Chapter Ten: Fever
"I'm home."
The words rang out in the empty apartment, and for once the silence of the small space struck a nerve in Makoto. Television noise from her neighbor's apartment next door could be heard through the walls but somehow it only served to emphasize the isolation of her own space. A sigh made its way past her lips. It wasn't a happy sigh, nor was it a sad sigh. It was simply one of those expressions of indifference that escaped her inner self every so often.
Stepping out of her shoes she went to her phone immediately. The home screen remained blank instead of a small envelope signaling mail or even a missed call. Though hopeful, she was not surprised. Bringing up her contact list she selected Shizuku's name and waited while it rang out. But Shizuku never picked up after several rings; the voicemail prompt came on instead.
"Shizuku, it's Mako. I hope you made it home and you're okay. I'll try calling again later. We really need to talk." She hung up.
"Well, duh!" She said to herself under her breath. Captain Obvious strikes again.
Another sigh left her lips and she entered the bathroom, peeling her top and sports bra off in one go. The remaining clothing were quickly discarded into the laundry hamper as well. The spray of the shower felt exquisite and as she stood under the hot water thoughts of Shizuku slipped into a quiet part of her brain to be replaced by Mizuno-sensei. And Mizuno-sensei's warm, soft lips. Her chest tightened, ached. How was it possible to feel so much already after spending so little time with the woman?
And that kiss. It was so innocent yet at the same time, oh so stimulating. Hazy heat began to pulse inside her; prelude to a fever of want and she turned on the cold water full blast, almost shouting out as the cold stream worked to cool her ardor. If that didn't work then there was plenty of chores to do while she awaited Shizuku's call.
-x-x-x-
Sunday afternoons when the weather was pleasant Ami usually took Jack for a leisurely walk to the large nearby park. The neighborhood seemed to be a haven for pet owners; especially dog-lovers. Ami and Jack's Sunday strolls usually amounted to her running into no less than two dogs out for walks. In her line of work she came across canines who adored humans but were not so friendly with others of their own species. Jack, thankfully was a very social dog; both with humans and other dogs. Which in turn gave Ami ample opportunity for human interaction as well. One of the first friends she made was a striking dark-haired woman; Hino Rei-san. It turned out Hino san was merely pet-sitting a gorgeous, playful mutt named Kumi whose owners who often traveled for work. Jack and Kumi became fast friends and so did their humans. She hummed a non-tune under her breath as Jack ambled along, wondering if she would run into Hino-san at the park today.
They arrived at the park, a wide expanse of greenery spread before them. In the distance Ami could see a dark shape running around in the grass and Jack whined and tugged on the leash. Her footsteps quickened and she drew closer to see Hino-san relaxed in the emerald carpet, her back to Ami. The woman wasn't alone, a blonde with hair length rivaling Hino-san's sat next to her. Their heads were bowed close together, the smiles they shared only meant for each other. Ami felt she was going to intrude upon a private moment and slowed her steps but Jack barked in protest at her sudden lagging . Kumi ran towards Jack, a woof in response, her tail wagging furiously and Hino-san and her companion turned in her direction.
A smile of greeting settled onto her lips as she walked closer to the two women.
"Mizuno-sensei, it's great to see you again!" Hino-san began, she indicated the woman at her side, "this is Aino Minako-san." Though there were no words to imply it, there was an obvious connection between Hino-san and Aino-san. Ami had not thought about it before but now she realized perhaps Hino-san and herself were kindred spirits in more ways than one. Unexpected relief came to her and perhaps a trace of it was evident on her face because Hino-san looked at her quizzically for a moment before the conversation was steered into the usual pleasantries.
-x-x-x-
Makoto tried a few times after her shower only to encounter the voicemail prompt again and again. She left another message, entreating Shizuku to call her back. In the midst of waiting she cleaned, prepared a late lunch and took a quick trip to Lawson to pay a few of her older bills though the stack seemed big as ever. * Every so often her morning with Vet-san would play out in her head. The evening arrived but Shizuku's call never came.
As she settled into bed that night she was appeased by the fact that she would at least get to see Shizuku at work. She couldn't possibly avoid Makoto there. In the morning during breakfast while she idly sipped her miso soup, Makoto's glance fell onto the lottery ticket which sat near the shrine. She recalled Shizuku's words of jest, reached over for it and stared at ticket in her hand for a moment. Placing it on the table next to her plate she took another sip of soup, shrugged and muttered, 'Oh why the hell not?"
Picking up her phone she browsed over to the lottery website and scrolled through the recent winner numbers. She picked up the soup bowl absently to take another sip while navigating the phone with her right hand. But the soup never made it to her mouth, the small, worn ceramic bowl crashed to the table instead, breaking into pieces and spilling the soup everywhere. The liquid dripped from the table into her lap, soaking into the pants she intended to wear to work that day. Makoto didn't feel it. Her left hand, still curved into the faint shape of a bowl trembled, as did her right hand which held the phone.
She was imagining it, she had to be. Her eyes could not stop bouncing from the numbers highlighted on her phone to the lottery ticket. Maybe she had gotten sick some time during the night and now she was having a surreal fever dream. Her mouth opened and closed though not a sound emerged. Her head swam and she continued to compare the numbers, each time making less sense.
Because there was no, no, no way she just won the grand total for the goddamned lottery.
To be continued.
Notes:
I'm sure those of you who have read Puppy Love recognize these girls in the second scene. ;) From the moment Ami's fate had been decided as a vet in this story, the idea that she would be friends with Rei and Kumi was pretty much sealed. Of course in Puppy Love, I kept things simple and did not use any honorifics but I had to change that aspect to fit this story.
*- So, I was doing a bit of research and it turns out in order to pay a bill one simply has to take it to a convenience store, any convenience store. How freakin' convenient and awesome is that?!