I was not expecting anybody, so the knocking at my door startled me for a moment. I approached my door slowly
and called out, "Who is it?"
A soft, familiar voice replied, "Joe, it's me. Can I please come in?"
I instantly recognized the voice as that of my neighbor Rachel. Rachel was in her mid-20's, a few years
younger than me. She worked in modeling, but for some reason hadn't found a lot of success. I couldn't
understand why as she was one of the most attractive women I'd ever known. She had long, jet black hair, a
perfect hourglass figure, and ample breasts that were natural and not overly large. She was also a very kind
person who always had a smile on her face and was very outgoing.
I sensed something wrong as I opened the door. Rachel stood in the doorway and appeared to be shaking
slightly. Her head tilted to the floor and her hair covered her eyes. I could see that she sported a large
frown, but the rest of her face was obscured. She clutched a purse and a few loose pieces of clothing. Taken
aback, I quickly answered, "Yea, come on in," and opened the door wide enough for her to enter.
She slowly entered my apartment. Her feet barely lifted from the floor. She dropped her things on the small
coffee table that stood in between my couch and my TV, then sat down on the couch. I turned off the TV and
sat on the opposite end of the couch. I could still not see her face as she kept her head down. "Can I get
you something?" I asked. She did not respond in any way. After a minute of quiet I decided I had to know the
problem. "Rachel, what's wrong?" I asked.
Finally she looked at me. The sight was truly shocking. Her right eye was black and blue. She had a large
bruise on her left cheek. She rolled up both her sleeves to reveal more bruises and marks on her wrists and
arms. A tear rolled down her bruised cheek. "This," she said. "All of this."
"Who--"
"Adam," she answered before I could complete my question. Adam was her boyfriend and supposed agent. I had
met Adam a few times. While he had never been overtly hostile, he struck me as someone who was all talk. He
bragged how he had connections and could make Rachel a star, but considering her somewhat stagnant career, he
couldn't have been doing anything to help. "I finally got the nerve to tell him I'd had enough of him and
that it was over. He just...flipped out."
"Oh my god," I said. "When? Where?"
"A few hours ago in my apartment," she answered. "I don't think you were home. Someone heard it, because the
police showed up and arrested him. They took me to the hospital, had me fill out these forms, treated me.
They told me it was best to stay somewhere else. I'm sorry, Joe, but I couldn't think of anywhere else."
"Oh, that's OK," I said. "You know me, happy to help." I tried to sound encouraging, but probably came off
sounding like a fool.
"I'm worried he might come here," she said. "He could make bail and if he comes back to my apartment, he
might think I'm here."
"Did you fill out a restraining order or anything?" I asked. She nodded. "Fine, if I hear him I'll call the
police."
"But you can't stay here and guard me," she said. "You have to live your life and go to work."
I glanced at the ring. "I might be able to work something out," I said. I was unsure if I should tell her
about the ring. "Just don't worry about it, you've been through too much."
"Thanks," she said.
"Are you sure you don't need anything?" I asked.
She gingerly wiped her face so as though not to aggravate her bruises. "I could use a shower," she replied.
"Try to wash away this feeling. If that's OK."
"Of course it is," I said. "Let me just go get some towels for you, I'll be right back." I got off the couch
and headed to the bathroom. As I walked away from her I made what could only be called a face of worry. My
bathroom wasn't in the greatest condition. I walked into it and turned on the light. The sink and mirror
above the sink were a little dirty, as was the floor and the shower itself. Not a way to make a good
impression, I thought. I rubbed my hands on my head. In doing so I felt the ring. I suddenly had a good
idea. I wished for the bathroom to be in great condition, sparkling clean and completely in order. In
another flash my bathroom was in perfect condition. Everything did indeed sparkle with cleanliness.
Satisfied that the ring did indeed work for "small things," I gathered a few clean towels and returned to the
living room. Rachel waited patiently on the couch. "Here's some towels," I said. "Do you have everything
else you need?"
"Yes," she said. "I got them from my place before I came here." She slowly lifted herself from the couch and
retrieved the necessary items from her purse. I walked her to the bathroom and handed her the towels. She
managed a small smile and said, "Thanks, Joe."
"Take as much time as you need," I said. She closed the door and I returned to the living room. I sat on the
couch and pondered what to do next.