Chapter One

Gretchen wiped her nose clean, removing the last traces of powder from her nostrils. Her last customer had long gone and she needed this final hit to help her get to sleep. The night had been uneventful to say the least. A typical Tuesday night crowd. Thirteen customers total and at $100 a pop, the night had been profitable. Francis would be very pleased with her. She put her night outfit in her backpack opting for her day clothes. She was in no mood to be stopped by an officer just because of the outfit she chose to wear. The house wasn't more than a mile from the cheap motel and it would let her enjoy her last high of the night. The city always looked better when she was in an altered state of mind. It didn't look as cold and unforgiving, not so dark and not so hopeless. She loved it now because it gave her hope and reminded her that things could change in a blink of an eye, no matter how good or bad that change may be. Part of her still knew that things could, and would someday change, that she would leave the lifestyle behind her and finally reach her full potential. But the darkness was slowly taking over her mind, reminding her that she was tossed aside and was nothing more than a stepping stone for others. The powder gave her peace to help numb the negativity, but at the same time pushed her even further into self-loathing once she came down. It was her personal catch-22 and she only knew this life now. Maybe one day things would change, but not today. Maybe not ever.

"Where have you been all night G? You had me worried." Gretchen looked up at him as she entered the modest three bedroom home. It wasn't much but it was the perfect place to conduct business without being detected. The neighbors mostly kept to themselves and cops rarely visited their street. It was too upscale to be suspicious but still lower class enough as to be ignored. On the outside it was the perfect home for a young couple getting started in the world.

"You know damn well where I've been Frankie." She tossed the bundle of twenties at him and he caught it mid-air. Frankie quickly thumbed through it, a small smirk spreading across his face.

"A little light here G. But I guess I will let it slide since it is a Tuesday. There's some left over pizza in the fridge but I'm pretty sure you're not hungry." Gretchen rolled her eyes as she walked past him, ignoring the ass slap he gave her as well. "Hey sleep in my bed tonight I need some help getting rid of some pent up energy."

"Fine Frankie just let me check on her and hop in the shower." She walked past a couple of strung out guys on the floor and into her daughter's bedroom. It was locked from the outside and only Gretchen and Francis had the key to it. In here she would always be safe from anyone who dare enter the house.

Gretchen walked quietly over to the bed and saw her daughter sleeping peacefully. She brushed a stray hair from her face and kissed her forehead. "I'm home now baby girl. Mama's home." Gretchen only put up with so much because of her daughter. If she didn't do what Frankie wanted, he would have thrown the both of them out, and she would no longer be able to support her habit. It was not the ideal situation and Gretchen desperately wanted more for her daughter, but her addiction prevented that. Despite the level of dysfunction, Gretchen still tried to be a good mother. Her daughter was never allowed to see her or the addicts on a trip, and Frankie always made a point to hide the stash. Gretchen was even tutoring her when they were alone and she wasn't high. Her daughter would be starting school in a couple of weeks and Gretchen could see a child prodigy in the making. She just needed to be pushed and challenged to keep her mind sharp. The last thing Gretchen wanted was for her daughter to waste her talents like she had. She sighed as she left the room and went to the bathroom. She made a mental note to take her daughter back to school shopping soon and hoped that this school year there would be less nosy teachers concerned about her.