Crystal's Heart

Chapter Fifth

Laura heard the door unlock and stopped typing. A quick glance at the clock in the lower right hand corner of her computer screen confirmed it was far too early for Crystal to be home. "Crystal?" she called, rising to her feet and opening her bedroom door.

"Yeah, it's just me." As she stepped onto the landing, Laura could easily see the puffed lips and broken skin. "There was an incident at the club tonight."

"Let's get you cleaned up." She guided Crystal into the bathroom, pretending not to notice the paper bag in the stripper's hand or the way it was covertly set down on the floor next to the toilet.

"I can"

"No argument," Laura said, cutting off the protest. "Whether you want to tell me what happened or not is up to you but I'm not going to let you let this go untreated." She opened the medicine cabinet and took out the peroxide, cotton balls, and antibiotic cream. "Here, sit on the toilet and tip your head back."

"Is it really that bad?"

"You don't want to get a scar, do you?" Holding a cotton ball over the sink, Laura soaked it with peroxide. "I have to clean it first to see how bad it really is. Hold still, this might sting."

"Yeouch!"

"I told you. Now hold still." Cotton ball after cotton ball was used to gently cleanse the area. "That looks pretty nasty."

"I think he was wearing a ring."

That explains the jagged looking cut, she thought to herself. "So you want to tell me what happened?"

"Mud wrestling, a drunken asshole and an even worse asshole for a club manager," Crystal sighed. "Easy."

"Sorry. I really think you could use a stitch here just to be on the safe side."

"No. I really don't want to have anyone look at it."

"Okay. I think I have some butterflies in the first aid kit. But you have to keep it covered with the ointment to keep it from scarring." She stopped wiping and gently cupped Crystal's chin with her fingers. You have such a pretty face

The thought entered her mind and almost passed her lips. "Let me get the butterfly."

After the bandage was in place and the bruised area treated, Laura stepped back to give it one last check. "There. I think that will take care of it. You'll have to keep putting the ointment on but I think it'll heal up fine." She began straightening things up.

"Laura?"

"Yes?" She turned to see Crystal looking at her nervously.

"Um there's another place," she began, standing up and turning her back to the writer. "I figured I'd soak in the tub and that would take care of it but "

"Let me see." To her surprise, Crystal began lifting her shirt. "Where is it?"

"On my back. I think I fell on an ashtray and got burned."

Laura knelt down until her face was level with the small of Crystal's back. She reached up and took over the task of lifting the shirt. There on the right shoulder blade was the burn. "Ooh."

"It is a burn, right?"

"Oh yeah, looks like you landed right on a cigarette. I'll get the burn cream and a gauze pad." She turned away quickly, opening the linen closet and staring past the cream. Why do you always end up getting hurt? "This happened at the club?"

"Right in the middle of the first set."

Laura rested her fingers on the tube of burn cream. "And things like this happen often?"

"Not often but once in a while. Usually they don't get to do more than cop a feel before the bouncers get hold of them."

And copping a feel is okay? You've gotta get out of this line of work, she thought to herself before picking up the tube. "I have to clean it first before I can put the cream on it. Think you can hold your shirt up out of the way?"

"Yeah."

Crystal stood facing away from the mirror while Laura wiped the injured area with the soaked cotton balls. "So how are you going to work with that lip?"

"I'm not. People don't pay to see busted lips. I'll wait until the swelling goes down and see how good the makeup covers it. That and my back." "I don't know if you're interested or not but Michael was talking after you left about that new project his has downtown."

"The office remodeling he was talking about at dinner?"

"That's the one. He said he was in the demolition phase. You know, cleaning out the old sheetrock and carpeting and such." Tread carefully, Taylor. "He's looking for some extra help to haul things out of the building. It's hard labor but he pays well. I was even thinking of working a day or two after my writing deadline to earn a little extra cash."

"He'll hire people for just a day or two? What if they don't have experience in construction?"

"Well" Laura crouched down to get a better look at the burn. "How much experience do you need to pick up a piece of sheetrock and throw it in the dumpster?" She tossed the cotton ball in the wastebasket. "Ten bucks a hour."

"Ten? Just to clean out an old building?"

"Hold still," she admonished. "You were burned pretty good, Crystal. It blistered up and broke the skin. You'll have to be extra careful. It looks like it's in a tricky location."

Crystal reached behind her back, straining with her fingertips to reach the spot covered by tape and gauze. "It is. I can barely touch it." "I'll take care of it then. Just yell to me after your shower and I'll put a fresh bandage on it for you. And yeah, ten bucks an hour. It's hard work and the turnover rate is high enough at that price."

"You mean he can't keep people for that much money?"

Laura fastened the last piece of tape and straightened up. "Some people just don't want to work that hard, no matter how much the pay is. Since Michael can't afford to make it a long term job, most only stick around for just a few days while looking for other work."

"But if they did a good job, would he keep them on?" Crystal asked while lowering her shirt.

"I don't know. I imagine he always has a job or two that need to be done even with subcontractors. I've helped him out a few times for a day or two when he was shorthanded. It's hard work but he's always appreciative." Come on, Crystal. All the sweat is still ten times better than taking your clothes off for these people. Look what happened to you tonight. As much as she wanted to voice the words, Laura held back. She had dropped the hint. It was up to Crystal to take the next step and pushing her wouldn't make it happen.

The blonde woman turned around to face her. "Thanks for helping me with this."

"You're welcome. Are you sure you don't want to talk about what happened?" She put her hand on Crystal's shoulder but pulled it back when she felt the stiffness at her touch. "I really am a good listener. We can even go out on the deck if you want."

"No. It's late and you need to work on your book. I think I'm just going to go to bed."

"Are you coming to the game tomorrow?"

"Um, sure if you want."

"Good. Remind me to give you one of my hats to help keep the sun off your face. It gets pretty hot out there." The cream, cotton balls, gauze and peroxide were returned to the cabinet. Soon they were just standing there, in the bathroom with nothing to say. "Um, so uh." "Um, yeah. I guess I'll catch you tomorrow. Thanks again for helping me with this," Crystal said, pointing at the puffed lip, the ointment causing the light to reflect brightly off it.

"Of course. See you tomorrow. Pleasant dreams." She heard the low snort and the rustle of the paper bag as she reached for the door handle. She stepped into her own room and looked up at the ceiling. She's had a rough enough day. Please let her sleep easy tonight. Sighing with resignation that she had done all she could do, Laura sat down at the computer and looked at the screen, reacquainting herself with the last few paragraphs she had written. Cracking her knuckles to limber them up, she began typing, tuning out the world around her and focusing on her characters instead of the deadline.

One sentence, then two appeared on the screen. It's hot in here. Pushing with her feet, she wheeled her chair over to the sliding glass door and opened it, letting the night air in through the screen. Immediately the now familiar scent of pot mixed with incense filled the air. Hmm She sniffed the air again. It's not cherry or vanilla. Lilac? Listening carefully, she heard glass clinking together followed moments later by the sound of Crystal's lighter. The smell of pot grew stronger.

Standing and pushing her chair under the desk, Laura opened the door and walked across the landing to stand in front of Crystal's bedroom. She knocked lightly. "You busy?"

"Uh" Laura heard a drawer open followed by the sound of what she assumed to be Crystal's pot pipe being thrown in. "Come in."

"I um," Okay, so now what? "I was just wondering what scent this incense stick was." She walked over to the dresser and looked at the small cone burning in the metal dish.

"It's called Rain." Crystal was sitting on her bed, her legs tucked up beneath her. The lamp next to the bed was on, a mirror on the wall causing the light to reflect onto the white ceiling, giving the whole room a soft glow. The stripper had changed into gray shorts and a white undershirt, her breasts pressing hard against the thin white material.

"I don't think you've burned this one before." She picked up the box full of incense cones and read the label, deliberately keeping her eyes away from her roommate's obvious attributes. "Hard to tell though, you seem to use so many different varieties."

"It depends on my mood. Open that top drawer." Laura did as instructed and found several boxes of cones as well as long packs full of sticks and a curved piece of wood used to hold them.

"This one seems" She took another sniff and shrugged. "Reflective."

"I guess that's one way to put it."

"You burn them a lot. Is it just to hide the pot smell? I can't imagine even you smoke that much all the time."

"No, I don't smoke it every minute of the day," Crystal said, her smirk taking away anye.g.to her words. "I like the smells. When I was growing up, everything smelled like my father. His cigarettes, his cheap cologne" The pause caused Laura to turn and see Crystal shudder. "Just everything," the young woman said bitterly, reaching for her cigarettes. "Well" Now what do I say? If I had a father like yours, I'd do everything in my power to not be reminded of him too. "I like it. It makes the upstairs smell very nice. If you're just burning it," and nothing else, her eyes silently added, "you're welcome to leave your door open."

"Laura, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, anything." She tried to look at Crystal's eyes but they were hidden behind little slits. Must have really been hitting that pipe before I came in, she thought to herself. "Mind if I sit down?"

Crystal motioned at the foot of the bed. "Go ahead." She took a long drag on her cigarette, then watched the bluish-gray smoke swirl upward. "Did your father ever hit you?"

"When I was little I earned a spanking or two but not like you mean. He never did anything more than that." Laura pulled her feet up to sit crosslegged on the bed. "Sometimes he acted like a drill sergeant but even then he knew the difference between his recruits and his kids." "Must be nice." The head of the cigarette flared a bright orange as she once again inhaled the thick smoke. "Mine used to think that his fists solved everything. He" Crystal's voice trailed off and she looked away. "He used to h-hurt me."

Laura's heart lurched when she heard the hitch in her roommate's voice. Up until that point Crystal had only alluded to the abuse, not actually come out and said it. "Um, you know he can't hurt you now," she offered. Crystal responded by picking her half-empty glass and draining it. "Even after all this time I still have nightmares that he finds me and drags me back home with him." Eyelids made heavy by marijuana left her eyes as little more than slits but she still managed to focus on Laura. "Tonight

" She looked longingly at the nightstand drawer, obviously wanting the escape offered within it.

No, don't leave me now, she thought. Come on, Crystal, you're doing great. She sat up on her knees. "What happened tonight?"

"I it" Crystal started and stopped several times before throwing her hands up in frustration. The movement caused gray ash to fall off the end of her cigarette and onto the sheet.

Laura immediately shot up to brush it away lest a hot ash burn through. In the end she found herself stretched diagonally across the bed, her shoulders level with Crystal's hip. She rolled on her side and propped herself up on one elbow. "Shh," she cooed. "Just take a deep breath and try again."

"No, it's okay, I

"

"Crystal," she interrupted, moving up onto her knees again. "You can't sit here and tell me that whatever happened tonight didn't bother you. You had your lip practically split open, a cigarette burned into your back and God knows what else happened that you haven't told me." Taking a chance, she moved closer, her knees only inches from Crystal, who remained cross-legged at the head of the bed. "And I think whatever happened triggered something that made you think of your father."

"So what else is new?" she snorted, stubbing the cigarette out in the ashtray. "That bastard fucked up everything. Anything he touched, anything he said

" She reached for the paper bag and pulled the pint of whiskey out. "I hate him."

That's putting it mildly, Laura thought to herself. "Can I tell you something?" She waited until Crystal nodded. "I know we haven't known each other long and we're not exactly best friends."

"Not exactly," the blonde agreed.

"But" Laura smiled at interjection. "Just the same I've come to know you a little bit and I consider you a friend. I don't know if I should say anything or not but when I think of what he's done how he hurt you, well

I hate him too."

Crystal's eyes widened. She opened her mouth as if to say something then apparently thought the better of it, instead filling the glass with whiskey. Settling back with the glass in her hands, she looked down at the dark amber liquid. "Patty hated him too. I think Mom hated him but she was just too damn lazy to leave. She certainly didn't stay behind to protect us," she snarled, venom dripping from her words. "She left us alone to face him." The glass was raised and a good third of its contents drained. "Didn't expect such a fucked-up roommate, huh?" The single bulb of the lamp gave off enough light for Laura to see the shine of unshed tears in her eyes. Crystal set the glass down on the nightstand. "I used to wonder what I did that was so wrong that I got such a rotten family," she said, looking down at her lap.

Laura reacted the only way she could, lunging forward and wrapping her arms around the startled blonde. "We can't pick our families," she began, mindful of the stiffness of the body she was holding. "But when we become adults we can make new ones."

"With my luck it'd be just like choosing up sides for kickball in school," Crystal said quietly.

"Oh no," Laura whispered, adjusting her hold so the younger woman's head was nestled just under her chin. "I'd pick you for my team anytime." Can't you believe that someone could want you? That you're worth caring for? She ended the hug with a quick squeeze and moved back, giving what she sensed to be much needed space to Crystal after the awkward embrace. "I love my brother dearly but I always did wish for a little sister." Crystal shot her a look. "Okay, maybe not one as complex as you, but just the same" Laura tried, relieved when she saw the barest of smiles touch her roommate's face.

"I think I'm being handed a load of shit here." To the writer's surprise, Crystal reached out and slapped her thigh. "But thanks." She rubbed her hands together. "I think it's time for me to get to bed now."

Recognizing the brush off, Laura moved off the bed and stood up. "I'll see you in the morning then. Good night." It's all right if you want to stop now, she thought to herself. She felt a real sense of progress between them and was satisfied with that.

Laura pulled the Jeep into the parking lot, looking carefully for a safe, out of the way spot to park. "There's a spot over there next to Jenny's car," Crystal pointed out.

"Nope, too close to the fence. Have you seen the way they smack foul balls out here?"

"Oh, I thought you were afraid to get dust on it."

"Well, that too," Laura admitted, pulling into a shady spot near some trees. "Come on, you can watch us get our butts kicked by the Bees." "Good team, huh?"

"Best in the league and they know it." They stepped out of the Jeep and walked around to the back. Laura reached over the tailgate and retrieved her gear bag. "It's like Tinker to Evers to Chance only here it's Winters to Winters to Smith."

"Huh?"

"I guess you'd have to know baseball to understand that one. The Winters twins play short and second and it's almost a guarantee that any ball hit their way becomes an out if not a double play."

"Oh." Crystal shrugged her shoulders. "So we're really just here to get hot and dusty and lose?"

"Pretty much." She hefted the gear bag over her shoulder. "You get to carry the cooler."

"Gee thanks."

"Don't mention it." Laura used her shoulder to playfully nudge her roommate. "Now come on, it's time to watch the Airhearts give the Winters fielding practice."

Jenny smiled and waved when she saw the pair approach. She gave Laura and hug. "Glad you could make it," she said to Crystal, who stood just out of reach.

"Well I hear those two are something to watch out for." She pointed at the twins.

"Definitely. I have a feeling it'll be a quick game. What happened to your face?"

"Oh, um bad night at work. Laura, I'm going to get the cooler over there and claim my seat."

"Okay."

Jenny waited until the blonde woman was out of earshot before turning to Laura. "So what happened?"

Watching the retreating form heading for the bleachers, Laura leaned her forearms against the top rail of the chain link fence. "I hate that she works there. Some poor excuse for a man hit her last night."

"Oh my god, what happened?"

"She didn't give me all the details. Her face looks better today than it did last night. She was burned by a cigarette on her back too." "Was she?"

"No. This happened during one of her shows." Laura looked out at the field, dimly noting the yellow and black uniforms on the team throwing the balls around. "Jen, you should have seen her last night."

Jenny squeezed her shoulder. "How are you doing?"

"Me? I wasn't the one who got beat up." Taking off her cap, she sighed and began toying with the brim. "Sometimes she's a real pain but last night" Laura paused, licking her lips to give her time to collect her thoughts. "When I saw her face I couldn't believe it. How could someone do something like that to her?"

"Bad things happen to good people, Laur. That's a fact of life."

"I can't see how she can go back to work there after something like that happens."

"It's her job."

"She could find another job. I told her Michael was hiring. Maybe if she does that for a few days while she heals up she won't want to go back to working there."

"You can't plan on that." Jenny said. "You may not like what she's doing but you have to accept that it's her life to live. The best you can do is be there for her." The activity on the field changed as the excess balls were thrown in and the catcher settled into position. "Guess I'd better get out there and hope for a merciful pop out."

"I'd better get over there and check in with the coach," Laura said. "If you get thirsty Crystal's guarding the cooler."

"Oh good. I didn't even think of packing one today. Did you get ice water for me?"

"There's water, soda, juice and beer. I know, I know, letting her guard the cooler with beer in it is like letting the fox guard the hen house but there's a six pack in there. I doubt she can go through that in the course of a whole game."

Jenny sorted. "Uh huh, and dreams come true if you wish on the first star of the night."

"Yeah well" Laura reached over and tugged on the brim of Jenny's cap. "Thanks for listening."

"Anytime, hon. Wish me luck."

"With luck you'll strike out instead of hitting one right to them," Laura said, putting her cap on her head. "I on the other hand will hit every shot right into her glove."

"Which one?"

"I can never keep them straight which is Carol and which is Coral. The shortstop."

"That's Carol."

"Yeah, her. I swear she has a magnet in her glove and there's a steel slug in the middle of the ball." The women laughed and walked toward the dugout bench.

Jenny was up first and as expected, she hit a slow dribbler toward the shortstop. She jogged back to the dugout and hooked the knob of her bat through the one of the holes in the chain link fencing. "Well that was eventful," she said. Crystal walked over, beer in hand.

"I thought the i.e.was to hit the ball past them, not to them."

"Funny. Grab a bat and give it a shot, Smarty."

"Hey, Blondie, who got you?" Carmen said, sidling up alongside the stripper. She reached out and cupped Crystal's chin with her hand. "Damn girl, that's a beauty. Hey Taylor, don't you know how to treat a fine specimen like this?"

"I didn't do it," Laura answered, sliding a weight ring onto her bat. Curiosity caused several Airhearts to leave the bench and walk over to see Crystal's injury. Donna struck out with barely a notice and Toni's walk earned little more than a few half-hearted claps from her teammates. Drawing on her previous lie of working as a bartender, Crystal quickly made up a story about jumping into a fight between two drunks. Lisa's ground out ended the first half of the inning, forcing the Airhearts to stop their ogling of Crystal and pick up their gloves to defend against the Bee's bats.

"So what did Laura say to you about it?" Crystal asked, her voice carrying the short distance from the fence to first base. "She said you were going to be out of work for a few days," Jenny replied.

"Yup."

"How do you feel about what happened last night?"

Crystal shrugged. "I dunno. It's just something that happened. No biggie."

"Uh huh," Jenny said dubiously. "I always get smacked around at work." She interrupted the conversation to position herself to receive a relay throw from second. After the umpire called the Bee out, the first basemen threw the ball to the pitcher. "Are you going to give working for Michael a shot?" "I don't know. I don't think I can do that kind of work."

"I guess it's easier to give up without even trying than to take a chance, hmm?" Again their talk was disrupted by the ongoing game as the Bee's shortstop smacked a line drive past the third baseman. Within seconds Carol Winters rounded first and easily jogged into second. The other half of the Freeze Zone stepped up to the plate, taking a stance identical to the one her sister had just moments before.

"It won't look good if they trounce you right in the first inning, Doc."

"Hey Crystal? Bite me."

"Ooh, now there's an offer," one of the Airhearts sitting on the bench hooted.

Thunk. The softball and bat connected, this time sending the ball into left field. Laura reacted quickly, her cleats giving her much needed traction on the dry grass. With a lunge she was able to catch the ball but the resulting belly slide left her in no position to stop the lead runner from advancing to third. Aggravated, she brushed uselessly at the grass stains on her pants as she walked back to her position.

"What's she upset about?" Crystal asked. "She got the out."

"She didn't want Winters to advance. Now anything out of the infield is a run."

"Don't worry, Honey," Carmen said, leaning elbow to shoulder with Crystal against the top of the fence. "I'm sure she'll let you console her after the game."

Is that all they think about? Crystal thought to herself, shifting slightly to the right to break the skin to skin contact with Carmen. The dark-skinned pitcher took the hint well, suddenly developing an irresistible need to make sure she didn't forget her keys in her car. "She's something else," Crystal said when the Cuban woman was out of earshot.

"She certainly is," Jenny replied, watching as the batter struck out. "You're going to have to get used to it around here. By the way, why didn't you wear that tank top like you did last week? We could use all the help we can get." A fly ball to center caught by Toni ended the inning. "Why don't you get Laura a drink? She's bound to be hot after all that running around out there."

Duh, of course. "Sure, what do you think she wants?"

"Iced tea, probably."

"Got it." Crystal jogged over to the cooler and flipped open the lid. Several cans stood out through the crushed ice and she located thei.e.tea quickly. She returned to the fence just as the right fielder reached the bench.

"Oh, thanks," Laura said as she took the can. "I can't believe how hot it is out here."

"It's great for working on a tan." The blonde woman held out her arm to prove her point.

"And for getting heatstroke," the writer said, taking off her cap and wiping the sweat from her brow. She took another long swallow from the can before handing it back to Crystal. "I'm up first, see you in a few."

"Good luck. Knock it out of the park."

"I'll try."

Jenny walked up and leaned back against the fence. "Wagner is pitching. Laura always has problems with the lefties." "She strikes out?"

"No. Usually she hits it" Thunk. " right at the shortstop," she finished.

The area protected by the Winters twins was jokingly referred to as the Ice Block due to the difficulty in getting a hit past them. The block proved to be impenetrable as the game went on and every attempt by the Airhearts bats to even up the score was met by an umpire's raised fist and an 'out' call. By the top of the seventh inning, the Bees were enjoying a four to zero score and taking advantage of the lead to add insult to injury. Jenny was struck by a pitch, the bruised wrist worth getting on first base. Donna managed a bloop single over the first baseman's head to put runners at first and second with no outs.

Watching from the fence, Crystal nudged Laura with her elbow. "Hey, looks like we got a chance."

"Yeah, a snowball's chance in hell maybe. Toni is one of our best hitters but she always drives the ball into left field. She doesn't stand a chance against the twins."

"Maybe I should have worn that tank top," the blonde mused. "Oh look!"

Toni hit a routine grounder up the middle but it took a bad hop just as the pitcher reached for it. The resulting bounce off the e.g.of the pitcher's glove sent the ball going in an unexpected direction. By the time the Winter twins were able to get to the ball, all three runners were safe. The Airheart's dugout went berserk, enjoying for the first time the sight of bases loaded with blue and white instead of yellow and black.

"Bases loaded and our cleanup batter coming to the plate." Laura adjusted her cap and cupped her mouth with her hands. "Come on, Lisa! You can do it!"

Crystal clapped and joined in. "Yeah Lisa!"

"I'd better get to the on deck circle. I'm next if she doesn't hit into a double play."

Laura clapped again, encouraging the other teammates to do the same. "That's all right, Lisa. It's only strike one." She turned to face Crystal. "Wish me luck."

! "Strike two!"

"Good luck."

Laura picked up her bat and walked to the on deck circle. She barely got a practice swing in before she hear the swish thwap followed by the predictable call from the umpire. Oh great, now it's on me. Holding the bat with both hands, she lifted it over her hand and stretched, acutely aware of the dampness under her arms. Walking to the plate, she looked over to see Jenny waiting on third base, smiling and giving her the thumbs up sign.

"Okay Julie, one more out," the catcher called as Laura stepped up to the plate. Looking out at the infield, twins made it clear they had no intention of letting a hit get past them. I just have to concentrate and hit the ball. Of course it was more than just hitting the ball. She had to make sure it was high enough to get over the Ice Block but not so high that an outfielder could get under it. Flexing her fingers around the handle, she leaned on her back foot and awaited the pitch.

"Come on, knock it out of the park!" With her back to Crystal, Laura couldn't see her but she easily heard the words of encouragement. The sound of a fist hitting a glove drew her eyes to the curly-haired shortstop. An almost sinister grin met her gaze and she swallowed reflexively. Maybe I can pull the ball. She looked hopefully at the gap between first and second base. Laura kept that thought on her mind as the pitcher lobbed the ball at the plate.

This time her bat made contact but her swing was far too early, weakly sending the softball into foul territory. Holding the bat between her knees, Laura wiped her upper lip and focused her gaze on home plate. One more strike and the tradition of the Bees trouncing the Airhearts would continue. She barely heard the rumble of her teammates as she nervously assumed her stance. Her jersey felt as though it was made of thick wool against her sweat soaked skin and her sports bra was decidedly damp.

She almost swung at the next pitch but managed to hold back at the last instant, smiling when she heard the umpire call ball one. Laura let out a deep breath. "Oh thank God."

"Weren't sure about that one, were you?" the catcher teased. "You know Carol's just waiting for you to hit it to her." As if on cue, the shortstop pounded her glove and glared at the batter.

Please don't let me hit it to her, please don't let me hit it to her. Gripping the bat tighter, she waited for fate to determine if she would be a hero or a goat.

It was a perfect throw: a slow arcing toss just to the left of center. Committing herself, Laura swung as hard as she could, the impact of ball against aluminum making her hands shake. It was just over the first baseman's reach and dropped to the ground well ahead of the right fielder. She was so happy that it wasn't scooped by the Winters twins that it took her a second to remember to run to first base. She thought hard about going to second but stopped short when she saw Toni double back, leaving her no room to advance. Both Jenny and Donna scored, cutting the Bee's lead in half. Laura smiled and, with one foot on first base, leaned heavily toward second. Kelly had a strong bat and was a good clutch hitter, giving the team hope that with two runners on base that they had a chance against the Bees. Their hopes were not to be, however, as Kelly hit a hard shot right at the Ice Block. Carol scooped the grounder up and flipped it to her sister, waiting patiently on second base to force Laura out. With a casual flip of the wrist, Coral tossed the ball at the umpire. "Good hit," she said before trotting over to exchange high fives with her teammates. Laura stood at second base for a moment longer, staring at the retreating forms with disbelief.

"Hey, it was a good game," Jenny said as she came up behind her.

"We still lost," Laura pointed out.

"But we didn't lose by as much because of you." They began walking over to the Airheart's bench. "Look on the bright side, you finally got hit against the Ice Block. That's cause for celebration, don't you think?"

Laura stopped and gave Jenny a look. "Any excuse to go to Ameilia's, hmm?"

"Actually I can't go. I told you I have to go see Mom tonight."

"Well then, I'll probably just go home and get back to writing. No fun to go out alone." As they approached the others, Laura broke off to talk to Crystal.

"You did great," the blonde woman said as her roommate approached. "I thought you guys had it."

"So did I," Laura admitted. "It was a good game, even if the Bees clobbered us again." She picked up her glove and bat. "Can you handle the cooler?"

"Sure, it's a lot emptier now than when we got here. The water's already dumped out."

They walked out to the parking lot, pausing for Laura to exchange words with her teammates. Crystal leaned against the Jeep waiting for her roommate while several Airhearts stood in a circle talking about the game. After trying the door handle twice, the blonde gave up and looked around. A brightly colored flyer caught her eye. She looked over at Laura, finding her still trapped in a sea of blue and white uniforms. Curious, she walked over to read the advertisement.

"No, really. I have to get home and get some writing done," Laura apologized. "Any other time I'd love to come out." Walking toward her car, she noticed the cooler sitting on the ground without her roommate standing nearby. She spotted Crystal standing near the utility shed. Quietly walking up behind her, Laura read the flyer taped to the wall announcing the county fair. "You ready to go?" she asked, causing Crystal to jump with surprise.

"Oh, yeah I guess so."

"Do you like the fairs?"

"Yeah, I went to them a couple of times when I was a kid." Crystal turned around and they headed toward the Jeep.

"You should go," Laura said. "They have those pay one price, get all the rides free passes."

"Naw, it's no fun going alone." Crystal waited for her to unlock the door, then put the cooler in the back seat. "Besides, I don't think my crappy car will make it over to Blue Hill."

Nodding noncommittally, Laura entered the driver's side and put the key in the ignition. A quick side glance showed some dirt on the side of Crystal's face, no doubt caused by the dust kicked up during the game. "In the glove box is some of those pre-moistened towelletes, You should clean your lip. No sense encouraging infection." She watched as Crystal opened the packed and gently wiped over and around the bruised and cut area. No. I have to go home and finish that scene, she thought to herself as the Jeep roared to life. I don't have time to go play all those games and ride the pirate ship and"You know what? That was a pretty good hit I had out there today."

"Oh yeah," Crystal agreed. "I was hoping you'd get a hit. Nothing worse than striking out with the bases loaded."

"You're right. I think this calls for a celebration. You feel up to going to the fair? Just for a little while?"

"You mean with you?"

"Of course. I haven't been to the fair in years. I bet it would be fun." Making the decision, Laura turned left instead of right at the parking lot exit and pointed the Jeep toward Blue Hill. I'll just stay up late tonight and catch up, she told herself.

"Look at all the traffic," Crystal said as they turned off the highway and onto the road that lead to the fairgrounds.

"It's probably the last Saturday that it's here before they tear down and continue on their circuit or route or whatever they call it." Laura pressed the button on the end of the directional signal, sending streams of blue liquid onto her windshield. "I can't believe how dusty this road is. I'm going to have to wash the car on the way home."

"A little dirt never hurt a car. I let the rain wash mine."

"That's why mine has a nice shiny finish and yours is all faded," Laura replied, pressing hard on the brakes when the van in front of her came to a sudden stop. "I haven't been to the fair in years. I forgot what a pain it is to park."

"Do you want to just forget it and go home?" Crystal offered, much to Laura's surprise.

"Is that what you want?"

"I dunno," she shrugged. "I didn't realize you'd have to wait so long just to get the car parked. It's probably packed." She looked longingly at the Ferris wheel off in the distance.

"Oh." Laura turned her head toward the driver's side window, smiling to herself. She knew her roommate was giving her a way out. "Naw. We're not that far away now. Once we get parked and inside it'll be fine, I'm sure." The traffic inched up slightly. "See, we're moving again." It took another fifteen minutes before they finally reached the parking areas. Laura's eyes widened at the sign announcing four dollars for parking but it was Crystal who spoke up.

"I can't believe it. That's ridiculous. It's just a big empty field. How can they charge for parking?"

"Because they know we're going to pay it instead of driving all the way up to the truck stop and walking down," the writer said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out several bills.

"Here, let me get it," Crystal said, holding out a five dollar bill.

"How about we split it?" She countered, holding up three singles. Minutes later the Jeep was parked near a shady tree. Crystal hopped out quickly, her first desire to have a cigarette after the long ride. After locking the Jeep and putting the keys in her fanny pack, Laura walked over to her side. "Look, there's a big tent. Maybe they have a circus too."

"That would account for the smell." The blonde wrinkled her nose. "A least a petting zoo."

"We'll have to make sure we stay upwind of them." They walked over to the gate, grumbling to each other about the admission price. Without meaning to, Laura noticed that Crystal had only a five and three ones left after paying the exorbitant amount. They walked past the bandstand where a barber shop quartet warmed up for later performances and a booth offering to make them millionaires buying distressed properties.

"Hey, come here," Crystal called, already heading toward the keg-shaped beer cart. "What kind do you like?"

"Oh, no thanks," she replied. "I'm driving, remember?"

"We just got here. One beer won't kill you." The blonde turned to the clerk. "Two Millers."

"Really, it's all right, I

" Laura gave up her protest when she saw the amber liquid filling the clear plastic cup. The sun pounding down on her dark hair didn't help either. "Well, I suppose one won't hurt."

"Oh please." Crystal rolled her eyes playfully and took a healthy swallow of her drink while handing over Laura's. They stood at the end of the Midway, sipping their beers and looking around at the various game booths before them.

The closest game booth caught Laura's eye. "Hey, you want to give this one a try?"

"I've never played it before," Crystal said as she threw her empty cup in a nearby trash can. "How does it work?"

"You see that water gun? You aim at the clown's mouth and that makes the car go up the pole. First one to the top wins." While she was talking, Laura was also guiding Crystal toward the booth. She unzipped her fanny pack and pulled out several bills. "I'll even treat for the first game."

"You don't have to do that, I have money," the stripper protested, reaching into her pocket.

"You got the beer. Let me get this game, okay?"

Crystal hesitated for a moment before nodding and sitting on the nearest stool. Laura smiled and after brushing the seat off with her hand, sat down on the stool next to her, holding the money out for the attendant. The teenaged girl took the money and pressed something behind the stand with her foot.

"Shoot only at the targets. No leaning. First one to the top gets choice of the bottom row. Upgrades allowed only with prizes won at this game." The girl said the words over and over as she moved down the row collecting money. "When the bell sounds, aim for the center of the clown's mouth. Good luck."

Brrringgg. Laura managed to get an early jump as Crystal took precious seconds getting her aim corrected. The cars moved up the poles, the blue one ahead of the red. Higher and higher they went until the bell sounded again. The numbered globe above Laura's car flashed rapidly, announcing her as the winner.

"Congrats," Crystal said as she put her water gun back in its holster. The teen walked down and stood in front of Laura. "Anything on the bottom shelf."

The bottom shelf consisted of small plastic trolls with a rainbow of hair colors. "The green one," she decided. Taking her prize and stuffing it into her fanny pack, Laura walked away from the game, Crystal right beside her. "Now what would you like you do?" she asked, stopping to finish the beer that was getting decidedly warmer as time passed.

"Have you ever been on the Pirate Ship ride?" she asked, pointing at the longboat shaped ride swinging like a pendulum. "No."

"You want to try it?"

"I dunno." Crystal gave a familiar shrug and looked at the ticket booth. "What does it cost to go on a ride?"

Laura reached over and hooked her finger under the green plastic wristband on the younger woman's arm. "Nothing. All the rides are free with the bracelets."

"Oh." Crystal stared at the large ride for a moment. "Have you been on it before?"

"Years ago. Jenny and I used to sit as close to the end of the boat as we could. It's more fun that way. Look, the line isn't that long."

"I haven't been on any of these kind of things since I was in the fifth grade and went on a school field trip." She continued to look at the ride, listening to the happy screams of the participants as the longboat rocked back and forth, going almost vertical before going one hundred eighty degrees in the other direction.

"It's really very safe. And fun," Laura added. "I'll tell you what. Go on the Pirate Ship with me and I promise to go on any ride you want." "Can we sit towards the middle? It doesn't go up as high."

"If that's what it takes to get you to go on it with me." The ship ride continued to swing, although it was slower now and not going as high, signaling the end of the ride. Looking at the line, the writer realized if they hurried they might even make it with the next load of riders. She reached out and grabbed Crystal's wrist. "Come on, it'll be fun." I'll get you to sit at one of the ends next time, she thought to herself as they stood at the end of the line.

They were too far back to get on the ride this time but being close to the front of the line still had its advantages. At this closeness, the sound of the motors and the screams of the riders were all encompassing, making conversation almost impossible. Deciding the rail was much too filthy to lean against, Laura stood and divided her time between watching the ride and watching Crystal watch the ride. She found it hard to reconcile the pot smoking, beer guzzling, tough-as-nails person with the woman staring a bit fearfully at the thrill ride. Then it hit her. She hasn't been to a place like this since she was in fifth grade. That'd make her what, about ten or so? She probably couldn't even go on something like this back then. No wonder she's scared. Maybe we should start out on something easier, like the tilt-a-whirl. She gently nudged Crystal's shoulder. "If you want to go do something else and come back to this later, it's okay."

"No, we're going to be on the next ride. As long as you don't make me sit on the ends, I think I'll be okay." Despite her bravado, Crystal's words still came out sounding nervous. Without thought Laura reached over and lightly patted her roommate's back.

"I'll be right there next to you. I promise it'll be fun."

The ride came to a stop and the people exited. After a quick cursory inspection of the seats and restraint bars, the greasy haired attendant threw his cigarette on the ground and opened the entrance gate. "Secure any loose items. Keep your hands and legs inside the ride at all times." The line moved forward and up the steps to the loading level. Laura followed Crystal to the seat closest to the center of the ship, jostled by teenagers trying to get to the coveted back seats. Crystal slid in first, moving across the padded bench seat to make room for Laura.

"There's no seat belts," the nervous blonde pointed out.

"No need." She pointed at the metal bar currently in the raised position. "Before the ride starts they'll lower the bar. That'll be enough to keep us in our seats."

Crystal reached out and touched the thick black pad surrounding the safety bar. "I don't know about this."

Laura scooted closer, their hips almost touching. "Trust me, this will be fun."

"I'm not a wimp," she said, fastening the button on her shirt pocket to keep her cigarettes in place. "When I was little I went on the scrambler and the kiddy roller coasters. They were fun."

"Well now just think how much fun it will be on the bigger rides," the writer countered. A resounding series of clicks were heard as the safety bars were lowered into place. "Ah, here we go. It's almost time."

"Hey, I can still move around behind this bar," Crystal said. "It doesn't hold me tight."

"It's not supposed to." Laura reached over and patted the hand gripped tightly around the padded bar. "Please Crystal. Trust me on this, okay?" "I do trust you. I just don't trust this ride."

But it was too late for protests as the ship started moving. "Here we go," Laura said, casually resting her wrists on the safety bar. The longboat was suspended by support beams on each end connected to an axis thirty feet in air above the center of the ride. An engine hidden beneath the ride powered a rotating tire that moved along the bottom of the ship to give the ride its momentum.

"Oh God," Crystal said as the ride gained speed, moving back and forth raising up in a gradually increasing arc. The wind blew her hair back and forth, momentarily blocking Laura's view of her friend's face.

"Hang on, it's going to go higher," she said with a smile. On the next swing, the longboat shaped ride went even higher, causing their stomachs to flip-flop. Crystal giggled at the unusual feeling, a smile coming to her face.

"That feels funny."

"Yeah," Laura agreed. "Let's raise our arms next time as it's going down."

"Not on your life," the younger woman said firmly, strengthening her grip on the safety bar.

"Wuss." The writer raised her arms as did many others on the ride. "Whee," she yelled as they descended, lowering them only on the upswing. "Come on, it's fun."

"Uh huh," Crystal said dubiously, refusing to release her grip. Still the smile remained on her face as they swung back and forth. The ride swung to an almost vertical position before coming back down.

"Whee," they said in unison. One of the teenagers who fought so hard to get to the back seats apparently failed to follow the attendants instructions to keep everything secured. His blue baseball cap sailed off, fluttering to the ground below. Crystal laughed at both his frantic attempt to catch it and the thrill of the speeding ride. Far too soon for Laura, the ride slowed, the arc lessened, and soon they found themselves sitting still waiting for the safety bar to be raised. The roommates became separated as they exited the ride, meeting up moments later on the ground. The first words out of Crystal's mouth was "That was fun. Can we do it again?"

Laura couldn't help but laugh. "I told you you'd enjoy it once you got on it."

"Oh man, I can't believe how fast that thing goes," Crystal said, using her fingers to hook her hair behind her ear. "It's a good thing we haven't eaten yet."

"The pirate ship is murder on the stomach," Laura agreed, similarly moving her shorter hair back into place. "But it is so much fun." "Oh yeah. Let's do it again."

The initial hesitation in the twenty-five year old was gone, replaced by an enthusiasm associated more with people half her age. They went on the ride again, this time Laura convincing her to sit a couple of seats back from the center. Crystal still kept her hands on the safety bar but it did nothing to dampen her enjoyment of the ride. After that they decided to spend some time on the ground, walking along the Midway checking out the various games of skill and chance.

"That looks pretty easy," Crystal said. "All you have to do is knock the bottles off with a baseball."

"The trick is you have to knock them completely off the stand in order to win." Still, it does look pretty easy, Laura thought to herself. One dollar per throw. Well, I suppose it won't hurt to try. "You want to take a shot at it?"

"Me? Hell no," the younger woman scoffed. "I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from ten feet away. You're the outfielder."

Laura was already unzipping her fanny pack in search of some singles. She stepped up and handed a bill to the attendant. One bottle was stacked on top of two others and a ball was handed to her. She nodded at the instructions and hefted the ball in her left hand. Her first throw was high, knocking off the top bottle but leaving the bottom two standing. Immediately she pulled out another bill. I can do this. The bottles were reset.

"Come on, Laura. You can do it," Crystal encouraged. The next shot knocked the bottles down but only two rolled off the stand. The next two shots proved equally fruitless but on the fifth try she jumped with delight when all three bottles hit the ground.

"Choice, bottom shelf," the attendant said.

"You pick it," Laura said to her roommate.

"Naw, you're the one who won it."

"No really. You pick it."

"Okay" Crystal looked at the various stuffed bears. "The red one." It was almost a foot in height, far too big to be squeezed into Laura's fanny pack. "I'll hold it for you," she offered.

"Hold it for me? No Crystal. You keep it. You picked it out."

"You sure?"

"Sure." She reached out and took the bear, checking the seams to make sure they weren't split as so many of the stuffed toys won at fairs and carnivals were. Satisfied that it wasn't defective, she handed it back to Crystal. "You'll just have to win something for me later." "How about I buy you another beer instead? I told you, I have lousy aim."

"Tell you what. I'll buy this round and you pick out the next ride." One more beer won't hurt me. We're going to be here for a few more hours yet. They walked over to the beer cart. "What kind?"

"Miller if they have it."

"Is that what we had last time?"

"Yeah."

"That was fine." Laura turned to the man. "Two Millers."

They continued on, passing cotton candy and popcorn booths. The sun was starting to set and the Midway twinkled with the glow of multi-colored blinking lights. "Oh, look at that!" Crystal said excitedly, pointing at an open tent housing gaming tables. "I bet they have blackjack in there."

"They have gambling at the fair?"

"Yeah, look. There's a dice game. Let's go look."

Laura had no choice but to follow as Crystal quickly crossed the distance and entered the tent. Indeed the area was a mini casino, with blackjack, poker, craps, and various other games of chance. Crystal set her beer on the felt covered table and pulled up a chair. "I'm good at blackjack," she said. Laura watched as she pulled two dollars out of her pocket and set them on the table. "I'm in," she said to the dealer. He was dressed in a typical fashion, white shirt with black vest, a green plastic visor on his head. He nodded and looked at Laura questioningly.

Realizing she would have to play in order to remain sitting next to Crystal, Laura pulled out two dollars as well and set them on the table. She leaned over and quietly said to her roommate "You're going to have to help me out here."

"No prob," Crystal said, picking up her beer. "Patty and I used to play this together all the time." The dealer quickly dealt the cards, giving Crystal two jacks and Laura a seven and a four. The dealer showed a seven, the other one was face down on the table. "Ooh," the blonde said excitedly. "Double down."

"What?"

"Put two more bucks up. Chances are you'll get a face card and beat him."

"And if I don't, I'm out four bucks."

"You'll beat him, trust me." Crystal looked at the dealer. "I'll stay."

Laura did as instructed, receiving another card from the dealer. "I got a nine."

"That's fine. You have twenty, just like me. If he has a face card, he can't draw. He has to stop at seventeen and over, pull on sixteen and under." The cards were dealt to the other players before the dealer flipped his face card over, revealing a ten.

"Dealer has seventeen," he said. "Pays eighteen and over." He put two Susan B. Anthony dollar coins in front of Crystal and four in front of Laura.

"You can put your money away and just play with theirs now," the blonde said, stuffing her bills into her front pocket. Laura neatly folded hers and put it in her fanny pack. She also pulled two of the four coins back off the playing area, keeping her bet even with Crystal's. She never noticed that the table minimum was only one dollar.

The cards were dealt again, Crystal getting a ten on the first pass while Laura received a six. Both women became excited when the ace of spades was laid on top of Crystal's card. "Blackjack for the pretty lady," the dealer said before giving Laura a three. He finished dealing the cards before putting three dollar coins in Crystal's betting circle.

"What do I do?"

"Hit," Crystal answered. Laura nodded at the dealer. A quick flick of the wrist and a king of hearts appeared with her other cards. "Okay, hold there," the blonde said. The dealer, understanding that the brown haired woman was taking the other's advice, moved on to the next player. In the end he had nineteen and two more coins were placed in Laura's betting circle, which she quickly added to the two sitting directly in front of her. "This is good. Maybe we should quit while we're ahead," she said.

"Oh no, we're just getting started," Crystal said, reducing the coins in her betting circle to two. "We're still playing with their money. Come on, once we start losing we'll go, okay?"

An hour later the need for more beer and to stretch convinced Crystal to trade in her SBA dollars for paper bills. Laura kept a few for her change jar and converted the others to the more usual currency. "So how'd you do?" she asked as they headed out of the tent.

"I'm up almost forty bucks," Crystal said happily, patting her right hip pocket.

"I think I ended up with twenty. I didn't make all the high bets that you did." It was now dark out, the Midway lights all burning brightly for the fairgoers. "I'm getting hungry. Think there's anything healthy here?"

"Not unless you consider sausage and hot dogs healthy," Crystal teased, pointing in the direction of the food court, an offshoot where several tables and food carts were set in a semicircle. "Let's go see what they have up there."

Laura didn't trust anything with mayonnaise in it after a long hot day nor did she want anything deep fried. Crystal happily ordered herself a cheeseburger and chili fries along with another beer. Hoping it wasn't too oily, the writer settled on a piece of plain pizza and bottled water. She followed her roommate to a white plastic table. "Hold on," she said, setting her plate and water on a nearby table. "Let me wipe that down."

"Ah, what's a few crumbs," Crystal said, brushing her side off with the back of her hand.

"There's ketchup and something sticky there too," she said, using a squirt of her water to dampen a paper napkin. "It'll only take a minute." Laura wiped down the top and sides of the table before moving to her chair and making sure that received a good wiping as well. Crystal had already settled down and was halfway through her burger when Laura decided it was clean enough to put her food on.

"You worry about things too much," Crystal complained good-naturedly. "A dirty seat won't kill you. What are you going to do when you have to make a trip to one of the portable toilets? Squat?"

"Definitely." Laura shuddered visibly at the thought of having to use the smelly rest room. She dabbed the top of her cheese with a napkin, soaking up the excess oil. "How's the burger?"

"Good. You should try the chili fries. They're out of this world." The smile that had been present throughout the evening was still there between bites.

Laura smiled to herself and lifted the slice to her lips. She had no doubt that Crystal was having one of the best nights she'd had in a long time, if ever. Even having to breathe the second hand smoke as they played blackjack was worth it. Thinking of the money in her wallet, she smiled to realize that she was also enjoying herself more than usual. Crystal's enthusiasm was rubbing off on her, explaining why she spent over an hour gambling, something her Baptist father had viewed as a sin and strictly forbidden. The closest she'd come before was playing for chips with Jenny and the boys.

"Hey, you listening to me?" Crystal asked, snapping her out of her musings.

"Oh, sorry."

"I said you should try the chili fries." She pushed the plate across the table. "Come on, live dangerously."

"No, really. I don't think"

"I didn't think I could handle that pirate ship ride either but I did it. One fry won't kill you."

"Fine, just one." Laura poked the fork into the chili covered pile and took a bite. "Oh, that's spicy," she mumbled around the mouthful of food as she reached for the water.

"Yeah, that's what makes it so good," Crystal said. "Beer works better than water."

"I'll stick to the water, thanks," she replied, draining half her bottle in an attempt to cool down the inferno she felt on her tongue. "So what do you want to do after this?"

"We could go back to the tent." Crystal leaned back in her chair, resting her ankle on her opposite knee. "You wouldn't have a barrette in there would you?" she asked, pointing at the fanny pack.

"No but I thought I saw them somewhere." She sat up and looked around. "I think they were a prize in those crank machines." "Really?" Crystal ran her fingers through her shoulder length hair and shook it out. "I should have thought to bring one."

"Those games are a waste of money. It takes a miracle to win."

"Well, I've got a few bucks of theirs, I'm willing to give it a shot if it means keeping my hair off the back of my neck."

Laura passed over a napkin. "Better make sure you keep that cut clean."

"Thanks. It hasn't been hurting or anything and I forgot about it."

You haven't thought about any of those bad things today, have you? "Oh!" She opened her fanny pack. "You know what I have" Pushing things around, she finally located what she was looking for. "There it is." She pulled the black elastic band out and held it up for Crystal to see. "I wasn't thinking when you asked for a barrette. I've had this hairband with me the entire time."

The blonde pounced on the hairband. "Yes, perfect."

"You want help?"

"Naw, that's okay. I can get it." Twisting the band in half, Crystal gathered her hair and fastened it into a ponytail, allowing the cooling air to reach the back of her neck. "Oh, that's much better." She drained her beer and set the empty cup on top of her plate. "You ready?"

"Ready for what? You still haven't told me what you want to do next and don't even think of suggesting the tent again."

"Okay, how about another ride?"

"Sure." Laura stood and collected the trash from the table. "Which one?"

"How about the tea cups? Unless you get dizzy from spinning."

"Me? It's you I worry about. I don't want to see that cheeseburger again."

"Oh please," Crystal laughed. "After all the drinking I've done, I don't think an innocent ride on something like the tea cups will bother me."

"I don't know. I've seen you after one of those binges, remember?" Laura smiled at the way Crystal covered her face with her hands. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll be fine."

The tea cup ride was a group of twelve cup shaped cars that spun around on individual tracks attached to a larger surface that also rotated, creating speed and centrifugal force. In the middle of the 'tea cups' was a wheel that the passengers could use to help make themselves spin faster. Headrests helped protect the neck from the strain during the height of the ride. They were lucky enough to not have a large line waiting for the ride, allowing them to get a tea cup all to themselves. Sitting opposite each other, they waited impatiently for the ride to begin. Crystal kept the red stuffed bear wedged between her and the seat, not wanting it to fly out once the ride started. "You know," Laura began, "If we both start tugging on this like it was a steering wheel, I bet we can get it to start spinning.

"I'm game if you are," Crystal replied, putting her hands on the top of the wheel. Because they were opposite each other, Laura had to reach around her roommate's arms to put her hands where they belonged. "Clockwise or counter-clockwise?"

"Counter."

"Okay." It started slow and required a bit of huffing and puffing but soon they had a steady rhythm going and the tea cup spun in a circle, making everything they looked at a blur of light and color. With a jerking motion, the ride began. The speed that they were able to create on their own was no match to what the ride generated. In less than a minute they were whipping around in circles, the force causing Crystal to lose her grip on the wheel. She let her head lean back against the padded headrest and giggled. Laura stopped trying to keep up with the spinning wheel and relaxed as well, closing her eyes and feeling the spinning motion with her body.

"This would be cool stoned," Crystal said without thought. "I mean well"

Eyes still closed, Laura smiled. "I know what you mean."

"It's fun this way too, it's just different that way."

"I'm sure it is," she said, opening her eyes and reaching for the wheel. "Let's see if we can make this go faster." Putting her hands in position, she casually followed the current speed while waiting for Crystal to reach in and help. Together they began letting the wheel slide between the fingers until it started to slow down. Working together as if team, they jerked the wheel, sending the tea cup into another fast spin. Their hands constantly tangled, sending both into fits of laughter. Both were smiling and giggling like schoolgirls, no explanation or talk necessary. "Faster," Laura urged.

"Yeah, faster!" Crystal readily agreed, picking up the speed of her pulls on the wheel. At one point both had to lean back and close their eyes, the ride and their own speed making everything spin at an incredible rate.

"Oh man, this might be too fast," Crystal moaned, resting her hand on her belly.

Oh no, don't you dare get sick on this ride. Scooting across the seat, Laura moved next to her. "Does it hurt or do you feel nauseous?" "It hurts."

"I have an idea." Reaching between Crystal and the seat, she used her fingers to rhythmically thump the younger woman's back. "Try to burp." A quick spin sent her back against the seat but it also did the trick. Crystal let out a very unladylike belch.

"Sorry."

"That's okay. It's probably from all that beer." Feeling the ride slowing down, Laura slid back over to her side of the seat. "Speaking of which," Crystal said, straightening up in her seat. "We'd better find the potties after this."

"Good idea," she agreed, feeling her own bladder protest. When the ride came to a stop she chivalrously held the wheel with her hands to keep the cup from moving while Crystal picked up the stuffed bear and stepped out. The attendant held the car for Laura, freely looking up and down her body. There was a great temptation to make a comment to greasy attendant but she chose against it, wanting to get away from the body odor wafting at her as soon as possible.

Crystal was waiting for her outside of the ride area. "I think they're up here," she said, referring to the portable toilets. They walked further away from the rides and game booths, soon coming upon a slight incline where they made out the silhouette of the toilets. As they approached, the sound of men laughing nearby reached them. Laura looked over and saw the dim outlines of tents and campers of the carnival workers. Whether it was the lack of light or fear that made Crystal move closer to her, she wasn't sure. "Um, do you want to take turns standing guard for each other?" she asked.

"Oh, yeah that would be a good idea," Crystal answered quietly, her eyes looking around in the darkness for any movement. Deciding that her second guess was the reason for the sudden physical closeness, Laura was glad her friend accepted her offer. After smelling the faint odor of pot and something she couldn't identify, she wasn't sure she wanted to be alone out here either.

The trip fortunately went without incident, both women doing what they had to do and they were quickly on their way back to the heart of the fair. Just before they reached the Midway, Crystal reached out and put her hand on Laura's forearm, stopping her. "Um" The nearby floodlight gave little illumination in that particular area, barely enough for her to see Crystal's face. "Um" the blonde tried again. "Thanks for back there. I know you did it for me." She looked around, still nervous of the shadows in the dark. "Hey" She reached out, catching the stripper's chin and tilting her face so their eyes met. "I know it's got to be scary for you out there in the dark."

Crystal nodded and began slowly walking back to the fair, Laura quickly falling into step beside her. "But I'm having fun," the young woman said firmly. "I'm not going to let that scare me." She gave Laura a playful nudge. "Come on, let's go find a game where I can kick your ass and win you a prize." Crystal held the teddy bear up to show her. "Maybe I can even win one bigger than this one."

Laura held back her initial protests. Surely she could find room in her bedroom for a stuffed animal if Crystal wanted to win her one so bad. "Sure, sounds like fun. Let's go see what which game has the best prizes."

While searching for the biggest teddy bears, they stopped for Crystal to buy another beer and bottled water. While waiting, Laura let her eyes wander around, taking in the sights and sounds of the annual fair. People of all ages were about, from little children being carried by their parents to elderly couples using canes and trying hard to avoid being run over by the rambunctious teens. Brilliant twinkling caught her eye and Laura moved closer to the source.

Perfect, she thought when she saw the brightly painted sign. The crystal game. What had drawn her attention were the snowflake shaped crystals dangling from thin plastic string. They were the perfect size for dangling off her rear view mirror and it had been something Laura thought about buying before but never had gotten around to it. She looked at the game, trying to figure out the trick to winning. Unfortunately there wasn't really any easy way to win. A large flat table sat in the middle of the booth. Several muffin pans were pressed together, each cup a different color. The square area was roped off and a less than fully inflated ball was used. The winners were those that had their money down on the color that the ball landed on. Laura quickly did the math. There were many brown squares, followed by green, yellow, red and black. Only one silver cup was visible and that was the one that the ball had to land on in order to win a crystal. Otherwise the winner won a gift corresponding with the winning color. No wonder they're real crystal and not fake plastic, she thought to herself as she turned away from the booth. She took only one step before finding herself face to face with Crystal.

"They don't have teddy bears," she said, looking at the booth that Laura had just walked from.

"I was looking at the crystal pendants but it's impossible to win. Come on, let's go find something else."

"No, wait a minute." Crystal walked up and leaned against the rail, watching and learning how the game was played. Reaching into her pocket, she put a quarter on the silver betting square. The barker continued to call for people to join in and win a prize but when no others were forthcoming, he was forced to hand her the ball. "Throw it into the pit. If your money is on the winning color, you win choice of that color's prizes."

Crystal threw the ball, frowning when it landed on a brown square. Laura put her hand on the blonde woman's shoulder. "Come on, we'll find something else to play."

"What would you do with it if I win?"

"I've always thought it would be nice to have one hanging from my rear view mirror," Laura said, letting her hand return to her side. "But you can't win this one. It's a trick. There's only one square on the whole board and it's in the corner. That's impossible to get to." The attendant overheard the dark haired woman's complaint and snorted, turning the pan around so the silver cup was away from the corner.

"You gonna put your money down or keep trying to drive away my customers?" the barker grumbled.

"Would you really hang it from your rear view if I win it?" Crystal asked, putting a quarter on the silver tile.

"Of course I would. Why wouldn't I?"

"I dunno. Usually people hang things that are important to them there, like graduation tassels or stuff like that. From a friend or something." Realizing how she sounded, Crystal took the ball and tossed it into the pit before pulling her cigarettes out of her pocket and lighting one. "Exactly why I would put it there," Laura said quietly. "I always display gifts I get from friends." She returned the smile she saw on Crystal's face. This is going to take a while, she thought to herself, convinced that the cute blonde would spend her last dollar to win one a pendant. It didn't take her last dollar but it was ten dollars and three beers later before Crystal finally managed to make the ball fall in the silver cup. "All right!" she yelled before being engulfed in Laura's bear hug.

"You did it!" the writer said excitedly as she stepped back. The barker, having gotten more money than he had expected, smiled as well and picked up the display rack of pendants for the dark haired woman to choose from. Laura chose a multi-faceted octogonal shaped snowflake design. "Oh, it's very pretty," she whispered, holding it up to the light and turning it this way and that to see the rainbow of colors reflected within. Not wanting to put it in her fanny pack, she checked the length of nylon attached to it and hung it around her neck. Crystal simply leaned against the booth and smiled, finishing off the last of her beer.

"I'm glad you like it," she said, fighting off a yawn.

"I do, very much," Laura assured, fingering the pendant. "Thank you."

"No prob. What do you want to do now?"

Having seen the stifled yawn, Laura decided to call the evening to an end. It was already after nine and she still had to try and get some writing in. "Why don't we go on one or two more rides and then call it a night? We're still ahead with what we won at the blackjack table."

"I guess it is getting late," Crystal said. "But let's do some more rides first."

"Sure. You name it, we're on it," she agreed.

A huge smile crossed the stripper's face. "I'll race you to the pirate ship."

"Do we get to sit at the end this time?" Laura asked hopefully.

"How about halfway between center and the end this time and all the way in the back next time?" "Deal," she said, following Crystal across the Midway to the thrill ride.