It was bright and pleasantly warm. The sky was clear. There was hardly a breeze and the birds and squirrels played in the branches of the large oak tree in Glenda's back yard. They both sat quietly, sipping coffee while they basked in the mid morning sun.
"Glenda, I need ask you a question that has something to do with your past experiences as a stripper." Alice broke the silence.
"Sure honey, what's on your mind?"
"What do you know about a strip club called the 'Rooster's Nest'?"
"Oh, that dump? What I hear from my friends (you know a lot of the local dancers come to me to have their hair done) is that the 'Nest' is real bad news. A lot of drugs go through there. Most of the girls there work a little extra to supplement their incomes, if you know what I mean."
"I was afraid you were going to say that."
Glenda looked at her dear friend inquisitively. Alice wore an expression she could not quite read. "Alice, what's the matter?"
"Oh Glenda it's Rob," Alice hesitated briefly, "He met this girl that works there and they have a date tonight."
"Rob? Really? He went there?" Glenda tone was more than just concerned it also carried a hint of curiosity, "And now he has a date? Do you know her name?"
"He went there the other night with some of his friends. He didn't mention her name. They're going out tonight." Alice held her coffee mug in both her hands and took a gulp. "Glenda, I am a little concerned."
"I can see that."
"Glenda, don't get me wrong. You are my best friend and you should know that I don't think badly of dancers. And Rob is generally a sensible young man. But I am his mother and I just don't want to see him hurt or taken advantage of."
"I don't blame you for being concerned. I've heard nothing but bad news about that place and the girls that work there. Listen, do you want me to talk to him. Hell, I can even set him up with one of my nice dancer friends. Rob is a nice kid and a fox to boot."
"I don't think you need to take it that far. I'll just tell him what you told me about the club and I'm sure Rob will make his own decision or at least be careful. I think he's just thrilled about the idea of dating a dancer."
"You can't blame a young guy for wanting to date a dancer now. Yeah, most guys that wanted to date me hoped that they would be getting a private show every night. I'm afraid that Rob's new friend just sees a gullible rich kid with deep pockets."
"That's what I'm afraid of. But my son doesn't strike me as being gullible, and we're certainly not rich." Alice seemed to be less worried and more relaxed.
"You know Alice," Glenda teased, "Us dancers can be a wild bunch. You sure you don't want me to talk to Rob?"
"That won't be necessary Glenda." Alice chided, "Rob doesn't need another corrupting force in his life just yet." He has me, Alice added to herself, smiling and gloating inwardly.
They both sat in silence for a while. Alice again, deliberately broke the spell.
"What's the wildest thing you've done as a dancer?"
"Now Alice I know how much you like to live vicariously through my sexual exploits, but I'm not sure you can handle this." Glenda turned towards Alice and grinned impishly.
What Alice wanted to say was "If you only knew girlfriend, if you only knew." Instead she said teasingly, "Glenda, I'm honestly hurt that you think of me as such a prude."
"Alice you're my best friend and I don't keep secrets from you. But you have to promise me you won't tell a soul."
********
She had just turned eighteen and
was fresh out of high school. She had plans to take classes at the local college that fall and move out of her parent's house when the semester started. Over the summer she planned to work at a local restaurant and save up enough money so she can share an apartment with some friends.
One of the waitresses at the restaurant she was working with also had a part time job as a nude dancer at one of the local and more respectable establishments. She convinced Glenda to audition there. Glenda easily landed a job. Glenda had already been an excellent dancer and she had robust exhibitionistic tendencies. It did not take long for her to combine those two elements. Along with her young sexy look and her easy going personality she quickly became a very popular attraction at the club. Soon it became routine for her to pull in $800 to$1000 on a slow night. On better nights she easily pocketed $1500 or more dancing on stage and performing table and lap dances for her customers. Since she was still living with her parents, she only managed to work there a couple of times a weeks and still keep her new exciting job a secret.
Glenda's parents were very conservative and they clearly would not have allowed their only daughter to work as a dancer. She loved and respected her folks and would never do anything to hurt them. She had always been a little on the wild side but had successfully kept her secrets well hidden and stayed in her parents good graces.