She is Free

Who in their right mind would suggest that the love of one man was enough to break the sick routine that kept her captive yet supplied her needs?

No usher was necessary when Lada arrived at the dark candlelit room. She made herself feel right at home. The house had plenty of rooms after all; she’d feel less guilty using their spare room rather than the master bedroom. His wife would be gone all week, so she’d make enough for her stay at the Wilkos’ place- a mediocre apartment building she called home.

While wrapped in his sweaty arms; his coarse face along her cheek, Lada caught a glimpse of a swaying tree through the window. So much hope. So much life. One day she too would be free to sway with the breeze of life-she reminded herself. “It will soon be over.”

            Morning came and Lada’s reflection didn’t show the sincere glow it once did when she was a child, rather a tattered distortion of what she had become. Nights didn’t come easy for Lada and rent for staying at the Wilkos’ place did not get paid on its own. “I have no choice,” she reminded herself. “But even when I have enough money and muster up enough courage to run away from this; who would want me?”

            Almost as if long ago on some celestial calendar, August 7, 2005 had been marked as the fateful day Lada would leave her pink laced wallet behind in the door of the back seat in a passenger cab.

            Early August was usually humid and hot, not rainy and cold as it was that morning. Lada was preparing herself a normal breakfast to remind her that she was still a normal human being during the day; even if her nights proved otherwise. The phone rang three times before she could reach it.

“Hello?”

“Hi. Is this Lada Mariano?”

“Yes. Who’s asking,” irritation forming in her voice.

“I’m sorry, my name is Aiden.”

“Oh. How can I help you?”

“Well, I believe I have something that belongs to you. I found it in a passenger cab. A pink wallet? Very pretty picture by the way.”

“Mmmhmm, that’s funny because I happen to have my wallet right here.” She struggled across the dining room over the clothes left on the floor from her previous encounters. Maybe she was in a hurry to get out of the cab to escape the morning’s rain and hadn’t realized she’d left it, “You know what, you’re right. I must have left it this morning on my way back from… work.”

They made arrangements to meet at an old coffee shop down Silvana St.and Aiden had joked about Lada being indebted to him; so coffee was on her.

            A little past noon, Lada sat across Aiden in the shop. Really? A coffee shop? All her other meetings had been hidden by night and surrounded by walls, never by people as they were now.  Aiden was handsome. Something about his tender eyes and soothing voice made Lada believe she could trust him. Not with the details of her “situation”, but with herself.

           

            Well into their relationship Lada began to become aware of a difference in Aiden. Aside from the fact that he was so indulgent and gentle; there was still another difference. “What is this?” She couldn’t seem to understand his source of happiness. She loved him. In his arms she felt secure. Nothing could harm her. She had found in him the courage to stop engaging in prostitution; but she’d never even imagined telling him.  Aiden was too special. If she told him he would leave and her life would be as meaningless as before.

“Lada…” he whispered as he held her close enough to feel the breeze of his breath along the side of her ear.

 “Yes?” she replied, panting subtly.

“Why don’t you let go? Let me take care of you. Is there something you’re not telling me? Anything at all…”

“What?” The question came somewhat of a shock to her.

She froze and remained silent as she imagined the conversation she dreaded for so long to unfold itself. No going back now; she had to be honest.

“Look, I’d understand if after this you want nothing to do with me… I’ve been selling my body for money. I was left alone after my grandmother died five years ago; I had no place to go and no money. I didn’t want to die, Aiden. So I did what I thought would only be a one time deal. I got caught in the middle of bills and couldn’t find a way out. I don’t want that life anymore. I never thought I’d fall in love with anyone enough to feel the strength to go on and leave that degrading hole… Until I met you.”

“Aww Lada, honey, you don’t have to feel alone. You don’t know it yet, but the strength you’re looking for comes from someone far greater than me. He’s everywhere actually, and he has heard your deepest cry and desire. You are not filthy. You were created perfectly to shine for His Glory. So that others can know that The Creator himself is on your side. I’m not leaving…I never will. Thank you for your trust. I love you even more for this.”

            Through Aiden God made a way to reach out to Lada. Never again will her body feel the filth of an unfaithfully disgraceful husband degrade her human state. She has hope. She is alive. She is free.