Somali Spinster part 7

My remaining time in London went by quickly as I found something to do that amused me. I would go on this escort website, find some numbers and just like the character of my piece, I would contact the girls. They would send their locations and I  would head there, knock on their doors, and when they opened and looked at me in surprise, I would ask if I could borrow some sugar. Their astonishment and incomprehension would deepen; their eyes darting from my face to my hijab and then my conservative dress. I would apologize, say I must have the wrong address, and leave them the most confused they must ever have been. The looks on these women's faces were the most memorable things of my trip and I laugh as I think about it.

There was one girl who didn't flinch, however, a redhead whose beauty shocked me more than my appearance shocked her. When this girl, unperturbed, bemused even, said that I could indeed borrow some sugar, and then went to go get it, I ran away, fearing the beauty that this girl possessed. That was the last time I tried borrowing some sugar. There were girls that might actually give me some! 

Soon I found myself pushing the cold glass of my therapist's building again and saw the familiar, friendly face of Hannah, the receptionist.  

'Hey, Zahra. Are you here for your appointment?' the ditzy automaton asked me. 

'No. I want to buy a woman. What's the going rate in this place?' I responded seriously. 

'That's fine. You can go right up.  She's waiting for you.' 

I let out a glass shattering laugh. 

'What? What's so funny?' Hannah asked, laughing herself. 'I swear it's ten am, and your appointment is…'  

These people really are robots I thought to myself as I went up the stairs, stifling laughter all the way up, making me forget about the struggle I always have with staircases. The smell and future touch of leather suffused through me again as it always does when I enter the therapist's office.  

'Hey, Zahra. How are you?' she asked, smiling at my smile which she thinks is just because of her.