B.L. Miller - Crystal's Heart

Crystal's nose twitched as the foul smoke brought her back from unconsciousness. "Wha-what the hell?" Her mind still fuzzy, it took several seconds for her to realize that something was wrong. By then the fire from the toaster oven had spread up into the cabinets and across the kitchen. The fire was too much for her to even think about putting out with an extinguisher. Throwing a lamp off of an overturned milk crate, Crystal began filling the container with her most prized possessions; a small trophy, a ceramic figurine, an old photo album, a folder with her important papers and as many clothes as she could stuff on top. As an afterthought she hooked her pocketbook around her neck, fearing she wouldn't be allowed back in to get it. She was right.

The fire department was already there, having been called by one of the neighbors. As soon as Crystal exited her apartment, they moved in with hoses to douse the flames. The stripper stood by helplessly as gallons of water poured into her apartment, saving the structure but ruining everything she'd left behind. It was either cry or be mad and Crystal chose the latter. After putting her I.D. and money in her pockets, she found someone willing to watch her lone crate of belongings for the night. After making sure she was no longer needed, Crystal went off in search of the nearest bar.

The blonde stripper was well into her second twenty dollar bill when a heavyset but pleasant looking guy walked up to her. "Can I buy you a drink?" "Do I look like I need another drink?" she snapped. "Go waste your lines on someone else."

"Hey, I was just trying to be nice," he protested. "You just looked so alone over here in the corner."

"Did it occur to you that it might be by choice?" Crystal banged her empty glass on the counter, catching the bartender's attention. The would-be Romeo gave up and returned to his companions while she numbly took the fresh drink.

"Last call," the bartender said as he walked away. The stripper drained her glass as quickly as she could and forced a wink and a smile to get one more drink before he officially closed the bar.

Staggering out into the late night air, Crystal stumbled her way towards her burned out apartment and the parking lot that her car was parked in. She would spend the night curled up in her back seat, too drunk to notice the cold until morning.

"No Laura, I haven't found anyone yet," Peter said into the phone as he waved in the woman standing in his doorway. "I'll put an ad in the paper tomorrow, okay? Yes, I'll call you as soon as I hear something

Okay bye." He hung up the phone and nodded in the direction of the empty chair. "Please, take a seat, Miss. What can I do to help you today?" "I need an apartment," she replied.

"Well then you've come to the right place." He smiled and pulled out a large binder full of pictures. "We have several apartments available within eight different complexes throughout the area. Are you looking for furnished or unfurnished, Miss?"

"Sheridan. Crystal Sheridan. I'm looking for furnished. But it needs to be less than five-fifty plus utilities."

Peter gave his best smile and clasped his hands together. "I'm afraid the least expensive one-bedroom we have goes for six seventy-five." "Oh." She tossed the business card she had taken from the board at the club and tossed it on his desk. "I'll look somewhere else."

Noticing the thumbtack mark on the card, it took only a second for Peter to figure out why the blonde woman looked so familiar. "Wait!" he said excitedly, clenching his hands tight to keep his emotions inside. "Would you be interested at all in a roommate situation? I know this absolutely adorable two bedroom townhouse with a balcony and reserved parking. It's renting for four-fifty plus half of the utilities." He opened the file drawer and pulled out the folder for Laura's apartment.

Crystal hesitated. "I don't do well with roommates."

"Oh, but this is perfect for you," he replied. "The woman who lives there now, Laura, is a writer and spends most of her time locked up in her room working on her story." He took the sheet of paper listing Laura's rules out and was looking over it when Crystal took a pack of cigarettes out of the pocket of her jean jacket. Smiling, he discreetly put Laura's list in the can next to his desk. "She's very easy going," he assured.

"Good. I can't live with someone who bitches about every little thing."

"Of course not." Peter used his foot to slowly push the waste can under his desk. "Just take a look at this." He pulled out one of the pictures of the townhouse. "Have you ever seen a more breathtaking place? Right here is the breakfast nook, a wonderful place for Sunday morning brunches and over here" He handed her another picture, " is a better view of the layout. The bedrooms are upstairs as is the full bath. See? Privacy and convenience all in one."

"I still don't know." Crystal bit her lower lip and looked again at the pictures. The apartment was better than the one she had just lost and the cost was substantially less. "Is there a laundry room on site?"

"Better than that." He pointed at one of the pictures. "See those louvered doors? The washer and dryer are in there. All you need to do is buy your softener and detergent." He pushed the first picture in front of her again. "Did you have a dishwasher in your old apartment?" "No."

"Maintenance just installed a new one in this townhouse not two months ago. Surely a busy woman such as yourself would appreciate the convenience of having a dishwasher and laundry facilities."

"Four-fifty plus half the utilities?"

"Exactly. Of course you do need first, last, and your security deposit," he said sweetly.

Crystal sighed and stood up. "This just isn't going to work."

"B-but this would be perfect for you," the red haired man protested as he rose to his feet. "I've been in this particular apartment and let me tell you it is absolutely gorgeous." He waved his hands excitedly. "What could possibly be wrong?"

"I don't have that much money."

"If you need a week or two, I'm sure I can save it for you."

"I can't wait a week or two. My apartment burned down last night. I need a place now."

"Oh you poor dear," Peter gasped, bringing his hands to his face. Crystal rolled her eyes and opened the door. "Wait." He stepped around the desk and closed the door. "I'm sure we can work something out. We can take payments on the last month and security." He reached over and picked up the pictures. "Take another look and tell me that isn't the dream apartment. Did I tell you that it was within walking distance of the Super Mall and Bragg Lake?"

Watching Crystal stare at the pictures, it was all Peter could do not to giggle with excitement. "Before you turn it down, Miss Sheridan it is Miss, isn't it?" He smiled at her nod. "Let's go take a look at it, shall we?" Without waiting for an answer, he picked up the phone and dialed Laura's number. To his intense delight, the writer wasn't home. "Well now," he said as he hung up the phone. "If you'd like to ride with me, we can be there in five minutes." He took the key taped to Laura's folder and put it in his pocket.

"I'll take my own car," Crystal said firmly.

"Um sure, that's fine. Would you mind dropping me back off here when we're done?"

"My car is a mess," she lied. "It's best to take both cars."

Peter shrugged his shoulders and smiled. "Miss Sheridan, I guarantee you will adore this place."

Once they arrived at the complex, Crystal had no choice but to agree with him. Fifty townhouses were scattered about the property, winding roads and trees helping to create a sense of privacy between the buildings. Following Peter's lead, she pulled her car into a parking space.

"Have you ever seen a more exquisite place?" Peter asked as she stepped out of her car. "We have a full time grounds crew and maintenance is just a phone call away." He led the way up the walk to the front door. The door opened into a tastefully designed living room. Abstract art pieces hung on the walls and cactus plants graced each end table. The couch and matching chair were made of soft brown leather and a rather formidable television took up most of the entertainment center.