Crystal's Heart

Chapter Two

Laura was not surprised to find no sign of Crystal the next morning. Twice during the night she had been awaked by the sound of the toilet flushing, the last time being shortly before sunrise. Guess I'll put off vacuuming until later, she thought as she headed into the kitchen to make coffee.

While waiting for the coffee to brew, Laura went upstairs and stripped her bed, gathering the dirty clothes out of her hamper at the same time. She had the laundry sorted and a load started by the time the coffee was ready and drank her first cup between trips around the townhouse emptying waste baskets and noting which areas needed to be visited by a dust rag.

Crystal ambled down the stairs two hours later, looking very hung over. Dark circles rimmed her eyes and her blonde hair hung limply about her face. "Coffee smells good," she said.

"Good morning. How are you?" Laura asked from behind her coffee cup.

Crystal walked over to the cupboard and removed the first mug she could reach. Accepting the offered pot in her roommate's hand, she waited until the cup was full before speaking. "Sorry about last night."

"Um if you ever need to talk"

"Nothing to talk about," the stripper shrugged. She picked up the paper and nodded in the direction of the deck. "You done with this?"

"Help yourself." Laura watched as her unread newspaper was quickly opened and folded upon itself so Crystal could hold it with one hand while she sipped her coffee. A cigarette was soon lit, the wind blowing the smoke back into the kitchen. The writer frowned and walked over to close the sliding glass door.

"Don't bother, I'll move over here," Crystal said as she moved her clutter over to the other side of the table. The change in position caused the smoke to curl up the side of the building instead of entering the kitchen. Laura watched as a smirk came to the stripper's lips before being hidden by the coffee mug.

"Guilty as charged," she admitted, sitting down in the chair recently vacated by the other woman. She took a sip of her coffee before continuing. "I just really can't stand the smell of smoke in my house. Bobby has taken up smoking and I don't let him do it in there either."

"Who's Bobby, your boyfriend?"

Laura set the coffee cup on the table and smiled. "Um no. He's my younger brother. I don't have a boyfriend. You?" She did not expect an answer and was surprised when Crystal shook her head. "No boyfriends. Men are pigs."

"Well, not all men, Crystal. Peter and Michael are perfect gentlemen."

"Peter and Michael are queer. They don't count."

"I don't know what's so hard about putting the toilet seat down. One time the boys were over here and I forgot to check and ended up with a wet bottom." She laughed at her own story, hoping to force a smile to the young woman's face. Instead Crystal continued to stare into her coffee, her eyes taking on a faraway look. The writer felt her stomach rumble and remembered that she hadn't eaten yet. "I think I'll make somee.g.and toast for breakfast. Would you like some?"

"Naw." Crystal stood abruptly. "I'm about to head out anyway."

"Going out for the day?" Laura secretly hoped that would be the case. She didn't want the pot smoking, beer drinking stripper around when her mother showed up.

"Yeah, I'm not into family get-togethers. Have fun."

Laura had just sorted out her newspaper and was about to begin reading when she heard the front door slam and a string of expletives fly out of her roommate's mouth. "I can't fucking believe that starter went again!" Crystal angrily tossed the keys across the room. "I don't care what Rick says, that mechanic friend of his doesn't know his ass from a hole in the wall." She pressed her hands against the short half-wall separating the kitchen and living room and finally locked eyes with Laura. "I guess I'm not going anywhere after all," she sighed.

"Michael is a mechanic. Maybe he can take a look at it for you."

"Fat lot of good that does me today," the stripper grumbled. She had hoped to get some beer and replenish her dwindling supply of marijuana. "I'll try to stay out of the way."

"You know the cable is hooked up to the TV in your room," Laura said. She was glad Crystal didn't hint about borrowing her Jeep. "Um may I ask a favor of you?" The stripper looked at her warily. "Would you mind not smoking pot while my brother and mother are here?" She raised her hands to forestall the protest she saw forming on the blonde woman's lips. "I know what you do in your room is your business but even with the incense, my eighteen year old brother will know what you're doing behind closed doors."

The words struck an unintended nerve as Crystal's mind flashed back to hearing her sister cry out through the wall separating their bedrooms. "When are people showing up?"

"In about four hours."

Plenty of time to get stoned before they get here. "Fine. Where's the nearest liquor store?"

"Martin's on Fourth. About three, three and a half miles." She realized Crystal's intentions and was secretly pleased that the store was so far away. She still wasn't happy with thei.e.that her family might meet the stripper but she knew it would be even worse if alcohol was added to the mix.

Crystal knocked her knuckles on the countertop. "Of course it is. What's the temp out there now? Eighty, ninety degrees?" Laura was certain it was closer to seventy but she didn't see any point in mentioning it. "I'll be in my room." The stripper went upstairs, fishing her cigarettes out of her pocket in the process.

Good. Stay there, Laura thought to herself as she watched the temperamental woman climb the stairs. She looked at the clock and groaned. Time to get moving.

First came the dusting, then the vacuuming. Polishing and window washing was next and she Laura was just filling up the mop bucket with hot water when the doorbell rang. She opened it to find Jenny standing there, her face hidden by the brightly wrapped box in her arms. "The other parts are in the car," she huffed as she gratefully handed over her burden.

"You do remember that he drives a compact, not a minivan."

"These are the ones the man at the store said were right for Bobby's car," Jenny protested as she retrieved the rest of the stereo parts from her car. "You asked the salesman which ones to buy?" Laura asked incredulously. "Jen, you know better."

"Don't you start," the brown haired woman warned gently. "Not everything I buy has to be approved by Consumer Reports." "But" Whoops, Laura thought when she saw the look in Jenny's eyes. "I'm doing it again, aren't I?"

"Yup," the therapist agreed.

"It's a good thing I have you around to point out all my little neuroses," she said, taking advantage of the empty street to lean down and give Jenny a quick kiss. "By the way, Crystal is here."

"Did you warn her about your mother?"

Laura reached into the car and pulled out the last box, bumping the door with her hip to close it. "No. She was supposed to be gone all day but her car broke down."

"You should before General Patton arrives," Jenny said as they reached the threshold.

"My mother is not that bad."

"Not that bad? Laura, do you remember Thanksgiving four years ago? The one and only time you brought me to your mother's home?" She held the door open as Laura stepped inside.

"I honestly didn't think she'd walk in on us." Laura winced at the memory of her mother walking into the kitchen and finding the two of them locked in a passionate kiss.

"You know she blames me for corrupting you."

"Of course she does," Laura agreed with a playful grin. "After all, I was just an innocent young woman before I met you."

"Somehow that's not quite the way I remember it, Love." Jenny walked over to the cupboard and grabbed two glasses. "How long do we have before she gets here?"

"About two hours." Two hours to get this place cleaned up and ready for inspection, Laura thought to herself as she opened the refrigerator and retrieved the pitcher of ice water. As it did every time her mother came for a visit, Laura's nerves were on edge. Her father and both grandfathers had been career military and her mother was the perfect officer's wife. There was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that she was missing something something that her mother would be certain to notice. "Does everything look all right?"

"Laura everything is perfect. The pictures are straight, the dishes are all put away, the tablecloth is pressed. Stop worrying."

"I can't help it," she replied, leaning into Jenny's gentle touch on her shoulders. "I just want everything to go right. Jen, promise me you won't start?" The hands gently massaging her shoulders paused. "Your mother needs to move into the nineties."

Laura turned and slipped her arms around the shorter woman's shoulders. "Jen, you gotta understand. Grandpa Matthews was a staunch Republican and my father was as conservative as they come. Thei.e.of her only daughter in bed with another woman wasn't exactly an easy pill for her to swallow." She gave a small smile. Jenny's parents were the most open-minded people she had ever met and it was hard for her ex-lover to accept intolerance. "Please?"

"Change is good for the soul, you know," Jenny tried one last time. Laura knew she had won and gave the smaller woman a kiss on the forehead. "Spoken like a true therapist. I'll do my best to keep her away from you." A thought occurred to her. "Speaking of therapy " She walked over and shut the sliding glass door, not wanting her voice to carry. "I wanted to talk to you about something that happened last night." "You okay?" Her ex-lover's concern was evident and Laura smiled.

"I'm fine, hon. Crystal had a nightmare last night."

"Did you talk to her about it?"

"I tried but she didn't want to talk."

"If she doesn't want to talk about it, you can't push her, Laura."

"I didn't but maybe you" She left the thought unfinished but Jenny had no problem picking up on it.

"You want me to talk to her? Laur, she doesn't even know me."

"But it's what you do, isn't it?"

"I do one on one and group counseling with survivors of sexual abuse. I don't interpret dreams."

"From what I heard, it doesn't take much interpretation." She lowered her voice, as if to speak the words out loud was taboo. "She was crying out for her father to stop it, whatever 'it' was."

"Oh." Now Jenny understood why Laura brought it up. "How did she sound when she talked to you afterwards? Was she scared, angry, numb?" "She didn't say much, just that she was fine." Laura paused, trying to remember more details. "She sounded mad but I think she was really upset."

"It could be a lot of things," Jenny said. "Try talking to her again." She looked around the room, seeing everything perfectly organized as usual. "I see she hasn't been the roommate from hell down here."

"She stays in her room most of the time." She looked at her watch and her eyes widened. "It's getting late. I need you to go find something to do while I get this floor mopped." She waited for the usual argument that the floor was clean enough but Jenny simply shrugged and carried her glass of ice water into the living room. "And don't forget to use a coaster," Laura called out before turning on the tap to get add more hot water to the halffull bucket of sudsy water.

Crystal's lungs burned as she inhaled deeply before setting the remains of her joint on the e.g.of the ashtray. It was a beautiful day and she had her glass door open in favor of letting the warm breeze filter through the screen. On top of her dresser, the incense holder released the scent of lavender throughout the room. Seeing no reason to meet her roommate's family, she had decided to stay in her room and get stoned all day. She heard the faint sound of the doorbell followed by the sounds of people trading welcomes and striking up conversation. Oh goodie, John Boy and the rest of the Waltons have shown up. She had meant to stop smoking before Laura's family arrived but with each puff, her resolve faded. She removed a sheet of rolling paper from its package and reached for the sandwich bag and her dwindling supply of marijuana.

"I can't believe these are all for me," Bobby said as he looked at the table of presents." He stepped past his sister to get a hug from Jenny. "How's my favorite sister-in-law?"

"Ex-sister-in-law," she reminded him. "I can't believe how tall you've gotten. I remember when you were only up to here on me." Jenny held her hand level with her shoulder to demonstrate.

"I grow a lot in a year," he replied. Looking up into the boyish face, Jenny had to admit that it was true. More than just height, Bobby had grown in bulk, his muscles showing beneath the pressed white shirt. His respectably short blond hair was offset by his brown eyebrows, making him look much like a young Robert Redford. His face bore little sign of acne although his chin did show a nick from shaving. He was no longer the pimply faced fourteen year old that was more interested in Nintendo than girls.

"That you have, Tag-a-long," Jenny said affectionately. "Come see the cake your sister got for you." Grabbing hold of his elbow, she tugged him into the kitchen, leaving Laura alone with her mother.

"You didn't tell me she'd be here," Mrs. Taylor admonished.

"Jenny and I are still friends, Mom," Laura said. "Just because we're not lovers anymore"

"Well now," her mother interrupted, obviously wanting to change the subject. "You're going to have to come over and help your brother set up that computer."

"I will, Mom. Does he have a phone jack in his room so he can get online?"

"Online?" Mrs. Taylor frowned. "Now you know I don't understand all that computer talk of yours. Yes, he has a phone in his room. With the number of girls that call him, it's a wonder I get to use it at all."

"Hey Mom, come see my cake," Bobby called out excitedly. Laura and her mother entered the kitchen.

"That looks very nice," Mrs. Taylor said. "Did you get it from Henderson's Bakery? Marge Carmichael bought a cake there for her daughter Katherine's coming out party. It was beautiful. Of course that was just before Katherine ran away with Billy McCormick." Laura didn't bother to answer her mother's question, knowing that where the cake was purchased was immaterial. She nodded knowingly. "Uh huh." "I saw her at the VFW two weeks ago and she was very quiet when it came to what her daughter was up to. If you ask me, I think she's pregnant." Mrs. Taylor glanced at Jenny. "But that's what happens when families have loose morals, I suppose."

"Or are driven away by their overbearing mothers," Jenny muttered low enough that only Bobby could hear. The teenager snorted, drawing a dirty look from Jenny and a quizzical one from his mother.

"All you all right?"

"Just swallowed wrong, Mom," he replied, trying very hard to keep the smirk off his face.

"You shouldn't gulp. I've told you about that," she admonished, her fingers absently brushing over the countertop in search of dust. Noting none, she rewarded her daughter with an approving nod. "You see how clean your sister keeps her home? I don't understand why you can't keep your room looking as respectable."

"I have too much stuff for my room," he explained.

"Your father would never have stood for such a mess," his mother continued. "He believed in packing light and keeping only what was important. We never knew when he would be shipped off to another base and we would have to move quickly."

"Mom, we haven't moved since I was three," Bobby said. "You still have cowboy wallpaper in my closet."

"That's not the point, Bobby. There's just no reason to allow clutter to build up."

Laura decided it was time to change the subject. "Mom, have you seen Mrs. Reynolds lately?"

"I saw her just last week at the Commissary. Her son was arrested last year for burglary, you know." Laura opened her mouth to speak but her mother wouldn't stop long enough for her to interrupt. "I tried to get away without her seeing me but she has eyes like and eagle, you know. She was all smiles telling me about her daughter, Marcia. She married a stock broker and has two girls now."

"Good for her."

"Janice Crenshaw's daughter had a little boy just last week."

"I didn't know Susan got married," Laura said.

"She didn't. She was going with Captain Henry's son but once he found out that she was pregnant, he shipped the boy off on a six month training session in Saudi Arabia."

"Why did he do that? I always thought Susan was a nice girl."

"If she was a nice girl, she wouldn't be pregnant," Mrs. Taylor pointed out.

"And of course it's not the boy's fault at all, right?" Jenny asked in a biting tone. Laura flashed her a warning look but it was too late. Mrs. Taylor seized the opportunity to step up on her proverbial soap box and give her sermon.

"There was a time when a young woman prided herself on being able to keep her virginity until marriage."

"Mom" Laura tried but her mother refused to be silenced.

"No Laura. It's time someone stood up for decency." She said. "These young girls now days think nothing of hopping from bed to bed and if they get pregnant, so what? You and your feminist friends have put abortion clinics on every corner."

"Would those be the same feminist friends who made it possible for women to own property and vote?" Jenny ignored the warning look she was getting from Laura and continued. "To hold office?"

Laura hooked her arm around Bobby's and gave it a tug. "Come on, bro. Let's go see how generous I was with the dead presidents in your graduation card."

"Ah, money. The gift that always fits," he said with a smile.

"Now wait a minute," his mother said. "You have to open my present up first or your sister's gifts won't make any sense." Mrs. Taylor ignored Jenny's comment in favor of watching her son open his gifts. "And Laura I hope you didn't spoil him by giving him too much money."

The laughter and voices carried upstairs, much to Crystal's annoyance. She had given up on the television and the radio stations were also a disappointment to her. The pot had made her tired but she didn't want to waste the whole day sleeping. No, it's better to sit here locking in my room getting stoned, she thought as she reached for her pipe and lighter. The sound of someone coming up the stairs made her change her mind and put her paraphernalia away. The door to Laura's room opened and closed, followed a few seconds later by the sound of the sliding door opening. A brown haired woman stepped onto the balcony and leaned her arms against the rail. A bright, beautiful day, Crystal had left her vertical blinds pulled back, allowing her a clear view of the outside. Of course it also meant that anyone on the balcony could look in and see her. Damn, why didn't I think of that, the stripper mentally cursed. It was too late to do anything about it and much to her dismay the woman turned and spotted her. "Hello there."

"Hi," Crystal replied.

"I'm Jenny, one of Laura's friends."

"Crystal. I'm her roommate."

"Yes, she mentioned you." The therapists face was warm and friendly and the stripper found herself leaving the sluggish comfort of her bed and stepping out onto the balcony.

"Sounds like everyone is having a good time," Crystal said as she leaned her hip against the rail.

"I needed a break from her mother," Jenny said. "So Laura said you were a dancer, was it?"

"Um yeah." She reached in her shirt pocket and pulled out her cigarettes and lighter. "Are you a writer like she is?"

Jenny chuckled. "I'm afraid that kind of creativity is beyond me. Laura's the one with the vivid imagination. I'm a therapist." "A shrink?"

"Well, not quite." She thought about what Laura had told her about Crystal's nightmare. "I work with survivors of rape and sexual abuse."

Crystal turned away, looking out at the ridge of trees separating the complex from the lake. "You mean you make them talk about what happened to them?"

"I don't make them do anything. I let them talk about what they need to talk about." With Crystal's head tilted, the blonde hair kept Jenny from seeing her face. "Sometimes people just need a place where they can go and know that's it's safe to tell the truth about what happened to them." "Yeah? And what good does that do for them? It doesn't take away what happened."

"No, it doesn't take away what happened," Jenny said evenly. "But in many cases talking about what happened and learning to deal with the emotions surrounding it makes the difference between living and just existing."

Crystal threw her cigarette over the rail and reached for her door handle. "Sometimes it's better just to exist, Doc," she said before crossing the threshold into her room. She went to shut the door but found it stopped halfway by Jenny's hand.

"Existing is the easy way out," the therapist said. "It takes courage to move past what happened and regain control."

"Not everyone needs therapy to get over it," Crystal growled.

"Maybe not, but it helps." Jenny released her grip on the door and took a step back. "You know you're welcome to come downstairs and join us."

"I'm not into family things. Nice meeting you." Crystal shut the door and reached for the cord that controlled the blinds. Seconds later she heard Jenny pass through Laura's room and go down the stairs. What fucking good is therapy? It's not gonna change what happened. She flopped down on her bed and opened the nightstand drawer. She remembered Laura's request for her not to smoke pot while people were there. Sighing, she shut the drawer and punched her pillow. What a waste of a good Saturday afternoon. Locked in my own fucking room. Memories of childhood Saturdays spent that same way replayed themselves in her mind. Closing her eyes, Crystal thought back to a time when she and Patty would spend hours together, playing games or just chatting about nothing like sisters do. Inevitably, however, the happy scenes would always be shattered by their father's drunken rampages.

"Two hundred dollars, I own all four railroads," Patty said, holding out her hand.

"Can I pay you when I pass Go? Otherwise I have to mortgage Atlantic."

"I'll tell you what. I'll let you wait until you pass Go to pay me but if I hit Boardwalk, I get to wait until I pass Go too."

"Deal," Crystal happily agreed. "Maybe we can play something else afterwards?"

"I don't think there'll be time. He'll be home soon."

"Can we go for a bike ride?" the younger sister asked hopefully. Her body still bore bruises from her father's last rampage. Too late, they both realized when they heard the sputtering sound of his car pulling into the driveway.

"So much for our game," Patty said as she pulled the box onto the bed and started tossing in games pieces and cards. Games weren't just won and lost in their house. There was also a 'him' rule. When a game was interrupted due to 'him', it was declared a tie, no matter who the apparent winner was.

"When was the last time one of us won a game?" Crystal asked.

"I'm not sure but I know I'm the one who won," Patty grinned as she left Crystal's room and darted into her own. Seconds later their father entered the house, his loud voice easily carrying up to them.

"I've had it with you two!" he roared. Crystal jumped at the sound of a kitchen chair being thrown. "How many times do I have to tell you two to keep your fucking bikes out of the driveway?" Curling up into a ball, Crystal cowered in terror as she heard him coming up the stairs, his heavy footsteps coming closer and closer

Crystal sat up with a start, frantically looking around for the violent man she was certain was coming to beat her. Damn daydreams. She lit a cigarette and leaned back against the headboard. Can you make the nightmares go away, Doc?

Laura stood in the doorway until she saw the lights of her brother's car come on and the vehicle back out of its parking spot. "That went well," she said as she closed the door.

"Now I remember why I was studying all those nights you wanted to go visit your mother," Jenny said as she picked up an empty cup and headed for the kitchen. "There is a definite advantage to having her live two towns away."

"If only I was still going to school then," Laura joked back. "If I hear one more time how Captain So-and-so is having an affair with a twenty year old or how Mrs. Goldstein likes her tea with a shot of blackberry brandy, I'm going to seriously consider matricide."

Jenny laughed and opened the dishwasher. "Well, let's see if we can come up with a more suitable outlet for your aggravation than a capital crime. Hand me the plates, please."

"Sure. Oh, here's a cup and spoon." Laura handed over the dishes, then leaned against the counter.

"So how's the book coming along?" Jenny set the timer on the dishwasher and followed her ex-lover into the living room.

"I think I've written about four sentences since the last time you asked me," Laura sighed as she sat on the couch. "I don't know what's wrong. I've never had writer's block this bad."

Jenny put her hand on Laura's thigh. "Maybe you're trying too hard. Take a break, give it a few days, then go back and look at it." "I tried that, Jen. It didn't work." She ran her fingers through her dark hair. "Sometimes I think I don't have an ounce of creative energy left in me." "Do you want me to take a look at it?"

"No," Laura said. "Thanks though. I'll figure something out." She heard a sound and turned to see Crystal coming down the stairs. "Hello." A subtle nudge caused Jenny to pull her hand back.

"Hi." The blonde woman looked from Laura to Jenny and back again. "I thought everyone left. I didn't realize you still had company." She turned back toward the stairs.

"General Patton and Bobby left a few minutes ago," Jenny said, standing up and crossing over to where Crystal was standing. "We're just chatting. Why don't you join us?"

"Well, I

"

Laura gestured at the empty chair. "Have a seat. You have to be tired of being cooped up in that room all day."

Crystal hesitated, then nodded and moved over to the indicated seat. How bad could it be? I can be sociable for a few minutes. "So did your brother enjoy his party?"

"Yes, very much so."

"Do you have any brothers or sisters, Crystal?" Jenny asked after settling back down on the couch.

"I have an older sister."

"I'm an only child," the brown haired woman replied. "I always thought it would be great to have a sister."

"Me too," Laura agreed. "I love Bobby dearly but when I was sixteen, dragging my six year old brother with me to the mall was a real drag." "Are you two close in age?"

"Three and a half years."

"Oh, that's nice," Jenny said. "So you two grew up together."

"Yeah," Crystal said quietly, her thoughts going to her beloved sister.

"So are you the big sister or is she?"

"Patty is older."

Jenny noticed the solemn expression on the blonde woman's face. "Does she live near here?"

Crystal shook her head. "No. She moved away a long time ago. We lost touch." She reached into her shirt pocket for her cigarettes, then remembered Laura's rule and settled for grabbing a carrot stick from the veggie platter within reach.

"I can't imagine losing touch with Bobby," Laura said. "Did you two have a fight or something?"

"She ran away when I was fourteen. I haven't seen or heard from her since." The emotions were building and Crystal felt the tightening in her throat. "Which way did you say the liquor store was?" she asked Laura.

"Go to the main road and take a right."

"Actually," Jenny said as she stood up, "I have to get going and I'm headed in that direction anyway. Do you need a ride?" "I thought you were staying here tonight," Laura said with a question in her voice.

"I'm sorry, hon. I forgot I have to meet a client up in Manning first thing tomorrow morning. Her rapist is up for parole and she wants moral support when she speaks before the review board." She stood up and collected her purse. Laura rose as well.

"All right. I'll give you a call next week."

"Okay."

Once outside, Crystal lit a cigarette, the gray smoke forming a cloud near her face.

"Those are bad for you, you know."

"So I've heard," she replied, taking another long drag. "I suppose you don't allow smoking in your car either?"

"It's actually a loaner car while mine is in the shop but I've always found that the ashtray makes a great place to throw spare change." "Figures," Crystal muttered, drawing as much smoke in as she could before tossing the butt away. "Are you a health nut like Laura?"

Jenny laughed and unlocked the doors to the car. "I'm not as bad as she is. I can enjoy a good burger and fries." They climbed in and with a turn of the key, the engine roared to life. She reversed the car out of its space, then guided it down the turning drive that lead to the main road. "So are you from around here?"

"Milton," Crystal replied. "About an hour up the turnpike."

"I know where it is. Big factory town."

"Big nothing town, you mean," the blonde woman said bitterly. "Milton is a nothing town filled nothing people."

"Your family still back there?"

"Wouldn't know, I haven't talked to them since I moved out."

Jenny nodded, her eyes never leaving the road. "How old were you when you ran away?"

Crystal's heart skipped a beat. "You a psychic or something, Doc?"

"I told you I'm a therapist." She slowed the car down as they approached a traffic light. "I'm perceptive. It's a necessary skill when dealing with people who aren't always forthcoming with their feelings."

"Yeah? So what else does your great perception tell you about me?" She crossed her arms defensively.

Jenny looked at her, then back at the road as the traffic started moving again. "Your answer tells me that I was right about you running away." "Just as soon as I could," Crystal said. "A little more than a year after Patty did."

"At the house you said that she ran away when you were fourteen. You ran away when you were fifteen?"

"There's that perception of yours again." She looked out the window, dimly noting the liquor store sign approaching in the distance. "I tried to run away with her but I got caught. I tried three more times before I succeeded."

"It must have been pretty bad for you to try so hard to get away."

"Is this the point where you tell me all my problems are because of my fucked up childhood?" She pointed at the liquor store. "I don't need therapy to know that." Crystal opened the door before the car had come to a complete stop. "Thanks for the ride, Doc." She stepped out and shut the door, not giving Jenny a chance to respond.

The streets were deserted save for the occasional car, giving Crystal the freedom to drink from the bottle as she walked. By the time the complex came into view, her gait had a decidedly drunken sway to it and a third of the bottle's contents were gone. It was only as she approached the building that Crystal realized she had not taken her keys with her when she left. Fuck. Miss Tight-Ass will give me a lecture for sure. She brought the bottle to her lips and took a large swallow, wincing as the burning liquid made its way down her throat. She used her sleeve to wipe her mouth before reaching for the doorbell. Her head was pounding from the whiskey and all she wanted to do was lie down. "Dammit, open the fucking door, Laura." She hit the doorbell again, following it quickly by pounding her fist against the door. Sweat formed on her upper lip and Crystal leaned her forehead against the frame. She hadn't eaten anything more than a couple of carrot sticks all day and her body was quickly telling her that she had exceeded its limits. "Oh fuck," she whispered, feeling her stomach roil again. She pressed the doorbell repeatedly until she heard Laura unlocking the door. "Move!" Pushing the puzzled woman out of her way, Crystal staggered to the bathroom, barely lifting the toilet seat before her stomach made its final rebellion.

Laura closed the outside door and shook her head as she heard her roommate vomiting into the toilet. "Crystal? All you all right?" She received a retching sound in reply and groaned inwardly. I see you found the liquor store. "There are washcloths in the linen closet." "Gak -okay."

Laura went into the kitchen and filled a glass with water. She heard the toilet flush followed by the sound of the faucet being turned on. Minutes later a more composed Crystal exited the bathroom. "Thanks," she said, taking the offered glass.

"Feel better?"

Crystal nodded. "A bit."

"You should eat something. It'll settle your stomach."

The blonde woman thought about the three microwavable dinners sitting the freezer and shook her head. "Naw, I'll be fine."

"Suit yourself." Laura opened the refrigerator and peered in. "I have a batch of leftovers from the party. Nothing much, batch of sandwiches and the rest of the veggie platter." She grabbed the plate of sandwiches and held it up for Crystal to see. "There'seg.salad, ham and cheese " She looked quizzically at one of the neatly cut triangles. "Um your guess is as good as mine." She handed the plate to Crystal. "Help yourself. Other than the eg.salad, I don't eat any of it." After getting a bowl of tossed salad for herself, Laura grabbed a bottle of dressing and used her hip to close the refrigerator door. She nodded in the direction of the living room. Reluctantly the blonde woman followed her out of the kitchen.

Laura settled on the couch while Crystal took the recliner. An awkward silence formed as neither was certain what to say to the other. Crystal took a bite of her sandwich.

"How is it?" Laura asked.

"Good." She took another bite, her stomach appreciating something healthy for a change. Realizing that she couldn't just eat her roommate's food and disappear back upstairs, Crystal resigned herself to being at least somewhat sociable. "So your mother and brother showed up, where's your father?"

"He died seven years ago." Sensing the opening allowed by the question, Laura tucked her right foot up under her left thigh and took a sip from her glass. "What about you? You said you have an older sister. What about your folks?"

Crystal took another bite of her sandwich and shrugged. "Last I knew they were both alive and living up in Curtisville."

"You don't talk to them?"

"No." She picked through the sandwich triangles on the plate before settling on what looked like chicken salad. "I haven't spoken to them since the day I left." She took a bite and grimaced. "Ugh, what is this?"

"Isn't that the one I said I had no clue?"

"Must be." The stripper looked around and spotted the paper bag sitting on the counter. The buzz was starting to wear off. Well if you want to chat, I'm gonna drink. She stood up and went out to the kitchen, returning moments later with a rock glass filled withi.e.a bottle of cola, and her whiskey. She was just sitting down when Laura decided to resume the earlier conversation.

"So why aren't you in contact with them?"

While not unexpected, the question did cause Crystal to hesitate and look over at her roommate. "It's a long story."

"I'm a good listener."

Silence reigned as Crystal waged an internal war. Don't tell. The words echoed over and over in her mind. No one will believe it anyway. "Let's just say it wasn't a happy time in my life." She reached down and picked up the glass and whiskey, pouring until the amber liquid filled more than half the glass. She added just enough soda to change the color of the drink, then settled back in the recliner.

"Is that what the nightmares are about?"

Crystal swallowed, wincing as the burning liquor made its way down her throat. "You want the Reader's Digest version?" Her voice was tinged with anger. "My father is an asshole and my mother is a spineless coward who cares more about what the neighbors think than about her kids." The glass made its way to her lips again.

"Is that why your sister ran away?"

"You think of a better reason?" Normally Crystal would have ended the conversation by now but the alcohol was doing a good job of keeping the defenses down. "I took off a year later."

Laura's brow furrowed as she did the mental math. "You said earlier you were fourteen when she left. You were only fifteen when you ran away?" "Fifteen and a half, actually. Not the best age to be out on the streets but what the hell. It was better than being with them," she said bitterly, her gaze focused on the coffee table.

"There wasn't anyone you could turn to? An aunt, a teacher?"

Crystal snorted and drained her drink. "Once Patty told a teacher what was happening. She called our mother." Her face turned hard and she reached for the whiskey bottle. "Guess who she told?"

"Your father?"

The stripper nodded. "He beat Patty senseless. You think I was ever stupid enough to tell someone else?" She shook her head and made another drink. Somewhere in Crystal's drunken mind it registered that she was doing exactly that. She was telling her roommate, a woman she barely knew, that her father used to beat her. This time she didn't bother with the cola, drinking the whiskey straight. "I bet the characters in your stories never have such sordid pasts, eh?"

"Um, no not usually."

"Of course not." The liquid sloshed around in her glass as she gestured with her hands. "This is normal to you. A nice home, a reliable car, a family that loves you

I never had that." The urge for a cigarette was growing as was her desire for a strong hit of pot. She tugged lightly on her shirt. "I think I'm gonna go change and relax on the balcony."

"I guess it is kind of warm tonight. I'm sure you're due for a cigarette too." Laura stood up and reached for Crystal's glass. "I'll get us both fresh ice and meet you up there."

Meet me? Damn. There was no good excuse for refusing Laura's company and she did say she was going out on the balcony. "Uh, yeah sounds good." She picked up the whiskey bottle and headed for the stairs, determined to get a hit in before her roommate joined her outside.

Crystal was pulling on her shorts when she heard Laura coming up the stairs. Damn, you're quick, she thought as she zipped up and walked over to the nightstand. Opening the drawer, she pulled out a small flat wooden pipe and one of her many lighters. She took two quick puffs before putting it back and closing the drawer. Grabbing her bottle, cigarettes, and ashtray, she stepped out onto the balcony seconds before Laura.

"Oh good," Laura said when she saw the ashtray. "I wasn't sure you had one, especially when I saw all the butts on the grass." "I usually don't think to bring it out here with me." Crystal flopped down on the white plastic chair and reached for the glass Laura had brought up for her. "Figured you'd have a fit if I tossed one over the rail."

"You figured correctly," the dark haired woman replied. "It took me a good fifteen minutes to pick all those up this morning." "Fine, I won't toss them anymore." She lit a cigarette and reached for her bottle.

"Are you working tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I've taken more nights off lately than I can afford as it is." Crystal looked out at the shadowed outlines of the trees as dusk settled. "You ever hear the owl?"

"Oh, you mean George? Yeah, I hear him at night sometimes when I'm up late writing." Laura looked out as well, as if she could spot the elusive bird hiding between the leaves.

"There used to be an owl that lived in the trees near the trailer park," the blonde woman said, taking a drink between sentences. "At night sometimes I'd hear him. I used to lie awake wondering who he was looking for."

"The love of his life, I would imagine," Laura said. "Isn't that what we're all looking for?"

"I'd rather have money," Crystal said, her eyebrows raising when she heard her companion laugh. "What?"

"You don't have a romantic bone in your body, do you?"

"I don't believe in fairy tales." She brought the glass to her lips, finding comfort in the familiar smell of whiskey. "Life ain't the Brady Bunch." "No, it's not," Laura agreed. "But it isn't Oliver Twist, either. Life is what you make of it."

"More like what it makes of you," the stripper replied sourly, drawing hard on her cigarette.

"The great thing about being an adult is the freedom to make choices," Laura said, glancing over to see Crystal drain her glass and reach for the dwindling supply of whiskey. "When I was in college my folks expected me to end up being a teacher. I was miserable studying all the time when all I wanted to do was write stories."

"So you have a degree?"

Laura nodded. "I've never used it. I doubt I could even get State certification at this point without going back for more credits." "At least you have something to fall back on." She stubbed the cigarette out and took a sip of her drink.

"Well, you have a skill, Crystal. You're fit, you can dance." The brief image of her roommate at the Tom Cat Club, half-naked and slithering around the center pole, flashed through Laura's mind. "I think they're looking for an aerobics instructor over at Mary's House of Fitness." It was hard to make out the quiet woman's features in the fading daylight but the clenched jaw and white-knuckled grip on the glass were still evident. "Crystal? Is something wrong?"

"I'm not into aerobics."

"You don't have to be" Laura stopped at the dismissive wave of Crystal's hand.

"I'm not exactly what they're looking for," she said angrily. "Forget it, Laura. You wouldn't understand." The glass was once again drained and a cigarette lit.

"But"

"I'm not a dancer!" Her feet, which had been resting on the rail, came down angrily on the wooden boards of the deck. The sudden movement caused some of the whiskey to splash out of the glass but Crystal paid no attention. She turned to face the writer. "I'm a stripper, Laura. I take my clothes off for money!" She leaned forward, her features hard. "I'm barely a step above a whore."

"I know," Laura said calmly. "I mean, I know you're a stripper." Crystal blinked in surprise, some of the anger diffusing. The dark haired woman continued. "One of the characters in my newest story has an affair with a stripper and I went to the Tom Cat Club once to do research." She shrugged at the questioning look. "I figured you'd tell me when you were ready." Do I tell her now? "Um you aren't the only keeping secrets."

"No biggie. Your life is none of my business."

"Maybe not, but if you're going to continue living here, you should know at least this part." Laura took a deep breath. As many years as she'd been open about her life, there was still always that little quiver of fear that she would be rejected. "Jenny wasn't just my roommate when she lived here. We were lovers."

"You're a dyke?"

"I'm a lesbian," Laura bristled. "Jenny and I were lovers for almost two years."

"Oh," Crystal said quietly, unsure of what to say. "I wouldn't have guessed. I mean, neither of you look like"

"Like a dyke?" the writer finished. "Here's a news flash, Miss Sheridan, not every gay person is obvious about it."

"I didn't mean," Crystal started, then stopped when she realized that was exactly what she meant. "I guess I never really thought about it." A bit subdued, she sat back in her seat and stared at the silhouetted tree line.

The seconds stretched into awkward minutes, neither sure what to say to the other. Finally Laura couldn't take the silence any longer. "Nice night." Crystal grunted in response, forcing the writer to try again. "Bet the stars will be pretty."

"Stars are boring."

"So you do remember how to talk. I thought I stunned you into silence," Laura teased, earning a sidelong glance.

"I've met a few lesbians before," Crystal said, turning her gaze back to the half-empty glass. "My friend has a cousin that's one." She paused, then shrugged. "Doesn't bother me."

"Good." Laura tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "I'd hate to think something like that would get in the way of our living together." She chuckled to herself. "After all, there's enough other things."

"Such as?" Now Crystal's attention was more on the conversation than her drink. The glass which seemed permanently attached to her hand was set down on the table.

"Nothing."

"You wouldn't have said it if there wasn't something behind it." The blonde woman leaned towards her. "What? Is there something I do that annoys you? Other than the pot, that is?"

Laura hesitated before answering. "What possessed you to buy a clear shower curtain?"

"It's better than that blue flowery thing you had up," Crystal defended. "The clear one lets in more light."

Laura decided to take a chance and tease the younger woman. "You need to see what you're doing in the shower? Don't you know where everything is by now?"

"Screw you," the stripper said playfully, her smile growing. "You need a whole shelf just for your shampoo, conditioner, finishing rinse and God knows what else you have in those bottles." She reached absently for her glass. "How many hours do you spend in there?" She took a sip of her drink. "I get in there, do what I have to do and get out. No mess, no fuss." She reached for her cigarettes only to be stopped by the high pitched beeping of her pager. Holding it up in front of her, Crystal pressed the light button and looked at the number on the display. "Shit. I gotta use the phone."

"Help yourself. After all, you pay half the bill for it." Laura jerked her thumb at the door to her room. "There's a phone next to the bed." "Thanks."

Laura leaned back and finished heri.e.tea, quietly listening to snippets of Crystal's phone conversation. She figured out that it was the Tom Cat

Club looking for the blonde woman to come in and work. Crystal swore profusely and yelled at the person on the other end of the phone but in the end told them she'd be there as soon as she could. She hung the phone up and returned to the balcony.

"I have to go to work. Charice twisted her ankle. Where do you keep the phone book?"

Laura rose to her feet. "I'll give you a ride if you'd like."

"Naw, you don't have to do that. I'll just call a cab."

'Really, it's not a problem. I need to get some milk in here for coffee tomorrow anyway. I'll just stop at the Money Slasher over on Fourteenth." "You sure?"

"Yeah. Let me go put some long pants on and I'll be right with you."

After unlocking the passenger door, Laura crossed over to her side and stepped into her late model Jeep. She fastened her seat belt and looked pointedly at her passenger, who rolled her eyes and reached for her seat belt.

"Do you need a ride home when you're done?" she inquired while starting the engine.

"Naw, I'll get Rick or one of the girls to drive me home. No biggie."

"All right." She backed the vehicle up and pulled out onto the main road.

"Nice car," Crystal commented, looking at the brightly lit dials and buttons of the dashboard. "You have a CD player?"

"Yes." Without looking, Laura reached behind the passenger seat and retrieved a case full of discs. "I doubt there's anything in there that you like."

Crystal took the case and looked at the titles, the smirk on her face growing. "Paul McCartney's greatest hits? Little River Band? Captain and Tennille? What, are you stuck in the seventies?"

"Seventies and eighties, actually. I like that music."

Crystal closed the case and put it in the back. "You don't have to worry about me borrowing any of your CD's, that's for sure." "Let me guess. You're into heavy metal."

"When the mood strikes me. Most of the time I listen to rock."

"I prefer songs that I can understand the lyrics to, not super loud drums and guitars." Laura guided the Jeep onto the highway and picked up speed. "What time do you finish?"

"Last show is midnight. I usually get out of there around two or so but like I said, don't worry about it. I'll get a ride from someone." She pulled a cigarette out of her pack and rolled the window down.

"I don't allow smoking in my car."

"Even with the window down? It'll draw out all the smoke."

"It doesn't draw all of it out."

"Fine," Crystal huffed, jamming the cigarette back into the pack. "I suppose finding a decent station on the radio is also out of the question?"

Smiling in the dark, Laura turned on the directional signal and pulled into the passing lane. "As long as you can find one that doesn't threaten to blow my speakers."

The radio stayed off.

"I can't believe the crowd out there tonight. You'd think it was a Saturday or somethin'."

"Can't really complain, Monica. More customers means more tips." Crystal watched her reflection in the mirror as she adjusted the bust of her outfit. "Damn, either I'm gaining weight or these costumes are getting smaller."

"There isn't that much material to start with," the other woman replied. "Why don't you wear the leopard outfit?"

"Ugh, I hate that outfit. You ever wear it?"

"Well it's better than that thing." The redheaded stripper pointed at a black leather outfit hanging on the rack.

"I'd rather wear that than the leopard outfit." Turning away from the mirror, Crystal picked up her elbow length gloves and began slipping them on. "I hope they're not letting Charlie do the music tonight."

"Oh, tell me about it, girlfriend. He did it last night and couldn't get two songs in a row right. Angel and I were ready to kill him." "Why do they let a loser like that run the booth when Mike's not working?"

"Because he's cheap, Crys. And as long as Rick runs the place, we're going to continue getting jerks like that."

"Tell me about it," Crystal agreed. "He told me to take my car to that pervert buddy of his and the damn thing died on me." She lit a cigarette and leaned against the makeup table. "I swear if I didn't need this job

"

"Well I'm not here for the fun of it either, Crys. Got an extra one of those?" Monica asked, pointing at the cigarette. "Thanks. I meant to stop on the way over here but I ended up running late."

"No prob."

"Anyway," the redhead paused long enough to exhale a lungful of smoke. "I'm looking around. I can't keep doing this night after night. Don't say anything to Rick, though. I don't want anyone to know until I'm sure I have this other job lined up."

"Another job doing what?"

"There's an entry level job at the office where my cousin works. It's not much, filing and answering the phone but it's better than this." Monica took another puff. "Let's face it, I'm not getting any younger and Mister Right hasn't come through that door yet."

"The only thing that comes through that door is horny old men and obnoxious punks thinking they're God's gift to women," Crystal replied before turning back to the mirror and picking up the brush to reign in an errant lock of hair. "If it wasn't for the money none of us would be here. This job sucks." A hard pounding at the door ended their conversation.

"Let's go ladies." Rick's authoritative voice boomed through the closed door. "Two minutes."

Running the brush through her hair one last time, Crystal made a final check in the mirror before turning to face Monica. "You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied, surprised by the tired reflection staring back at her. How much longer can I keep doing this? she asked herself. As long as men are willing to pay to see it, the reflection silently answered. "Maybe not," she mumbled.

"What?" Monica asked.

"Nothing. Let's go give the boys their thrills." She opened the door to face a fuming Rick, who ushered them quickly to the stage.

Crystal was walking around her room, picking up her dirty clothes and stuffing them into the laundry bag. With most of her belongings destroyed in the fire, the need to do laundry came often. She went downstairs to find a basket of Laura's clothes sitting on top of the washer. Hmm, must have done it last night. Moving the basket to the top of the dryer, she opened the lid and began stuffing her wadded up clothes into the washer. A healthy splash of detergent and a twist of the dial and the washer hummed to life. After getting the newspaper from the front step she made herself a cup of coffee and went to the deck to wait for the laundry to be ready to be transferred to the dryer.

A few minutes later Laura came downstairs. "Crystal, didn't you see my clothes on top of the washer?"

"The clean ones?" She set the paper down. "Of course. I set them on top of the dryer."

"They aren't clean," the writer corrected. "I was going to take a shower before starting the laundry."

"What do you mean?" Confused, Crystal rose and walked over to the laundry area. "They're all folded."

"I always fold my clothes."

"You fold your dirty laundry?" She shook her head with disbelief. "I should have known. If anyone would fold their dirty laundry, you would. I'm surprised you don't iron it too."

"Only when I'm in the mood," Laura teased, reaching for a coffee cup. "If you see a basket of laundry on top of the washer, it's dirty. Just for future reference."

"Fine. Even if it looks clean, it's dirty." She turned and noticed Laura's outfit, a light blue baseball jersey and white pants with a matching blue stripe. Looking down, she saw the matching blue and white stirrup style socks. "What are you dressed like that for?"

"I'm on a softball team. Jenny's going to be stopping by in a few minutes to pick me up."

"You play softball? Somehow I can't picture you getting all dirty and sliding around the bases."

"I usually don't slide and yes, I play softball. Our team is called Ameilia's Airhearts. We're sponsored by Ameilia's Pub and she thought this was a good play on words. It's fun and it's a great way to get together with my friends." Laura poured herself a cup of coffee. "Do you play any sports?"

Crystal laughed. "I haven't played ball since I was a little kid and I knew then that I sucked." "Ah, you just need practice. If you aren't doing anything today, you're welcome to come along." "Thanks but no thanks. Getting hot and sweaty knocking a ball around isn't myi.e.of a good time." Laura shrugged. "Suit yourself. Did you get the paper this morning?"

"Yeah, it's out on the deck."

"In how many pieces?"

"Hardy har har," Crystal said. "Go drink your coffee. I'm gonna go take a shower." "If the wash finishes, I'll put it in the dryer for you."

Crystal came downstairs after taking her shower to find that Jenny had arrived, dressed in the same uniform as Laura. "Oh, hi Crystal," the therapist said with a smile. "How are you?"

"Fine."

"Hey Jen, we'd better get going," Laura said, picking up her cleats and glove.

"You want to come along?" Jenny offered to Crystal. "We're playing against the team from The Falcon."

"Naw."

"Come on, it'll be fun," she offered again. "You can watch Babe Ruth over here knock the ball over the fence a dozen times." She jerked her thumb in the direction of the now embarrassed Laura.

"No, really, I

"

"What are you doing today that's more fun than hanging out with a bunch of fun loving people and getting some fresh air?" Crystal fidgeted and looked in the direction of the washer. Jenny followed her gaze and shook her head. "Nope. Doing laundry isn't good enough." She reached over and tugged on the blonde woman's elbow. "Let's go."

Crystal stopped short when she saw Jenny's vehicle. "What the hell is that?"

"It's a Thing."

"What?" She walked closer to the pumpkin orange classic. "It looks like German army Jeep with the top down."

"It's a Thing. Well, that's what it ended up being called. Technically it's a Volkswagen One-Eighty-One." Jenny walked up proudly to her car and opened the back door. "This one is a seventy-four. The seventy-threes are the hardest to find but this one works with unleaded gas." "Must be a bitch to get parts for," Crystal said, still giving dubious looks at the Thing. She shot a look at Laura when she saw the smirk directed at her.

"It's a perfectly safe car," Jenny said, walking over to the driver's side.

"Except when you get in one of your moods," Laura said, hopping into the passenger seat, directly in front of Crystal. She turned in her seat to look at her roommate. "She's been known to confuse the Thing with a racecar from time to time."

"Bite me," Jenny said tartly, sliding into the driver's seat and putting her key in the ignition. "I'm not the one with six points on her license." She placed a hard plastic hairband on to keep the wind from whipping her hair about and put the Thing in reverse. The clutch slipped twice before engaging, causing the car to lurch and buck. "Sorry about that."

"No problem," Crystal assured, looking around for the seat belt. She had to dig between the seat and back to find the two ends but when she did she put it on and quickly tightened it into position. Laura saw what she was doing and smirked.

"Yeah, no problem."

"You know you two can walk if you don't like the way I drive." She paused long enough to glance at the oncoming traffic before darting out and into the lane. "Ah, I knew Betsy would be fine once she had her oil changed."

"Betsy is what she calls the great pumpkin," Laura explained. "I always called it a piece of"

"Don't say it," Jenny warned, turning on the AM radio and finding an oldies station. "You know how temperamental she is." "Everything has a personality with her," Laura explained.

"Speaking of personalities," the therapist said, "don't be surprised if Donna and Wendy are all over each other. Kelly said she saw them at Ameilia's Tuesday night and they were acting like they were back together."

"Wonderful. That means Toni is going to be bitchy."

"Maybe not. Kelly said Toni was trying to get back with Linda."

"Like Linda would take her back after what happened."

"Hey, you never know, Laura. She took Toni back once before."

From the back seat, Crystal listened to the gossip, the multitude of names and who was doing what to whom mixing in her mind until she had no clue what was going on. All she figured out from the conversation was that Laura was good with a bat and played right field while Jenny was the first baseman.

They pulled into a dirt parking lot, Jenny beeping the horn and waving at her teammates that were gathered around the bleachers. Minutes later Crystal was settled on the bleacher near first base, Jenny's cooler sitting next to her. To the stripper's disappointment, Jenny had only packed various kinds of sodas and juices to drink, no beer or wine coolers. Several women were also sitting on the bleachers, most talking amongst themselves about one or more of the players. Crystal saw the opposing team along the third base line, the Falcon's jerseys red in contrast to the Airheart's blue. The umpire blew her whistle and the blue team took the field while the red team began swinging bats to warm up. "Wish us luck," Laura said as she jogged past her.

"Oh, so you know Laura, hmm?" a husky voice asked, causing Crystal to turn to the side to see who was speaking to her. A woman with short red hair and wearing a blue jersey stood before her. "Lucky Laura."

"I'm her roommate. Crystal." She held her hand out and found it quickly incased in a firm grip.

"Peg." Crystal felt the woman's eyes checking out her body and shifted uncomfortably. "So you look kind of familiar. Have we met somewhere before?"

"Oh please," Jenny called from her vantage point ten feet away at first base. "Ignore her, Crystal. She's got more lines than the phone company. Rogers, when you are you gonna feel up to playing again?" she asked. "And I mean softball," she added before the redhead could get out a smart aleck reply.

"Um, no I don't think we have," Crystal said, pulling her hand back and looking toward home plate. The pitcher was done with her warmups and the batter was getting into position.

"When did you become captain of the team, Foster?" Peg said to Jenny before turning her attention back to the attractive blonde. "So you're Laura's new girlfriend, hmm?"

"I'm her roommate, not her girlfriend," the stripper replied quickly, not wanting anyone to get the wrongi.e.about her relationship with Laura. Looking around the field and audience, Crystal began to suspect that heterosexuals were in the minority here.

"Just friends?" Peg smirked and took a step closer. "Taylor must be dying with you around." She patted Crystal's bare knee just below thee.g.of her khaki shorts. "Honey, if you were my roommate I guarantee you wouldn't be going to bed alone at night."

"I'm straight," she said, shifting out of reach. The first pitch was a ball followed by a strike. Then the batter managed to connect wood with leather and the ball sailed out to deep right field. It hit the ground a second before Laura caught up with it. The batter rounded first and was halfway to second when wisdom dictated not testing the arm strength of Ameilia's Pub's right fielder. She jogged quickly back to first.

"Hi Jen, how's it going?"

"Good Tracy, how are things with you?"

"Just fine. I think Lisa might go out with me tonight."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, at least she's talking to me again." Tracy turned her attention to home plate. All right, time to get your pretty asses kicked." "Diane couldn't hit a beach ball," Jenny said, referring to the batter who just swung and missed the first pitch.

"Big talk, Foster. You'll be eating crow when she knocks that ball over the fence."

Despite Tracy's hopes, Diane hit a slow roller to second which was then thrown to first for the double play. The next batter struck out, ending the visitor's half of the inning. Laura and the rest of the outfield came running in, the Ameilia's pub players settling on the bench between the bleachers and the first base line.

"Having fun?" Laura asked as she tossed her glove on the ground and opened the cooler in search of something cold to drink. "Sure, see that one over there?" Crystal pointed at Peg, who was plying her charms on the third baseman.

"Peg? What about her?"

"She's jealous of you."

"Of me? Why?"

"Ah Laura," Jenny said as she joined the conversation. "You know Peg has a thing for spunky looking blondes. She offered to keep Crystal warm at night."

The writer nodded. "Ah, and I suppose she wasn't quite as subtle as that, was she?"

"I thought she was going to drool," Jenny said as she reached past Crystal and took a bottle of ice water out of the cooler. "Crystal told her she was straight and Peg took a walk. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye out and protect our friend's virtue."

"I'm sorry about that," Laura said to her roommate. "Usually they know how to behave like ladies," she shot a warning glance in Peg's direction but it was lost as the redhead's back was to them.

Jenny picked up her helmet and bat. "Guess I'd better get over there."

"Good luck," Laura said.

"Yeah, good luck," Crystal added as Jenny headed for the batter's box. thwap! "Strike one!" the umpire called.

"Shake it off, Jen," Laura encouraged, clapping and urging her teammates to do the same. Half-hearted calls of support came from the bench. thwap! "Strike two!"

"Come on, Jen, you can do it." thwap! "Strike three, you're out!" the umpire said. Jenny walked back over to the side of the bleachers and picked up her drink. "Hey Doc, I thought thei.e.was to hit the ball," Crystal said, earning a snort from Laura.

"You be quiet, my dear Laura," Jenny warned. "As for you," she turned her attention to the now grinning Crystal. "I see you're picking up her warped sense of humor." She took a long swallow of her fruit juice. "It's only the first out. Nothing to worry about."

"Duck!" Someone yelled as a foul ball cleared the bench. "Donna, do us a favor and try not to kill us before the inning's over, okay?" someone yelled to the embarrassed batter. The next swing put the ball in deep left field, allowing Donna to get to second base. Toni's base hit advanced the runner to third and a walk to Lisa filled the bases.

"All right, Laura," Jenny said. "Show 'em what ya got."

"Why is she standing on that side of the plate?" Crystal asked. "Everyone else stood on the other side."

"Laura's a lefty. They're supposed to stand on that side," the therapist explained.

The first contact sent the ball over the fence on the third base side.

"Foul ball, strike one!" the umpire called.

"Come on, Laura, show these little girls up," Kelly, the Ameilia's catcher, shouted.

Crystal sat quietly on the bleacher and watched as the pitcher wound up and fired the ball underhanded at the plate. This time Laura's hit was good, dropping into shallow center field. It was enough for the runners to advance, allowing Ameilia's Pub to score the first run of the game.

"Nice shot," Tracy said, taking her position covering first base. "Trying to impress your new girl?"

"She's my roommate, not my lover," Laura corrected. Tracy looked over at the blonde woman in question and shook her head. "Too bad, Taylor. Looks like she's got a good set going there."

"Pervert."

The first baseman looked at Crystal again. "I don't know. Seems to me that it's perverted to let something that fine live under your roof and you not doing anything about it."

"She's straight, Tracy."

"So I've heard. Wouldn't be the first time one of them was shown how much better a woman can be."

"She's off limits. Pay attention to the game."

"I'd much rather pay attention to her," Tracy said with a sigh, reluctantly turning her focus back to the softball game.

Unaware that she was the subject of conversation between the two women at first base, Crystal continued to listen to Jenny identify everyone on the team. "Now the one up to bat is Kelly."

"The catcher," Crystal said, receiving a nod in reply.

"Yeah, now remember the one that hit on you earlier? That's one of her ex's."

"One?"

"Oh yeah, Kelly makes the rounds. We were together briefly."

"Why do I get the feeling I'm a minority here?"

Jenny laughed and reached for another bottle of juice from the cooler. "Because you are, m'dear." She popped the top off the bottle. "Take a look around. I think you're probably the only straight one here except for maybe some of the other fans." Jenny took a step closer to the end of the bleachers and lowered her voice, not wanting their conversation overheard by the players on the nearby bench. "Does it bother you to be around so many lesbians?"

"No, I don't think it does," Crystal said, sliding down one row of seats on the bleacher, bringing her face to face with the therapist. "I don't think I've ever been around so many."

"Well don't worry," Jenny said. "We don't bite."

"Unless asked," Carmen said as she walked by, catching only the tail end of the conversation. She stopped and held her hand out. "Carmen Cruz." "Crystal Sheridan."

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Sheridan." Carmen's darker skin stood in contrast to the blonde woman's lighter tone as they shook hands. "I haven't seen you here before. Whose girlfriend are you?"

"None. I'm Laura's roommate," she said for what felt like the hundredth time.

"Well I'm glad you decided to grace us with your presence," the pitcher said, reluctantly releasing Crystal's hand. "Maybe you'll bring us good luck. Lord knows we could use some lately."

"We've lost our last four games," Jenny explained.

"Oh," Crystal said as she rose to her feet. "I don't know how you can play in this heat." She was wearing a tank top covered by a light blue short sleeved shirt. Without thought she peeled off the outer shirt and tossed it aside. At that very moment, Kelly hit a slow roller up the third base line. Distracted by the activity on the bleachers, the shortstop bobbled the ball, accidentally kicking it out to center field and allowing two more runs to score. Laura advanced from first to third and the home team bench exploded with catcalls and teasing comments when they realized what had happened.

"You're supposed to keep your eyes on the ball, not the girls," Toni called.

"Hey Duncan, I didn't think you were that hard up," someone else said. "What's the matter, not getting any?"

"I get it just fine," the shortstop said, aware that her most recent conquest was standing in the outfield. "I just well" She stammered to a stop, causing a new round of hoots and laughter.

"I knew you were a good luck charm," Carmen said to the now blushing Crystal. "You coming out with us after the game?" "After?" Not knowing the answer, she turned to Jenny.

"We're not sure yet. Depends on how Laura is feeling," she said.

"Well then," Carmen said, picking up her glove. "If you do come out, you'll have to allow me the pleasure of buying you a drink," she directed her offer at Crystal. "After all, we're ahead because of you."

"I uh, sure," Crystal said. "If we go." A crack of the bat and Wendy grounded out, ending the inning.

"Well, I guess it's time for me to get out there." Carmen left just as Laura stopped by to pick up her glove.

"They're not bothering you too much, are they?" the writer asked with concern, aware that Crystal was the cause of the shortstop's distraction. There were days when the team from Ameilia's Pub became bawdy and no doubt this was going to be one of them.

"I think I've been hit on three times and the one that plays third base said she'd pay me to that again when she's up to bat." Crystal shrugged. "Other than that and everyone asking if we're sleeping together, I'm fine."

"They're really pretty harmless," the writer said. "If anyone gives you a hard time, you just tell me. I've got to get out there. Talk to you in three hopefully short outs."

Crystal watched her roommate head to right field before turning her attention to the activities at home plate. Alex, the Falcon shortstop who made the error in the previous inning, was at the plate. The catcher, Kelly, couldn't resist the opportunity.

"Hey Duncan, think you can pay attention to the ball this time?"

"Go to hell, Kelly," the batter said without malice. "I noticed you buzzing around her like a bee to honey."

"Batter up," the umpire interrupted. Alex took her position and waited for Carmen's pitch.

"I'd pay good money to dive into that hive," Kelly said just as Alex swung.

Swish thwap! "Strike one!" The Falcon shortstop adjusted her helmet and resumed her stance.

"Bet she's sweeter than honey, too mmm."

Thunk! "Foul, strike two!"

"Shut up, Kelly," Alex said, tightening the wrist straps of her batting gloves. She stepped in again, this time barely stopping herself from swinging at a low pitch.

Thwap! "Ball."

"Come on, Duncan, knock the shit out of it," one of the Falcon players yelled.

"Of course it's too bad she's straight."

Thwap! "Strike three, you're out!" Alex looked from the catcher to Crystal and back again, shaking her head and smiling when she realized that she'd just been distracted into making an out.

"It's gonna be a long game," she said as she walked away.

Carmen's strong arm and good fielding by Wendy and Donna ended the game, the Airhearts victorious over the Falcons. Small micro groups formed in the parking lot, women either agreeing to meet at Ameilia's or giving one of many reasons why they couldn't attend. Toni had Linda pressed up against the side of a van, their mouths doing something far more enjoyable than talking. Surprised by the public display, Crystal looked everywhere but at the passionate lovers. How can they act like that out here in front of everyone? She noted that the others seemed to not notice and those that did stop and look at the couple simply smiled and went back to their conversations. Crystal looked at the couple again, this time seeing more than just two women kissing. For the first time she saw tears running down Linda's cheeks. So engrossed in the drama unfolding before her, Crystal never heard the therapist come up behind her.

"Guess we won't be seeing them at Ameilia's," Jenny said, startling her. "Sorry, I thought you knew I was here."

"It's okay. So you're going to the bar?"

"Yeah, for a little while anyway. Laura likes to shoot pool and this is really the only time she gets to do it. It takes an act of Congress to get her out of the house any other time."

"She spends a lot of time on her computer," Crystal said, looking around for the woman in question. She spotted Laura talking to Kelly, the two woman laughing and gesturing animatedly.

"It does everyone good to get out and be sociable once in a while."

"Is that so, Doc?" Crystal lit a cigarette and leaned against the brightly colored Thing. "You think I need to get out more often?"

"I think you need to make some new friends and this motley crew is the perfect place to start." She leaned over and pressed the horn. "Come on, Laura."

"What if I don't want to go?"

"Well, the bus comes by about once an hour. Of course I'm sure someone here would be more than willing to give you a ride home."

"Oh, I'm sure there is," Crystal agreed, reaching for the door handle. "But I've seen those looks from enough men. Apparently wolves come in both sexes."

"There's good and bad in everyone, regardless of their gender or preferences." Jenny opened the door and got behind the steering wheel. "Some just come in prettier packages."

"Hey Crystal!" Carmen yelled, waving and running over to them. "You'd be safer riding in my car. I have a CD player and leather seats." "And more moves than Michael Jordan," Jenny quipped, much to the pitcher's chagrin. "Crystal, Carmen is the original ladies woman." "Yeah," Peg said as she approached and joined in on the conversation. "She just turns on that Cuban charm of hers and the woman fall at her feet."

"Jealous?" Carmen baited. "I can't help it if I know how to treat a lady and you don't." She turned back to Crystal. "And I would never let a lady ride around in this death trap."

"Oh man it's getting deep around here," Peg said. Jenny rolled her eyes and nodded her head in agreement. Laura finally finished talking to the catcher and joined them.

"Ready to go?" she asked, opening the door and getting in.

"We've been ready," Jenny said, turning the key and smiling as the Thing's engine roared to life. "Just for keeping us waiting, I think you should buy the first round for us."

"Yeah," Crystal enthusiastically agreed, causing the woman still standing around the car to laugh.

"I don't think you have to worry about someone buying your drinks, Sweetie," Carmen said. "They'll be lined up along the bar just waiting for the privilege."

"And you'll be right in that line, won't you?" Laura teased.

"Absolutely," Carmen said proudly. "I'll see you at Ameilia's," she said more to Crystal than anyone else. Jenny put the Thing in gear and moved it forward, hitting a pothole and causing the occupants to bounce around in their seats. Crystal quickly reached for the ends of the seat belt. "I told you that you should have ridden with me, Sweetie," Carmen called as they pulled away.

"She might have been right," Laura said, turning in her seat. "She would have only flirted mercilessly with you. Hell on wheels Foster here might kill you before we get there."

"Bite me," Jenny said, following Kelly's Range Rover out of the parking lot. "Now you buy the first two rounds."