It started slowly, almost undiscernibly; change is often like that. The wind was coming from the north today, something that did not often occur this time of year.

Gloria noticed it first, being on the street so early in the day, she felt a chill, looked through her bag for a jacket, then smiled when she remembered the warm jacket some guy had sheltered her with not that long ago. She had a locker at the bus terminal, it was cheap and it was her only private place in the world. Off she went to retrieve the promised warmth she had stuffed in there.

***

Belinda had become comfortable with her job, it was easy, just as she had been told and so far, other than the young guy she saw on her first day and a few of the older women in need of someone’s ear to bend, she saw no one but Grace.

Well, that was enough for Belle, as she decided to call herself. Grace latched onto the name as well when they would meet at her building for sandwiches and conversation. One day she even went with her to the nursing home to see her husband, and took her arm when tears rolled down her cheeks walking back home. Belle had never felt such intimacy before, but Grace was so warm and kind and very much like the mother she wished she had. Her world expanded even farther when they went to see a motion picture. Grace had said to dress up a bit that she had a little surprise for her. Belle didn’t think little was any kind of word she would have used to describe that Sunday afternoon. First a bus ride clear across town, and then she saw it. The huge marquee with the name of a book she had read as a young girl. She remembered it was a wonderful story.  Grace had gotten two free tickets at the senior center when she won a game called bingo. Belle thought that was a funny name for anything but a dog, but Grace was happy and wanted to share the happiness with her.

The theater smelled of many good things and had so many huge pictures and counters with candy and popcorn and soda. Grace bought them each a small bag of popcorn and a small drink then they went into this magical room. Belle was starry eyed, it was the way she pictured fairytale castles to be. Twinkling lights, rose covered carpets, red seats covered in what she would later know as velvet. There was a giant curtain made of the same red fabric as the seats and gold painted faces in the corners. Then she looked up and gasped. There on the ceiling was a golden dome with angels painted on it and a giant glass light that hung right in the middle that she knew had to have come from a castle, she was positive of that. Belle had never seen such elegance in her life and suddenly there was beautiful music everywhere. Grace just kept smiling her wonderful smile, seeming to enjoy Belle’s experience as much as she did. They took seats back just enough so they could see everything, the seats were so soft, softer then anything Belle had ever felt. Then, the bright light in the ceiling dimmed and as it did, smaller lights all around the sides began glowing.

***

On the other side of town, Gloria looked pretty good when she ran into her pimp. She had on the clothes from the bag she found plus twenty much needed pounds, no more sores, and shiny hair from eating three squares and sleeping indoors. Yeah, she looked mighty fine to her pimp. She felt proud of herself having cleaned up without any help from Mister gone-when-the-going-got-tough. She was reluctant to take a hit off the pipe; it would mean no bed tonight. She paused, just for a second, and inhaled the contents of the pipe; and had a needle in her arm within the hour.

When she woke up, she was in a nice soft bed with sweet smelling sheets. She rolled over and saw her pimp lying next to her, funny she didn’t remember anything. She got out of bed to use the bath room, after using the toilet she looked at herself in the mirror, she was a mess. A huge black eye and big scratch on her face, blood in her hair, what the hell? She showered, wrapped herself in a towel and went into the bedroom. There on the bed were her soiled clothes and a note saying he had some business to attend to, but to wait, he would be back in an hour or two. Gloria was hungry, she looked around the room and saw the only thing that was reasonably interesting and used the rig that would make her well.

By the time the pimp was back, she was passed out on the bed. He checked her pulse, weak, but still there. He woke her and gave her a speed ball, said it would make her feel better, just as she was starting to fix, there was a loud pounding on the door, she made it quick, she wanted to feel good and didn’t want whoever was out there to spoil her party.

The business the pimp had been attending to was a fairly large deal and he had a suitcase full of heroin, good heroin, he was about to get wealthy.

The door was pushed in; two guys with guns fitted with silencers took out the pimp. Gloria was whimpering on the floor still attached to the rig. They grabbed the suitcase and cold cocked Gloria across her forehead figuring she was too out of it to remember anything anyway.

The next morning, one of his women found a dead man and a woman covered in blood.

***

Joe was horny and tired of trying to meet people. It was taking too much time and beginning to cost more than planned. After seeing Jessica again, he made a decision.  Clearly, she was available, and from the way she blushed; interested. She was certainly convenient, hell, she lived one flight up. Generally, he would never get involved with a neighbor, but what did he have to lose?

Joseph’s idea was to make Jessica a project. He would learn all about her and if she was low maintenance, he would become an essential part of her life; until he was off-paper.  He was ready to get started. He would shadow her for a while and learn her habits, then show up and sweep her off her feet. Maybe he could borrow some coffee, pretend he had just run out; he could see it all in his mind. He would knock on her door, act very embarrassed, look at the floor in case he caught her at a bad time, be asked in and the party would begin.

***

Belle walked Grace to her door and hugged and thanked her for a most wonderful day. She was beginning to gain some self confidence but was still and probably always would suffer from PTSD. It was like having someone creeping up on you everywhere, all the time.

The Crime victims bureau offered counseling and Grace tried to convince her that it would help, even offering to go with her and wait or help fill out forms. Belle was afraid if too many people knew her history, somehow her husband would find her. She was reluctant to get the help she so desperately needed. It was not yet dark and even though the wind was still blowing cold, she walked alone enjoying the feel of outdoors on her face. So much of her life before was spent outdoors, she missed the quality of fresh air and trees and wildlife.

One day she would ask Grace to go with her to the huge park in the city she kept hearing about. They could bring a lunch and just feel outside. Belle could not understand why people spent so much time indoors. They watched television instead of living. Why was that she puzzled? Lost in thought and the pleasure of the fresh air she almost walked right past her own front door. She felt a little sad going inside, but then remembered she was going to cook real food tonight and smiled; besides, it was sunset.

***

Jessica had spent most of the day primping. She polished her nails, conditioned her hair, washed her “delicates” and made sure she had things ready for her week. Since her hours had been cut, she was feeling more anxious about finances. She and her friend stopped their mid-week date and started bringing their meals, well her friend did—Jess still had her credit card.  The shifts for the following week were posted on Friday; even if you were not scheduled that day you had to come in to check the board.  Her anxiety was cutting into her sleep. Her medicine closet key came in handy; she pinched the pills patients had doubles of, knowing the nurses giving them out would not remember or notice.

She always tried to take from the freshly refilled cases, and then no one would detect the theft right away.  Jessica would never be suspected; she was adamantly opposed to drugs, casually making sure everyone knew it; she was also quick to point out suspicious behaviors whenever possible. She really didn’t care; these people were not her friends.

Once again, Jessica knew how to work the system, with a smile, sweetness and always looking well groomed. Still, she was feeling anxious, so she took a pill a bit earlier then bedtime, actually quite a bit earlier; it was just about sundown and now she felt a little less tense. The knock startled her, no one ever came to her door, and it was a locked building. No one had rung her buzzer; then she remembered exactly who it probably was and smiled.

She was dressed in tight shorts and a snug fitting top; she had been exercising and was flushed and just a little moist. She knew she looked alluring, like she did when she went clubbing although not quite as hot, her pill slowed her down a bit; actually, now that she stopped she was a little light headed and that is how she went to the door. Joseph looked really sexy in his jeans and muscle shirt; she couldn’t believe how lucky she was.  Funny thing, one look at her and Joseph decided to change his plans, why not now, right now? She looked like a hot house flower, perfect.

“Joseph, what a surprise.”

He did his little shuffle and before they knew it they were sitting at her kitchen table having coffee. Coffee led to wine, wine led to the living room, dim lights and soft music. Jessica and Joseph were made for each other. Neither one of them thought of anything but the future; she thought wedding ring he thought sex. Of course it was polite sex, they just met. No he didn’t have a condom, he was coming up to borrow coffee, she didn’t have one either, oh well, just once couldn’t hurt. They showered together afterwards, he was kind of disappointed it was missionary,

She was too. That’s what polite means isn’t it? No communication, no signals, just do what is expected. After their showers, Joseph was hungry and asked her if she was as well. Sure she said then apologized for not having any food on hand, making a mental note to go food shopping. They went down the block and had pizza and beers then slowly walked back home holding hands.

When Jessica got upstairs, after a sweet kiss at her door, she went inside and almost screamed she was so excited. Instead, she thought she should take a pill to help her relax, just to make sure she slept soundly after so much excitement.