Chapter 5

Besides, where could I go?

* * * *

It had been raining all day, and most johns seemed to have decided to stay at home with their families. I came home early that night to find Franky high as a kite on heroin. He smelled of sex and his lips were swollen.

“Franky? Are you okay?”

“Had a vis’tor.” He peered up at me, a weird look in his eyes. “What’re ya doin’ home so fuckin’ early? Never min’, don’t matter. Ya ain’t gonna be my worry no more.”

“What are you talking about?” I’d never heard his speech so slurred.

“I sol’ you.”

“You what?”

“I’m speakin’ English, ain’t I? I sol’ ya. To Haskell.”

“No!” I felt myself turn cold. I’d been on the street long enough to have met some of Haskell’s boys. They were all crack-addicted, thanks to Haskell. He got them hooked, knowingthat would make them so desperate for their next fix that they’d let man after man after man fuck them.