Soapy water ran down the driveway and sidewalk.
Wearing blue cutoffs and black and yellow polka dotted bikini {reminds me of the song} and red nail polish, Mina dabbed the wet sponge over the car hood, as if it was covered with flesh eating ants.
"Baby," Kento muttered, "you can't clean it like that!"
"But I just painted my nails!" she groaned.
"You can always repaint 'em," he stepped close
behind her and placesd a hand on her hip and his other hand over her hand
holding the sponge.
She sighed as she leaned into him, 'the plan worked!' she thought to herself.
"I wonder if the car's ready for a spin," Raye said.
"Let's see," Rowen gets inside and tries to start
the engine but it doesn't crank.
"Hold on a second," Lita said, "pop the hood up, will you?"
"But--" Kento and Mina mumble.
She pushed the hood and looked inside, though Kento and Mina
were still washing it.
"Lita, I didn't know you knew about cars," Ami said.
"Me neither," Sage said, "wow, Lita, you're
pretty amazing, you can cook and clean, fight, and you can fix cars!
"Well," she paused from her work and raised her
head, "I couldn't go one planes but you fixed that, didn't you?" she
grinned and continued working, "screwdriver!"
Mia came outside holding the phone, "Sai, it's for
you.
"My sister?" Sai mumbled, "Why'd she'd be
calling?" he took the phone and put it up to his ear.
"I have to go to England," he told the group, his back still to them.
"Your mom?" Kento asked, though he already knew.
"Yeah."
"Want me to come with you?"
"No thanks, Kento," Sai murmured.
Kento pats his buddy on the back, "Tell her I wish her well, alright?"
"Thanks Kento," he hesitantly turned around and hugged him, "means a lot."
"What's going on?" Ami questioned, "Sai, what is it?"
"His mother," Kento replied.
"My mom has a bad heart," Sai explained,
"She's had a lot of doctors and tests.
"You've never told me?" she demanded, upset.
"It's a sensitive subject, Ami," Sai said, "I can't get into it right now."
"I'm coming with you," she told him.
"No, I should go alone."
"What's going on?" Lita asked, pulling out
underneath the car.
"Here, you okay?" Sage helped her up.
"I'm not letting you go alone," Ami persisted, "I'm coming with you and I'm going to take my mother with us."
"Ami, your mom has other patients to look after," Sai said.
"She can get someone to take her place," Ami told
him, "I can't let you go to England by yourself.
"She's right," Kento added, "maybe we should all go with you."
"We can't all afford to go to England," Sai
said.
"Oh Sai," Ami whispered and shook her head.
Serena walked up and rubbed her back, "hey, you tried."
"I can't let him go by himself, Serena," Ami said,
close to tears, "I just can't!
Sai sighed and walked to the step she stood on,
"actually, Ami," he mumbled, "It would mean a lot to me if you
did come.
"We can stop at my mom's work on our way to the
airport," Ami said.
His chest heaved and she pulled him closer to her, "Thanks, Ami."
So he can get off the plane quicker, Sai sat in the aisle
seat, tapping his hand on his knee nervously.
"Don't worry, Sai," Ami reminded him, "I'm still here."
"Ami, I'm so nervous," he confessed, "what if I get there too late and my mother's…"
"Shh," she squeezed his hand gently.
"Me too, Dr. Mizuno," Sai added, "My mother sure could use a lot of care."
"I'm happy to help," Dr. Mizuno said and turned
her head, "I've treated a lot of patients with weak hearts and I'm also a
little excited to be in England. Just have a little faith, Sai.
He nodded. Five minutes later, he pushed the stewardess call button.
"What is it, sir?" the stewardess asked, cocking her head.
"Excuse me love, but can you tell me when we'll be landing in England?" he inquired.
"In about forty-five minutes," she replied, "I can tell by your accent you're from England, excited about going back home?"
"Yes, I am."
"Can I get you anything?" she asked with a smile.
"Maybe a bottle of spring water," he said.
"Of course," she left to get him his water. Moments later she returned with his water.
"Thank you, love," he unscrewed the top and took a
small swig and put it back on.
Ami smiled and rubbed her fingers over his forearm.
Sai hurried off the plane and embraced his sister, "Sandi," he mumbled.
"Sai, it's so good to see you!" Sandi exclaimed
and hugged him back.
"How's Mum?" he asked, still in her embrace.
"She's fighting," she replied.
Sai stepped back and shook hands with his
brother-in-law.
"Hullo, Sai."
"Well, who is this?" Sai asked, looking at a young boy that was hugging Sandi's legs.
"This is Roy," Sandi answered, rubbing his
head.
Sai squatted, "Hullo there, Roy.
Roy turns his face back into his mother's leg.
"He's shy," Sai said, "I guess he gets that
from me.
Ami and Dr. Mizuno stood behind Sai, waiting to be introduced.
"Sai, it looks like you have some introducing to do yourself," Sandi said.
"Oh my gosh, I'm sorry!" Sai stepped back and
wrapped his arm around Ami, "Ami, why didn't you say anything?" he
looked at his sister, "Ami's shy too!
"Hi," Ami smiled and shook their hands, "very nice to meet you."
"Sai's girlfriend, is it?" Shawn teased,
"Well, it is very nice to meet you!" he shook her hand and kissed the
top of it.
"And this is Ami's mum," Sai introduced, "Dr. Mizuno."
"Dr. Mizuno?" Sandi asked with a mumble.
"A doctor's girl," Shawn commented, "Well, Sai, you sure now how to pick 'em!"
Everyone laughed except for Sai, who blushed beyond imagination.
They arrived at the hospital and Sai was the first one to come
into the room.
"She's a little groggy from a sedative," a nurse informed.
"Mum, there's someone here I'd like you to meet,"
Sai told his mother. He nodded to Ami and she came to his side.
Mrs. Mouri didn't say anything but her eyes were open.
"My mother is going to help you, Mrs. Mouri," Ami told her, "you'll be okay."
Mrs. Mouri's family physician came in, "Sai Mouri, is that you?"
"Dr. Jones?" Sai mumbled.
"I hardly even recognized you!" Dr. Jones shook his hand, "good to see you, how you doing, son?"
"Good to see you too, sir." Mouri said, "I'm
fine, thanks, doctor.
"I'm glad you can join us doctor," Dr. Jones shook Dr. Mizuno's hand.
"Can you please tell me the patient's symptoms?" Dr. Mizuno asked.
"She's like any other patient heart trouble," Dr. Jones explained, "fatigue, weakness."
"How long has she had it?"
"Since the poor girl was born," he replied,
"but she's a tough cookie.
"Mizuno, Doctor Mizuno."
"Yes, Dr. Jones," the nurse said and left for the
nurse's station.
Sandi and Shawn left with Roy to give Sai some time with Ami
and his mother.
"Mum, everything will be okay," Sai mumbled.
She smiled and closed her eyes, her chest heaving.
"She's only fallen asleep," Ami told him,
"from the sedative."
"Not me," he said, "but you, and your
mother.
"Hey," she kissed his cheek, "that's
alright.
"It's been too long since I've been with my mum," Sai said, "maybe I can use this moment right now."
"Okay," she said and rubbed his back. "I'll be
out waiting for you." Ami walked out of the room and sat in the lobby with
Sandi, Shawn and Roy.
"So tell me, Ami," Sandi began, "how did you meet Sai?"
Ami hesitated.
"Sai's always been the best swimmer in the
family," Sandi said.
"He's great," Ami said shyly.
"Are you talking about me?" Sai demanded as he walked into the lobby.
"Ami was just telling me how great you are," Sandi
replied, "but I already knew that.
"She fell asleep while we were talking to us," Ami said as Sai sat next to her, "you look like you're about to fall asleep too, Sai."
"I'm fine," he groaned, rubbing his eyes.
"You didn't have any sleep on the plane ride," Ami
told him.
"You're welcome to come to our house," Sandi said.
"I think I'll stay here for a while until more news about Mum," he sighed, "I want to stay here incase something happens." His eyelids drooped down and he yawned.
"Here," Ami pulled him down to her lap and he
didn't do anything to stop her.
"Look at that, Shawn," Sandi whispered to her
husband, "my brother's out like a light.
Ami tried not to pay attention but she heard Sandi's comment
and blushed a little.
"How long have you known my brother?" Sandi asked.
"About 3 years now," Ami replied, "Not too
long ago, Sai helped me train to become a better swimmer and I won a swimming
match.
"That's so sweet," Sandi commented.
"We've been through a lot together." Ami
continued. "I've never been able to trust a guy as much I do Sai.
"He's always been like that," Sandi said, "I don't think there's any guy in the world as trustworthy as Sai can be."
"Hey!" Shawn snapped.
Sandi smiled, "except maybe Shawn."
Around 45 minutes passed and Sai still was out on Ami's
lap.
"What is it, Mom?" Ami asked.
"I'm afraid we'll have to perform open heart surgery," she replied.
"Surgery?" Sandi mumbled.
Ami looked down at Sai.
"It may be a long procedure," Dr. Mizuno went on,
"After the surgery she'll still be sleeping. It will be best for you to go
home and get some rest.
"Sai and I would like to stay," Ami said.
"You're more than welcome to come with us, Ami,"
Sandi said, "thank you Dr. Mizuno.
"Just leave everything to me," Dr. Mizuno said with a smile and left.
"I'd hate to be the one to tell Sai that she'll need open heart surgery," Ami mumbled.
"It would be best if it came from you," Sandi
said. "Coem with us to our home, Ami.
"I appreciate that," Ami said, "I'm not in
the mood for hospital food.
"Are you kidding?
Ami smiled and shook Sai gently, "Sai, sweetie, wake up."
"What is it?" Sai asked wearily.
"We're going over to your sister's for the night."
"For the night? But we just got here."
"Yes," Ami told him, "I know.
Sai sat up from her lap and put his feet on the ground, "and?"
"She said that you're mom needs surgery."
"Then I'm staying here," Sai said.
"The whole night?" Sandi asked, "Sai, Dr.
Mizuno and Dr. Jones are going to take good care of everything.
"What if something happens?" Sai demanded, "If I'm not here to be with Mum I can't do anything."
"We can come back tomorrow afternoon," Ami
said.
"She's right, Sai," Sandi said, "she's a
smart girl.
"I do not look that bad do I?" he asked.
"Your mom will want to see someone healthy when she
wakes up."
"She had to be to be able to raise you," he smiled and pulled her in his arms, "I don't know what I would do without you."
Sandi made a nice dinner for everyone.
"Hey, who taught you how to cook anyway?" she replied, "besides, I have a husband and a little boy to look after--you don't."
"Thank goodness," Sai whispered to himself.
"Uncle Sai," Roy mumbled, "can I ask you something?"
Sai's eyes bulged, "He called me Uncle Sai!"
"He only needed some time to warm up to you," Sandi said.
"What can Uncle Sai do for you, l'il mate?" Sai asked his nephew.
"Is it true that you swam at the bottom of a deep lake
one time?"
"Well, yes, I did," Sai replied.
"How can you do that without drowning?"
"I can hold my breath for a long time," Sai told him.
"Wow," Roy murmured.
"Well, if you practice enough, you probably will."
"Hey, don't you be giving Roy any ideas now!" Sandi yelled, "He's only five years old!"
"But Sandi, I was even younger than he was when I
started swimming!" Sai retorted, "and Mum didn't have any problems
with it. Trust me!"
"What are you two talking about?" Sandi demanded.
"Nothing!" Both her brother and son shouted as
they grin at each other.
After dinner, Sandi lent Ami a T-shirt to sleep in.
"Ami, love, can't you sleep either?" Sai asked in
concern.
She sighed, "I'm worried about your mother too. Thanks."
"What do you mean?" he asked, sliding his finger down her cheek.
"Maybe this can bring us closer," Ami said, "I mean, think of it Sai, your mother is ill, my mom's a doctor, both of us lost our fathers, if our moms become close, then we'll become even closer."
"Ami, I don't know if it's even possible we become
closer than we are already.
"Then what about what happened at the restaurant?" Ami reminded with a grin.
"That wasn't a fight," Sai said, "That was a misunderstanding.
Sai took her hand and sat down on the couch, placing his and
her glasses down on the coffee table.
"I love you, Ami," Sai said.
"I love you too, Sai."
Ami soon fell asleep in his arms and Sai decided since she
was the real guest, he placed her in the guest bedroom and he crashed on the
couch.
He leaned over the bed and kissed her forehead.
"G'night Ami, love. Sweet dreams."
'I love you, Sai.' Spoke Ami in Sai's dream.
'Ami, I love you too, more than anything in the world.' He kissed her and embraced her. It was the most pleasant dream Sai ever had.
Ami woke up to the sound of hearing Sandi screaming.
"Where's Roy?" Sandi screamed, "Roy?"
"Hey, I thought you were going to sleep on the couch," Shawn said to Ami.
Ami looked at the couch where she was going to sleep and saw
something on a the pillow. It was a red hair that could only belong to Sai..
"Have you seen Roy, Ami?" Sandi demanded. "Or Sai?"
"Not since 2:30 in the morning," Ami replied.
Sandi raised an eyebrow, "what were you two doing at 2:30?"
Shawn snickered.
Ami blushed, "I woke up to get glass of water.
"Did he say he was going to go anywhere?" Shawn asked.
Ami shook her head.
Sandi groaned.
"Relax, Sandi, wherever Roy is, I'm sure Sai is with him," Shawn rubbed her back, "maybe they went outside for a morning walk or something."
Meanwhile, at the lake, Sai was fulfilling his promise and
teaching Roy some basic swimming skills.
"Uncle Sai," Roy mumbled, standing in the shallow end, "maybe this wasn't such a good idea."
"Don't worry, Roy," Sai said, treading water,
"I'm not going to expect you to high dive or anything.
Roy took a few steps in the cold water, "it's freezing."
Sai swam to him and took hold of his arms, "now, just
pretend you're a giant leaf floating on the water.
"Hey, this is really fun!" Roy exclaimed.
They continued to swim around for about thirty minutes and they returned home.
"Roy!" cried Sandi, "I was worried sick!"
"Uncle Sai taught me how to swim!" Roy said.
Sai blushed.
Sandi tried to control her anger, "I'm glad that's the only thing you taught him," she said to Sai.
"What do you mean?" Sai asked, biting his lip.
"Yes, Mummy."
"Yes, sis."
"So, um," Ami said, trying to keep her laughter down, "what's for breakfast?"
Ami sat at the table waiting for breakfast to be served.
This time, Sai did the cooking.
Sai grinned at Ami, "Enjoy your breakfast." He kissed her cheek.
Ami blushed, "oh, I will."
They returned to the hospital.
"That's wonderful, thank you Mom!" Ami embraced her.
"Yes, what Ami said!" Sai embraced her next, "thanks, Mum."
Dr. Mizuno laughed a little, "Oh, Mum."
"Can we see her?" Sai asked.
"Sure," Dr. Mizuno said, "Sai, I'm very
impressed with how quickly your mom has recovered.
Ami stayed with her mom while Sai went to go see his, followed by his sister and her family.
"Mum, I'm so glad you're alright now," Sai mumbled.
"Goodness," she wheezed, "who's been watering you while you were away from home?"
Sai laughed.
They talked for a little longer and then the nurse came to
bring Mrs. Mouri her lunch.
"We'll talk to you later," Sai said and walked out
to embrace Ami and her mom again.
"You're welcome, Sai," Dr. Mizuno said.
"Ami, come with me to the chapel over here," he said, "I think I'll go thank the person up stairs that made all this possible."
When they left, the nurse came outside after giving Mrs. Mouri her lunch.
"I can't believe how well Mrs. Mouri is doing,"
the nurse commented, "Dr. Mizuno, you're excellent!
"My other colleguges are about as skilled as I
am," she said.
"Dr. Mizuno," Mrs. Mouri mumbled, sliding her
wrist into both of her hands, "thank you for coming all this way to treat
me.
"Mrs. Mouri, if our children are going to get any
closer, and I'm sure they will," Dr. Mizuno said, "let's not speak so
formally to each other.
"And I'm Sylvia," Mrs. Mouri said.
"I know," Angela said.
"You're a widow too?" Sylvia guessed.
"No, my husband and I are divorced," she corrected, "It's been quite hard on Ami."
Ami and Sai started to walk back to the room and they saw in the window their mothers talking.
"Why don't we give them a few more minutes?" Ami asked him, turning around from the window.
Sai smiled, "of course."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Sylvia mumbled.
Angela nodded, "I think because what happened between
her father and me, she's been afraid to speak to anyone, boys especially.
"So is Sai," Sylvia said, "it's a wonder how they became friends."
"I remember asking her, 'Ami, honey, what makes Sai so
different from the other guys you know?' and she told me, 'I can trust
him.'" Angela smiled, "I think that's why she didn't want to get in a
relationship with anybody.
"Sai is very trustworthy," Sylvia said, "you
can tell that boy anything.
"I think they're in love with each other," Angela
said, "and I thought I'd be upset that they are but I'm not.
"Hey, do you hear that?" Sylvia asked, putting a hand to her ear.
"Hear what?" Angela asked.
"Wedding bells!" she replied with a happy shout.
Angela laughed, "now let's not get ahead of ourselves!"
Sylvia Mouri was released the next day.
"You be sure to take it easy!" Angela said.
Sai smiled, "'Bye Mum."
Roy hugged Sai, almost knocking Sai off balance.
"You take care now," Sandi said, hugging Ami and her mom.
"You too," Ami replied.
Sai slid his hand into Ami's.
"Nothing," she said, "I'm just so….happy for you."
The ride back to Japan was more relaxing than the ride to
England.
