Chapter Twenty-Three: Progress
"Ninety days… After ninety days the percentage of trauma patients who regain consciousness decreases to less than one percent. That's a quantifiable fact… In other words, you're nothing short of a miracle. With it being over five months since your incident, I'd like to make sure you're cognizant. Be right back," says the gentle-voiced doctor, her dark pink pixie cut, the butterfly antennas mainly, bouncing as she steps up to and out the door.
The exotic, maybe middle-eastern, fairy-esque pinkette known as Dr. Mathilda seems wonderful and isn't bad on the eyes... I've slowly begun to realize that I am not picky with women, but I do seem to favor butt over chest, as well as the shy but ambitious, feisty in the bedroom, type.
While chewing on that, I'm instructed by MingMing to take off. I practically scream out the word why, and remind her that she said I could stay as long as I wanted.
At that, she calmly states it's so they can run tests to make sure he's able to eat, has all his senses and vitals intact and so on.
"We'll call when you can come back," she says, voice alone conveying that I can't and shouldn't argue.
With a huff, I make my exit, only to be stopped by scratchy squawking and horrible coughing that rivals even the worst case of Laryngitis. I turn back in alarm, only to observe MingMing connecting a new bag of what I assume are liquified painkillers to his IV via a hooked rod attached to wheels.
"Are you okay?!" I ask as I hastily return to Kai's side, both of my hands quick to take hold of his right one, careful not to literally tie up the translucent line stuck in his skin.
Kai looks at me with beseeching and shaken eyes. His ajar lips are gradually fading to blue as flush coats his sweating face. Every rapid breath is a difficult, hoarse inhale. He moves his lips, but another hacking frenzy interrupts, the spit shower spraying all over the bed, himself, and me.
"I can't do anything about leaving, I'm sorry," I say as steadily as I can once the episode is done. I'm not sure if that's what he really wanted to say, but it's all I can reckon for now.
My heart breaks, and I pick up a corner of his blanket before gently caressing his jawline so that it's facing me. I then wipe away the drool and sparse blood from his face, neck, and what I can of his chest beneath the flimsy, pale blue gown. Poor guy, his throat is so raw from the tubes and dry, mechanical air that it's as delicate as tissue paper.
Lowering my hand, I say hospitably, "I'll be back soon,"
MingMing points to the door as more personnel file in like soldiers, one closing the door after me. Once I'm a ways down the hall, I spot that it's open again, but I don't scurry inside. Kai's going through enough, he doesn't need a spectacle.
In the bustling lobby, I hear Nurse Anderson receiving some words from the brown eyed consultant who I swear could rival Barbie's little sister Kelly in age-defying cuteness. I hope he doesn't get fired for this. You know, making an unauthorized call and all. Who knew he would do something like that though.
Fearing that outcome, I race to the front desk.
Heaving, I breathlessly say, "Please don't fire him?!" Having got their attention, I add, "Nurse Anderson was only trying to make sure I knew my, uh, old man, was okay. Alive. He's a dear friend of the family,"
Security escorts me the crest of the way out, and Rick is quick to follow, stating that he's not being fired, but temporarily moved to another facility.
I nod, doing my damndest to keep it together. He hugs me, and says that he'll be by for dinner in a couple of days if things don't ramp up. I tell him great but I may be here and staying over for a while to help out. He wishes me the best of luck with that, and I send him the same before heading off to my four-wheeled haven. A.K.A. my car.
The second the door closes, I bawl my heart out, Kai's face being all I can see in my head… I'm not sure how much time has passed but there's a set of raps at my window. Not caring if I hurt their feelings I scream for them to go away, but instead of nothing or a groan I hear more taps, this round noisier. Enraged that they aren't listening, I brace myself as best I can and unlock my door. I open my mouth to yell at the person, but am only met with a note on my windshield. Perplexed, I grab the thick, folded post tucked beneath my dingy wipers and latch my door once more.
Licking my lips, I unfurl it to find some nicely penned words on a yellow sticky note stuck to the bulky, bottom-heavy envelope adorned with a metal clasp.
"'Here's a little something for your troubles,'" I read aloud, the blue ink easy to scan.
Intrigued, I examine the contents. Lifting the easy-to-open flap, my clenched jaw falls and I lose the ability to breathe for a minute.
Inside the mustard-colored pouch squats a bundle of bills. I've never seen so much money in my entire life... I don't even have this much in my bank account despite working two jobs. I think that's something I'd failed to mention… Oops. I'm a server at Oliver's restaurant as well as an employee at Mizuhara Hobby shop. Retail and foodservice, I don't recommend either one frankly but, they are the backbone of countries.
Counting the cash, I determine that there's enough to turn the lights at Kai's manor back on plus excess a-plenty. I'm gobsmacked regardless. Where did all this come from? It has to be a trap, a trick. No one just 'gives away' this amount. I could understand a couple of grand, maybe less, and be just as grateful for the generosity. But all this.
Padding the package in one of my two school bags, I drive home with only the traffic and other common sounds to keep me company.
Arriving home, I spy a white car parked out front. Deducing it's another customer who failed to find the right space I grab my tan tote bag and bolt inside.
"You are not gonna believe this!"
I halt the moment I spot uncle Max, and someone I never expected to see, sitting at the table across from each other with clay teacups between them.
"Principal Z? What are you doing here?" I inquire as I walk to them, my steps slow, bordering on cautious.
"You call him, Principal Z? What happened to last names and better-yet sir?" Uncle nags, upset that I failed to use the proper honorifics I used to when it came to authority figures.
Our average height, pasty guest politely smiles at me and then waves a shooing hand at uncle. A telltale sign that he wants the subject to be dropped.
"I told the kids to call me that when I was appointed. It's easier than Zeo or Zagart trust me,"
The jagged haired man with the short, turquoise hair looks at me again, his darker but still matching eyes gleaming beneath his long bangs as they proceed to see right through me. Sometimes I think he has X-ray vision. That, or he knew Kai at some point. That seems to be happening a lot lately, and I'd more than love for the weirdness to stop.
"Gotcha," Uncle says before turning to me, "What do you need?"
"I… saw something on my car after leaving the hospital, it was in an envelope, pinned to my windshield,"
I anticipate confusion, but all I get is a cheeky grin. Turning back to the clean and neatly trimmed gent, Uncle says, "Don't you think you could've brought it to me instead?"
"In hindsight yes, but Lionel didn't see you there and I didn't want him holding that for too long,"
"I'm confused. What's going on here?" I butt in, unable to bite my tongue.
Facing me again, Principal Z says in a cheery tone, "Lionel, with my help, has been raising money to help your dad. I was told that he had many character witnesses in court as well as some visual testimony. I mean they used the security camera footage of him being shot. Tac on legal fees with the high-end med care and we discovered it'd be a pretty penny. I used to be an accountant and looking into Kai's finances I saw that it had become pretty dire,"
I was aware of what they used in court, duh, but not everything else.
"Things were dire?" I ask in distress-laced panic, "How dire are we talking?"
Principal Z sends me a grave face, "He would've been homeless before Christmas. He barely had enough to feed a small family let-alone keep the lights of that mansion on,"
"How did I not know about this?!" I holler, now as dumbfounded as before.
"Because I didn't tell you. I also didn't tell you that Lionel has been working at Oliver's diner. Has since January," says Uncle, a sly smirk creasing his features before it falls into a small smile.
"No way, I never saw him," I say, sounding less miffed than I am.
"He made sure to work different shifts. Said he didn't want to risk running his mouth," Pointing at me, Max sternly adds, "And you better not say anything to Kai. Rick called when you left so I know he's awake,"
I nod, not sure what to do with myself. On one hand I want to fall to my knees and cry gratitude; the other part of me wants to run to Lionel and scream at him for keeping something so big from me despite understanding his reasons. He knows how I feel about secrets, and now I feel like a royal nincompoop for not giving my window whacker a second glance.
I give the parcel to Max before steering up the stairs to rest my aching head, my sanity whizzing in circles with all that's happened. I crash my head onto my pillows and instantly zonk out, the world dead to me for an unspecified amount of time.
My phone rings and, aimlessly shuffling a hand into my rear pockets, I somehow find it and answer it before the automated voicemail kicks in.
"Hello?" I gruffly say, face squished deep into the flexible space of cottony foam.
"Hi, this is, Dr. Mathilda. Is the next of kin available?"
I turn my head to one side, the next day's dawn painting my room as I fight the flight urge my palpitating heart brings on. I want to bolt to my feet in anxiety but my body refuses such an act, still heavy from the nearly 22-hour slumber.
"This is him. What's up?" I press, my eyes still closed but husky voice easy to hear.
"Well, Mr. Hiwatari-"
I chuckle, unintentionally cutting her off while I roll onto my back with a flop before sitting up to say, "It's just Gou, ma'am,"
I can sense her smile on the other end of the line, and with glee, I hear her giggle an airy tune.
"Gou, you can come back,"
At those words, I speedily gather a backpack of stuff. The doctor proceeds to tell my overly exhilarated self as I change clothes and pack that Kai can't move due to something called atrophy. I frown at that. Not only does this mean that MingMing helped him hug me, but that his mobility is next to nothing minus his head.
On the brighter side, he can eat. That's a blessing in and of itself, but I am a tad crushed to know that he didn't actually hug me himself. I'm then told I'm going to have to lipread, and I warn her that I'm nowhere near skilled in it but assure her I can learn. Despite it all, I'm over the moon and more.
I arrive at the hospital within an hour and am quick to discover that I'm just in time for breakfast.
"Mind if I crash the party?" I say as Nurse MingMing opens the door for me.
"Kai, your boy needs some serious fashion advice. It's not 2004 anymore. Hellooo, it's 2033," the sprite half-jokingly states with a witty grin as she points to me, referring mostly to my sorely old-world wardrobe and bedhead kind of hairstyle.
Said man only smiles and in his eyes I see that he's happy to see me, but I can't tell if he agrees with her or not.
"I hate to burden you with this, but, would you mind feeding Kai his breakfast? MingMing and I have five patients apiece plus him and could use the extra hand," explains a Japanese nurse I don't recognize.
She's eyeing me from beside the movable table connected to the edges of the bed, a navy green lidded serving tray sat atop it.
My anxiety spikes but I hide it, and my outrage, with a friendly smile. "It's not a burden at all, I'd love to,"
While I don't mind in the slightest, half-hoping that I could... Isn't this their job?
I wash up in the small bathroom, scrubbing my arms soap and water from tips to elbows before thoroughly drying off with lots of paper towels.
I return to find the women have gone and Kai looking at me as if he's going to collapse, eyes pretty much begging me open the lid.
"At least they had the courtesy to set you up," I say as I walk to him.
He rolls his eyes, no doubt agreeing with me. He still has an oxygen tube 'rounding his nose and ears and the typical lines for pain aids and fluids connected, but it's nothing like before. The swelling and bruising is pretty much gone and only sections of bandages bind his hands, chest, and the wounded leg. Thankfully, those have been cleaned and changed. Can't say the same for his clothes however. That I don't like seeing. Has he even had a bath since he came to, been moved around to keep bed sores at bay, or the ones he may have from getting worse? Considering what they have asked me to do, probably not.
I lift the dome concealing the almost foul-smelling food and we both recoil at the strong aroma. How long has this been sitting around?
"Yeah, no, this is totally gross,"
I place the lid back on it, and add, "If you're that hungry I'll shove it on in, but if you're willing to wait, I'll go get you something else. How's that sound? And I promise it'll be healthy. I haven't touched fast-food in months, and that's probably because I work in it,"
I look at Kai's stats and see that his blood sugar is startlingly low. Able to eat or not shouldn't he still be getting some vitamin formula or something? This is a hospital not a military Bootcamp. I don't care if they're understaffed, this is wrong on so many levels.
Then, I watch his head tilt down, presumably toward the tray.
Sighing, I say, "Wanna force this down then? It's only porridge with what looks to be scrambled eggs,"
He nods, and I unwrap the plastic spoon that matches the lid. Grabbing some more paper towels I stuff them into the collar of his gown as a makeshift bib. Stirring the mush, I proceed to feed him. Even though I've added the pink packets of sweeteners to what is virtually clotted cardboard, I can tell he doesn't like it, but is satisfied to have something of actual substance in his stomach. The bland gruel is gone in a matter of 20 minutes, and in a way, I'm not surprised.
"That's the last of it," I say, putting the dishes aside and moving the table away from him.
"Are you full?"
Surveying me, he weakly shakes his head no.
"Want me to get you anything else?"
Kai shakes his head, and mouths something.
Remembering what the doctor said, I ask, "Can you repeat that?"
Clearly frustrated with himself not me, Kai moves his lips again and after focusing and thinking it through I figure it out.
"You're saying I've done enough?" I let out, hoping that I've pinned it down.
Kai moves his lips again, annunciating more animatedly, his red eyes saying how much he hates this.
"Ohhh… I've done more than enough?"
Kai nods, the ordeal more taxing than he thought it would be.
"Thanks,"
I inch closer and use the papery bib to rid his face of the speckled gubbins and runny residue I failed to scoop up with the spoon.
"But I don't feel like I've done anything... Besides, you'd do the same for me,"
Kai smiles up at me once I move away and throw the wad in the bin beside the bed, his eyelids getting heavier by the second. It's both depressing and horrifying how much a simple task like eating has taken out of him.
"You tired?" I ask as I walk around and claim the chair beside him, my stuff next to it.
Kai nods and before I can say anything back, he's out like a light.
I'll ask him when he wakes up later, but I'm gonna see if he won't want a bath. He most likely will but I want to be sure, and of course get someone in here to help so I don't risk hurting him further.
While Kai's asleep, his blood sugar and other stats appearing more promising, I slink off to the bathroom to make a few phone calls. Primarily to school and home, but before I take on all that madness, I text Agatha good morning and tell her I'm gonna miss her face as well as wish her the best. Seconds after seeing Read I get a call. I'm sure you can guess who.
"Hey," I say in a hard huff, my wind all but gone.
"… Hey. Is everything okay? Why aren't you coming to school?"
"Agatha-" Instead of running around, I just decide to come out with it. "Kai's awake. I never got to tell you because I fell asleep,"
"Oh my God! When can we see him?!"
"Only I'm allowed to until they give the go-ahead, but I'll let you know. For now, I'm gonna stay with him,"
"They have nurses and such. Why are you sticking around?"
From jumping up and down overjoyed to on the warpath offended; I now regret ever picking up.
"It's only been a day and they're already neglecting him. I'm allowed to hang out so I'm gonna… As for school, I'll call Makoto and see if he can't take you around, and if by chance he can't, I'll try Lin. I know you share a few classes with them. And then there's Rachel, I'm sure she'll help where she can. I know I'm appointed as your guide but right now, and this is scary, but I know you can do this. Please don't be cross with me?"
"… Gou, don't worry I get it. I was just confused and worried,"
I deflate into my reservoir of relaxation at her warmer demeanor, falling back onto the currently closed door the moment she says that.
"Aggy, you're a sweetie,"
She laughs and I can sense a smile on her face as she says, "Rachel is only allowed to call me Aggy, but I'll make an exception for you. You did save my life after all,"
I chuckle and go beat red in the face, running a hand through my hair due to the nerves. "Shucks, I didn't do nothin',"
"Shush you," she playfully orders.
It's at times like this that I can't fully tell if she's flirting or just trying to be funny. Either way, I enjoy it.
"Yes, ma'am," I say cooly, a cheeky smile on my face before I bite my bottom lip. I won't lie that was hot and now I'm bothered.
"I'll admit I'm a little anxious about being on my own. What if I go into the wrong class, get turned around? It's happened before, and it's never ended well,"
Getting back on track at her uneasy accent, I assuringly tac on, "I know you'll do fine, better than before. I've seen you persevere through obstacle after obstacle, that inspires me... In truth-"
I deadlock, unable to speak all that craves to come out. Hindering the roaring pour of the thundering flood pushing up my throat.
"I can't explain it at the moment, but know that you're my strength. Your endless sweetness and encouragement keep me hanging on... I hope you have a good day and I'll see ya soon. Text you later,"
After going quiet to the point that I thought the line died, Agatha at last repeats what I'd said, it all sounding sizably sweeter through her succulent lips. I end the call and take a breather before resuming this stalled emotional rollercoaster ride.
The next couple of days sees a lot happen, seemingly at once, all of it compacting into a wild mixture of frazzled and fun. To sum the monumental event up… Wedding… That's right, Sinead and Lionel are finally tying their knot on the boat of life.
On top of the excitement of Kai waking up it'd gotten shoved to the back of my mind. I didn't mean for it to, and upon telling the Man Of The Hour he understood why I was late for renting a nice suit and the rehearsal dinner. Life is crazy on both ends. Kai was asleep when I left for both and was still, oddly, snoozing away when I returned.
I know he's codependent, but I'm having a tough time trusting the staff beyond Dr. Mathilda and Nurse MingMing who have been giving their all anytime they poke their heads in. I've learned a lot from them as it stands, but have pleaded that Dr. Mathilda sends in a bid for another authority to be brought in. One, in particular I'd like to run into again.
In the middle of begging someone, anyone, to assist me with changing Kai's dressings and flipping him again as I prepare to leave for Wedlock, I instead end up handing out a considerable chunk of my mind to everyone in sight and earshot. To say I'm appalled by Kai's treatment would be an understatement. I may be living here, more or less, but they still have jobs to do. Thus far, I'm doing everything except administering his medicine and shots. They all say I'd make a great nurse… Gee, I wonder why! I'm practically in med school at this point!
Being Lionel's Best Man means that I have to leave Kai at their mercy, but as if right on cue, the angel strides in. Well, I say angel, but he resembles a forty-ton, brick edifice and is as imposing as the tallest castle walls.
"Thank you so much for coming, Dr. Spencer," I say winded as I skid out of the room and hurriedly shake his hand, pouring buckets of sweat over and beneath my tuxedo that may as well be a sponge. "I really appreciate it,"
He smiles as lovingly as he can at me before setting me free, but his powerful eyes convey how dissatisfied he is with the environment.
"I can tell, and it's not a problem. I'm glad you called. I knew he was in the hospital and under Dr. Mathilda's remarkable supervision, but I had no idea of the severity. Mathilda has been fighting a losing battle with the division for some time over underqualified faculty being hired on, but she's about to win the war. Don't worry about Kai anymore, we've got 'im. Refreshen up, head off, and enjoy yourself. Tell them congratulations and good luck, they'll need it,"
Something tells me Sergei runs a tight ship regardless of whether it's his own or a colleague's, and in the end no one is going to seep through the cracks. In other words, he's hitting this battleship, and I'm over here undergoing a mix of indebted and scared shitless.
"Thanks, I will, and feel free to fill me in on the aftermath," I snarkily say before sliding back in, the floor extra slippery due to my dressy shoes.
The twilight-painted venue is gorgeous, with vivid pastels, the scent of fresh lavender flowers, and lit candles decorating the ivory outfitted tables that border the matching satin-covered aisle.
I won't lie, it is a nice reprieve, but I've grown to loathe the beach already and we've only been here two hours at most. The seasoned sand plays a part in why, but crabs take the cake. Pun half-intended.
I inform Agatha in a touchy tone while we spruce ourselves up in a prep room before the ceremony that if I get bit or pinched by one more of those nasty, cursed, sandy water-spiders I'm gonna nuke the ocean! They crawled up my pants and sleeves right after I parked.
She merely laughs at me from the washroom and soon approaches me to comb my hair back before gelling it down. She says she understands my view, but it's the only place she can wear her little high-waisted shorts without being chastised.
"Is that so?"
I grin wildly at her, but mostly at the raunchy image in my head. Before I know it she's forcibly but playfully pushing me onto my knees while berating me for being a pervert.
"Then don't give me fantasies,"
"Shush you," she says, trying to sound mad but I can tell by her smile that she's having the time of her life. Maybe even possibly satisfied that she got a rising rouse out of me.
"Yes, ma'am," I jokingly add, eyes sparkling with amusement.
She laughs with a reddened face before sitting me still in front of the full-sized mirror bolted to the wall directly in front of us.
Several minutes later, Max comes to get us and we head out to the waterfront. While walking along the halls, uncle says I look phenomenal, but my eyes are captivated by the female in front of us as I tell him thank you. I try to hide it by fiddling with my cravat, but I think uncle notices.
Agatha is wearing a light purple gown with bead-embroidered spaghetti straps and off-white lacing along the top and sides. She's a bridesmaid so I know she's not the only woman wearing it, but I don't have to see the others to know that she looks the best in it.
Uncle looks me over for a second time, eyes hazed over with what I assume to be memories. That or he's about to faint. For a moment I contemplate stopping our trek to fetch him a chair.
Spotting tears in his shifting eyes, I tell Agatha to hang back a second while I usher Max into a nearby restroom.
"Everything okay?" I ask as I sit him on a lidded toilet, my hands on his shoulders. "Are you hurting? Do you need another dose of medicine?"
"No," he tearfully lets out, voice constricted yet strained.
"Then what's wrong?" I'm begging him to tell me with all the visual cues I can, but I think my voice is doing most of the work.
Looking into his eyes, it hits me, and without a word I lean in to hold him tight. "I miss her too, and you know Kai would've loved this,"
I hear him snort, and after crying into my black blazer, he snottily says, "I know,"
He's referring to both of them, but I think his mind is mostly on mom today.
"I guess mom loved weddings?" I ask as he moves away, composing himself.
"Yeah. She loved to dance too,"
Standing at my full height, I ask, "Did she ever win any competitions?"
He nods, his smile stable and face drying up, "A couple, and she even got your dad to join in on one of them. If I remember right it was the last one she ever did,"
"How on earth did she manage that?" I ask in shock, it written all over my face. It's hard to see it, envision him strutting his stuff in front of a crowd, but it's possible I suppose.
Max grins, eyes alight with laughter, "A bet,"
"Are you serious?" I say, cackling after.
"Yepparuny. As serious as an infant's diaper rash,"
"I gotta hear this,"
Uncle checks his phone for the time and, looking at me, says, "They were engaged and set to be married within the week. Because of stress from her job, she taught English, Charlotte said she wanted to have the time of her life that night and Kai obliged. He took her out shopping, to a movie she'd been dying to see, and for dinner and drinks. To our disappointment, they refused to have a Stag or Hen night so I guess you could say that that was their prenuptial party," he clears his dry throat before continuing, "Anyway, to get him to dance with her, she bet her virginity,"
I go feverish but the smile doesn't fade.
"Mhm. Needless to say Kai won that wager,"
He pats my right cheek affectionately before getting up to leave. Walking by me, he says, "Come on, don't wanna keep your matron waiting,"
I groan at that, before following him out.
"Don't poke me about this," I plead, my overall mood dropping several digits.
The wedding itself was sweet and the vows made us all tear up, the women crying more than the men and in time some even discuss their own future wedding plans. In my opinion that's rude to do in front of the bride you call your friend but I digress.
At the Toast, I gave a speech I never wrote. Yes, it was spur-of-the-moment but I think I landed on the decent side of the spectrum. It certainly went over better, by leagues mind you, than Makoto's mishap. He actually tried to make the moves on Lin again. Yes, he did that! Even though they'd been broken up for several months, he popped the question, he proposed. Needless to say, she shot him down, and it was a hard hit. Part of me found it bizarre; the other near pitied him. Overall though, I was furious too. Not the best time or place.
Once things settle back into a lighter aura, this is all thanks to Maeryn and uncle Ray smashing colossal cupcakes into the couple's faces, we're told by a heartily laughing Lionel that we have an hour to clean up and change clothes if we wish to. When questioned why by a lady's kid, Lionel kindly remarks that we're all going to a Disney-themed resort for the weekend-long reception. Amidst the cheers and clapping, I secretly hope they have expressly thick walls in the hotel.
We amble back to my car, where our luggage is, and while Agatha steps into the same room from before to change, I stop at the door. Uncle then pushes me inside, pointing to the bathroom door afterward. I look and notice that it's shut, the latch locked.
"I'm going to change in the restroom down the hall. Please pick something that isn't wrinkly or musty-smelling. I can't remember the last time you put away your laundry,"
"Yes, sir,"
I do as told, scouring my stuff for the perfect items. I really want to pick something that she approves of, ask her opinion. She's the more fashionable one so why not. I soon pull out a plain, blue-ish grey tank top along with a white, short-sleeve button-up to slide over it. Underneath all that are my dark cargo shorts but I decide against those. Discovering I'd forgotten to grab my purple pants, I take the shorts out. I guess I'm wearing them with my brown, open-toed sandals. Not exactly what I had in mind. In two minutes I rip off my monkey suit and pack it away after throwing on my casual threads.
"How do I look?"
At Agatha's shy but optimistic voice, I peer up after zipping my bag and nearly slap myself to make sure this isn't an illusion.
Along with her aforementioned white shorts that have ripped edges, Agatha is sporting a figure-hugging, short sleeve, off-the-shoulder crop top dyed royal purple. On her feet are a pair of black, wedged, open-toed sandals that buckle around the ankle. Her hair is down and freshly styled, but still reminiscent of the beach-waved, loose updo it had been weaved into earlier.
Smiling unabashedly, I have to force myself to speak, "… Breathtaking,"
And I'm not lying, this passionate pet has made it so that I can't tell if I'm dead or alive.
Falling back into myself I ask if she's ready to go, the warmer tints of her skin's undertone sticking out more than usual. Her long-wear makeup is simple so it wouldn't take much time for her to fix it if she chose to. Personally though, I don't think she needs the stuff.
While she moves about to finish up, I notice that white clothes cause her skin to appear darker, giving her a slightly golden honeyed completion. Meanwhile, I'm still pale as a ghost no matter what I don and somehow obtain the superpower to become a neon sign in sunlight.
She lowers to her knees and reapplies the pink lipstick from before as well as some fresh mascara, still immersed in her doll-up session. She then switches from gold jewelry to a set of silver, hoop earrings and a Thunder Pegasus pendant to match.
Squinting my eyes, I notice that she's having trouble clasping it, so I step up. Taking hold of the joins, my fingers brushing hers, I ask, "How come you don't have your dad's?"
Agatha moves her hair out of the way before answering me, "We're, not close anymore,"
Finally getting the hook through the hole, I let the necklace fall where it needs to. "He hasn't returned any of your calls or texts then? He knows about… what happened, so why isn't he, ya know, reaching back?"
I want to shake Raul, and if I have to punch him, to make him see that going on as they are only damages them more. I didn't like that he did that to her in the first place, but this is ludicrous. She's suffered enough.
Her eyes become listlessly somber as she stares off into space, not seeing her reflection or even moving anymore.
"… I don't know," she mutters, her lips barely moving.
I can hear how broken she is. Sense the longing to return to how things used to be, how much she wants a relationship with him again. He's hurt her more than she could communicate and those cuts run deeper than the thickest skin.
I don't hold her, rush in to hug her like I want to. Instead, I push back and use my toes to rise to my feet, my arms left to hang freely.
"... Agatha?" I let out, hoping my voice will keep her grounded enough so that she doesn't cry.
She doesn't say anything, and I don't expect her to. I can tell by her squared shoulders that she's at least heard me, and that's enough.
"Ever read how Pegasus was made?" I ask as I back away from her, figuring that the pendant belonged to her aunt at one time. I'm guessing it was a Christmas gift she got in the mail. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am.
"No, you know I don't read mythology," she says matter of factly, letting her long hair cascade over her, covering its usual places.
"Well you should because like me the stories are short, and sometimes simple,"
I hear her giggle and she briefly turns a small smile in my direction.
"Don't you mean simpleminded?" she adds, her reflection revealing how relaxed she's become.
"Nah, I think out of the two of us that's you," I prod with a laugh afterward, hoping she'll joke back. When she does that I know she's pushing more toward better and away from broken.
"I meant the stories, Brainiac," she coolly says before standing up, her new look finished. "But now that you mention it, you are a little dense at times,"
I grin knowingly before adding, "The winged horse sprang from the blood of Medusa when Perseus cut off her head,"
"That's so nasty," she says with disgust, her scrunched face lowering to the floor. Yeah, she's that grossed out by it.
"Pegasus comes to people in need of strength, virility, or healing. As a warrior type of spirit, Pegasus teaches lessons about using one's bravery, courage, and energy wisely,"
While she soaks all that in, I take the chance to discretely dig into my bag's front pouch for the little extra tucked away with my cologne.
We arrive at the resort on schedule and, while Max scampers off with Ray and the others, Agatha is quick to lug me along an aged, cobblestone pathway that looks less than real close up. We're quick to run into characters, both mascots and costumed, and she's all for taking pictures while I stand off to the side.
The next lots we run into are Hercules and Megara who are stood in front of the water fountain with Hercules' goat-man coach. I can't remember his name. Phoebus, maybe?
Agatha races to the triad while I stuff my hands in my pockets and follow at a slower pace. She, with her puppy dog pout, ropes me into a photo with them. I ruffle my hair into its usual spiky everywhere mess beforehand, refusing any longer to look like I work at a Host Club. I think I'd be categorized as the 'strong but silent type' but that's beside the point.
Once that nightmare is done, she leads me into a diner for a sweet treat and a drink. I tell her at the counter what's on the large wall menu behind the cashier, and she picks out a turkey leg with a soda, while I decide on a burger and cheddar cheese flavored crisps.
In the middle of eating, the two of us sat at a round table outside the corridor, I spot two striking attractions in the distance... She likes a portion of them but two of Agatha's favorite Disney films are Tangled and Aladdin, and using that information, I know just how I'm going to cap off the night. But first, I need to buy this warrior a Pegasus of her own. Yes, I'm going to go to the gift shop and buy her the horse from Hercules. She loves stuffed animals so I think I'm gonna add to her collection.
The thought of mythical animals triggers my mind down an odd road… Like me, she never played Beyblade. Among our peers, who at least competed in local tournaments when we were tiny tots, that makes us outcasts. I know why I never played, but what were Agatha's reasons for halting the line?
"Whatcha thinkin' about?"
Her voice pulls me back to reality, my burger all but gone and crisps unopened. "What made you never pick up Beyblade?"
"Just chose not to. Never interested me. What about you?"
Her ginormous turkey limb is halfway gone along with her soda, but I don't spare it more than a glance, my mind focused on what she said.
I pop the last bit of burger into my mouth, and get it down before speaking, "I… Uncle Max never allowed me to play, and after he angrily said no a third time I just quit asking. After that I lost interest. I help with the shop, but beyond that I have nothing to do with the sport, and I don't plan on working there forever. The mythos of the bit-beasts intrigues me and that's about it,"
Agatha nods, her eyes indicating that she's putting the rest of the pieces together. The reasons Max never let me play and such.
It used to bother me, not being permitted to play what everyone else was and fit in, but since my preteen years hit I could care less. I do wonder now though if I'll stumble upon the famous Dranzer. I loved turtles for a long time and even dreamed of being a Herpetologist but time's changed that career path. Maybe I'll become a teacher.
Once Pegasus is rescued from his spot on a high shelf and tucked into her messenger bag type of purse, I'm enthusiastically jerked further on down the bustling street toward Rapunzel and Eugene from Tangled. Watching her interact with the costumed couple, an actor and actress, was the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life by far, and guys, I want more of her being this happy. I've never seen the film in full, but I know the story and have seen that town dance/lantern scene so many times I know it by heart. Yes, this includes the song.
Seeing them keeps my mind observant, and I purchase tickets from a booth nearby. They're for two rides, one she's currently jumping up and down over.
"Oooohhhh! Can we go on it? Can we go on it? Please, Gou, please? I've always wanted to," she excitedly begs as if she were a child, hands tightly clasped together and hugging knees bent closer to the ground.
I simply smile and show her the tickets for the ride.
She jumps up in glee and twines her arms around my neck, causing me to take a few steps back due to added weight and unintended push. She says thank you over and over again, and I want to hold her tight, but I simply give her a few pats on the back and tell her that I thought she'd like it.
As we inch through the winding line of Rapunzel's Floating Lights, couples and families alike coming and going, I notice that Agatha is eagerly reading the yellow and purple lettered neon sign every minute or two, and I can't help the Cheshire Cat grin almost stretching my face in two. It's strange to feel, but I think I'm falling harder for her. That girl from last year seems so far away now, a different person than who is here.
"You look like you're ready to bolt into space. Try to thwart your thrusters there, rocket girl,"
Agatha looks at me sheepishly, seeing in my eyes that I don't mind the enthusiasm but I'd like her not to get hurt. "I get it. Knowing my luck I'll trip while getting into the boat anyway,"
Those words make me picture that and I immediately shudder, concocting a plan right after. The second we reach the guy at the gate, I hurry in front of Agatha and hand the guy our passes.
Ignoring the lady's narrowed eyes at my back, I tell the guy that the woman behind me is handicapped and because it's dark, needs some extra time to make it to the boats. This is important or I wouldn't have been so rude otherwise. He nods in my direction, onyx eyes emoting that he's got my back.
Leaning closer to me, he says, "Don't worry, we'll make sure she's safe before we let anyone else cram onto the pier,"
I smile gratefully, "Thank you,"
I turn my gaze back to Agatha, who knows I said something but not exactly what, and looks just as displeased.
I send her a smile as I extend a hand to her, keeping it out until she spots it in the bright, cotton candy colored lights.
She's shocked and bashful at the display but she merrily takes it anyway and allows me to guide her up the four, dark and slippery steps one takes to get onto the damp dock that leads to the manmade lake.
Stepping further out onto the risen, wooden path, the light all but disappears minus the warm glow at the far edge. I glance down at Agatha only to see a loose fist against her chest. She's uncomfortable, has her guard up, and it's not hard to catch why. I squeeze her left hand reassuringly. She looks at me with uncertainty but still manages to force a small smile. At it, I tilt my head North and walk us along. Once we reach the numerous boats, small wooden ones tied to poles by rope, I hear more people coming our way, and quickly choose the one at the front.
Untieing it, I hold her hand again and step into it one leg at a time. Once I'm steady, I urge her closer, telling her that it's gonna be fine.
"I won't drop you, and if you tumble I'll catch you,"
She relaxes a small degree, lowering her guard and the shaking fist, before taking a step down onto the wobbly surface. It moves, teetering back at the uneven weight, and she nearly screams but I'm quick to calm her.
"It's okay, it's okay, Aggy. Just one more move. I promise you you're safe,"
She does her best to still her panicked breaths, and soon does what I admire, she digs deep and presses on. She takes that last step onto the boat, and due to knocking knees, falls into my chest not long after. Not that I'm complaining.
We manage to take our seats, my hand only letting go of her once she's stable, and I row us out a fair bit from the shore, other boats doing the same. Agatha told me while in line that you can ride this during the day but it's much better to at night, and I can guess why.
In a matter of minutes, the balls of connected lights on the water glow brighter, making lanes of warmth that resemble a fireplace as well as give off a sense of serenity.
I come to a stop in the middle of the water, and we bask in the magical ambiance around us. While Agatha is enamored with the floating flowers and lights, I look up at the sky and notice the show's started. The second I'm about to say something, she notices and her eyes light up like never before. Ok, forget all I said before, this sight may take the number one spot.
I grin wildly as Agatha enthusiastically points to the lanterns floating down and rising up over the land, two steadily gliding directly into our lane. I push one up from the water so it doesn't fizzle out, and Agatha does the same with the other, lifting it gracefully.
I hear cheering in the distance but think little of it, eyes infatuated by my radiant princess.
Deciding it's go-time I go serious and swoop her hand up in mine, getting her attention. Swallowing the nerves, I say, "I have something to ask,"
"What is it?" Her eyes flicker with wonder, and she gives me her undivided intuition.
I remove my sweaty hand and pluck out the tickets from my pocket. Thank goodness we're in something small, if I had to get any closer I'd kiss her. Wait, would she like that? Does she want me to kiss her?
Pushing that strong desire down, I press onward. Showing her the school-issued tickets, I ask with quick breaths, "Will you go with me to the Spring Formal?"
She smiles, eyes brimming with tears. "Of course. Yeah I'll go with you,"
I relax, smiling widely as I feel a boulder of nerves roll off of me finally. "I'm sorry I didn't ask sooner,"
"It's okay, Gou. It was worth the wait,"
After she composes herself, swallowing the water wall, she says, "Is that all you… wanted to ask?"
"No, I-"
The loud, miles-echoing whistle blows offshore, cutting me off as it signals that our time is up and that the next shipment of patrons needs a turn.
I curse under my breath before rowing us back to where we're needed, and guide Agatha out again.
Once on dry land, I hurriedly head toward the other side of the park, my short, fast steps and taut frame a stark contrast to the bouncy brunette coming up beside me.
"What's wrong?" Agatha asks as she approaches me, "You look upset,"
I sigh with a groan, stopping as we reach the snake-like line for the Magic Carpet ride. Looking at her I indifferently declare, "Just aggravated,"
As is my luck, we got interrupted.
"Stop your droning. It's not as bad as you're making it out to be," she tries to reassure me.
I roll my eyes and utter a scorned scoff. It is when it keeps happening.
"What did you want to say?"
I grip my hair and growl as I tug outwardly on the two-tone tufts.
"Yo, how's it going?"
At the voice, I look up to see Lionel and Sinead approaching us. Once congratulations and the like are administered for the umpteenth time, Lionel pulls me aside for a guy chat.
"You look piiiiissed," he says with his wet teeshirt and jeans sticking to him.
By all appearances, they have just left the Jungle Cruise ride, and why are we standing beside a trash can? My guess is because the girls are visible, but it in all aspects stinks.
"I am, and then some! Why does this keep happening?!" I roar, knowing that he won't hear me otherwise. No thanks to you, you bratty, annoying screeching scoundrels known as children. It's at times like this that I refuse to become a father.
"Saw you two in the boat, great job. You got your date," he says with a sweet smile. Going stern, he adds, "And then the moment to snatch her heart was ruined. Now what?"
"I don't know," I snap, not liking that he's riddling me.
The smile returns and he says frankly, "You don't overthink. In fact, don't think at all. Take the situation as is and roll with it, act. Play the cards you've got left. The game's not over until your hands are empty,"
He gives my shoulder a few firm but friendly pats, like the ones I gave him when he proposed. "Good luck,"
The knots in my body unravel, and I smile as he walks away, following his footsteps a moment later. I see that he's right, and now I feel a great deal better. Why do I get the feeling that's what Kai would've told me too?
I don't know how long we wait, but when it's sometime past eight o'clock, we finally board the Ferris Wheel, Agatha and I take our small, flatbed truck type of seats around in front of a bulky pole with a gripper that's holding the contraption together. We lay back and soon see that the pads supporting us are painted to resemble Aladdin's flying carpet and the small overhang jutting out from the pole hosts starry lights that glow once things are underway.
In the line, I read on their website that they're doing a fireworks extravaganza at 8:30. And thank goodness for that, because I'm tired of all the crazy runarounds and waiting.
"You seem like you're somewhere else," Agatha asks, turning her head to me.
I turn to her and say, "Just worn out,"
"You sure about that?"
"Yeah, it's been a long and hectic day. Aren't you tuckered out too?"
"Now that you mention it, my feet are killing me,"
I look at the sky and move to place my arms behind my head, using them as a pillow. Agatha's gaze never leaves my peripheral, meaning that she's studying me.
Crossing one ankle over the other, I let out a huff through my nose.
"What did you want to say earlier?"
At her gentle voice I blink, and then roll my gaze to her, those infinite emeralds burrowing into me for miles.
"Something I've been trying to for a while… Did you mean it, what you called me that day?"
Her face reddens at what I mean and it sinks in that she can't avoid the topic this time.
"At the time," she shakily says, scared to admit it.
Truthfully, I think she's afraid of my reaction more, what I might think, see of her now that it's out in the open.
"If you still see me like that, then let me in. Tell me why you'd avoided it, me?"
"I avoided you because I was scared all the baggage would cause you to see me as a burden, be too much. I thought if I pushed you away, you'd find a better partner. You do a lot for me and I'm grateful but, at times I gotta admit I do feel like a helpless child and that you're my nursemaid,"
That's a heavy topic, but my answer is natural.
"I have never and will never see you that way. We're equals as far as I'm concerned,"
I hear a loud boom and spy bright purple flashes and lines of the same colored light. The fireworks have started. More follow, but I'm all but ignoring them. The stars turn on and we start to glide up. The machine is in motion, giving the illusion of flight.
"Your half blindness doesn't define you in my eyes. I don't even think of it when I look at you. To me it's as much a part of who you are as my weird hair is me. I just see you and that beautiful heart that's always been there,"
As a rainbow of booms and assorted ribbons shower and fizzle around us, I note that she can't find the will to speak.
I shift closer, taking her face in my hands so her eyes are locked with mine. One of the many upsides to her condition is close contact. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. Well then, I guess I have a stage-edge seat.
Pressing our foreheads together, I confidently confess, "You are all I want, all I need… Let's go to the dance as more, make it official,"
She smiles and, before I can say more, sobs her fears out. Despite the downward tilt, I hold her steady, not bothered by the tears.
I wipe them away with my thumbs as I say, "I promise, not all men are the same. I only need a lifetime to prove it to ya. Will you let me do that?"
She nods vigorously with elation, and I let go of her at that, embracing her tightly while we lay curled up on the rubbery smelling gymnastics mat.
As the fireworks display thunders on, I lay my head atop hers and close my eyes to the long-playing tune accompanying the event… I've discovered "a whole new world" indeed, and I'm more than ready to share it with Agatha.
Once the ten-ish minute-long ride is over, A Whole New World looping one more time, I smile at Agatha who's tears and makeup have soaked my shirts. Not that I care. I rub my thumbs on the apples of her pink tinted cheeks, her smiling just as brightly back at me.
At a hard stop and a slight swing, I take our cue to skedaddle. Getting up I extend the same hand to her and without hesitation she takes it, only to be scooped into my arms right then and there.
At first she's shocked and a tad freaked out, but once her eyes find my smile, she eases into my hold.
"What? You did say your feet hurt,"
She chortles and leans her head onto my less than impressive chest. Stepping down, I hear a wide span of 'aws' and other kind praises from the surrounding horde.
Carrying her off, I spy Lionel who's grinning broadly. I smile back at him before averting my gaze forward again so as not to trip while we're inevitably consumed by the distant darkness that is the entrance to the Nature Walk area. It's a spacious unit that has flowers, trees, and several grass-bedded benches lining the raised walkway.
I carefully settle Agatha down onto a bench adjacent to a couple of distant street lamps before sitting beside her, I myself leaning back into the vine-like metal frame garnishing the faded wood as we revel in the rest.