Free Reel to Real by Joyce Nance

out?”
    Crystal remained silent while she considered her options. Finally she said, “I guess. I’ve only got about $55 left and I’ve gotta have at least five bucks to get home when I land.”
    “Fifty bucks! That’s great,” John said, relieved. “That should get me where I’m going and then some. Give the money to Shane since he’s already there and he’ll give it to me. I’ll get this all straightened out before you know it. Thanks, babe. I owe you.”

Chapter 7
    “Do not spit in the well - you may be thirsty by and by.”
    R USSIAN P ROVERB
    Pueblo, Colorado
    Crystal sat in her darkened living room with an ice pack on her head, trying to regroup. She knew she had to go to work the following day, but she was too exhausted to unpack or even get her uniform ready. She felt lousy. Her trip to Albuquerque had sucked the life out of her, and it would take a while to recover. She wasn’t used to being treated so poorly.
    Bad thoughts leapfrogged in her head as she drifted off in her hand-me-down armchair.
    She wasn’t sure how long she had been asleep when her Chihuahua mix's barking jolted her awake. There were headlights in the driveway.
    Oh no , she thought.
    ***
    “I don’t have the strength for this,” Crystal said, but opened the door anyway. John and Shane walked in.
    John knew Crystal would be mad, but he decided he would rather hide out at her duplex than Shane’s mom’s house. He still had his doubts about the man standing next to him.
    “Look babe, I’m sorry about the shit that happened before,” John said. “The situation got away from me. Could I just stay here for tonight, ’til I find somewhere else?”
    Crystal glared at him.
    “I could sleep on the couch, I don’t care.”
    “I don’t want you here. You cause me nothing but trouble. Take your weird friend and get out.”
    “Come on babe, it’s just for one night.”
    “Bullshit. You said you were going to his mom’s and now you’re not. When are you gonna stop lying to me?”
    “I’m not lying. We’re still gonna go tomorrow, but it’s late and Shane says his mom goes to bed early.”
    “I don’t care, John. I don’t want you guys here. Get out.”
    ***
    John decided his conversation with Crystal was going nowhere, so he told her to forget it. He said they were going to Shane’s mom’s house in Colorado Springs after all, and left.
    The drive to Colorado Springs took about thirty minutes.
    “I think her house is right down this street,” Shane said as they approached a crumbling 1950s-style development.
    “What color’s the house?” John asked.
    “I haven’t been here in like five years, but it was blue, with a white picket fence.”
    John squinted into the darkness. “Okay, blue house with a white fence. You got an address?”
    “Nah, I don’t remember it. It’s 33-something. Maybe on Pineridge or Woodridge or some kinda ridge. There’s Greenridge right up there.” He turned his head quickly. “Hey, is that it? No-oo, that’s not it. I can’t see ’cause it’s so dark out, but I know it’s right around here somewhere.”
    “Oka-ay. You told me you knew where you were going.”
    “Hey, dude! Look at that girl over there. On the corner,” Shane said out of nowhere. “She looks just like my girlfriend Raina.”
    John looked at Shane. “Girlfriend? Raina? I thought she was a fucking lesbian.”
    “Yeah, she is, but we’re sleeping together now,” Shane said, smiling.
    John crinkled his face. “Huh?”
    “I conquered her. I made her go straight.”
    “You’re lyin’.” John looked unsure.
    “Yeah, it’s true. She said I was the only guy she ever wanted to be with.” Shane smiled big. “For real.”
    “Whatever you say, man.” John grabbed Shane’s upper arm. “Look, dude. We gotta focus. We gotta find this damn house. It’s getting fucking late.”
    “Don’t worry man, it’s here somewhere.”
    They drove in circles for another hour, and at each turn Shane assured John that his