Hennry Horrowitz Presents:Harlots Hustlers & Heroines

By Cam Rascoe

How are monsters created? Hear Henrys words as he narrates death. Brother to Hanna, beautiful young husband hustler star of Hanna Horrowitz Presents: The Husband Hustle parts 1 & 2. Their lives are intertwined yet separate in so many ways. Children of Savanna creator of the Hustle both matured into narcissistic sociopaths. Hanna, never violent but very hurtful in her words and actions; her thoughts and feelings begin and end with her. Henry is a sharer of the pain; he first started hurting under the guise of protecting himself. Eventually he settled on the idea of hurting because it brought him great joy. Wealth and fortune comes easy for the two but the joy is always lacking. A God fearing faithful step father, after years of abuse converted the once scheming Savanna, saving her before he returned home to his creator. Can these two ever be saved? How are monsters created? Let Henry show you how.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469125466

Cam Rascoe

Cam Rascoe, Author of the Hanna and Henry Horrowitz Series, Writings of Rascoe and The Perils of the Peoples of Pine Hills offers more insight into the Pine Hills experience through a series of excitingly poignant short stories. In depth and detailed is his expression in sharing the tales of the people of this storied community. Once again Mr. Rascoe takes hold of his readers utilizing dynamic characters in unique situations. Another fun smart read delivered by Cam Rascoe. “Restless for Retribution” documents four decades of Pine Hills life, sharing the triumphs and challenges of this diverse community. Peter, Pat and Paul proffers the buffoonery of three brothers through drug abuse while the Geppetto series illustrates how attempting to control others’ lives can eventually cause you to lose control of your own. Whispers in Wonderland sheds light on the abuse that goes uninvestigated in impoverished communities and to what lengths some will go to put an end to it. Restless for Retribution conveys how tragedy can be used to promote the healing of a hurting society in much need of it. “Restless for Retribution” offers masterful short stories with great purpose.

Book preview

Harlots Hustlers & Heroines

Cam Rascoe

Copyright © 2012 by Cam Rascoe.

ISBN:          Softcover                                 978-1-4691-2545-9

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4691-2546-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

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Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Epilogue

I believe in HIM therefore, I believe in me.

Cam Rascoe

Prologue

I was born August 23rd 1975, a sly shy boy of Hillsboro County, Florida in a lower middle class dysfunctional family of four. We were always a family of four but never the same four for very long. My father changed often. He was sometimes called uncle and other times by his first name but he was always replaced. Their faces sometimes blend together in my mind in absence of concern or love for any man, even my own father whom I never met. He died in a prison riot when I was still a toddler. As the story goes, he was apparently killed by a jealous lover over another man. We never met but I did have a picture of him posing next to his prized possession, a ’67 Mustang. He was a fan of hot rods in his youth. My mama never said much about him other than he was a low down dirty dog that left her saddled with two babies after he got himself thrown in prison. My mama didn’t have allot of time for, or patience with me. She was always busy working some hustle or another. Often the hustle was men. Mama was a little on the chunky side and may have needed the services of a good orthodontist but she could always find her a mark. She trained my older sister, Hanna to be just like her. I received similar instruction and direction from Mama but not quite as thorough. She didn’t take the time to school me on the ways of the hustle as well as Hanna. I was a boy and my father’s son at that. Therefore, I was often times looked upon as a burden but even the gold of my youth was mined by my mama. She was sure to get money from my father’s parents to help her in supporting me. Mama also made sure that I spent every summer and most holidays with them as well. My grandpa was more than happy to pay for perversion. His perversion being the taking of his male off springs’ innocence through incest. My father experienced the same as he tried to grow into manhood before escaping to prison. My grandma always turned a blind eye, unable to face the shame. Shame. Her shame meant more to her than her son’s and grandson’s pain. Shame. My grandpa had a special way of speaking to me. His ill intentions were communicated innocently expressing love and concern. The more sauced he got, the sweeter his words.

Come Henry my sweet boy, come talk with your grandpa. You know you mean the most in the world to me, I cherish you. There’s nothing in this world that your grandpa wouldn’t do for you. There’s nothing greater than your grandpa’s love for you sweet boy.

While sharing thoughts of endearment my drunken grandpa would be rubbing his genitals with his right hand and mine with his left. While this was all going on grandma busied herself with some task, errand or chore to keep her out of ear shot of the eventual screams of purity lost. On average about twice a week the old man would drink himself into courage and arousal to abuse my young body. Eventually I became numb to it all by age seven, I was only five when it began. Mama knew that something wasn’t quite right but she kept on sending me; she needed her money. Whenever I tried to protest being sent off for my raping she met my opposition with harsh words and threats.

Henry I don’t care what you want or where you do or don’t want to go! I make the decisions around here, you understand! Now, I need some help taking care of you so you’re going off to your family. Until you start paying bills around here and feeding yourself, you don’t get a vote. I decide what you will and won’t do, where you will and won’t go. Right now you’re gonna go back in that room of yours and pack your stuff so I can go pick up this check. You got it?! If you don’t like it, you can stay with them forever as far as I care.

By the end of her rant she would be nose to nose with me spewing phlegm in my young face. I wouldn’t cry in her presence for fear of more of her chastising, I waited till I was alone in my room to shed tears in private. As I walked pass Hanna’s room I could see her in the mirror trying on a new dress, spinning and twirling around with joy. I packed slowly, sadly as I waited to be sent off to the guillotine.

My grandpa taught me at age five to be distrustful of all men and to hate their women for their wicked ways. My mama sent me to him to earn a buck, my grandma gave him the privacy to do his dirtiness to avoid direct involvement easing her conscious. If she never saw or heard then she couldn’t be held responsible right? Right. My flowing blond hair was never stroked out of love, only lust. I was never complimented on my talents, only reprimanded for my short comings. When old enough I finally ended the pain and abuse served up by my grandpa and vowed to never let it happen again. I would no longer be the prey. I allowed my rage spawn from betrayal to turn me into a predator. At a young age I learned that it was a dog eat dog world and before my days on this earth were done, I decided that I was going to eat as much dog as my belly could hold. This is how monsters are created.

Chapter 1

Now Savanna you know that I’ll take good care of this boy. He’s all I got left of my, Henry. Poor sweet boy.

My grandfather messed my hair and looked down lovingly upon me. He smiled a smile unfamiliar to me then he looked up and smiled at Mama different. This was my first excruciating experience of attack on my young anus. That night the ingenuousness smile disappeared from his wrinkled face as he allowed the liquor to help him into committing horrible acts to his only son’s offspring. I was first confused then pleaded and cried for him to stop. He was deafened by his desire for debauchery. I wondered while this was happening where my grandmother was and why she wasn’t coming to my rescue. Cleaning, cooking, shopping, gardening. Anything other than stopping the evil she knew existed in her home and children’s lives. It was always that way. Meanwhile Mama got checks and Hanna got new dresses.

My father had a childhood friend that had recently moved back to his parent’s home in St. Petersburg to care for them in their years of decline and failing health. Bobby was a registered nurse and had made a career of caring for the elderly. So, he felt it his duty to do the same for his own kin despite their differences and years of distant discord. Bobby like my father and I was homosexual and not by choice. He too was abused but instead by an uncle on his mother’s side. Bobby was overjoyed to hear that his dear Uncle Tommy had overdosed in some run down hotel down in Homestead. His tormentor was deceased but the damage was done. Bobby thought that my childhood might be stolen so he took an interest in me and became somewhat of a mentor being a survivor himself. My father told his childhood friend of his abuse, in return Bobby shared his own horrors. Incest had hindered both while they tried to develop into manhood. They each tried to help the other through the pain. All of this, Bobby shared with me when he came back to town in 1987. I was twelve and still afraid to talk. I remained meek and quiet. My grandfather resented Bobby’s presence in my life; I believe mainly because he saw him as competition for my affections. Bobby only wished to help not hurt me. He tried to give me hope in the example of a survivor.

Henry you know that you can trust me. If there is anything that you want to share please feel free. This is your life. There’s no shame here. You’re an extraordinary young man with allot to offer the world. No one should be allowed to hinder that. Forcing you to do things that you don’t want to do is wrong no matter who is doing the forcing. I know that you don’t want to talk to me about things but whenever you do I will always be willing to listen.

That whole summer Bobby was my encourager and heroine. I admired his style, the way he dressed walked and talked. He made me feel comfortable being gay. My life became just a little more tolerable with him in it. Prior to meeting him I felt I had no identity; I was nothing. I felt as if I were property since my mother essentially pimped me out to my grandfather. She owned my body and she rented it out to him for months at a time.

1980 my first time shedding a fistful of tears while bleeding from my rectum. I was five, angry and helpless. After bilking an old family friend, poor Mattie Parker, out of thousands of dollars and dismissing my stepfather of seven months, Hubert, Mama started working on her new hustle. I was kept away at my grandparents’ while she worked her new mark. The mark was named Harvey Grimes. I remember Mama remarking that she had the best of both worlds. I was generating income for her and she didn’t have to worry about feeding or clothing me all summer long. Hanna was used, to hook the unsuspecting widower, retired veteran of World War II. Mr. Grimes owned the local hardware store and was a respected man in our town. The sixty year old man had been a widower for five years and was in desperate need of companionship. Mama sensed this so she was sure to make her way to the hardware store as often as possible to comfort him. She had been working him for over a month before her windfall and dismissal of Hubert. She stopped by the store to buy miscellaneous items with Hubert’s money and strike up conversation as often as possible. The lonely older gentleman was very respectable when speaking to Mama. She was twenty-five years younger than him and initially he thought that the younger woman took pity on him because of his situation. Eventually she started bringing him home cooked meals and mending his shirts and overalls. Hanna was a big part of her plan. At seven she was already working the little boys in school, the old ladies in church and the elderly men at the drug store. She knew early how to work you out of your last dime. Mama knew that the best way to get a man to become seriously involved with a woman who had a ready made family was to get him to fall in love with her offspring. Mr. Grimes was easy, he couldn’t resist Hanna. Mama instructed her to sit on his lap and always give him a hug and kiss whenever she greeted him. Luckily he was a good man that returned the little girl’s affection in an appropriate way. As a child Hanna still held compassion in her heart. She hadn’t yet become a jaded narcissist. I was kept out of sight and mind during Mama’s courtship with the unsuspecting Mr. Grimes. He didn’t realize that he was being courted until it was too late; he was already smitten with the young voluptuous blond.

I can only remember one conversation between my mama and late daddy. At my age I shouldn’t have remembered but when something is all you have, you find a way to hold on to it. He was locked up asking to see me apparently and Mama responded with all the wickedness she could muster.

It’s bad enough you done got locked up and saddled me with this damn boy ta raise by myself, now you expect me to be drivin’ sixty miles to bring him to come see your sorry ass? Shit, I got better things ta do wit my time.

That was the last conversation she had with my daddy before his death. She had only hooked up with him because he was a local drug dealer and had a little more than the rest of the knuckleheads around town according to Mama. I’m sure that she also enjoyed the steady supply of free drugs she got from him as well. My daddy was truly in love with Mama and planned on marrying her; he had no idea that he was being played. At his funeral my grandparents approached Mama and offered her assistance with raising their grandson, to which she gladly agreed. They gave Mama some money every month for me which she used however she saw fit.

By the time I returned home to Tampa after my first summer of torture we had moved into a new house. Mama had already worked Mr. Grimes into marrying her and buying her a 1978 Trans Am like the one in the movie Smokie and the Bandit. The wedding was held in our spacious new backyard. It was a small ceremony with only a few friends, family and the pastor from Mr. Grimes’ church. Mama wasn’t concerned with a big lavish wedding; she just wanted to get that ring on her finger as soon as possible. She felt that she could find better things to spend Harvey’s money on than a big ceremony. He took her decision not to have a grand wedding as a sacrifice out of her love for him.

Baby we don’t need to have a big wedding; something small and simple would be better and cheaper. All we need is our family, friends, the pastor and the Lord to hear us pronounce our love for each other. Baby we’re going to have a beautiful life together, till death do us part. I love you babe.

She pecked him hard on his lips then hugged him tight exciting him somewhat.

Savanna you’re the greatest thing to ever happen to me. I can’t wait to make you my wife; you’re going to be such a beautiful bride.

I peeked around the corner to see them hugging again and I started to feel sorry for the kind old man. He had no idea what he was in for. I wanted a better life but even at five I knew that the man was in for a wild ride.

All of the guests at the wedding complimented Mama on the interior of the home and Mr. Grimes’ old buddies all complimented him on his new catch. He beamed with pride as he and the other elderly men stood around talking during the reception. Hanna made a beautiful flower girl and I was a handsome five year old ring barer. The event was a lovely one despite it only being part of my mama’s hustle. Hanna said that she thought I was acting a little strange after I returned home. Mama didn’t notice or have time to deal with me, she was too busy making a new life for us all. I stayed to myself and out of the way most of the time. Mr. Grimes or Uncle Harvey as we called him, tried to bond with me but I wasn’t very trusting of my new step father or anyone else for that matter. I talked and played dolls with Hanna but outside of her, I rarely spoke to anyone. We were both indifferent about starting at our new school. Hanna exaggerated the problems at our old school to my naive Uncle Harvey just as Mama directed her too. I actually liked my old school and the friends that I made in pre K but I had to go along with Mama’s plan to gain Mr. Grimes’ sympathy. If I ever made mention of my old school, Mama would berate me calling me unappreciative and ungrateful. I learned to not say anything against my mama’s plans, wishes or desires. I just adjusted to going to a new school and making new friends.

The night of the wedding Mr. Grimes carried his bride across the threshold to their bedroom with thoughts of consummating their marriage. Twenty minutes later Mama was in the kitchen making coffee and Uncle Harvey was in the bed snoring loudly. Everyone seemed to be happy that night. Unfortunately Uncle Harvey’s marital bliss would be short lived as Mama got used to her surroundings and lax in her performance. She was always sure to drill me on how to behave around my stepfather but Hanna was the key according to Mama.

Hanna you need to keep Harvey’s love you hear, always be sweet to him. Don’t ever give him any problems and I’ll make sure that you get everything that you want. If we ever get into an argument, go and comfort him. As long as he loves you we’ll be ok. I’m gonna live my life. I can’t be layin’ up wit no old man everyday so sometimes he’s gonna be down and when he is, I need you to go and pep him up. You understand?

Yes Mama.

Good girl, now go get me a cold Schlitz outta the fridge.

She had no idea that her duties as a buffer would start that night. Less than a month after their marriage my mama decided that she was going to hang out until three in the morning. She told Harvey that she was gong out with the girls but I knew that it wasn’t true. The next morning Mama awakened, picked a fight when questioned about her whereabouts the night before; then stormed out of the house. Harvey sat in his study staring sadly out the window at his well manicured lawn on the warm fall Saturday morning. Hanna knew that it was time for her to do her job. She walked into the room where he was sitting and offered a morning greeting.

Good morning Uncle Harvey.

He turned to see her looking so cute in her Barbie pajamas and fuzzy slippers wiping sleep out of her eyes.

Good morning sweetie. How are you this morning?

She walked over to him and climbed up on his lap.

I’m doing good but I heard you and Mama fussin’. You alright?

He looked down at her with compassion in his eyes. His sadness moved to the back of his mind as he was so impressed by such a young child coming to comfort him out of his woe.

I am fine sweetie and I’m sorry that you had to hear us argue. Don’t you worry; things are going to be just fine.

She gave him a look of innocence and doubt.

Are you sure?

Yes Hanna, you can always count on your Uncle Harvey. I will always take care of you baby now go wake your brother up and I’ll make the two of you my world famous French toast.

She clapped her hands and pretended to be excited.

Oh goodie, I love French toast. You’re the best Uncle Harvey!

Hanna hugged his neck, gave him a kiss on the cheek and then jumped down to come and wake me from my sleep. I was already awake and watching. As I turned the corner I caught a glimpse of him smiling proudly at the joy he brought to his special little girl. I jumped back into bed and pretended to be sleep. Hanna jostled me out of my fake slumber and told me to wash up for breakfast. She helped me brush my teeth then we rushed to the kitchen. We all sat down for breakfast and Hanna complimented the cook on the wonderful meal. She kicked me under the table to get me to do the same. I did half heartedly and we all continued to eat.

After breakfast we got dressed and our stepfather took us to the park as Mama continued to play. She was sure to stay out extra late because she wanted her knew spouse to get used to his roll as provider, cook and care giver. When we returned from the park hours later, Mama was in the kitchen frying catfish. She made grits, corn on the cob, fried potatoes and onions. I knew what she was up to right away. As we entered she said hello to everyone, gave me and my sister a loving hug and kiss then told us to wash up for lunch. We hustled down the hallway to the bathroom as we were told.

Then Savanna turned her attention to her spouse.

Look Harvey we need to talk, I’m not happy. Harvey was shook to his core, afraid that she was going to leave him. He responded in a meek voice.

You’re not happy?

Savanna quickly snapped back at him.

Not now! We’ll talk about it while the children are eating.

Again Harvey, the old soldier, stood down and awaited the order on when to speak on the matter further. Then the children entered and took their seats.

Hanna say grace, me and Uncle Harvey need to go into the study and talk.

Savanna walked seductively down the hallway to the room with Harvey drooling behind her.

Close the door behind you Harvey and have a seat over there.

Savanna pointed to a chair in the corner of the room and Harvey complied. She spoke slow and purposeful in a low tone with a look of intimidation in her eyes.

I don’t like you accusing me of stuff or tryin to smother me. If me and the girls go out, we go out understand.

Harvey looked on blankly.

I ain’t gonna live like that. Now either you can agree or maybe we need some space.

Harvey licked his lips and swallowed as he tried to comprehend the sudden change in his loving wife. Savanna leaned in closer looking deep into his eyes. Her face was now two inches from his and sweat began to trickle down Harvey’s sloped forehead.

Do you understand Harvey?

Yes.

Do you?

Yes.

Good.

Then she stepped away from him and softened her face allowing a pleasant false smile to form.

Now Harvey I been lookin’ at that huge backyard of ours and thinking to myself that a pool, gazebo and maybe a swing for the kids would look lovely back there. You know the kids would love to have a pool to swim in during all of those hot days. You could teach Hanna to swim.

Harvey wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and tried to think of a way he could tell his dear wife no. He struggled unsuccessfully to find the words as she continued on.

We could get one of those pools with the Jacuzzi on the side for me and you to soak in with all those bubbles.

As she finished her sentence she made her way back over to him and sat on his lap. She ran her fingers through his receding gray hair and then talked softly in his ear.

What do you think Daddy? You wanna get naked and soak in bubbles with me?

Harvey simply nodded as his old manhood moved slightly, he was becoming aroused from the warmth his wife’s backside brought to his privates as she pressed her weight down on his lap. Before he could become erect, she jumped up and grabbed him by the hand dragging him back down the hall and into the dining room. Harvey had only made love with his wife three times since they had been married; she kept him wanting. Savanna returned home to cook for the children so that she could provide Harvey with a level of comfort before breaking him down then working him out of more. Harvey didn’t know how to feel as he stood beside his wife and she told the children the exciting news of a new pool, Jacuzzi and gazebo. He was left angry, afraid, hurt, and horny, in love and in pain. Savanna had the man’s head spinning and she would later give him the sweet lovin’ that he so yearned for to seal the deal. She would be sure never to lay with him again until the pool and gazebo were complete.

I was almost done with my fish and grits when Mama and Uncle Harvey rushed back into the dining room and announced that we were getting a pool. Hanna and I both jumped for joy and cheered even though neither of us knew how to swim. But what we did know was the response that Mama was looking for so we showed enthusiasm. The pool was really for her but we knew that we had better not ruin it. Mama. Only Mama could stay out all night, argue, leave all morning then return home and get a pool. Later she gave Hanna five dollars for spending the day with Mr. Grimes and making him feel loved. Hanna things gonna work out just fine here in our new house. We ain’t the poorest Jews in Florida no more, now are we? Mama let out a lively chuckle as she walked out of Hanna’s bedroom. Mama’s daddy was Jewish but his family cast him out after he took up with my gentile grandmother. Our surname was Horrowitz but we knew nothing about being Jewish and we always went to Christian Churches. Mama never really went to church to worship, she went there to hustle. Therefore, I grew up essentially without religion. But, I was supplied with sufficient schooling on swindling.

I remained shy and rarely spoke so I had a difficult time making many friends, Hanna on the other hand had every kid in school eating out of the palm of her hand. I made one friend, a shy boy like me. His name was Todd. I believed in my heart that Todd had experienced some of the same abuse that I had and that’s why we gravitated towards one another. We didn’t speak much we were just together. We played together, ate together and walked home together when his mother couldn’t pick him up.

Hanna being very popular at our new school, took full advantage of it. Mama was sure to send her to school in the finest clothes and the latest fashions so all of the little girls admired her. Since she was so cute and knew at her tender age how to manipulate people, the boys always competed for her attention. She never carried her books or bought her own snacks. She was given gifts by both boys and girls. Most of these kids were well to do but didn’t appreciate what they had. They were happy to give Hanna their belongings for her companionship and she was more than happy to take them. There was one boy in particular who was more persistent than all the others, Jacob Johnson. Jacob’s parents were both lawyers and he was the oldest of two children. They gave him whatever his heart desired. The Johnsons lived one block over in a huge two story house surrounded by an iron rod fence. Jacob was an awkward nine year old boy with thick glasses. He was bright in school but lacking in street smarts and common sense. Sometimes he could be quite entertaining.

Hey Hanna wait up, wait up.

We heard Jacob yelling behind us as Hanna led me down the stairs of the school heading home. We didn’t slow our pace; she made him run faster to catch up. When he caught up to us he was out of breath and wheezing. He bent over then paused to use his inhaler, the poor boy suffered from severe asthma. Hanna stopped for a moment so that she could hand him her book bag. I knew that was why he was trying so desperately to catch up with us; he wanted to be sure that no one carried Hanna’s books home but him. Once he had the bag, we walked on side by side. Jacob trailed one step behind us.

Hanna, you going to the dance next Friday?

I haven’t decided yet.

I think it will be fun. I think you should go.

She had every intention of going to the dance but wanted to string Jacob along.

"Well I don’t know; I don’t have anything to wear. I