Crystal Clear

by Beverly Jenkins

  She was still spitting mad, but finally, after giving Crystal and Ross glares that should’ve melted them on the spot, she stomped off.

  In the silence that followed Crystal liked the way the moonlight played over his fine brown features.

  “You want to eat me up, huh?”

  “Yeah. Can’t wait until I get my own place.”

  “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

  “As a heart attack, but I don’t like to share so you’ll have to get rid of the witch.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Flush with victory, she walked with him to the car.

  CHAPTER SIX

  While Ross drove through the deserted streets to Brick’s after-set, the drunk Crystal was glad she’d worn her jacket. Due to the huge drop in the temperature, the interior was cold and she prayed the car’s heat would reach her soon. The chilly air had sobered her somewhat, but between the long day and the liquor she was having trouble staying awake. She wanted to go to bed, but truthfully, wasn’t looking forward to sleeping on Kiki’s cracked fake leather couch because she knew it couldn’t compare with her big roomy bed back home with its soft sheets, cozy blankets and comforters. She reminded herself that she’d given up that luxury along with everything else she’d held dear for the past four years by running away. The reality left her a bit melancholy, and as much as she tried not to think about the place she’d called home, its essence pulled at her, bringing back the faces of Ms. Bernadine, Zoey, Eli, and Amari; the sounds of the music on the fancy red juke box at the Dog where she’d worked; and the triptych waiting to be finished. All she’d seen and done with her adopted mom and the people of Henry Adams merged with the advice given to her by her birth mom, Nikki before she died in prison from HIV. “…. concentrate on getting an education. Go to college … “

  To her relief, the memories faded as the car slowed and Ross parked, but seeing where they were gave her pause. “This is where he’s throwing the set?” she asked skeptically. Back in the day the building had been the proverbial No Tell Motel with a clientele that made its living doing drug deals and Johns. She and Kiki had gone to a couple of parties inside the cockroach and rat infested place, but never stayed long due to the dangerous crowd and atmosphere.

  Ross turned off the ignition and answered her question. “Yeah. He just bought the place. He’s planning on rehabbing it into condos.”

  She peered out at the building’s windows. A couple at ground level were lit from within, but the rest were dark and covered with plywood. “Is it abandoned?”

  “Pretty much, but he sleeps here sometimes because it’s close to the club.”

  “And it’s free,” Unique tossed out, speaking for the first time since their earlier altercation. “Brick’s cheap. He keeps saying he has all this money. I think he’s lying.”

  “Just get out the car,” Ross snapped.

  ***

  There was a small group of people already inside the basement apartment when they entered. Brick threw her a wink that she pretended not to see. Music was thumping and everyone was standing because there was no furniture. The air was pungent with the smell of burning bud that filled the room with a thin smoky haze. As she followed Ross and Unique to a spot near the back wall, she recognized a few faces from the club but no one offered a nod of greeting.

  “Here.” Unique handed her a lit blunt and a look that dared her to refuse. Rather than be called out, Crystal took a hit and passed it back. A few puffs later her world turned cottony and she swore she was floating. Couples were red nosing to the music while others slipped into what she assumed was the bedroom for reasons she didn’t want to think about. But none of it mattered - not the music, or the high-pitched laugher, or whatever Brick was trying to run on her when he came and stood by her side. Because of the blunt, all she could do was stand and smile. Eventually though, the high from the weed combined with the excessive cognac took its toll. She figured if she just sat down for a moment she’d be okay. Once seated on the dirty beige carpet, she leaned her spinning head back against the wall.

  It was the last thing she remembered.

  ***

  She awakened the following morning bleary eyed and disoriented. Her pounding head interfered with her thinking so much it took her a moment to realize she was lying face down on a nasty smelling carpet. She dragged herself up to a sitting position hoping that might help her aching head. It didn’t. Hunched over she closed her eyes. Memories returned of all the Hennessy and she groaned. She vaguely remembered Ross and Unique helping her to a bathroom. She’d been so messed up. That thought froze her. She sat straight up and looked around. The emptiness of her surroundings echoed eerily. Where is everybody? It was if her body had been waiting for her to become lucid enough to remind her of all the liquor she’d consumed. Two seconds later, her stomach roiled ominously. Throwing a hand over her mouth, she forced herself to her feet and quickly stumbled to the bathroom.

  When she was done, she felt like she’d run been over by a DART bus. Her mind wanted to explore the mystery of why she was in the apartment alone but her body just wanted to die. Panting and bent over, it came to her that there might be some Advil or something similar in her borrowed purse, so she staggered out of the tiny bathroom to see. But there was no purse lying on the floor where she’d slept. Her leather jacket had disappeared too. Fighting panic, she took a frantic look around then her eyes widened as she saw her bare feet. “Oh, no!” She tried to force her mind to remember last night’s details. When had she taken then off? Had she given her things to someone for safe keeping?

  Then, Brick walked in. “What the hell you still doing here?”

  “Do you know where my stuff is?” Her head continued to pound.

  “What stuff?”

  “My purse. My jacket. My boots.” Her phone!

  He glanced down at her feet and laughed. “No.”

  She thought she might be sick again.

  He sidled close enough for her to smell his stale cologne. “Looks like you got a problem little mama, but Bricksy can fulfill all your needs.”

  “Can I use your phone?” she gritted out. She needed to call Ross.

  “Sure. Comes with a price, though.” And he slid a bent finger down her cheek.

  She slapped his hand away.

  The gold tooth gleamed. “Suit yourself.”

  Fueled by anger and despair Crystal ran past him, ignoring the sound of his mocking laughter.

  Outside, a cold gusty wind, coupled with freezing rain stopped her in her tracks, and added to her already awful day. Ross and Unique lived a short distance away from Kiki, so all she had to do was get to Kiki’s house and borrow her phone to give them a call. But Kiki lived at least two miles from Brick’s building. The thought of having to walk all that way without shoes and a coat made her want to cry, but she had no choice and took off at a run.

  By the time she’d covered the first two blocks her clothing was soaked through and her extremities were so numb she was reduced to walking. Having spent winters in Kansas she knew how easy it was to contract frostbite, and she and her bare feet were prime candidates.

  The sleet filled rain was torture as she covered another six blocks then ten. Attempting to avoid the frigid puddles and the icy, ankle deep water hugging the curbs as she crossed streets was impossible so she stopped trying. When a DART roared by, she wasn’t quick enough to get out of the way and was doused by a wave as large as any she’d seen on Maui. Screaming her anger and frustration she wanted to give up, but trudged on and let the rain mask her tears.

  Halfway to Kiki’s place a car slid up to the curb and slowed. She didn’t recognize the man behind the wheel so she didn’t acknowledge him.

  He drove beside her slowly and the passenger’s window slid down. “You look like you could use a ride, baby girl, and I’m just the man for the job.”

  After all she’d endured the offer was tempting but she had no idea what might happen once she got in his car. “No thank you!
”

  “Freeze then, bitch.” He roared off.

  Exhausted, soaked to the skin, and colder than she’d ever been in her life, she struggled on. Were she back in Kansas, she’d be in the warm confines of her cozy bedroom looking out at the weather, instead of being in it. This is your own damn fault, she chastised herself and because it was true she forced herself to keep moving on legs and feet that were stiff and unfeeling as stone.

  She finally made it to Kiki’s and hit the bell. Kiki took one look at Crystal and instantly cried, “Oh my lord, girl!”

  A sobbing Crystal fell into her arms.

  “Come, lie on the couch. What happened?”

  Aided by her friend, Crystal somehow managed to reach the old couch. While Crystal shivered uncontrollably, Kiki ran to the bedroom and came back with a towel, a robe, the comforter from her bed and a pair of thick socks.” Here, get those wet things off and wrap up.”

  Crystal frozen fingers wouldn’t work so Kiki had to help. Once she was in the robe, Kiki’s attempts to put the socks on her feet made Crys cry out with pain.

  “Your feet feel like ice. Can you walk?”

  “Not yet. Give me a minute.” She tried to draw in a few calming breaths. She was so cold. “Glad you were home,” she whispered from between chattering teeth.

  “Me, too. Bobby’s mama took the babies for the day. I was just here chilling. Come, need to get you to the kitchen and sit you by the stove. Lean on me.”

  Crystal’s tears flowed unchecked. Every inch of her body ached. The journey to the kitchen seemed to take years, but she finally settled onto a chair and Kiki turned on the oven and opened the door. A few moments later tiny tendrils of heat began wafting over her shaking body. The warmth felt so good Crystal moaned.

  “Now what happened? Where’s your coat and boots?”

  Still shivering beneath the comforter, she answered in a voice hoarsened by the harsh weather, “I don’t know. When I woke up, all my things were gone – the purse you let me borrow, my phone, money. Everything.”

  “Oh, no.”

  Crystal went on to relate the evening’s events as best she could remember, adding, “I shouldn’t’ve gotten so drunk.” Embarrassed and feeling stupid, she asked, “Please don’t say, ‘I told you, so.’”

  Kiki shook her head. “I’d never do that. You’ve been through enough.”

  Crystal was grateful for the understanding. “I need to call Ross and Unique. Maybe they took my things for safe keeping.”

  Kiki scoffed, “If Ross and Unique took your stuff it wasn’t for safe keeping. This is Ross you’re talking about, girl.

  “I know, but I’m trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.”

  “And Unique was grilling you about your boots, too?”

  Crystal knew Kiki was right, but refused to relinquish her last frayed thread of hope. “Just call him. Please?”

  “Okay. Maybe this’ll have a happy ending, even if it is Ross.” But when Kiki called, no one answered. She left a message on his voice mail. “What’s your phone number? Let’s see if it rings.”

  Crystal gave her the digits, then watched and waited. “Is it ringing?”

  She nodded. “No one’s picking up though.” She let it ring a few more times. Shaking her head with what appeared to be disgust and resignation, she ended the connection.

  Crystal couldn’t believe this was happening. “That was all the money I had. What am I supposed to do?”

  Kiki looked her in the eyes. “You already know, Crys.”

  Crys turned away. A small part of her wanted to deny reality and say this was just a minor setback and that things weren’t as horrible as they seemed, but she knew better. She’d come to Dallas to pick up her old life and instead found disaster. She’d left Henry Adams with such high hopes. Mrs. Wagner’s sage words replayed in her head: Stop running.

  An hour later, Crystal was finally warm enough to almost feel human again. “Hand me your phone. Let me call Ross again.”

  “He’s not going to answer.”

  Tight lipped she held out her hand. The call went through, but as Kiki predicted, no one answered. She left a message on his voice mail.

  Kiki met Crystal’s eyes and pointed out softly, “I said I wasn’t going to tell you this, but you obviously need to hear it: The old Crystal would never have gotten so drunk she let somebody like Ross take advantage of her.”

  Crystal’s lips thinned.

  “You know that’s the truth. There’s nothing for you here anymore. The old life you’re chasing after is gone, and you need to recognize.”

  But Crystal didn’t want to because that meant she’d have to go home to Henry Adams, and the thought of returning with her tail between her legs was way too embarrassing and painful to contemplate. The thought of having to look her adopted mom in the eyes after all the worry she’d caused wasn’t anything she wanted to contemplate either. Yet truth be told, she was tired of running from herself. The pampered, slow living Crystal she’d spent all summer complaining about being was obviously who she was now. Kiki was right, she didn’t belong here anymore. Last night’s debacle made that crystal clear. She didn’t know how she would make it up to Ms. Bernadine but she planned to try real hard – that is if Ms. Bernadine allowed her to come back.

  Crystal took a hot shower, careful not to use up too much of the house’s hot water, then dressed herself in a pair of jeans and a top from her backpack. She didn’t have another pair of shoes so she put Kiki’s socks back on her still tender feet. When she reentered the kitchen, Bobby was there and the concern in his eyes brought back the pain of her folly. “I’m okay,” she said softly.

  “I can go bust Ross up if you want? Get your things back.”

  “And maybe lose your job? No. Nothing’s worth all that.”

  “Sit and have some dinner,” Kiki invited quietly. “We’re going to go pick up the babies in a minute.”

  “On the way, can you drop me off at the police station? I need to call my mom and see if she’ll send me a bus ticket or something so I can go home.”

  Kiki stilled. “You sure?”

  She nodded.

  Kiki came around the table and gave Crystal a hug filled with such love and caring, Crys fought off tears. “You made a good decision,” Kiki whispered.

  After dinner, they got into the tired old van and made their way to the closest precinct. Dressed in a borrowed hoodie and wearing a pair of mismatched fuzzy socks on her feet, she shared a parting hug with Kiki. Both had tears in their eyes.

  “Call me when you get home so Bobby and I’ll know you’re okay.”

  “I will. Thanks so much for everything.”

  “You’re welcome. Now go and be that new Crystal. She’s going to have an awesome life. I can feel it.”

  “I want you and Bobby to come visit.”

  “Soon as we save up the money, we will. Promise.”

  They both knew the chances of that was slim, but neither spoke to that. Instead, they shared another hug and more tears. “Love you, Kiki.”

  “Love you more, Crys. Now go in before Bobby starts boo-hooing, too.”

  Crys walked around to where he sat behind the steering wheel and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, Bobby.”

  “Take care of yourself, Goldilocks.”

  Standing in front of the precinct doors, Crystal watched as they drove away and thought they deserved an awesome life as well. Once the van was out of sight, she wiped her eyes, pulled herself together and went in.

  “Can I help you?” asked the lady officer behind the desk.

  “Yes. I’m a runaway. I’d like to call my mom.”

  The woman nodded approvingly. Take a seat on that bench over there, honey. Be with you in just a minute.”

  “Thank you.”

  While she waited, Mrs. Wagner’s words came back to her once more: Plant your feet in whatever soil will make you grow….

  For Crystal Chambers Brown that soil was in Henry Adams Kansas. If she had h
er way, Kiki, Bobby, and the twins would be planting their feet in the same soil, too. Soon.

  Bonus Short Story – TRANSFORMATION

  Note from Beverly Jenkins:

  For those of you who don’t know, I’m an avid fantasy reader. Authors like N K Jemisin, Ilona Andrews, and Jim Butcher take me on journeys filled with magic, wizards, and dragons. I’ve always wanted to try my hand at the genre so I’ve included a very short piece that may or may not grow into something more in the future. I hope you enjoy it.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Central Africa

  1820

  Aya loved being human. As a daughter of the Sun and the Moon, she had abilities to take on any form: an eagle in flight, a leopard chasing prey, a honeybee seeking nectar. But by shrouding herself in flesh, she could walk among the people of the villages, relish the warmth of her mother rays, enjoy the kiss of her father’s gentle night breezes, and savor the solid strength of Africa’s soil beneath her feet. As a human female, she’d witnessed childbirth, learned the art of cooking, planting, and the songs that mourned the dead. As a male, she’d joined the hunts, woven bolts of beautifully colored cloth, and posed as a warrior to a king. Her mother the Sun cautioned her against spending so much time as someone other than herself, but Aya, filled with youthful arrogance and hubris didn’t listen.

  On the day that would change her life, she learned a local village would be naming its king’s infant son. She especially enjoyed celebrations. No matter the occasion, there were always elaborate dishes, skilled musicians, and lots of songs and dancing. As night fell, and her father Moon rose in the sky, torches were lit and the revelry began. Aya had just joined the circle of women for a dance to honor the child’s mother when a horde of men brandishing swords and guns rushed into the torch lit village. The king’s warriors took up their spears and shields to meet the foe. Chaos ensued. People ran. Women and children screamed. The intruders were slavers; a pestilence that had been scouring the continent for decades. Aya was forbidden to intervene in human affairs, but seeing the newly named baby snatched from his wailing mother, she raised her voice to chant down the whirlwind, only to be felled by a crushing blow to the back of her head.