Free Sovereign Ground (Breaking Bonds) by Hilarey Johnson Page A

started my period yesterday
at my lunch break. That should embarrass my sleazy ex-manager enough to avoid
any other questions. He’ll accept me back.
    Thom is gone, and Lorna stands at the sink drying
a dish with a bleach-spotted, pink dishtowel. She glances up, but does not
speak. My stomach growls. There could be leftovers, but sometimes Lorna takes
those to work. Cheez-It crackers are safer. I grab a box, open it and take a handful.
I won’t bother with a bowl, since Lorna obviously just cleaned the last one.
    They taste like a feast. I try not to shove them
all in at once. I take another handful, planning to finish in my room. As I
start to slide the box back into the shelf, it’s snatched from my fingers.
    “Are you done?”
    I have a mouth full of dry crumbs, so I just nod. Lorna
takes the bag from inside the box and holds it upside down over the sink.
Orange squares tumble to their death. She flicks the faucet up and turns on the
disposal.
    I try to swallow but my throat won’t obey. I’m Rapunzel,
trapped in the tower of my body. Have I eaten the witch’s radishes?
    She turns her head slowly, her body still facing
the sink. Her voice is low, warning.
    “You didn’t wash your hands.”
    I leave quickly, pleading the fifth.
    After I close and lock my bedroom door, I press my
back to it and slide down until my seat meets the floor.
    I’ll see Brody on Monday. I’ll dance again.

Chapter 10
    “Just bring the girls whatever they want.”
    The brown, cork-lined tray wobbles in my hands as
I take it from Brody. He smiles at me, waiting for an answer.
    “Just shots? drinks?” I reposition the empty shot
glasses to balance the tray.
    “Yup.” He leans over so I can hear him above the
music. I wait for Brody to look down at the tiny outfit I’m wearing, shiny red
boy-shorts and a little scarf held up by strings. But he doesn’t. He only looks
at my face.
    “Like a waitress?”
    “Just tonight, Baby. Bella said you two were still
working on your act.” He smiles at my confusion and whispers, “Cori.”
    “Oh.” Of course, a stage name. “Yeah, she did say…”
    Brody shakes hands with a man that passes by.
    He smiles at Brody. “It all came together, like
you said.” They pat each other’s shoulders and grin like they’re on TV, not a
crowded room. Several girls wear outfits like mine and pass out free drinks for
this invitation-only opening night.
    “Did you bring the gown back?” Brody asks, while
he watches the man walk away.
    “Oh, um…” I left it in the hose-storage box. “I’ll
bring it back tomorrow.” He doesn’t answer or look at me. He just crosses his
arms and surveys his dominion. He has a large diamond ring tonight and a watch,
both look new. There are about a dozen girls in short sexy gowns or lingerie,
mingling and laughing with the men. I can see partially obscured twosomes
behind the bamboo screens and three girls on the left corner stage dance in
sync, topless. It’s just one big party.
    One of the girls steps from behind a bamboo screen
and waves at me, signaling me to come.
    “All right then…” Brody turns away, he’s all
business tonight.
    I walk toward her. I just look at the lingerie like
it’s a lacy swim suit. She meets me half way and grabs my arm. Her ribs show a
little under her skin.
    “Let’s do shots.” Her voice squeaks with
excitement.
    I want to tell her she looks like she’s had
enough.
    “I haven’t had a single drink yet.”
    Well, if it’s not alcohol, it’s something else. I
don’t bother to ask her name, and we walk up to the bar. Talia joins us. “Three
peppermint schnapps.” Talia leans forward and crinkles her nose at the
bartender. She seems friendlier without her two shadows.
    “How’s my favorite girl?” The bartender calls
above the music.
    “Sober.” She laughs. Talia wears a sea-foam green
set that makes her eyes glow emerald. She is possibly the prettiest girl I have
ever seen. Her wavy brown hair cascades past her