Eve despised her father. She knew what she had to do. She had to get out of there. He made her sick and he repulsed her. He wanted her to be the woman of the house. He wanted to monopolize 90% of her time. The worst part was she was never allowed outside. Nowhere but to church and back. She loved to sing in the choir. It was her escape. At night she would escape in her window humming like a bird. The moonlight shining on her she wished she had wings. She prayed for wings. Her moment of joy was always interrupted when he came.

“Where do you think you are going?” Sterling asked and she kept on humming with her eyes closed. The breeze kissed her face but her body could not feel it. She was fully covered in flannel. She leaned forward praying for wings. If she was not granted the wings she desired she would accept her fate. Fate was so cruel. He caught her.

“What were you trying to do, huh?” He pulled her back inside.

Something inside of her broke that night. She would never be the same. Months later she found out she was pregnant. Without her mother there was no one to help her. All she had was her familial judge and jury with Aunt Irma as the judge.

“You are a whore. A common teenage whore. You will not have this child.” Aunt Irma banged her gavel. Good she didn’t want it. She wanted to die Eve thought.

The women gathered with concoctions to rid her of her sin in the flesh. When those did not work they took her to a quack in the next city. For you see it all had to be kept quiet. She laid on the wooden table devoid of emotion. The pain was so great she passed out. When she woke she was in the local hospital. She was alone. She would learn that to save themselves her jury dropped her off in front of the hospital due to an uncontrollable fever. Before she could fully understand or reflect on what happened the judge and jury returned. Theu called her names and accused her of having a back alley abortion; oh for shame her aunt cried. She hated them all.
Once she recovered she was determined to get revenge. She went to see her sister Liz.

“Lizzie there are some things I must do. Once they are done I must leave here. I used to hope he would not be sick enough to touch his own daughter. I do not belong to him but that is for another time. I can’t take this any more. You are the reason I stayed this long. I’m sorry Lizzie.” She wiped her tears. She walked quietly down the steps.

Eve watched him for what seemed like forever as she built the courage to go through with it. He saw her befor that happened. When he came near her he laughed at the knife she nervously held so tight that her knuckles were white. The sound of his laugh made her mad. She was only able to stab him once. She was still lucid enough mentally to not want to get caught. She heard footsteps. She ran into the night leaving him there. She had no money, no clothes other than those on her back. She didn’t care and she didn’t look back. She hitched hiked her way out of town.

She had grown accustomed to dine and dash. Her lowest point was searching the garbage for scraps. That is when she met Stevie.

“How old are you? He questioned.

“Too young for you.” She snapped glaring at the man with her guard up and ready to fight.

“Well dear you are too pretty for these streets. Streets aren’t nice. I ask because I own a jazz club. You look like you need money and we need a waitress. Our girl quit without notice. Since we serve liquor you gotta be 18 to work there legally.”

“I’m 18.” She was 17.

“Ok come with me.” The look she gave broke his heart.

“Look honey. Crystal is like my daughter. She is your age. If it would make you feel more comfortable I can have her come to get cha. She is just around your age.”

“What does Crystal do for you really? You sick bastard. How many girls have you picked up like this? How many men your age at that club try and paw all over her. I don’t need your help.” She ran.

“No one would hurt you. No one dares touch her because they won’t live to tell about it.” He called after her.

“Poor child what happened to you?” He whispered.

Eve was able to make a meager living by robbing men at a local truck stop. It was a sense of vengeance for her. Perverted men shopping fir the whore she had been accused of being. Once they were exposed she had their money. It was dangerous but she didn’t mind. It was a form of self destruction. She did not care id she lived or died. That made her crime easier to commit. She took her usual table at the diner. She spotted a beautiful girl around her age. She waved and then she saw him. She met him with a glare that said she knew him. Crystal cheerily approached her.

“Don’t mind him. He is just a big teddy bear. I ain’t got no daddy. My mom worked at his place for years. The club is our family. He heard me singing one day and said when I was 18 I could get up on the stage.” Eve’s eyes lit up.

“You sing?” She asked as she softened/

“Yep, four nights a week. I love to sing, especially to the jazz. Most my friends have gone off to college. Do you have a place to stay?”

“Why? What did he tell you to do recruit me into his brothel? Sorry I don’t go that route unless he is weak and the pockets are fat, fools.” Eve snapped. Crystal laughed.

“What happened to make you so bitter girl? Stevie don’t have no brothel. He could barely get a date until he and my momma took to each other. I can use a roommate. I moved out a few weeks ago. I wanted to feel all al…”

“Collegiate.” Eve finished.

“Yeah collegiate. I like that word. My friends stay in dormitories all liberated. I wanted my own liberation” Crystal spoke.

“I didn’t even finish high school. Shoot I was pretty close being a senior and all. So he doesn’t live with you?” She was still uneasy.

“Nope but I live by the club. It is cheap and easy to get to work.”

“Ok I’ll bite but first I’ll need to spend the night and get a feel for the place.” Eve said.

The girls watched sparkle. When the movie was over Eve held her chest.

“I loooove that movie.” Crystal agreed and they broke into different songs from the soundtrack. Eve hadn’t been so happy since her mother was alive.

Ju Ju I need it please baby. After all these years that bastard is finally dead. Aunt Irma hurt me Julian. I need to forget. Baby help me forget.” She cried.

Julian hated to see her cry. He hated himself more for the actions he would take. He felt she was safer with him than roaming the streets for a fix. He watched her line the white powder as he handed her a twenty. She formed a straw with the bill. She was delighted at his compliance. They made love all night though he was half there.