Crystal Clear

The balmy night air was oddly uncomfortable in Chandler. Usually April was pleasantly cool and breezy, but the unseasonably warm and sticky temperature felt unbearable to Lindsey.

Lindsey didn't like the feeling of perspiration on her skin or clothing. Her air conditioner was on full blast along with the bedroom ceiling fan. She truly enjoyed watching the fan blades hypnotically spin before falling into a deep sleep.

"I am cold Lindsey, can you please pick one for tonight?" uttered Garrison while wrapping himself tightly under the large, but plush blue comforter.

She continued to type on her lap top and adjust her ear buds for comfort. While bobbing her head from side to side, Lindsey also mouthed the words of her favorite song loudly and did not hear Garrison at all.

"Lin, Lin, Lindsey!" Garrison yelled louder in an attempt to get her attention. She didn't hear him and he decided to slightly tap her arm.

The rapid typing ceased and Lindsey responded quickly but surprisingly without knowing his almost tearful plight.

"Oh sorry, baby didn't realize you needed me," she said. "I was trying to finish this report up before tomorrow's meeting."

"And I also received another email reminding me to continue infusing my drinking water with crystals for energy."

"Are you okay, you look a little annoyed?" she said as she slightly giggled. The initial silence was loud and then Garrison's deep laugh followed shortly after.

"No Lin I'm not annoyed but I am freezing to death, so could you please turn off the air and I do have something for you too," he replied seriously.

As he unwrapped himself from the comforter, he slowly got out of the warm bed to walk towards his own lap top bag in the corner. He pulled out a festive colored pouch with very intricate embroidery etched onto it. It was a small pouch but interesting to look at and her initials "LU" were visible too.

"Ms. Upshaw please close your eyes for me," Garrison stated while walking towards her side of the bed. He called Lindsey by her last name sarcastically and when he lovingly wanted her to feel empowered.

He gently moved Lindsey's hands to an open palm position and placed the pouch in them. "Now you may open your eyes Lin." He waited for her reaction quietly.

She immediately reached into the pouch and recovered an amazing looking crystal. It was medium sized and extremely brilliant. The glow of it looked almost mystical to Lindsey.

"Oh, oh wow," she yelled. "Garrison where did you find this, I mean it is absolutely gorgeous thank you!" He smiled and hugged her.

"Well I know how you are into this infused crystal water path at the moment, even though I don't believe in any of it-I grabbed this one when the description mentioned stimulating sexual prowess," he smirked.

"God I should have known there was a reason," she laughed loudly and then Lindsey kissed him lightly on his cheek . He slowly undressed her and kissed her shoulders and neck. They embraced, kissed deeply, and began to make love passionately and vigorously.

Garrison lay fast asleep, snoring an hour later but Lindsey was still awake. Now that he was knocked out, she could turn the air conditioner back on and prepare an elixir with that new crystal. It was beautiful.

A small but attractive refrigerator was always stocked with any beverage they liked including many bottles of chilled, glass bottles of water. Lindsey preferred glass bottles as she was convinced any beverage, especially water tasted better in them.

She was quiet and careful not to wake Garrison since he got up at 5am to meet his personal trainer by 6am and make it to work on time in the city.

Lindsey drank about a fourth of the water. She always hated how it made you feel so full before lying down to sleep. It was refreshing but tasted slightly different from the other infused water she had become accustomed to.

Nonetheless, she was impressed he thought about her and respected this new found interest in health and wellness through crystals. She slowly put the remaining bottle of infused water into the refrigerator.

She crept quietly back to the bed and kissed Garrison on his cheek. Lindsey sunk down under the covers and was hoping to fall into a deep, restful sleep.

However, she could still taste the saltiness of the water and her lips felt numb too. She was naturally hot natured, but now she was perspiring profusely. Her heart felt as if it was beating way too fast to even keep up with her now rapid breathing.

Lindsey now panicked, and unable to even talk wondered why she hadn't pressed Garrison more about where the crystal came from. She was so happy about him showing interest, common sense to check if this crystal was an appropriate one to use for gem elixirs also called infused crystal water.

As Lindsey gasped for air, she attempted to shake Garrison and wake him. The sudden pain in her chest was growing even more intense while she labored to breathe. He would not wake up but continued to snore loudly without even moving.

The cell phone vibrated on the night stand. Garrison hit snooze twice before stretching briefly and going to the bathroom quietly . He never woke Lindsey that early as they both agreed quickly in their relationship, she truly wasn't a morning person.

He brushed his teeth and took a quick shower too. Before leaving the house he left Lindsey a note. It simply read:

Love you to pieces Lin See you later