Chapter ~ Definite.
During breakfast, I could barely eat. Pearls, who was seated beside me looked anxious. Naturally she understood my inability to eat meant something was amiss and she wore an adult frown that looked misplaced on her still youthful face. She clasped my wrist causing me to drop my chopsticks. "Mystic Maya, you're coming with me.." she said with a surprisingly bossy tone and with that I was dragged by my diminutive cousin to the Winding Way.
The small garden belonging to the winding way had expanded. Bonsai tree's are various sizes were alligned perfectly in grey sand to encourage harmony. A set of silver chimes hung from the tallest tree, tinkling gently in the light breeze that blew through the corrider. It was refreshing and relieved some of the heat that had gathered in my cheeks. The noodles were always too hot...but still, it was food....
Pearl sighs heavily, like she carried the weight of the world on her petite shoulders. "Mystic Maya...what is it?" she looked directly into my
eyes, their clear blue somehow boreing into me, determined to find an honest answer. I couldn't lie to her...One, she'd find out and two...well
she'd find out.
"I've..I've been thinking 'bout a few things.." I'm reluctant to go into too much detail. Pearl was never aware of his and my relationship.
I feared making her aware now would dredge up even more half-forgotten memories. I had taken quite enough trips down memory lane.
"What things?" she asked, her head innocently cocked to one side. Pearl always was and always will be an odd concoction of mature adult and
little kid, her quick transition between the two was even more bizarre. I decided to confess. Pearl didn't deserve anymore lies from anyone.
"About Nick." I said. I attempted a lack of emotion in my voice but even his name made my heart sink from my chest into my stomach. "Mr Nick...are you
worried about him?" She was referring to the headline we had read in the morning paper and had watched on 'Snowy'. She knew and understood
what 'disbarred' meant after I explained it to her. She had looked concerned and tearful for her old friend. She had clasped my hand tightly and
I sensed she was trying to comfort me. I say Pearl didnt know about myself and 'Nick' but when her smaller fingertips enclosed mine, I had the
impression she knew more then I give her credit for. What would she think knowing that 'Mr Nick' had been my 'special someone'?
"Nick was my special someone!" It falls out of my mouth, clumsily. (What..the? MAYA, what were you thinking? Stupid, stupid woman. And special someone? What are you, 4??). I look
at Pearl's perfectly oval face. She's blinking erractically and Im sure she hasn't taken a breath for a whole minute.I guess she cant believe it "Pearl?"
She looks at me with complete eye contact again. "What kinda special someone?" she's asks with her left eyebrow raised in a suspicious
expression. Pearl isn't a kiddie anymore and naturally a certain older cousin had to educate her on the birds and the bee's. To put it simply,
Pearl now knew where babies came from. I gave Pearl a knowing look, a communication device that perhaps all females knew. "Ohhh...that kinda of
of special someone". She grins, proud as punch. She believes it.
"There was more too it then that" I can feel my face getting flushed with heat again,tears feeling heavy within my eyes.
"Im sorry, Maya" said pearl with so much fondness in her voice that I finally felt the tears drop. Large and full. I look to floor in shame. I have
to be stronger. I have to be grown up Maya now not infatuiated, naive Maya. He could click his fingers and I would come running, even now.
"You love him, dont you.." She's not asking me a question, she's stating what we both know to be true. She places a tiny doll-like hand on my shoulder. Its warmth spreads through my
robe. I appreciate it. Alot.
"You have to go to him. I dont know what happened and perhaps I shouldn't but I do know he's alone and you cant forget him "
"We've said our goodbyes, Pearls"
"Then go say your 'hello's' again. I think your heart wants you to follow it" She smiles at me. A smile that confims everything. A smiles that
confirms she's right. I have to go to him. My mind nor my heart will rest otherwise. Once again Pearl proved wiser then her years.
My heart pounds and pounds with aprehension, excitement, nervs, sickness, distress. Every emotion wrapped up together with a bow ontop.
I look into the sky with a sense of resolution. We did say our goodbyes once upon a time ago, but we'll be saying hello again.