Pretty Special Woman
by
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"I wanted to meet someone - you - to see if it were maybe perhaps possible to consider going with me on a trip.”
A trip? Could he mean drugs? He wants to drop acid or maybe a trip to Columbia to smuggle them. She looked at him anew. He was a creep, a druggie. Her eyes dropped to her lap, she shook her head and placed her napkin on the table. Edward read that as an impending no. Ethel finally spoke. “I don't do that.” "You said you like to travel. It would only be for a week - to Alaska.” Ethel considered a Russian connection. Edward continued, “I had this trip planned for months but I broke up with my girlfriend. I really don't want to cancel the trip but I also really don't want to go alone. My best friend's wife is expecting a baby real soon and nobody else would be available on such short notice.” Ethel listened while Edward rambled on. “I finally planned a real vacation, a dream vacation. Fishing, hiking, kayaking, whale watching - seems all I do is work these days. I've never been to Alaska. Saw a special on the National Geographic show, went online, got dozens of brochures - even got upgrades on the flights with all my business frequent flier miles. Everything was planned - the car rental, the lodge, the fishing charter - everything. I could work out the finances with you and Mimi. I know this isn't everyone's dream vacation but…” He took a deep breath then looked away. So, Ethel wanted to say, you are asking me to drop everything? Drop everything and go thousands of miles away with you - first class - on a plane. I've never flown anywhere. And I take it you will pay my way and then some. We'll stay in better than flea-bag motels. Every day will be filled with the adventure of the great outdoors. No busses or els. No smog and filthy streets. No job assignments from Mimi. That's what you are asking me?
"Maybe you could just think about it for a day or two. I'll give you my card. You could call me. Or e-mail me - or even text if you'd like.” Ethel owned neither a cell phone nor computer. All conversation stopped. Just the sounds of the restaurant filled the silence. Finally, Ethel spoke. "I'll go.”
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About the Book
Due to circumstances she believes are beyond her control, twenty-four year old Ethel Finklestein accepts a position as a professional escort in Philadelphia. On her second "date", Edward Blum, an uptight accountant, invites her to accompany him on a one-week Alaskan vacation in the scenic Kenai Peninsula. Using the alias of "Vivian" from the classic movie "Pretty Woman", Ethel shares adventures and misadventures with her surprisingly candid client. With tenderness and humor, they gradually reveal their complex life stories. But a series of disastrous events befall and separate the pseudo-couple. The result is an emotional journey for two very different yet ironically similar souls.
About the Author
Katherine Lois was born and raised in Philadelphia. She went on to complete her education in state universities in Pennsylvania. Currently, she lives and works in West Central Florida. This is her first novel.