Cervena Read Online Free Page A

wipe down the tables and chairs, and ensure the toilets were spotless before the Saturday night crowd arrived. I left them to get on with their work and made my way home.
     
     
    WHEN I returned to the club seven hours later, the city center was already buzzing. Every bar I passed was filled with people, some spilling into the streets; a normal Saturday night. I stepped into the road to skirt around a couple dancing on the footpath. I had a smile on my face as I let myself into Červenà. Pausing in the doorway of the dressing room, I greeted the boys. Sasha sat in front of a mirror, dressed in his first outfit of the night, under which I knew he’d be wearing the skimpy black silk underwear. Tomáš stood beside him and applied hair gel to Sasha’s freshly shorn locks to make them stand on end.
    “Evening, boys.” I spoke in Czech as usual. Sasha was learning as he’d said he would, and he answered the same way the others did. I left them to finish getting ready and headed into the bar. I’d taken my place on a bar stool before Bohdan caught up with me.
    “May I speak with you, Joel?”
    “Of course. Drink?” I gestured at Kris, one of the bartenders, who was already getting me a beer.
    “No, thank you. I know I should have done this officially and written you a letter, but I haven’t got around to it, and I need to tell you. I—”
    “You’re leaving, aren’t you?”
    Bohdan’s eyes widened and he flushed. “I’m sorry. Is it that obvious? I hate to let you down.”
    “It’s all right.”
    “Karel will be mad.”
    “Let me worry about him. Do you have another job to go to?”
    “I’m going to a dance school in Vienna.”
    My mouth fell open. I hadn’t seen that coming.
    “I saved,” Bohdan went on. “That’s why I do so many lap dances. I didn’t say anything because I thought the others would tease me and say I’d never do it. But I got a place. I leave tomorrow. I meant to give you more notice, but I kept putting it off. I’m sorry.”
    “It’s all right. Congratulations. I’m happy for you.” I grasped his hand and shook it, then drew him close and gave him a hug. “Work hard and do well. You certainly seem determined.”
    “I am. I’m sorry if I seemed like I wasn’t pulling my weight sometimes. I did a lot of practice in my room for my auditions. Then I kept sleeping late.”
    “It doesn’t matter. You’ve been a good worker. I think we can overlook a few late shows. Bohdan, if you need any kind of reference, for the school or anything else, get in touch with me, okay? Or for anything else you need.” Bohdan didn’t have the support of a family. He’d been in a children’s home until the age of sixteen, then worked in a factory for two years before he came to us.
    “Thank you, Joel.” Bohdan relaxed and smiled at last. “What do you think Karel will say?”
    “Don’t worry about him, he’s not here. Enjoy your last night with us. See me before you go. I’ll make sure you have a little parting gift.” I would give him a decent bonus to help him get by in Vienna.
    I remained at the bar until the club opened that night. Karel came in to greet me, but within half an hour he’d picked up a young guy and disappeared. I didn’t bother to try to speak to him about Bohdan—I’d call him the next day. I was relieved I’d be able to watch Sasha without Karel making fun of me.
    Fran performed first, followed by Marek. Crowds formed around the podium, thinning after each dancer finished his act, and quickly regathering as the next was announced. When Tomáš came out after Marek, cheers showed his popularity, and some of the men edged closer, reaching out but not quite touching. I impatiently tapped my fingers on my thigh. I’d prepared the schedule myself and Sasha was up last, but I was eager to see how he got on. I hoped he wouldn’t be too nervous to get on the podium or alternatively make it up there and then freeze.
    Another thirty minutes passed while I watched