When we reached my clinic, the scarred visage of Michael split into a wide grin.
Coincidentally, he received a request to fix something a few blocks away and he invited Shiro to come along.
I looked upwards.
Thank you, big guy.
The big oaf's brow furrowed.
-"Harry, what are you doing with that?"
I handed him Morgan's blade.
-"Turns out, if you let the pussy play now and then, it is far less moody."
Everyone did a double-take at that. Michael looked at Karrin with an accusatory eye while Shiro donned a small smile. Stallings waggled his eyebrows and O'Toole snickered.
Ron patted my shoulder.
-"Harry, shut up."
I looked around but no one explained.
-"What? I only-"
-"Zip it."
-"But I -"
-"Mai! Please to see you!"
That got everyone's attention.
My mom opened the door to my clinic and for the second time in my life, saw her eyes brimming with tears. She closed the distance and engulfed me in a back-breaking hug.
-"Caaaahhhhh cahhhhhh breeeehhheeethe-"
She let me go just enough that air could reach my oxygen-deprived lungs. She took a hold of my white cloak and exhaled a happy sigh.
-"It eases my worry to know that you won't be on the frontlines. You will have patients aplenty in the coming war."
I bowed my head.
-"I choose to heal and fight. The late Morgan died because I was uncomfortable near blades. Not only did he keep my Warden's sword away, he left his own behind. And that- " my damn pride "- cost him his life."
The milky eyes of Ancient Mai lost their battle against tears, running wild across her shriveled face.
-"And what if I forbade it? You are my son. Too young for war."
I pressed my forehead against hers.
-"Then I will need to disobey you, mother."
Mai's shaking hand took a hold of Karrin.
-"Speak to him! Make him see reason! Or do you want your child to be fatherless?!"
At that, the audience blinked. Stallings looked at Karrin's belly while Michael, the eternal carpenter, was already dreaming on designs for the crib.
Karrin's ears tinted red and she directed a harsh glare to Stallings. Then she addressed mommy dearest.
-"His choice aside, and he is a big boy, don't you think this may be destiny?" She pointed to Michael. "Harry hurt him and then delivered his children. I, a cop who despises crooked business, got to be the baby momma for Softie's godchild."
Mai threw her head back and cackled.
-"And only my stubborn child, my pig-headed son, my difficult Harry, would give a fight to not fight to the spirit of Martial Arts." She hiccuped with glee. "Wizards don't sulk."
-"I am not!"
Mom took Karrin's hands on her own.
-"Your words have a ring of truth and you display wisdom beyond your years. I ask of you to take care of him, my daughter."
The scent of incense filled the room and Shoes fetched one of the parchments on my shelf. The parchment was emitting tufts of smoke and I had to Ventas the room. While I was certain that we weren't going to be knocked unconscious by the overpowering smell, my eyes watered a bit by the smoke sting.
the crouching tiger teaches
Life is change
and we only learn the most
when we change the most.
