Walking out of my office, I head straight to the dressing rooms to make sure everything is set for tonight’s event. We have an important client coming in to celebrate his son’s wedding. Bachelor nights are the worst; they all get drunk and sloppy. So, for tonight I ordered extra security to guarantee everything runs smooth.

To gain the girls’ attention, I whistle and yell out, “Okay, okay, girls, settle down. Tonight is a big tip night for all of you, but it’s also a very important night for the club. I don’t want any bullshit. You all know the rules, and I expect all of you to follow them, got it?” They all start to grumble. “I know I’m a bitch, but we have standards here. If you don’t like it, go dance somewhere else. Another thing, I hired extra security to keep you all safe. If any of you feel disrespected, let me or one of the men working security know. We will handle them swiftly and effectively. Just like with all of you, we have rules for our patrons as well. If they can’t follow them, they will be thrown out, no matter what. Okay, girls, enjoy the night.”

With that being said, I head towards the bar, where Joe is sitting. As I make my way towards him, I look over the club. It actually is very beautiful. My mother wanted it to be high end, and she accomplished it. The club is the largest in the state, and we have everything covered. The entrance of the club looks like a very elaborate foyer. My mother had contractors install rich colored wood wall panels to give it the feel of a smoking room. Once you’re in the club, you notice the dance floor, which is large and expands through the whole club. She installed it that way because not only do we have strippers, we have good old-fashioned burlesque shows. They are very popular; a lot of men love to come and watch the shows to get just the hint of a tease. We have low lit, massive chandeliers throughout the space, and the floors are covered in a rich colored carpet in cougar print. Red curtains line the walls where the wood panels aren’t exposed. The bar is grand, with expensive leather covered high-back stools. We also have a room that is roped off for clients who want to do business and not only entertain. They can see the stage, but the room is more private for their business conversations. Then we have side rooms for private showings or lap dances that are supervised. It really is amazing how Mom put everything together.

“Hey, Joe, is everything ready for tonight?”

“Sure is, you know I got this.”

“I know. I’m not doubting you, it’s just my job to ask.”

“Hey, Murphy, I saw your mom leave a little while ago. Is everything all right? She looked like she was crying.”

“Yeah, she just got some upsetting news. She’ll be okay once she processes it all.”

“All right, well, I better get to work. Let your mom know if she needs something to give me a call.”

I lean in and give him a kiss on his cheek. “We love you, Joe. You know that, right?”

“I love both of you, too. I’ve been around here a long time. Your mom and you are family to me. I hate to see either one of you crying.”

I give him another kiss before I walk back to my office to collect myself. Joe is a big, burly guy who has been the only man in my life I could ever count on. He’s getting older, and I’m planning on promoting him to manager status. He shouldn’t have to be doing mundane security anymore. He needs as much advancement as I can give him.

* * *

An hour later, we open the club and begin the night. Two hours later, the bachelor party arrives and the night becomes one hell of a party. Testosterone runs rampant, the boys are rowdy and abrasive. Several times, they get out of hand until I have one of them thrown out. Then they start to take me seriously.

All of a sudden, I spot David; shit. He must be here for the bachelor party. I haven’t seen him in months. David is the last lying bastard I dated. Before he notices me, I try to make an escape, but unfortunately, he spots me.

“Murphy, Murphy, stop!”

Fuck. All right, I can do this. I stop and turn towards him. “David, what an unpleasant surprise. I didn’t think you had the balls to show up at my place again.”

“Baby, don’t be that way. I haven’t seen you in forever. I just wanted to say hi and ask how you’ve been?”

“Fine, David. Hi. I’ve been fine. Bye.”

I try again to make a run for it, but David grabs my arm. “Wait, sweetheart, come on, have a drink with me.”

“Get your hands off me, David, or I swear to God I will remove them myself – and you won’t like it, I promise.”

He laughs out loud and says, “What are you going to do, sweetheart, call your security in and have me removed?”

I offer him a beautiful smile and then throw my knee into his balls as hard as I can. He falls down, crying in pain.

“No, David, I don’t need to call anyone to take care of your pesky ass. I am quite capable. Now get out of my club, or I will have to show you exactly how I take the garbage out.”

I return another smile down at him, then leave him lying on the floor in pain. He’ll leave as soon as he can stand. He’s not stupid enough to try anything else.

I finally return to my office for a little peace and quiet, but that’s not what happens. My mind goes back and forth, trying to figure out what to do about my father. It should be an easy answer, and it pisses me off that it’s not. How the hell does he expect me to be at his beck and call just because he’s dying? Why does he even want to see me? Is my mom right? Will I regret not going?

Before I can find any clarity in my deliberation, my door opens and in walks Kylie – or rather Kyle. Kyle is my best friend and our costume designer. He also exclusively designs all my clothes. He’s very gay, a true queen, and I love him. He’s tall and lanky with brown hair and eyes.

“Kyle, what are you doing here?”

“Your mom called, she said you could probably use a friend tonight.”

“Really? Well, I don’t.”

“Come on, Murph, enough with the tough act, it’s just me and you. Tell me what you want to do?”

“So, she told you what’s going on?”

He sits his ass on my desk. “Yep. So again, what do you want to do?”

“I don’t know. It’s not as easy as it should be. I immediately said hell no, but then Mom told me that I’ll regret it. I’m scared that she might be right.”

“Honey, then that’s your answer. You always think way too much for your own good. Just relax, go with it. Do what your heart tells you to.”

I start laughing. “Really? My heart? Come on, Kyle, you know that’s not me. A lot of people would even say I have no heart.”

He starts wiggling a finger at my face. “That’s fine for everyone to think that, but I know the real you. You can put on a big act for everyone else, but don’t try that shit with me. You have the biggest heart of anyone I know. It’ll be okay. Just go, see what he has to say, and then walk away knowing that you did it. You conquered your fear.”

“Fear? What fear?”

“Murphy, your fear of intimacy and love. You’re scared you still feel something for him. You’re scared you still want your daddy.”

I sit back in my chair and stare at the papers on my desk. I’m staring at anything to take my mind off what he just said because I don’t want to let him know that somewhere in his statement lied the truth.

“I’ll go, but you’re coming with me, or I’m not going.”

He lays his hand on his chest, feigning shock. “What, me? A free trip to New Orleans during Mardi Gras? First-class, right?”

“Of course.”

“When do we leave? My bags are already packed and waiting in the hallway.”

“What the hell, Kyle? How did you know I was going to go?”

“Hello, honey, it’s me. Why do you think your mom sent me? Oh, and by the way, those first-class tickets are already bought for the day after tomorrow. All you have to do is call Mr. Hebert and let him know to arrange the meeting.” Kyle comes around my desk and gives me a kiss and hug. “I will see you at home. I’m going to stay with you till we leave so you can’t change your mind. I’ll wait up for you, but I need you to call Mr. Hebert now, okay?”

“Yeah, okay, I’ll call him, love you.”

He blows me a kiss as he leaves. I guess it’s time to call dear old dad’s attorney. I pick up the phone before I can change my mind. As it rings, my nerves are a wreck.

“Hello.”

“Mr. Hebert, it’s Murphy Larussa. I hope you weren’t sleeping.”

“No, Murphy – I mean Ms. Larussa, I was just relaxing. How can I help you?”

I giggle at his slip with my name. I remember the way he looked at me. “Please, Mark, call me Murphy. I wanted to let you know that I’ve decided to follow you down to Louisiana to meet with my father. Tickets have already been bought for the day after tomorrow.”

“That’s great, Murphy. I would prefer if you were traveling back with me, but I understand you have a business to situate. Call me when you get in, I’ll make reservations.”

“I think I can handle my own reservations for a place to stay, but thank you.”

“I was talking more about reservations for dinner, if you would be willing to join me one night?”

“Oh, that was smooth, Mr. Hebert.”

“At my age, smoothness has been perfected. So, is that a yes?”

“Yes, Mark, I think I would like that. I’ll call you when I get settled.”

With that, I hang up. He’s definitely smooth, but I saw him coming. I just didn’t realize he would act that quick.

On my way home, I call my mom in the car, using Bluetooth, of course.

“Hey, baby, are you on your way home?”

“Yes, Mom. By the way, nice trick sending Kyle to convince me to go.”

“Well, I figured if you didn’t want to listen to me, then you would listen to him. You’re so damn hard headed.”

“All right, Mom, so now that I’m going, what do we do with the club?”

“I am still capable of running my own club, Murphy. Don’t worry, I have everything worked out. You just go and enjoy your time in my hometown.”

“Love you, Mom. I’ll see you tomorrow at work so I can show you everything we have planned for the next couple of weeks.”

“Love you, too, Chéri. Goodnight.”

I make it home and go straight to my bed, where Kyle is sleeping. I change and try to quietly lay down without waking him. Lying straight on my back, I stare at the ceiling, feeling way too many emotions.

“You just got home?”

“Yeah, sorry for waking you.”

Kyle turns, facing me in bed. “You know, it’s all right to be scared.”

“I’m fine, Kyle, go to sleep.”

Kyle, knowing I don’t want to talk about it anymore, says, “Come here, let me hold you.”

I do. I turn sideways, letting Kyle spoon and comfort me. Just being in his arms, knowing he cares brings me so much comfort that my mind slows down enough to fall asleep.