Amy

So I went to the shop tonight.

But no, it's not what you think.

I met up with John and library guy for dinner. John mentioned a massage at first, and for some reason I pictured the joint I used to go to. I thought I'd go along and just talk to the girl. I didn't really feel like being with another girl, as I wanted to keep my promise to Naby.

But he drove us off in another direction. At first I thought it'd be Nadira. Then I thought it'd be the place near Brain's place (never been there, only seen the ad for it), and then finally it dawned on me - he was taking us to Naby's shop. He said he hadn't been there for a long time, like six months. Library guy said he hadn't been there since the last time we were there, like about two years ago.

Thoughts started rushing through my head. Would Naby be there? Maybe she lied about going to Korea? Would that receptionist guy be there and say something to imply I'm a regular? What impact would there be if I was exposed to all the girls there in a line up?

We went in, and was greeted by another guy. I think I've seen him before, but he wasn't the regular. We went to the main waiting room, and flicked through magazines as we talked. We talked about some important things, like whether I should pay off my mortgage or start saving for a property. John said to do the latter. I actually hoped the girls wouldn't come in soon so we could explore this a little more. John felt the same way, saying he liked meeting up because he learnt something from library guy tonight.

Then the girls came in. One by one I watched, fearing Naby would come in.

She didn't.

I looked at the line up and remembered that cute girl I saw on my way out once. But she wasn't there. The girls here looked kinda...ugly. Maybe it was just me. John had said he wouldn't pick one if he didn't like any of them. I was hoping he wouldn't.

The girls started filing out. I remembered a few names, but caught the number 90 of one just in case. John picked some tall girl on our right. I picked number 90. Library guy was faithful to his fiancee and didn't pick, so he waited in the waiting room.

The girl didn't hold my hand up the stairs. I walked up first. It was different to Naby. We went into the room and she went back out to get the towels. I took my shoes off as I waited. I sat on the bed. When she came back in, I said I just wanted to talk. She asked why, and asked if I didn't like her. I said no, that I was just tired. I asked her for her name, and she said Amy.

I wondered in the back of my mind whether I should confess my thing with Naby. I laid on the bed and she sat up. I noticed the distance between us and it made me think that the thing between Naby and I were more real.

She said this was a sex shop and asked why I didn't want to have sex. I said I was just tired. She asked again and I said I only meet those friends once every six months, and they want to go, so I go along. I still wondered if I should confess.

She asked if I smoked. I said no but she could smoke, so she did. She laid next to me on her tummy as she smoked. I had said "chincha?" in a conversation and at first she didn't get it, but then realised what I was saying, and asked how I knew. I said I knew a few words.

I asked her how long she'd been here and she said a month. She asked me where I was from and I said Hong Kong. She said that was a girl's dream, because of the shopping.

She finished her cigarette and laid on her back next to me. I could feel her shoulder pressed next to me. She said "this is Amy's lucky night" and I knew she meant she was lucky to have a customer who didn't want sex. We talked more and she said she was in it for the money. She asked what I did and I said lawyer. She said her brother is a lawyer in Korea. She said she studied nursing at university and became a nurse, but there was no money in it, so she came here. I asked how long she planned to be here and she said four to five years.

She asked me what type of law I was in, and I said crime. She started to spell it and I said she was clever. Earlier she had asked what something was, pinching me on the arm. I said "shirt?" and then she said "pinch" and spelled it with my help.

I asked if she had a boyfriend. She said "of course not" because of her job. I asked how about in Korea and she said no. She said she broke up with him about six months ago.

We talked about customers, and she said people from Hong Kong were the nicest as they were gentle. She said Japanese were ok, but Koreans were rough, and Indians didn't have manners. I said I thought only Asians could come in and she said others could come in with their Asian friends.

She seemed curious about me and the fact that I didn't want to have sex. She said it was her first time. I kept thinking about Naby and the promise I made to her. I wondered if I should tell Naby about this.

The first few times it went quiet, she would start a conversation. But then I decided to just rest my eyes and it was quiet for the rest of the session until the buzzer went. I got up to look for my shoes and she had moved it near me. I said I forgot how to say thanks and she reminded me. She asked me to come see her next time I wasn't tired.

I don't know how strong of a hint you need - I think she likes you a bit.

But for now, I was with Naby, so I laughed, knowing she didn't know the whole story, yet I knew the possibility that she may find out sooner or later.

I walked down the stairs first and pretty much left her in the dust as I went to find John and library guy who were already in the smaller waiting room. We left and John drove me home.