"Right. People want new rugs and appliances and that unit isn't due for replacements until next year."
"So if things change and the apartment is still open, she could have it at the same price, right?"
"I suppose but I can't hold it. If I can get a tenant in there, I will."
"I understand," she said, feeling more confident that she had made the right decision. "I think things might just work out here after all." "Oh really?" he said, drawing out the last word. "Is your bed actually seeing something other than solo action?"
"Peter Knight, you stop that," she chastised. "Crystal is straight and I'm not interested in straight women. It's just that well, we're getting along, that's all."
"Getting along really well, I'm sure."
"Peter!"
"All right, all right. Are you really sure about this?"
Am I? She took a deep breath and released it slowly. "I'm sure."
"And you're not mad at me anymore?"
"I'm not mad at you anymore. So how are things with you and Michael?"
"The usual. He's being a screaming bitch about one thing or another. It's really rather annoying." Laura heard a tsking sound through the phone. "He really just doesn't know when to let something go."
"What did you do this time? Or should I say who?"
"I didn't do anything this time. He just thinks I did."
"Not like he's ever been given any reason to doubt your word, Peter."
"Of course not. Well, not lately."
"Exactly," she said. "So now that I'm not mad at you anymore, when are you and Michael coming over for dinner?"
"How about tonight? He's complaining he doesn't get out enough."
"Is it your night to cook too?"
"
Laughing, Laura shook her head and smiled. "Fine. I don't think Crystal has to leave for work until seven or so. Let's make dinner around five thirty." "Wonderful. Michael will have someone new to complain to about me."
"Are you dieting again?"
"Oh heavens, please. With these thighs? No fettuccine alfredo for me."
"All right. How about lemon chicken?"
"Do you want us to bring anything? Michael just learned how to make this killer spinach soufflé."
"Sounds delicious."
"Splendid. He says I don't appreciate his cooking enough. Casual or semi-formal?"
"Casual please. It's dinner, Peter, not a dinner party."
"Casual it is then. We'll see you and Miss Big Tits around five then."
"Peter, don't you even think of commenting on them around her," she said, knowing all too well that her friend had a habit of pointing out people's prominent features in sometimes less than flattering ways. "She's a bit sensitive."
"Can I help it if she looks like a young Dolly Parton?"
"Peter!"
"All right, all right. No talking about her built in life preservers."
Laura shook her head. "Goodbye Peter."
"Bye."
She hung up the phone and turned her attention back to her writing. It was only a few minutes later that she heard Crystal exit her own room and enter the bathroom. The door shut followed by the telltale click of the lock. Shower time, she guessed, confirmed a minute later by the sound of water running. Deciding she could afford to take a short break, Laura donned her robe and headed downstairs.
The high pitched whine of the hair dryer drowned out all other sound in the modest bathroom. Crystal watched her reflection in the mirror while using the dryer and brush to get her blonde hair to do something other than lay limply against her head and neck. I need a haircut, she thought as one long lock refused to go where it belonged. A pleasant smell wafted beneath the door. Mmm, wonder what she's cooking? Smells good. She gave her hair a few final strokes with the brush before turning the dryer off and unplugging it. The middle drawer of the vanity had been reserved her for belongings and she quickly learned that it included her dryer and curling iron. She dressed in comfortable shorts and a sleeveless shirt, expecting to spend the remainder of the day relaxing before going to work at the club that evening. Slipping her feet into her sandals, she tossed her towel over the shower rod and left the bathroom.
She found Laura in the kitchen removing a tray of crescent rolls from the oven. "Morning."
"Good morning," the writer replied, carefully setting the hot tray on top of the cooling rack. "Actually it's about ten minutes after noontime so good afternoon." She moved the rolls onto a plate. "Inside or out?"
Crystal looked out the sliding glass doors to see an overcast sky. "Inside is good."
"I picked up a pint of fresh blueberries yesterday if you want to have some with your cereal," Laura said as she carried the plate of rolls to the table. "Unless you'd like to share a grapefruit with me?"
Grapefruit? Ugh. "Thanks but I'll stick to my high sugar cereal." She crossed the room and opened the refrigerator, retrieving both the milk and blueberries. "Can you give me a ride over to Dunphy's later so I can pick up my car? It's supposed to be ready."
"Sure. I have to go to the market anyway to pick up some things for dinner. Peter and Michael are coming over tonight." "The guy that rented me the place?"
"And his current boyfriend," Laura said while slicing her grapefruit in half.
Crystal filled a bowl with cereal and headed for the table. "What time are they coming over?"
"Around five. I figured we'd have dinner around five thirty so you'd have time to get ready for work afterwards."
Surprised by the thoughtfulness, Crystal could only stammer out a reply. "Th-that sounds fine. Is Jenny coming?"
"No. On Fridays she has group sessions until nine. She'll be at the game tomorrow."
"Oh, so it's just the four of us?"
"Yes. I thought it would be nice for you to get a chance to meet the boys. Peter is a sweetheart." She spooned a wedge of grapefruit into her mouth. "And Michael will remind you a big teddy bear. He's as gentle as they come but I swear he could bench press a refrigerator." "Sounds like an odd couple."
"They are," Laura laughed. "Well, you've seen Peter. I think he's about five six or so and maybe one fifty on a good day." Crystal nodded in agreement. "Michael is at least six feet and close to three hundred pounds." Another piece of grapefruit disappeared into the writer's mouth. "He's a handyman. He put the shelves in the linen cabinet and in the closet in your room."
"Does he have a brother who's a mechanic?" She pushed the flakes around in the milk. "I can't believe it came to over three hundred dollars to fix it this time. I just put two fifty in less than three months ago."
"I think his brother is a priest."
"Even better. He could give it last rights." She smiled when Laura laughed but inside she was worried. The repairs were becoming more frequent and more expensive. She knew it wouldn't be long before it would be time to look for another car but money only stretched so far and moving took everything she had and then some. Her final bills had arrived for the utilities at the old apartment and there simply was just no money left to put down on another car. She slowly chewed a mouthful of cereal. What am I going to do? It wouldn't be long before Laura would be asking for her half of the current bills. It was going to be a race as it was to make sure the rent money was in on time. Figures payday is two days later.
"So when do you want to go pick up your car?"
"Oh." Laura's question pulled her from her thoughts. "I guess anytime after we eat. Whenever you're ready."
"We can go in about an hour or so. I have to take a shower and get dressed first. I don't think they'd appreciate me walking through the bread isle in my pajamas."
"Someone would like it, I'm sure," she said, using her spoon to chase a berry around in the milk. Catching it, she triumphantly brought it to her mouth. "These are good. You should have some."
"I was thinking of making some homemade muffins for dessert tonight."
"Ooh." Crystal smiled and nodded enthusiastically, her mouth watering at the mere thought. "I love blueberry muffins."