Chapter 8

Working with metal was something Cody loved. He had loved it for many years now. The luster of a clean sheet of steel, the rough, red rust of a piece of metal made more beautiful with age. The metal stood tall and strong in any kind of weather, against any kind of storm; no matter the force of the wind. But with all its strength the metal had nothing to protect itself from becoming so cold to the touch in the winter. Cody learned to ignore the cold, so much so that he didn't even attempt to wear any sort of winter attire when the freezing winds blew against his body.

Year after year Nina protested to Cody's lack of concern to this clothing. "But, Cody, dear," she began, watching Cody rub the turtle's shell, "What if you caught a cold? I know you don't care about your health, but think of those around you, dear. Who would help me take care of our shelled-friend here?"

Cody smiled at the old woman's words. Nina was very sweet but she was the only one who had a problem with Cody's bare arms to the cold. No one else in the Valley ever mentioned it before hand, until this year.

"Cody, your hands are ice cold!" exclaimed Abiba. Her voice, he had to admit, came as a surprise. There he was, alone, thinking about his home when there was a sudden touch of warmth on his finer tips. He looked down to find Abiba's small hand on his. He looked to the side and had to force a laugh. Abiba was all wrapped up in a green and plaid outfit, with a scarf around her neck and her hair stuck out slightly from her thick wool hat. Her hands were only partly covered by her half and half gloves. "Are you crazy? You're freezing out here!"

Cody shook his head, "I'm used to this," he saw the concern on Abiba's face, "Really, I am."

"Well, you're crazy. You're human, not one of your sculptures- you've got to keep warm somehow." Abiba was a little grumpy with him, he could tell. Before Cody could say anything more, Abiba muttered a goodbye and wandered in the direction of her farm.

That was a bit strange. Cody watched as Abiba walked up the hill. She had been quite solemn for the past few days; he was beginning to wonder exactly what was wrong. It wasn't until the next day however did Cody gather the courage to go to Abiba's farm and try to find out.

Cody stood outside Abiba's door. He took a deep breath and turned around at once. He took a few steps toward the barn, then turned around again to face Abiba's door. Another deep breath was followed by another turn around- this wasn't leading him anywhere fast.

"Cody?"

The large man turned about to find Takakura, dressed in black behind him. "What are you doing here, Cody?"

"I-uh, wanted to see Abiba- because I- uh…" Cody wasn't exactly sure what to say. Abiba hadn't seemed herself as of late- that was all, was that so hard to say? In Cody's case, yes.

"Oh, that's nice of you to send your condolences on a day like today, Cody, but Abiba's rather upset. She didn't have the heart to come help me clean the grave today…"

"-Grave?" interrupted Cody.

"Hmmm? Yes, her father's grave Cody. He died a year ago today. He was a very good man Cody, though you never got to meet him. You moved here quite a while ago, but he once lived on this farm along with me. However he got ill one day and had to stay in the city to keep his health in the hospitals…" Cody wasn't exactly sure of what Takakura had said after that.

It all made sense now- why Abiba was acting the way she was. How could Cody not have noticed? He suddenly felt very cold. Takakura soon advised Cody to leave; Abiba would not be in the mood for visitors. With a nod, the old man went into his home, only a few footsteps away from Abiba's house. Though Cody understood Takakura's reasoning, he could not let himself leave the farm.

He stood in front of Abiba's door. He was silent for some time before he heard a noise from within. A soft sob from beyond the doorway. Cody's body had just begun to move on its own as his hand pushed the door open. In the far corner of the dimly illuminated room sat a huddled figure on the bed. The blanket was pulled over her shoulders and there was a picture frame cradled in her lap. Cody stared as Abiba's eyes slowly rose to meet his. The amethyst gems of her eyes were swollen and red, tears ran down Abiba's cheeks. "Cody?"

Cody nodded. He closed the door behind him. There was hardly any light in the room at all, just enough to see Abiba's faint outline. He walked up to Abiba and gestured, asking if he would be able to sit next to her. She nodded. Abiba's copper locks cover the majority of her face and were not tied up in its usual ponytail. Abiba looked down. "You're still cold," she said laying her hand on Cody's palm.

Abiba held his hand with both of hers. She brought his hand to her forehead and began to cry again. Cody was a little unsure, but he slowly brought his other hand around Abiba's shoulders, Abiba cried into her knees clutched to her chest.

"I miss him…." Abiba sobbed. "I miss them both so much!"

For a moment Cody wondered who was the 'them' Abiba was speaking of, then he glanced down at the picture. There was a man and a woman holding the hands of a toddler-sized Abiba. The family was very happy together, the father looked strong yet gentle. Abiba was clearly her mother's child. Abiba had all her mother's features with hair shorter then Abiba's, but still very pretty. Abiba wept for a while, Cody didn't say a word, partly because he didn't know what to say to comfort her.

After a while, Abiba tried to stop the tears. Cody wasn't really looking at her anymore, he was ashamed, he could do nothing. "You're lucky you know," he said, "To have had such a relationship with your father. I never- knew my father, I was too young to remember him really. For a long time, I thought the gang leader was like a father, he always seemed to have my back." Cody sighed, "The only person, who I can really think of as a true father figure, was my Uncle… But still-" Cody looked at Abiba, "Please, cry as much as you need because I just, just lov-"

Cody thought for a moment.

"-I just love to see you smile. And the more I look at your father's picture, the more I think he loved it too."

Abiba stared at Cody for a while. Then she spoke, with steady sobs breaking up her words. "My mother died when I was thirteen. Cancer. We didn't see it coming. All I had was my dad, and he- he… just got sick, and sicker, the hospitals said he didn't take care of himself properly. I didn't realize at the time how bad it was until it was too late…."

Cody didn't leave for a few more hours after that, they didn't really say anything, but Cody fixed Abiba some soup. When he was about to leave, Abiba said thank you and noted that his hands had warmed up a bit- Cody smiled and only said, "I'll see you tomorrow."