It’s really coming down. Now this is real rain, she thinks as she runs through puddles and dodges the spray the cars send off. The rain is cold and coming down with a purpose, heavy and dark. Not like the rain she was used to growing up in Southern California. But then nothing seemed as real down there.
She ran the short block between her and the bar where her friends were waiting. It had been a long week. Long meetings, hectic days, and intense office politics. She was ready for that vodka martini and she was only moments away from it and some great unwind time with her friends. And, with any luck, a little fun with whatever handsome men may be in the bar.
As soon as she walked in the bar she made her way to the bathroom, trying to make the best of her fine hair that never did well with recovering from the rain. She put herself together and strode confidently into the room to look for Mercy. She spotted her 6′ tall, blond friend immediately. As she approached Mercy held up a full martini, “Hi, here you go sweetie. Let’s toast to another week of kicking ass. And to our new friends,” she said as she turned to a few handsome men in suits. She went around the group and introduced me to each of them, they were already a few drinks in, that was clear. She was intent on catching up.
She’d met Mercy, of all places, in a pole dancing class. The breakup she’d had two years ago with Alex had left her listless and without her usual feeling of strength. The drawn out breakup had done a number on her. She was telling her waxing girl about it one day when she said, “I know exactly what you need” and brought out a pair of stripper shoes. I was confused. Picking up stripping at 32 didn’t seem like it was the road to empowerment. “Pole dancing classes. They are so fun and confidence building. You’ll get your mojo back and get a great workout.”
Always up for a new adventure, she signed up. Her waxing girl was right. It was a blast, and slightly terrifying to bare yourself like that to strangers. It was all about shutting down the mind and dropping into the body. Yeah, she was excellent at that. But after two years, she found a new resolve, a new confidence and some very fun and bold friends.