The sound of rain made its triumphant noise above the pavilion in the parking lot in front of the hospital. The rain and the cold, winter air performed a duet that made Wasabi shivered. Wasabi stood outside in the pavilion to get some air. Although it was cold and desolate on that San Fransokyo night, it did not compare to the feelings he had inside. He tried to keep his composure as he was talking to his girlfriend on his cell phone.
"How is he," said Chigusa on the other end of the receiver. The "he" was Hiro she was referring. "We don't know much," said Wasabi. His heart weighed heavy at that particular juncture. Earlier that morning, he was exchanging laughs and grins with this man and tonight, holding him for his life. It was damning, but surreal of the series of events that led him to that moment. His father was not exaggerating when he told his childhood self, "one day you are here and the next you are gone." He gripped his cell phone to keep himself under control. The sobs coming from his throat were trying to escape, but he would not allow it. He had to be the one to stay strong; for it was Aunt Cass who was taking the role of the sorrowful.
"The doctors are running some test on him." Wasabi said as he found a seat in which he can sit. "We are not going to know much until later on. How much later? I am unsure." "I am so sorry, baby." Chigusa told her grieving boyfriend in a sympathetic voice. It brought comfort to Wasabi because he would need someone for venting when returning home. "My gut feeling was on it today. If I would have stayed and talked to him; if I would have gone to his home any sooner, then things could have been different." Wasabi told Chigusa as if he was responsible for Hiro's attack. "Wasabi, do not blame yourself," said Chigusa, "You did not know. No one expects those kinds of things to happen. Lets thank God that you were able to find him. Thank goodness that you were such a good friend to go look for him. It could have been worse. What if your friend's aunt would have found him?" Feeling better about her praise for being a good friend, but it was not enough to cushion the blow.
"Have you contacted the others? Your friends from the lab?" Chigusa said to Wasabi curiously. "Yeah, I told them," said Wasabi with confirmation. "I told them that if would be best to not come tonight. I will inform them later after we get things straighten out with Hiro." "What about you, sweetheart," asked Chigusa. "I am fine, Chi," said Wasabi.
He was far from fine. He was at a breaking point that he wanted to smash the window beside the pavilion. He whispered a prayer of patience. He had to stay strong. If it was not for himself, then it was for Aunt Cass and Hiro. "Mentally, I am asking," asked Chigusa. Although it was chilly and the wind was gathering up momentum, it played no effect as the perspiration dripped from his pores. "I am fine, Chi," said Wasabi. He was lying, but he did not want his girlfriend to know his true feelings. He was angry. Firstly, at himself for not pestering Hiro with questions, like he should have. Secondly, finding the person who was responsible for harming Hiro. Grace and mercy was the last thing on Wasabi's mind when he finds the monster for harming his dear friend.
"Is there something that I can do for you," asked Chigusa. "No, sweetheart, you are good, thanks. Just relax and get some sleep. I will be there as soon as I can." Wasabi was trying his best to maintain a positive tone. He did not want to have his girlfriend worried also. "Call me for updates, Wasabi. I love you," said Chigusa with a loving tone. "I love you too, Chi," said Wasabi reciprocating his feelings. He closed the cell phone and put it away. He inhaled loudly to allow the night sky to calm him.
Putting on his hooded SFIT sweatshirt, Wasabi ran from the pavilion into the rain as he ascended for the hospital. He walked through the double doors. The atmosphere inside was a sharp contrast from the outside. The warmth ceased any chill on his body. He watched as nurses were talking at their station. He saw doctors along with their interns talking about patients with certain ailments. The fluorescent lighting showcased many of the hospital's features as he headed for the waiting room. He made it to the waiting room that specialized for people who were in the emergency room.
It was quiet, quite unusual on the eve of a weekend. He heard the sounds of nurses laughing at their stations. He saw a couple of people in opposite ends of the ER. They could be patients or friends and family of a patient, like himself and Aunt Cass. Speaking of her, his eyes darted hers as she left the admittance station. Her faced displayed no emotion. Her stunning beautiful eyes were faded. Her hair was messy and tangled. This was the usual, upbeat Aunt Cass that he knew. This was a woman who appeared to be suffering. He stood as he watched her sat on the hard, plastic seats. She crouched towards her knees and remained there. For the first time, he saw a woman who appeared defeated.
What goes inside a person's mind when they discovered that their loved one was possibly a victim of rape? When those fateful, God forsaken words escaped the paramedic's lips into the ears of Aunt Cass, her body went limped, but Wasabi caught her fall. Earlier that evening, she watched her nephew remained unconscious as the paramedics were working on reviving him. After supplying Hiro with oxygen, they were able to receive a pulse. A stretcher arrived to carry Hiro onto the ambulance. As he was placed onto the ambulance, he was inbound to the local hospital.
Wasabi and Aunt Cass drove his vehicle and followed the ambulance to their destination. Wasabi remained quiet as he focused on getting to the hospital. Aunt Cass remained silent as the sounds of flashing lights they are following howled into the cold, desolate winter night. Wasabi maintained a good distance without having to disrupt traffic. He stayed at a moderate speed to keep him and his grieving passenger at bay.
The ambulance arrived at the hospital through the emergency room. As soon as they stopped, Wasabi pulled beside the ambulance. Aunt Cass jumped out of the vehicle to be by her precious nephew. The paramedics quickly went through the double doors. The wheels of the stretcher and the footsteps of the paramedics were all that Aunt Cass could hear. "Excuse me, ma'am. I am sorry, but you can't follow them." The receptionist stopped her with her well manicured hand. Aunt Cass's heart sunk into her chest as the stretcher disappeared from her view.
"Why?" Aunt Cass managed to say as her words were turning into sobs. Her mind was already filled with the succession of horrible outcomes, one worst than the last. "You must wait in the waiting room like everyone else." The receptionist answered Aunt Cass in a well educated manner as if what she was doing was routine.
"Are you kidding me," protested Aunt Cass as she choked between her sobs. "That is my nephew in there. He needs me. He needs me." The receptionist went around the desk and placed her hands on Aunt Cass's shoulder. "There is no more than you can do than be in the way," the receptionist said softly. "The best thing you can do is to wait in the waiting room. Your nephew is in good hands. The doctor will let you know what is going on soon, okay." The receptionist swayed her hand for Aunt Cass to follow the arrows on the wall, leading to the waiting room.
After leaving the admittance station to register for Hiro, she went have a seat until she could receive more information from the doctors about Hiro. She felt heavy as each step to the seat was dreadful. She did not know what to feel for there were so many things striking her at once. She questioned herself about being a good guardian. If she was a good guardian, then she would have done what she could to protect Hiro. Instead, she allowed that stranger to attack Hiro. She allowed her cowardice and fear precedence over what was really important: taking charge of her dear and loving nephew. But she did not. The only pertinent response she gave about the situation was in the closet when she played her incestuous game of debauchery with her nephew's undergarments. What kind of good example am I showing Hiro, she thought to herself. What kind of guardian allowed something to come into her home and hurt her nephew? I have no control. I allowed some monster to harm Hiro. I am a scratching post. I have no control. She crouched on her stomach on the hard, plastic seat. The smell of ammonia and bleach infiltrate her nostrils. The sounds of pagers from the PA system; and the sound of a patient walking with a heart monitor were dreadful reminders and painful reminders of two moments that created a permanent seal for her life: the day of her miscarriage and the day when her husband lost his brother and sister-in-law. Those events, she believed, set the course for where she was currently seating at this particular juncture.
"Here, you need your strength," said the familiar voice. She slowly tilted her head and saw the familiar face of Wasabi. Wasabi had a small Styrofoam cup in his hand. He gently handed it to her. She open the lid and saw that it was tomato soup—her favorite. "How did you know that I like this," asked Aunt Cass as if Wasabi knew her entire life. "Tadashi told me that when you were under stress, you would drink tomato soup to calm down," said Wasabi as he seated himself beside her. She drank from the cup, filling its warmth hitting her stomach. As if the soup as soothing her soul, she slightly felt better. She was still worried, but calm.
"What have the doctor said," asked Wasabi as he took off his sweatshirt. "They are running some tests. Last time I was told, he was sedated." Aunt Cass answered him as she took amount sip of the tomato soup. "At the house where the paramedics were putting him on the stretcher, they said something that neither parent nor guardian should ever have to hear." "I was there." That was the only word that Wasabi could say. He had never met or witnessed such a situation as that. That was the first and hopefully the last he would see any of his friends in that manner.
"The paramedics said that he suffered bruises all through his body." Aunt Cass was on the verge of the state of unrest. "They said that he suffered lacerations across his face." Wasabi saw the tears vacated from her eyes to her beautiful, but tensed face. "What made it worse." She stopped as she was sobbing. "What made it worse was when they said that there was blood loss from his anus due to rectal trauma." She turned to face Wasabi. "What kind of animal would allow such a thing on an innocent child?" She started choking with her sobs. Wasabi placed his hand on her back. "Breathe, Aunt Cass. You need to breathe." Aunt Cass followed his command as she tried to stop her crying.
Aunt Cass was trembling as the waves of emotions took her. She tried her best to manage what she was trying to say to Wasabi. "I am a failure as an aunt. I did not do anything to stop this." Wasabi tried to talk, but she placed her finger against his lip, signaling that it was not yet his time to speak. Wasabi remained quiet and listened. "The signs were there. I knew there something wrong and I did not do a damn thing. I am not perfect. I can't say that I am much of a parent. That's not how I am built. Regardless, I allowed some fucking bastard to come into our life and destroyed the only thing I have left." She looked away from Wasabi, implying that she was ashamed of her acts. "I was fearful, Wasabi. I didn't do anything because I was afraid that he took after me when I was abused by my ex-husband."
This was news to Wasabi. He would have never thought that a wonderful woman of her caliber was a punching bag of some inconsiderate coward. "Can I tell you a secret," asked Aunt Cass. Wasabi nodded his head, nodding his confirmation.
"I used to be married to a wonderful man. His name was Hakata. He was the younger brother of Akiko, Hiro's father. He and Akiko were very close brothers. They had done everything together. They have been through hell together. They came to America with their parents when they were teenagers." Wasabi looked at Aunt Cass as she continued looking away from him. "Hakata was very humble and very respectful. He loved his family dearly, especially protecting his older brother. When their parents died in that car crash, they were all they had. They put themselves through school and finished top honors. I met Hakata in college. When seeing his eyes, I feel madly in love. And it was the same with him." "What caused all of that to change," asked Wasabi inquisitively. "Hiro and Tadashi's parents died in a car crash. I was in this very hospital and in this very waiting room when notified of their deaths. The day that his brother, who he coveted as his best friend, died, the spirit of my Hakata was gone as well."
The waiting room went silent as Aunt Cass continued her story. "Hakata went crazy. He felt incapable of doing anything unless Akiko was around. After being fired from the plant, he resorted to drinking. He pissed all of our savings through gambling and drugs. My things started to become missing. The day when I lost it was after he sold my grandmother's diamond ring for $150 at a pawn shop. That was how much I was worth to him. I flipped that day and it was that very day when he hit me." Wasabi never imagined someone like her could be a target of abuse. "He abused me from sunrise to sunset. He did not care who saw. Hiro and Tadashi bared witness to it constantly. Whenever they saw their uncle hit me, I told them to close their eyes; and not to open them until I told them to." Aunt Cass took another sip of the now lukewarm tomato soup.
"A normal person should have left the moment a man put his hand on a woman. I did not. I stayed. I hope that he would change and he would return to the loving Hakata that I knew and loved. However, he did not. It got to a point where it became normal." She placed her hand gently on her cheek and sort of smiled. "I became convinced that I was the cause of his brother's death. He blamed that if I did not set Akiko with his wife, then he would be alive. He said if I did not meet him, then his brother would have been alive. He came up with different reasons to the point that I just accepted them all." Wasabi kept quiet, listening as Aunt Cass continued unraveling her story.
"Then one day, he filed for divorce. He found another woman that was younger and prettier. He said that I saw just a scratching post. I was a whiney little bitch." She brought her eyes back on Wasabi. "It was hard being the sole provider for two young boys. I had no credentials, no job, and my college degree wasn't worth shit. Once again, I was not mother of the year. The money that I borrowed from friends was something to set me up for the vendor van that would eventually turn into the Lucky Cat Café."
She finished the cup of tomato soup and placed it in the trash can. She came back to her seat. Wasabi saw a smile on her face as if she was being euphemistic. "How can I be so stupid? There is bastard attack my Hiro. And I don't do a damn thing. He and I…" Aunt Cass stammered for a moment. "He and I are just birds of feather. I am pathetic. I am weak. My conscience, my husband, my in-laws, and my Tadashi were right about me. I have no control. "
"That is not true," Wasabi protested, "If you did not have control, then you would not be here supporting him." Aunt Cass was surprised by his response. "You are none of these things. You are one of the most beautiful, charming, amazing, and adoring woman I have ever met." "Wasabi, I did not think you have thought of me like that," said Aunt Cass as she surprised. "When I call you Aunt, it is a term of endearment. You are very dear to me. Calling yourself weak, Aunt Cass? That is pathetic and damning." Aunt Cass remained quiet.
"I will tell a little about myself," said Wasabi as he was gathering his thoughts. "My father was 16 when I was born. My mother was not involved in my life. My father and my aunt raised me. My father dropped out of school to make sure I was provided. He knew at an early age I was a child prodigy. My father and my aunt worked multiple jobs because they wanted to provide me the best education there was. He was a hardworking man. He worked three jobs and still managed to come home to read bedtime stories with me. If he couldn't he would place a piece of candy by my pillows in hope I have sweet dreams. " "Wasabi, I didn't know about that, "answered Aunt Cass. "I kept it to myself. At first, I was ashamed of my upbringing. A young black man from the projects who lived in Section 8 housing, I was embarrassed. I tried to hide it, but it wasn't until I met Tadashi at my freshman year of college that changed that." Aunt Cass didn't realize how much of a connection her nephews had with Wasabi. She knew that he was acquainted with them, but not to that extent.
"Tadashi treated me like I was a brother to him. He shared stories with me on his past. Some were painful, but some were nostalgic. He let me know that your past doesn't mean it is your future. Me and him because tighter than two shoes hanging from cable lines, pardon my French." Wasabi gripped his hand around the other. Aunt Cass understood how much of an impact her nephews had on him. "Tadashi talked about you all of the time. He could never stop. He admired how much strong you were. He explained that things you have done for him and his brother were beyond description. All of it was meaningful. Tadashi was not just a friend, he was my brother. When he died, I made it my sworn duty to look after Hiro as my little brother. That would have been something Tadashi would have wanted." He stood and walked in front of Aunt Cass. His donning appearance became alluring to her. She admired how much he was trying to do to cheer her up.
"Tadashi showed me something that he always told Hiro to do at all times," said Wasabi, "That is always respect yourself; have integrity; and always keep family together." Wasabi grabbed Aunt Cass by the hand and knelled on his knees. "Saying that you are weak and pathetic is not true about you. I wished that I had someone like you as my mother. Hiro is blessed to have you. We are not perfect. You are not a scratching post. You are a woman of strength and confidence. Do not let anyone take that from you, Aunt Cass." Wasabi let go of his hands from her. He returned to his seat.
A moment later, a doctor appeared into their view. The doctor wore green scrubs and her hair was tied into a ponytail. She was average looking, but had attractive features. Her body appeared to be athletic, based on her movements. She had brown skin and looked Middle Eastern. She had an American accent, but her voice was very deep. Aunt Cass and Wasabi patiently waited to hear the current condition of their Hiro.
"Miss Hamada," said the doctor, "My name is Dr. Kapali and I will be Hiro's doctor." She was calm. Although young, she looked as she knew what she was doing. "What is going with Hiro," Aunt Cass asked the doctor with now hopeful intentions. "Hiro is doing fine. We have him sedated. He will be out for quite a while. The orderlies are putting him in a room as we speak." "Oh, thank God," said Aunt Cass with a sigh of relief. Wasabi let out a loud sigh, signifying his relief also.
"We are going to keep him overnight for observations." "Can you tell us what's going on with him," asked Aunt Cass. "Hiro suffered some severe bruising on his stomach and back. He has fractured one of his ribs. He had minor lacerations around his face and neck. Also, there was some tear from his splinter muscles. Overall, his injuries are serious, but not fatal." Already aware of the injuries that were upon Hiro, it still hurt hearing it officially from the doctor. "Hiro can go home tomorrow after we perform some further testing," said the doctor.
"Furthering testing," asked Aunt Cass. "Yes, you see," The doctor stop after looking at Wasabi. Discovering that this was a private matter, Wasabi stepped away from them and went outside. "I have a question," asked the doctor, "Is your nephew in a relationship?" "No, he is not," said Aunt Cass, "None that I know of." "The reason I ask is out of protocol. I am afraid that your nephew might be a victim of rape." Hearing that God forsaken word penetrated her mind as she listened to what the doctor was telling her. "On the stretcher, he kept muttering 'rape,' 'yes, mistress,' 'Tadashi,' and 'Aunt Cass.'" Aunt Cass realized that throughout Hiro's ordeal, he was thinking of them. She felt that Hiro was reaching out to them, asking for help. She gripped onto her purse to have what left of any grip she could get.
"We are going to have an officer talk with you guys tomorrow," said the doctor, "He or she would like to answer some questions with you guys. We are not sure, but if this is a rape, then we are going to open an investigation." "Yes, ma'am," said Aunt Cass. "Can I see him now?" "Certainly," said the doctor, "When we have his room ready, you are more than welcomed to see him." The doctor was leaving and then she turned around, "If you have any more questions, my information will be available in Hiro's room." "Thank you very much, Dr. Kapali," said Aunt Cass as she watched the doctor leave.
Sometime later, a male nurse in green scrubs came into the waiting room to ask for Aunt Cass. She and Wasabi followed the nurse into an elevator. The trio ascended a couple of stories before stopping. They stepped out of the elevator and onto the hallway where the nurse led them to Hiro's room. The nurse held the door as the duo walked inside.
The hospital room was a sharp contrast from the rest of the hospital. It appeared more of a luxurious hotel than a hospital room. There were flowers, beautiful paintings, leather chairs, and soft music emitting from the ceiling. On the wall was a plasma screen and there was a large, comfortable leather sofa that could seat two, maybe three. It had a small coffee table with a lamp and coffee maker along with complimentary coffee. There was a window that gave a view of the San Fransokyo skyline. In front of them, on the comfortable bed, was Hiro.
Hiro was sleeping as the doctor explained that he was heavily sedated. The orderlies placed a quilt over him to ensure comfort. There was an IV attached to Hiro's skin. There was a heart monitor beside him that kept with his heart rate. Both were upset to see him in that position, but relieved that he was still with them. The pair thanked the nurse and the nurse closed the door as he left the room.
Wasabi took a seat on the sofa. Aunt Cass stood over Hiro on the bed. She placed her hand gently over his forehead. His forehead was burning. She can feel the sweat coming from his pores. She took noticed of the minor scratches on his face. There were bandages covering them. Wasn't ready to see the other wounds, she stroked his hair as he was sound asleep.
"My precious Hiro," said Aunt Cass as she placed a peck on his forehead. "I am so sorry, Hiro. I am so sorry, my precious." Tears dropped from her eyes to his face. She got on her knees and grabbed his hand. She placed his hand on her face. It was slightly cold and limp. She kissed and caressed it with her lips and hands. She sat there until Wasabi came and picked her up. He guided her to the sofa where they sat quietly for a moment.
"While I was gone, I called Baymax for you to get some clothes together for you and Hiro," said Wasabi. "If you didn't mind, I had Chigusa to come over to the restaurant to get them from Baymax. She should be on her way with them. "Thank you," said Aunt Cass. She reached over and pecked him on the cheek. He flushed from the sudden kiss. "Thank you for everything. Thank you for being a good friend." "You're welcome, Aunt Cass," said Wasabi.
Chigusa later came to Hiro's room to drop off Aunt Cass and Hiro's clothes. Wasabi asked Aunt Cass to keep in touch with Hiro. She agreed. She waved Wasabi and Chigusa goodbye as they left the hospital room.
Aunt Cass ordered Italian for dinner and called an orderly to get her a pillow and blanket. After eating her dinner and taking her shower, she set up to go to bed. She put on her favorite blue silk pajamas and placed an eye mask around her face. Before she went to her temporary bed, she went and gave Hiro a goodnight kiss on the cheek. She looked at Hiro. His appearance was becoming more of a man every day. He still had his childish features, but he was becoming a man. She stroked his hair and then his forehead. She closed her eyes and placed her lips on his. She held that kiss for awhile before breaking it. She was unsure on what her feelings were for Hiro. She was not sure that if he felt the same way. It didn't matter to her. Until the day she dies, Hiro will always be precious to her.
"Goodnight, Hiro," Aunt Cass whispered in his ear before going to the sofa. She looked outside of the window and saw how bright red the moon was tonight. Even the devil dances under the moonlight, she thought to herself.
"Goodnight, Aunt Cass"
She jolted from bed as if she heard Hiro making the voice. When she looked over, he was sound asleep. Aunt Cass went to sleep as she wanted tonight to fade away from her memory.
