Read Online My Lost and Found Life by Melodie Bowsher - Free Book Online

line. Who’s she kidding? My mother has never denied herself anything. She’s had four husbands, for Christ’s sake.”
    â€œNone of them remember what it’s like to be young,” said Shirlee.
    â€œOh, I don’t know,” said Tattie. “I’m not convinced the Mad Russian has ever grown up.”
    Everyone laughed. Tattie always referred to her father as the Mad Russian because he was born and raised in Moscow. Once he had been a businessman, but now he was a cab driver in Vegas.
    â€œHe always has some con or other going,” Tattie added. “He stole money from his job, just like your mom. Only reason he’s not in the slammer is the company didn’t want any publicity.”
    â€œMy mother isn’t a thief!” I screeched, and then was transfixed by a new and profound thought.
    â€œYou know, I don’t really know what my mother is.” I lookedat their faces and words began to fly out of my mouth. “I don’t think that I have ever really thought about who she is. She was my mother. Her job was to make me happy. My dad was a drunken bastard, and it made me furious to see her treat him like a prince. She was always trying to please him, but she tried to please me, too. It’s sad to think how hard she tried to please us both—and I kept pushing her and pushing her. In a way, I despised her for being so weak, for always giving in. I was mean to her; it was all about me, me,
me.
I was the fucked-up one, and now she’s gone.”
    I started to cry, and they all took turns hugging me. I felt so connected to them. I loved these people, my new, compassionate friends, and I told them so.
    â€œAshley, you are getting way too deep,” Tattie said.
    â€œThat’s why the first time is always the best,” Brain said. “It’s like taking a truth serum, and all the crap in your life disappears. Your entire view of existence is altered.”
    â€œNot for me,” said Tattie. “Hey, I’m not seeking spiritual enlightenment. I want some fun, capital
F-U-N.
It’s time for some action. Let’s go to the Last Call.”
    Tattie literally propelled us out the door and into my car. I was just going with the flow, full of energy and up for dancing or some way to express the elation I felt.
    The Last Call is known for being the spot where everyone in the City goes after the clubs close. The place doesn’t even open until midnight, and the music keeps pumping into the morning. Maybe it never stops. In the old days I would have considered the people there dorky or strange. That night, though, I was full of Ecstasy-inspired fellowship and high spirits. Everyone wascool; everyone was my friend. We danced for hours, swept up in a collective rapture under the flashing lights and moving to the endless techno music.
    Before long I was soaked in sweat and thirsty as hell. Webb continued to look after me, making sure I drank enough water to keep hydrated.
    When we finally arrived back at my house, everyone collapsed in the living room. Webb started giving me a back rub, and it felt so-o-o good. Sitting there with Webb’s strong hands kneading my shoulders, I made my decision. To hell with Scott and all this virginity crap. It was time to go for it. Ignoring everyone else, I grabbed Webb’s hand and pulled him down the hall to my bedroom. It seemed like the perfect night to take the plunge and get the whole thing over with.
    Webb gave me a really long, soft kiss, and then stopped.
    â€œHey, look, I’ve always thought you were very hot. But I’m not looking for a girlfriend, you know. Nothing permanent. I’m leaving here soon.”
    â€œWho says I’m looking for a boyfriend?” I said, pulling him down on the bed. “Good grief, what does it take to get laid around here?”
    He pulled a condom out of his wallet and waved it.
    I smiled and kissed him again, a kiss that went on and on. All my