Had someone knocked at her door, or had she been dreaming? Another flurry of sharp raps confirmed that someone was definitely in the hallway outside her door."Coming," she called groggily, and moved to the edge of the bed. Sitting there like that, with her feet barely touching the floor, she felt like a child again.Another impatient cascade of knocks sent her scurrying toward the door, her thin cotton bathrobe held tightly around her slender body.She opened the door a crack and peered out. A young Mexican girl, darkly pretty and petite, stared back. She appeared perhaps three or four years younger than Crystal herself. Her blue-black hair hung in a long fist-thick braid down her back, halting at the waistband of her jeans."Hi! You must be Gloria," surmised Crystal cheerfully, opening the door wider. "I'm Crystal Gentry. Pleased to meet you." She stuck out her hand."Si, I am Gloria," was the flip, surly reply. "Supper in one hour." She turned and walked swiftly away, ignoring the friendly hand waiting outstretched.Crystal slowly lowered her arm, frowning with disappointment and confusion.
