wrapped around his neck.
Elmer fell onto the bed, their bodies intertwined.
Then I turned on the light.
Snap.
I took the photo.
Elmer widened his eyes, completely stunned.
The woman at the barbershop scolded me, "What's going on? This isn't what we agreed upon."
I motioned for her to wait, then held up the camera in my hand and smiled at Elmer.
He immediately came to his senses and raged. "Hannah."
"One photo 300 dollars." I threw his wallet over. "I took the money myself, but I left some for you to pay this lady later."
Then I told the woman, "Get your share from him."
Then, I picked up my bag and turned to leave without hesitation.
Elmer jumped out of bed, intending to chase me. "Stop!"
He cursed angrily, "Hannah, stop! How dare you trick me!"
"You haven't paid yet, and you're trying to run!" the woman snapped.
"Let go of me!" Elmer shot back.
"Pay first! Otherwise, don't think of leaving!" the woman insisted.
A dogfight.
I slammed the door.
Well, it served him right.