The streetlights flickered overhead as fifteen-year-old Melissa, known on the streets as Mel D, shuffled down the gritty sidewalk. The cool night air was biting at her skin. She wrapped her arms around herself, wishing she could find a way to shield herself from not just the cold, but from the reality that had become her life. Just a year ago, she was an average teenager, but circumstances had spun her into a world she had never imagined.
After her parents’ bitter divorce, Melissa had felt as if the ground had been pulled from beneath her. They began to fight over her custody, neglecting her needs and emotions. Feeling abandoned, she rebelled, sneaking out of the house and falling in with the wrong crowd. She met a man named Terry, who promised to take care of her and provide for all of her needs. He introduced her to a life of partying, smoking weed, and snorting cocaine. But the exhilaration quickly turned into a downward spiral.
One night, Mel D found herself in a dark alleyway, approached by a man who offered her an opportunity to make quick cash. The decision that would change the course of her life forever. At fifteen, with no guidance and a longing to escape her reality, she agreed, not understanding fully what she was about to do.
It was her first night as a prostitute, having fallen into the trade after Terry persuaded her that it was quick and easy money. The man in his forties, graying at the temples, with a pickup truck that gleamed under the moonlight. “Get in,” he instructed, his voice calm but firm. Mel D slid into the front passenger seat.
As he parked, he reached into his wallet, pulling out a thick stack of bills. “Are you ready?” he asked. He reached out to touch her, fingers brushing against her skin, and she flinched slightly before relaxing under his touch. Their lips met, and Mel D’s mind raced as conflicting emotions swirled within her.
As they continued, the man guided her through it, and she did what she was told. Mel D never thought she would be penetrated in almost every hole in his body. It was a painful and disgraceful experience that lasted 27 minutes, but it gave her a sense of power.
Afterward, the man pulled his pants up, and she pulled a piece of gum and hand sanitizer from her purse to freshen up. As she exited the truck, the man handed her $150. She’d crossed a threshold she never thought she would. When she reached Terry, she excitedly showed him the money she had made. Terry grabbed the money from her, told her to go back to the alley, and make some more money. Melanie did as she was told.
The streets quickly became her new home. and Melanie enjoyed having sexual encounters with men for money. After three months, she had nearly made six figures. She gave all of her money to Terry, and Terry provided all of her needs just as he promised.
As time went by, Terry had four women working for him. He purchased a three-bedroom house and a new Cadillac Escalade with 28-inch gold rims. He only shopped at the Galleria and never wore the same shoes or outfits twice. Melanie became his bottom bitch. It was her job to keep the other women in line.
By the age of 19 years old, Melanie had already spent half of her life entangled in a world that had once seemed glamorous but now felt like a prison. The thrill of her early days had faded, and Terry, the man who had taken her under his wing when she first entered this life, had changed. Now he was a married man with four kids, and his focus had shifted. He spent less time with her, leaving her in charge of everything. Every night, Melanie found herself waiting on street corners, longing for the thrill that had once fueled her.
Now, she was exhausted, both mentally and physically. The moments of joy she had once felt in her interactions were replaced by an overwhelming sense of emptiness. As the nights rolled on, the struggles of being left in charge of everything became burdensome. Melanie felt herself distancing from the girl she once was. She had a desire to escape and go to nursing school.
One night, after a particularly rough encounter, she sat on a curb, tears brimming in her eyes. The man had been aggressive, and she felt more like an object than a person. “What am I doing?” she whispered to herself, the desperation in her voice catching in her throat. She pulled her knees to her chest, trying to find solace in the cold metal of the curb beneath her. In that moment, she thought of Terry, how he had once promised her a life away from this world. He had once been her protector and mentor, but now he felt like part of the prison she couldn’t escape. He had abandoned her to navigate the chaos of her life alone.
One evening, as she counted the money she had earned, she noticed Terry was giving her less and less cash. He was neglecting his obligations, leaving her with little to show for the work she put in. She considered confronting him, but it was risky as she thought about how Terry beat her and the rest of the women if they didn’t make enough money or if he was high on drugs.
Then came a day when everything changed. Terry’s wife had discovered his secret life. She threatened to move out of the country and take the kids. She called the police, and all of the women were arrested. While they were only in jail for a short period of time. Melanie had time to think about her future. She didn’t have anywhere to go. Terry was a prostitute was all she knew.
After sitting in the cold and unwelcoming jail cell for a week felt like an eternity for Melanie. Her older sister, Drea, agreed to take her in and provide support and stability for her. Melanie hadn’t seen Drea in nearly 5 years since Melanie’s parents divorced, and Drea went to live with her dad.
Arriving at Drea’s modest two-bedroom condo, Melanie was struck by how different this place felt. The small town was quiet, and nothing like the chaotic streets she had known. Drea welcomed her with open arms and showed her her room. Melanie expressed her gratitude as she looked around the space.
Melanie quickly secured a job as a waitress at a local restaurant. Mixing cocktails and serving beer gave her a sense of purpose she had desperately missed. As she worked in the restaurant, she kept in touch with Cherry, one of her old friends from the streets. Cherry had always been a bit of a lifeline and the only person other than Terry that understood her.
Melanie had been in Oklahoma for a couple of years now and had been feeling isolated because she didn’t really know anyone except her sister, Drea. Cherry shared that she had a cousin in Oklahoma and would link them up.
The next week, Cherry arranged for her cousin Gabby to meet Melanie. Gabby waited outside a small hole in the wall restaurant and hookah bar. Cherry’s bright smile and inviting energy instantly disarmed any nerves Melanie had. The two clicked instantly, sharing stories about their lives and dreams. Gabby was everything Melanie had hoped for in a friend—funny, understanding, and supportive.
As the weeks passed, Melanie’s life began to take on a new rhythm. Drea was impressed by her sister’s transformation, and Melanie felt a swell of pride as she saw it reflected in her sister’s eyes. Despite her new life, she occasionally found herself thinking about Terry and her old friends from the street.
As summer turned into fall, Melanie and Gabby grew closer. Gabby introduced her to new friends and helped her navigate the small town. Gabby had a boyfriend named Tyler, and while he was supportive and caring, there was a part of her that felt an undeniable connection with Melanie. It became confusing on how to balance between loyalty to Tyler and the intense emotions she felt for Melanie.
As the weeks progressed, life took an unexpected turn. Gabby discovered she was pregnant. She confided in Melanie, seeking comfort and understanding. As Gabby adapted to the changes in her life, she watched Melanie with a mixture of admiration and confusion. There was a closeness that felt electric, and each moment they spent with each other ignited a spark. Gabby couldn’t help but think about whether Melissa viewed her the same way.
The way Gabby spoke about motherhood filled a void within Melanie. Wanting to be a mother one day, Melissa began to consider options she had avoided for far too long. She researched vaginal cosmetic surgery, wanting to prepare her body and enhance her chances of experiencing motherhood. She thought that if she made the necessary changes, it would somehow bridge the gap between her future and the fragments of her past.
After her surgery, Melanie focused on healing while burying her doubts. Each day marked a step closer to her becoming a mother. She quickly learned that recovery was challenging. The physical pain reminded her of the risks she had taken. Her body felt foreign and weak, and the emotional toll was heavy. As the days passed, she struggled with feelings of isolation. Drea was out of town working for the next few months, and each time Gabby reached out, Melanie deflected. She and Gabby had been friends for years now, but Melanie never shared her past of being a prostitute with Gabby. The fear of judgment weighed heavily on her.
Melanie was home alone, struggling with pain, and wanted a cigarette. The only person who came to mind was Gabby. So she picked up her phone and called her. “Hey, Gabby. Um, I need a favor,” Melanie said, hesitating.
Sure. What do you need?” Gabby responded eagerly.
“I… I could really use some cigarettes. Would you mind picking some up for me?”
There was a pause on the other end. Melanie sensed something was wrong with Gabby. Her response was genuine but filled with curiosity. “That’s a little out of the blue. I mean, you’ve never asked me to do anything for you before.”
“I know, I know,” Melanie replied in a whisper. “But I really need them right now.”
Ok. I got you. Text me what kind you get.
As she hung up, Melanie never intended to place any burden on Gabby, but the craving was overwhelming.
A short while later, Gabby arrived. She used her key to get in. Melanie forced herself to sit up, fighting through the pain that coursed through her body. The moment Gabby walked in, she could see the concern on her friend’s face. She scanned the room and noticed Melanie’s pale skin.
“You look a little… off. What happened?” She studied Melanie with worry.
Melanie hesitated. Finally, feeling the weight of her secret pushing against her, she let out a shaky breath. “I had surgery,” she admitted.
Gabby confused. “Surgery? What kind? Why didn’t you tell me? I would have gone with you.”
Melanie sighed again. “It was… personal.”
“I’m listening,” Gabby pressed gently. Knowing she had to reveal the truth at some point. Melanie sat on the edge of her bed. “I had cosmetic surgery.”
Gabby, even more confused, looked at her face and said, “I don’t see anything wrong with your face. What does that have to do with you not being able to walk?”
Melanie could tell by the look on Gabby’s face that she had no idea what she was talking about. Melanie took a deep breath, “I got the walls in my … vaginal area rebuilt.”
Gabby now all sorts of confused, “Why would anybody ever need to do that? Don’t it just snap back?”
“Not all women’s vagina’s just snap back like that. I wanted mine to be tighter than it was.”
Gabby shaking her head, “None of this makes sense. You are only 21 years old. Are you trying to close it for good?”
Melanie always impresses with Gabby’s sarcasm begins to explain. “I was a prostitute, Gabby. I started when I was fifteen, and I moved here a couple of years ago to start over and escape everything.” The words hung in the air. Gabby’s expression shifted from concern to shock as the reality sank in.
After tossing and turning through her thoughts, she decided it was time to share everything—the surgery and her intentions that lay behind it. She needed to convey not just the what, but the why. Gabby continued speaking, “Ever since you told me you were pregnant and the joy it brought you when you had June, I have wanted children ever since. I’ve struggled with feeling worthy. The surgery wasn’t just about changing my body; it was about taking control over my future. I want to be ready when the time comes.”
“I need some time to think,” Gabby finally said, her voice barely above a whisper, then she left Melanie’s condo.
The next few weeks unfolded slowly, and the texts between them now dwindled to nothing. Melanie found herself replaying that night in her mind. Despite her attempts to reach out, Gabby remained distant. There were only a few vague messages—“Hope you’re doing okay,” and “Just taking some space.” The weight of uncertainty settled heavily within Melanie.
A few years later, a message from Cherry lit up Melanie’s phone, pulling her momentarily from her reflections. “Hey! I’m thinking about getting married soon. I’d love for you to be there!”
“Thinking about? Lol. That sounds wonderful! I’ll definitely be there!” Melanie replied.
As the wedding day approached, Melanie prepared herself for the event, excitement bubbling in her stomach. She walked in with her nine-month-old son, Jordan, in the stroller as she entered the reception venue. She spotted Cherry laughing with her new husband, and she approached them.
As she scanned the crowd, her heart dropped as she saw Gabby standing near the entrance. Gabby looked radiant, her dress flowing gracefully; the sight of her stirred a swirl of complicated emotions within Melanie. Their eyes met for a brief moment, but it quickly faded. Before Melanie got the courage to approach Gabby, she’d approached her first.
“Hey, Mel,” Gabby said, her tone cautious yet vulnerable. “Can we talk?”
They moved to a quieter area, away from the festivities. “I wanted to say that I’ve missed you,” Gabby started, her expression earnest. “But I’ve been confused since that night. I didn’t expect your past to be so… complicated.”
“I understand. I didn’t want it to come between us,” Melanie replied, feeling the weight of regret in her heart. “I wish I could take it all back and just show you how much I care about you.”
Gabby sighed, “It’s not that I don’t care about you, Mel. I just needed time to process everything. We shared so much, and then it felt like I didn’t know you at all.”
As Melanie’s eyes began to tear, she said, “You did know me, Gabby. The good and the bad. I just thought that by the time I started opening up, it would bring us closer together.”
“I just don’t understand how you could feel like that when you’ve overcome so much,” Gabby admitted, her brow furrowing. “It leaves me feeling helpless. I wish I could have understood you better. Maybe we can start over?”
Gabby nodded slowly, “I’d like that, but it’s going to take time. I’m still trying to figure out how to reconcile everything.” Before they could continue, a joyous shout echoed from the wedding, and they turned to see Cherry and who grabbed them to celebrate with her and her new husband.
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