A MASK OF HUMANITY
Part II (Tetei)
Something strange is going on. Even as I am sitting at the desk with my books lying in front of me, I can see all the little signs of unease. He is pretending to read a magazine, all the while suspiciously eyeing the shadow- filled corners. Furthermore, he hasn't turned a page in ages, although that in itself would be hardly unusual. I don't say anything yet resolve to watch him more closely – just in case. Looking down, I realize that I have no idea which question I was working on. Damn it, I'll have to start all over again.
Seconds later the phone rings and, glancing at the display, Yamato hands it to me.
"Your mother."
I briefly consider having him tell her that that I am not at home at the moment but quickly decide against it. She'd just call again in the evening, possibly catching us in an even more ... inopportune situation. After half an hour of listening to mother's antics I am quite thoroughly vexed. She can be really ... difficult. Giving up all pretenses to read Yamato gets up and simply takes the phone from me. Before I can make a move to stop him he has severed the connection. For a moment I am speechless. Grinning, he pulls me towards the couch.
"Aw come on, don't tell me you didn't want me to do this. I saw the way you were looking at the watch - you were practically begging for rescue!"
The next thing I know is that I am laughing, helplessly falling back into the cushions. Typical! As soon as I get a grip on myself, I playfully whack my lover over the head.
"What were you thinking?! She's my mother for heaven's sake! You can't just hang up on her!"
"I can and I did. What did she want anyway?"
Still giggling like a moonstruck schoolgirl, I struggle to remember what exactly mother was talking about.
"The daughter of a friend of hers is coming to here to study music. Apparently she already told them I'd help her get settled."
"A girl? She pretty? What's her name?"
For a moment I feel the urge to whack him again then, realizing that he is half-joking, cock an eyebrow in mock irritation.
"Maybe you would like to meet her in my place?"
Now it is Yamato's turn to laugh and, catching me against his chest, he happily nuzzles my ear.
"Naw. Just wanted to see whether I had reason to be jealous. So what is her name?"
"Well, actually I don't know. SOMEBODY hung up before I had a chance to find out."
Instead of answering Yamato simply touches his lips to mine.
We are lying in the darkness, warmth and the mingled scents of our bodies enveloping us like a blanket. Summer in Japan is like that. Although we are naked beneath the sheets there is no sex today, only touches, soft and gentle. Not too long ago I would have thought this impossible but here we are, simply snuggling together. Maybe it is that he knows that he and I can be together at any time he chooses – well, mostly – but somehow Yamato seems actually content. Then, suddenly he sighs, fingers tangling into my hair.
"Tetei, I ... I've been wanting to talk to you. There is something you need to know."
Surprised I crack my eyes open, looking at the dim oval of his face.
"I... it is something that..."
"Yes?"
"No... no, it's nothing. Nothing at all."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Yes, I am. I am sorry if I have worried you. You should go to sleep now – your classes will start very early tomorrow, won't they?"
Not quite convinced, I settle down again. What did he want to tell me about, I wonder? It must be something important or he wouldn't have been so ... tense. Well, whatever it is, it will have to wait until he is ready. He will tell me sooner or later, that I am sure of. In the meanwhile I close my eyes.
It is a sunny day, warm on the border to hot even though it is not yet noon. The central station is crowded as ever and, threading my way through the throngs of people, I try to remember what mother told me about the girl's looks. Knowing her name would be nice, too. All of a sudden my eyes are drawn to one of the few quiet havens in the booming hallway. A young woman is standing with her back to me, wavy brown hair tied to a loose ponytail. Even though I cannot see her face the aura of fragility that surrounds her is overpowering. Luggage is heaped around her, a wall of protection against the bustling masses. As though she had sensed me staring at her she turns around. Something is tugging at the back of my mind, the unsettling feeling that I am not seeing everything. The girl is smiling and, checking with a photograph she's been holding, waves at me. I am frozen, unable to tear my gaze off that too sweet face. No, it's impossible. Absent-mindedly I notice that at least half of her luggage consists of traveling bags for instruments. Again the girl waves, lips forming words that are drowned out by the crowd.
Sherrill?
Part II (Tetei)
Something strange is going on. Even as I am sitting at the desk with my books lying in front of me, I can see all the little signs of unease. He is pretending to read a magazine, all the while suspiciously eyeing the shadow- filled corners. Furthermore, he hasn't turned a page in ages, although that in itself would be hardly unusual. I don't say anything yet resolve to watch him more closely – just in case. Looking down, I realize that I have no idea which question I was working on. Damn it, I'll have to start all over again.
Seconds later the phone rings and, glancing at the display, Yamato hands it to me.
"Your mother."
I briefly consider having him tell her that that I am not at home at the moment but quickly decide against it. She'd just call again in the evening, possibly catching us in an even more ... inopportune situation. After half an hour of listening to mother's antics I am quite thoroughly vexed. She can be really ... difficult. Giving up all pretenses to read Yamato gets up and simply takes the phone from me. Before I can make a move to stop him he has severed the connection. For a moment I am speechless. Grinning, he pulls me towards the couch.
"Aw come on, don't tell me you didn't want me to do this. I saw the way you were looking at the watch - you were practically begging for rescue!"
The next thing I know is that I am laughing, helplessly falling back into the cushions. Typical! As soon as I get a grip on myself, I playfully whack my lover over the head.
"What were you thinking?! She's my mother for heaven's sake! You can't just hang up on her!"
"I can and I did. What did she want anyway?"
Still giggling like a moonstruck schoolgirl, I struggle to remember what exactly mother was talking about.
"The daughter of a friend of hers is coming to here to study music. Apparently she already told them I'd help her get settled."
"A girl? She pretty? What's her name?"
For a moment I feel the urge to whack him again then, realizing that he is half-joking, cock an eyebrow in mock irritation.
"Maybe you would like to meet her in my place?"
Now it is Yamato's turn to laugh and, catching me against his chest, he happily nuzzles my ear.
"Naw. Just wanted to see whether I had reason to be jealous. So what is her name?"
"Well, actually I don't know. SOMEBODY hung up before I had a chance to find out."
Instead of answering Yamato simply touches his lips to mine.
We are lying in the darkness, warmth and the mingled scents of our bodies enveloping us like a blanket. Summer in Japan is like that. Although we are naked beneath the sheets there is no sex today, only touches, soft and gentle. Not too long ago I would have thought this impossible but here we are, simply snuggling together. Maybe it is that he knows that he and I can be together at any time he chooses – well, mostly – but somehow Yamato seems actually content. Then, suddenly he sighs, fingers tangling into my hair.
"Tetei, I ... I've been wanting to talk to you. There is something you need to know."
Surprised I crack my eyes open, looking at the dim oval of his face.
"I... it is something that..."
"Yes?"
"No... no, it's nothing. Nothing at all."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Yes, I am. I am sorry if I have worried you. You should go to sleep now – your classes will start very early tomorrow, won't they?"
Not quite convinced, I settle down again. What did he want to tell me about, I wonder? It must be something important or he wouldn't have been so ... tense. Well, whatever it is, it will have to wait until he is ready. He will tell me sooner or later, that I am sure of. In the meanwhile I close my eyes.
It is a sunny day, warm on the border to hot even though it is not yet noon. The central station is crowded as ever and, threading my way through the throngs of people, I try to remember what mother told me about the girl's looks. Knowing her name would be nice, too. All of a sudden my eyes are drawn to one of the few quiet havens in the booming hallway. A young woman is standing with her back to me, wavy brown hair tied to a loose ponytail. Even though I cannot see her face the aura of fragility that surrounds her is overpowering. Luggage is heaped around her, a wall of protection against the bustling masses. As though she had sensed me staring at her she turns around. Something is tugging at the back of my mind, the unsettling feeling that I am not seeing everything. The girl is smiling and, checking with a photograph she's been holding, waves at me. I am frozen, unable to tear my gaze off that too sweet face. No, it's impossible. Absent-mindedly I notice that at least half of her luggage consists of traveling bags for instruments. Again the girl waves, lips forming words that are drowned out by the crowd.
Sherrill?
