I headed downtown underground, along route 6, geekily going over conversation topics in my head. Normally I find myself doing this when really nervous, and the more nervous I am, the more banal the topics – the weather in Houston on Christmas day for five consecutive years, for example, and how it would be a good predictor for the following years. Yikes, I even bore myself sometimes. Normally, April and I would be firing off each other, both of us being the tech geeks that we are, it was all too easy to slip into a conversation about processors, programming, and even operating systems (I myself being a self-confessed Linux lover). Lately, however, I found myself tripping over my tongue just to get a conversation going. Just the other day, for instance, I was telling April about a neat semistry chet that I had seen advertised for kids– I remember pausing dumbstruck with embarrassment, April had barely suppressed a giggle... until she broke.
"Is it kind of like a 'Sess Chet'?" She said after a bout of melodic laughter. "Hm, actually that sounds kind of dirty."
"Ha ha." I had said sheepishly. Although truthfully, her laugh made me a little giddy, like I'd done something right.
"Just teasing." She had replied sincerely, slapping my arm playfully. I could still feel it tingle, where she had touched me, not to mention the burn of my shame. What can I say? It was confusing.
I stopped briefly to both blush and cringe at the memory, and scanned the tunnels. I was getting close now.
"Don?" her voice came inquiringly from a deep set shadow, she stepped forward into the light and there she was, a woman amongst the dripping, slime-caked sewers like a flower in the brambles. She had worn her cut offs and her old chucks for the trip, a wise choice. She quickly rubbed her arms as if she were trying to dust off the freckles, and smiled as she came closer.
"Hi." I said, trying to sound casual.
"Don," she studied may face, "You don't look so crash hot, you feeling okay?"
"Yeah, well. Just a head ache, I took some more um, some aspirin, and it's getting better."
"Mm." That was it. One syllable, not even a word, but loaded with meaning.
"Anyway," I continued, "it's good to see you."
"And you - Jeez, it feels like I haven't seen you in ages."
"Over two weeks." I confirmed.
She breathed in deeply, "I almost missed that smell."
We started walking on the muddy gravel beside the silty streams. Our footsteps crunched, both of us not saying anything.
"I'm sorry I haven't made it down lately…I've just had some issues to deal with at home." She explained earnestly.
"Is everything okay?"
April paused to consider the question: "Yes…and no. It's difficult to explain."
"Well you know where I am when you want to spill the beans." I offered my hand as I helped her leap a large pipe. She took it gratefully, heaving herself over.
She smiled, "Spill I shall. But some other time, maybe."
"As you wish."
"Is Splinter home? I brought some Japanese pickles from this store I found."
"Yeah, he's back home. He just got back from the North Hampton on Friday and ah-" I cut short, as a searing pain ripped through my head.
"Whoa there," she frowned, "are you okay?"
"Argh, I've been better." I said through clenched teeth.
"You know, my friend showed me this neat trick to help with headaches, may I?" She held her opened hands up before me.
"Ah. Sure."
"Okay," she said with a touch of evil glee, "don't be scared."
Standing in front of me she lightly gripped the sides of my head with her fingers and pushed her thumbs up beneath my brow bone, just above inner corners of my eyes.
I gasped as relief coursed throughout my head.
"Holy...crap." I swear I could see stars.
"Pretty good, right?"
"Yeah. Yes." The moment of blissful sensation nearly knocked my off my feet. I staggered back slightly, and tried to gain my balance.
She grabbed my arm to stop me falling.
"Watch it, ninja boy."
"April. I think I need to lie down. Or have a cigarette."
She giggled at that one.
"Good idea. Let's get you back before your head implodes, and I have to explain to your brothers how I broke you."
She looped her arm through mine as we made our way back to the lair, the conversation, much to my relief, flowing easily.
...
