Every week I have several clients in the Essex County area... One particular client lives on 21st Avenue (also known as 21 Jump Street). Not a great block, not a great scene, not a particularly safe place. I spend 5 hours a week with this client.
The last visit was during the latest heat wave and I was not particularly happy about making this visit. I knew she didn't have air conditioning and I knew, with my hot flashes and 100 degree temperatures, it wouldn't be a fun few hours. I couldn't possibly show up in my bathing suit but I showed up, only to find my client, whom I will call M, on the steps of her building. The sun was glaring, there was no overhang and 21 Jump Street was bursting with activity. I asked if she wanted to go upstairs but M said it was hotter upstairs then on the steps. Sigh.
After a few minutes, a woman joined us and by the second she arrived, I knew, it would be an entertaining two hours. Ms. C, as she called herself, was dressed up with heels and jeans and makeup to the max. She talked a mile a minute and cursed every 2 seconds. She proceeded to tell me the following:
- You know, I like the "womens" and not the "mens" and your skin is NICE (as she rubbed my arm)
- I have a piece, do you have a piece? Don't come to 21 Jumpstreet after 6 pm without a piece because I will rob you. I'm sorry but I'm being honest. If you got the green, I'm gonna rob you.
- Don't ever go with a man with feet all crusty like this brother (yes, she said it in front of him). Damn man, with those feet, you will cut up my sofa and tear up my sheets...oh no, you can't take that brother home. (He walked away quickly)
She then proceeded to unbutton her blouse and take her breast out so that I could see a scar she endured while holding a woman in a headlock and the woman bit her. Nice.
I was out of there by 5 but not before the police showed up with guns drawn and taking down some teenagers for some drug dealing...
I walked to my car hot, sweaty and grateful... always grateful.
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