"Sure. So what are you doing out here?" she asked while handing over a cigarette and her lighter. "I thought you guys were over in that trailer park on Ohio."

"We were but Tom got into a huge fight with that asshole landlord over the dog and we had to move. We're over on Essex now." "That's too bad."

"Yeah, this landlord's a real asshole too but at least we were able to move in without references," the redhead said, taking a long drag on the cigarette. "Tom sent me over to buy some beer. You wanna come over?" She leaned closer. "We just got an ounce of the most fabulous stuff." She brought her fingertips to her lips. "Tasty and out of this world. I'm telling ya, Crys, this bag is really primo. One joint and you'll be high for hours."

"Oh, I'd love to but I have to get to work. You got a phone yet?"

"No, damn phone company. I have to pay at least half of my old bill and make arrangements on the other half before they'll give me a new one. You'd think because I have kids they'd be more lenient. Hey, you wouldn't"

"No, I have an old bill too," Crystal lied.

"Damn, that's too bad. We've already used Ricky and Marci's names. Oh well. Hey, why don't you come over when you get done with work? It's the white trailer with yellow trim just after you enter the park."

"All right. I think I'll be done around six or so. I'll come over after that."

"That'd be great. Hey, if you can spare it feel free to bring a twelve pack or so. We'll have plenty of weed."

"Deal." Crystal pulled the keys out of her pocket. "I have to get going. I'll see you later. Good seeing you, Steph."

"You too, Crys. Later."

Crystal walked to her car, surprised by the chance meeting. She had not seen Stephanie for almost a year. It was a pain to drive over just to see if they were home and there was no way to predict what kind of mood Tom would be in. Still, if they were home, it was almost a guarantee there would be marijuana. Looks like I won't have to use up my stuff tonight, Crystal thought as she unlocked the Omni.

Returning downtown, she was pleased to discover a parking space not far from the building. Pushing the seat back, Crystal exchanged her sneakers for the beige work boots. Am I nuts? I'm not some butch construction woman, I'm a stripper. Still the job had come easy and the pay was too good to ignore. Well, like he said, if I don't like it I'm only out the cost of the boots. Oh well, they'll be useful in the winter anyway.

She found Michael in the office. The large bear of a man smiled when he saw her. "I'm so delighted you returned. I put you in the computer already just in case." He looked at her feet. "I see you found a pair that fit. Good. Let's get you punched in on the clock and then I'll show you where you'll be working." He walked over to the cabinet next to the copier and opened it, pulling out a brand new helmet and leather gloves. "They're sized for men so I figure small would be about right for you."

After showing her how to use the time clock, Michael led Crystal up the rear stairs to the third floor. "The service elevator works but don't use it unless you have a full load to go down. It's not the greatest and we don't want to use it any more than necessary." They stepped through an open doorway a hall ruined by smoke and water damage. Around them were the sounds of power tools and radios trying to outblast each other. "We'll start you out here," Michael yelled over the din. "The supervisor always has a red hardhat so he should be easy to spot." Crystal nodded her understanding. "The guys will knock the sheetrock down and haul it into the hallway. See that open window down there? There's a chute attached leading to the dumpster. Your job is taking the piles the guys throw out in the hall and putting it in the chute, got it?"

"Got it," she replied.

"Good. I'll leave you to get started then."

The doors were absent from the row of offices, making it easier for the guys to throw the broken pieces of wall out from the rooms. Great, with my luck I'll be walking past just as one of them throws some out. Picking up the flat shovel leaning against the wall, Crystal slid it under several pieces of sheetrock and tried to lift it.

"You ain't never going to get anywhere doing it that way," a male voice said. Crystal turned to see a short man wearing a red safety helmet standing there. "I'm Josh Thompson. Michael just told me you were here."

"So if you don't use the shovel, how do you get all this stuff all the way down there?" she asked. Josh smiled and picked up several pieces in his arms.

"You use a little sweat and muscle, lady," he said, handing the pile to her. "That's what the gloves are for. Otherwise your hands will get all blistered." He looked at his watch. "Okay, you might as well get started. I'll let you know when it's break time." He turned and left into one of the rooms.

Use a little sweat and muscle, she groused. I'll show you some sweat and muscle, you son of a bitch. Why aren't you big strong boys out here doing this? Piling as many pieces of the broken walls as she could in her arms, Crystal stepped over the series of piles to the end of the hallway. The large window had no glass, broken during the fire and removed after to make room for the chute. Crystal dumped the first armful, leaning out to watch it slide down the sturdy tarp chute. That's not so bad. I can do this. Smiling to herself, the blonde headed back for another pile.

By four o'clock, the confidence she held at two was long gone, replaced with a steady ache in her arms. She discovered the shovel was only good for scooping up the tiny pieces after the larger ones were removed. The men ignored her for the most part, concentrating on their work and running downstairs the instant break was announced. Crystal spent her break alone, leaning against the window frame and looking down at the street below. That's twenty bucks so far, she mentally calculated. Two more hours and I'll earn back what I spent on boots. She took a last drag on the cigarette and threw it out the window. She turned and looked at piles of busted up sheetrock looming at her. Well isn't going to move itself.

By five minute before six o'clock, Crystal figured out an easier way to move the sheetrock, using the shovel to push the pieces down the hall, then it was a simple matter of scooping the pieces up and throwing them out the window. It made the work go faster even if her back was screaming from the strain. "Miss Sheridan." Crystal turned to see Josh and Michael standing there. "You certainly did your share today," the supervisor said. Michael nodded in agreement.

"You did indeed. I can't begin to tell you the number of men who've walked off after an hour."

"That's because no one has a work ethic these days," Josh added. He looked at Crystal. "To be honest, lady, I didn't think you'd last the afternoon." Well fuck you, I did. And I'll do it tomorrow too. "What time do we start tomorrow?"

"Remember I said I open the gate at seven and close it at six. Whatever shift you can get yourself in here for is fine. Just be responsible. Nothing irritates me more than someone just not showing up."

"I'll be here," Crystal assured him.

"You show up at that hour and I'll buy you your first cup of coffee," Michael offered. "Now go get punched out and have a good night. Say hello to Laura for me."

The Omni turned onto Essex Street, Crystal instinctively reaching around and locking her doors in the process. A dead end street leading to one of the oldest trailer parks in the county, Essex was a haven for people wanting to operate outside the law. It was common to see the skeletons of stolen cars littering the empty corner lot and children without shoes playing in the street. Crystal avoided eye contact with the people sitting on porches or leaning against cars as she guided the hatchback into the park. She spotted the white and yellow trailer immediately and parked in front of it, the driveway taken up by a old red pickup truck. Heavy metal music blared from behind closed windows. I guess you're the same asshole as ever, eh Tom?

"Hey Crystal, glad you could make it," Stephanie said as she opened the door. "Oh good, you did remember to stop and get some beer. Come on in, Tom's just rolling up one."

"Great, I could use it after the day I had." Stepping inside, the smell of stale cigarette and marijuana smoke assaulted her senses. Damn Steph, open a fucking window, will ya? At least turn on a fan. A green couch lined one wall while the television and a recliner took up the adjoining one. Tom was seated in the recliner, the television tray next to it covered with rolling papers and empty beer cans. The arm of the chair held the overflowing ashtray.

"Hey Crystal, how the hell are ya?" he asked. "Just about to light one up. Have a seat."

"Hi Tom."

"I'll put these in the fridge," Stephanie said, taking the twelve pack from Crystal.

"Make sure you leave one of those for me first," her husband demanded.

Crystal sat down on the couch and pulled her cigarettes out of her pocket. "I'll take one too."

"Why bother putting them in the fridge then?" the redhead said, sitting down next to her on the couch and opening the cardboard package. "Tom, stop fucking around and light that thing."

"I'm lighting it, I'm lighting it. Jeez, don't be a bitch just because your friend is here. You're really gonna like this shit, Crystal. One hit wonder for sure. I had a joint by myself this morning and it knocked me on my ass for hours."

"That's why I had to go get the beer earlier. He woke up before I did and wouldn't let me have any until I got him the beer." "That's the only way I can get you to do anything," Tom said.

Oh fuck, don't start already, Crystal groaned inwardly. That's right, take a hit and stop thinking about being an asshole. She took the joint eagerly from him and brought it to her lips. Oh yeah, this is tasty stuff. "Damn, where do you guys get such good shit?"