B.L. Miller - Crystal's Heart

"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."

Chapter Three

Ameilia's Pub was on the main thoroughfare with only a small parking lot to try and accommodate its customers. Jenny managed to get one of the last spaces in the lot, much to the dismay of Kelly, who was still circling in search of a place to put her Range Rover. Several other players also arrived at that time, adding to the lighthearted mood. "Hey Crystal," one of the Falcons called. "You gonna take your shirt off again?" Her comment was met with whoops and hollers from her friends.

"Sorry about the children," Laura apologized. "There's a few in every crowd. You stick near Jenny and I and you'll be fine." "You know I'm not some innocent little virgin out on her first date," Crystal said, pulling out a cigarette. "Just because I've never been to a lesbian bar before."

Laura exchanged looks with Jenny. They knew their friends too well. "Just to be on the safe side, stay near us."

Crystal was not surprised to find Carmen holding the door open for them. While it still felt awkward, she was quickly coming to terms with the lustful gazes and attention directed her way. Yup, guess I won't be buying any of my drinks tonight. "Thank you."

"It was my pleasure, Sweetie," Carmen said with a flourishing wave of her hand. "Shall we go inside where you can quench your thirst?" Laura had to reach out quickly to catch the door as the Cuban woman followed Crystal inside.

"You know," Laura said while holding the door for Jenny. "Carmen is incorrigible."

"It's not her fault Crystal has the words 'fresh meat' tattooed across her forehead." She stepped up on her tiptoes to look for the woman in question. "Ah, there she is."

Crystal was at the far end of the bar, flanked by Carmen and Alex. "Should we go rescue her?" Laura asked.

"Didn't she tell you that she could handle herself?" Jenny said, guiding the writer toward the pool tables.

"But she's" Laura's protest was stopped by her ex-lover's fingers on her lips.

"No doubt had lots of experience fending off horny men's advances. What makes you think she's incapable of handling the same situation with a woman?" She gestured at the small table in front of them. "Have a seat. I'll get us some drinks."

"It's filthy."

Sighing, Jenny smiled and patted Laura's shoulder. "I'll bring back some napkins. You want club soda or do you feel adventurous tonight?" "Club soda is fine. Add a twist of lime to that please." Laura picked up a nearby napkin and began brushing the spilled ashes off the table. "Don't forget to put our names on the board or you'll never get a table," Jenny said before making her way through the crowd. At the other end of the bar, Crystal pulled out a cigarette only to have Alex hop up and pull out a lighter. "Allow me," she offered. "Since you let this barbarian buy your first drink," Carmen said, earning a snort from the shortstop, "Will you dance with me, Sweetie?"

"Ah, no thanks." The scotch and soda was smooth and went down quickly. Crystal found a certain amount of comfort in the woman's bar, the guard she normally kept up to protect herself from men not needed here. She was certain a simple no would keep the would-be Romeos at bay.

"Yeah, I don't dance much either," Alex said, scooting her chair closer. "So what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a d" Crystal stopped herself, realizing her normal answer of dancer wasn't a goodi.e.after turning the woman next to her down. "uh" She looked at the bar full of rowdy lesbians. I don't think telling the truth is a good i.e.either. There had been enough comments and catcalls at the ball park without them knowing she was a stripper. Shit, think quickly. The bartender arrived at that moment with Carmen's drink. "A bartender," she blurted. "Downtown."

"Oh, that's interesting," Alex said, letting her hand rest on the bar only centimeters from Crystal's. "The Falcon is downtown. That's the bar I hang out at. I think Esther is looking for someone to help out on the weekends. You should go by there tonight and check it out."

"I'm working tonight," she said, thinking only of giving an excuse not to go to the lesbian bar.

"Oh yeah? Maybe I could stop by and say hi. Where?"

"Uh" Fuck, fuck, fuck. Trapped in her own web of lies, Crystal panicked and took the first escape offered. "You know Carmen, I think I will take you up on your offer." I can do this, I can dance with a woman, she told herself as the now happy Carmen stood up and took her hand. "I'll be back in a few minutes," she said to Alex, feeling a twinge of guilt over the crestfallen expression on the shortstop's face. As she was led through the crowd to the dance floor, Crystal began to have second thoughts. Multi-colored lights bounced off the disco ball and the dance floor was divided into different colored panels that lit up in time with the music. The dance area was raised higher than the rest of the bar, allowing it to double as a stage from time to time. Ameilia's bar had been built in the late seventies and apparently the owner saw no reason to update it. At least the disc jockey knew what decade it was and kept the women entertained with the latest dance hits.

When Carmen led them to a spot near the front of the stage, Crystal lost her nerve and started to walk away. "No no no, Sweetie. Where are you going?" Carmen asked, reached out and stopping her with a tanned hand on her arm.