Chapter Twelve
Penny woke up in the middle of the night screaming. She sat up all the way in the bed. She panted holding herself. The hallway light flickered on. Hoshi was the first one up. He kicked her door in holding a bat firmly in his hands. He lowered in seeing as there was no one in her room. "for fucks sake, Penny. You scared the shit out of me." He grumbled. She looked down. "sorry. I had a nightmare." Hoshi put the bat down. "let me guess, you had a bad dream about my brother?" he asked. She nodded. He sat down on the edge of her bed. "you must have some really bad PTSD then." He sighed. "I know what that feels like." He looked down at his feet. "I remember coming home from the Marines. How scary those first few months were of coming back. Mom told me that I really wasn't myself. It's what happens when you're a marine. They reprogram you so you can fight. Anyway, I was discharged after losing a good friend of mine. He was killed by an IED that had been thrown through the windshield of our jeep. I'm not going to go into too much detail as to what happened but it was bad." He lifted up the sleeve of his shirt. He had a robotic arm. "I lost my arm in the blast. I nearly died when they found me. Mom told me that I had nightmares in the middle of the night. She could hear me screaming." Hoshi held himself. "Dad was usually the first one to wake me up. He stayed with me each night. I can't say I blame you for suffering like I did. I know grief all too well. One thing I'm thankful for is that James is still alive." Hoshi leaned back on his hands. He put his robotic hand on her knee gently. "he's going to make it, trust me." He comforted. She nodded. "thanks Hoshi." She whispers. Hoshi went to bed after an hour of staying up with her. Penny laid back down on her side drifting off again.
It had been a month since James was administered into the hospital. James still wasn't strong enough to come home. His condition switched between better and getting worse. Penny got on her messenger app to talk with him.
Penny: so how long before your out, James?
James: don't know yet Penny. I'm still not strong enough to be able to take care of myself. They still have me on a feeding tube on account of my stomach being messed up.
Penny: oh, I see.
James: I want to go home, Penny. I really do. I don't want to be locked up in here anymore then I want to be. I miss my family. I miss working.
Penny: I know you do. I keep thinking about you every day.
James: how is everyone back home?
Penny: missing you. The town has gone into a dry spell since you've been in the hospital. Arnold is getting rather antsy from the lack of rescues.
James: Poor Arnold. I feel bad. Has Ellie received word from the City of Cardiff yet?
Penny: Yeah, they've given their approval. Ellie has the event set for next week just in time for the Spring Festival.
James: good on her. I hope the event goes well. I know Elvis is supposed to be performing for the Spring Festival as well.
Penny: I almost forgot about that. Your brother, Hoshi has picked up guitar lessons from him. Your mother doesn't mind the fact that Hoshi practices but Winter has a few choice words.
James: I have a feeling I already know the answer to this question but, how are you doing? You don't really talk much about how your coping with all of this.
-Penny looks away from the camera—
Penny: I haven't been able to sleep, James. It's been hard without you here.
-Penny appears to be upset-
James: Penny, you need to sleep. You will be no good to anyone if you aren't rested. People depend on you to protect them.
Penny: I know, James.
-he notices how thin Penny is-
James: have you been eating?
-Penny doesn't reply-
James: Penny, tell me the truth. Have you been eating?
Penny: (quietly) no.
James: Penny, you need to eat. You need to start taking care of yourself.
Penny: I'm scared James. I'm too scared too.
James: you have nothing to be afraid of, Penny. Just please take care of yourself for me. I love you very much.
Penny: I love you too
James: tell you what, I'll call you every night to help you go to sleep. I know it will throw my sleeping schedule off but as long as it helps you, I don't care.
Penny: thank you James.
Penny ended her video call session with James when the doctor came in to talk to him. Penny stared at her computer screen for several minutes. She smiled silently. Even when injured he knows how to take care of the ones he loves. She got up from her desk. She headed out into the living room finding Sarah typing away on her own laptop. "Still following that one political news story?" questioned Penny. Sarah shook her head. "no. I'm following a few of the riot stories. It looks like I'll be called to the US again to cover them. I hope I can get back in time to cover Ellie's fundraising event." Sarah closed her laptop. She turned around to face Penny. "it sounds like you've gotten really busy." Said Penny. Sarah smiled. "that's what happens when you're a journalist. You go wherever the news takes you." She put her laptop next to her. "I heard you talking to my brother. How is he" she asked. Penny sighed. "he appears to be doing okay. He's still hooked up to a feeding tube. He really misses being at home." Sarah frowned. She felt bad for her brother.
Bronwyn walked into the living room. "hello ladies." She greeted. Sarah smiled. "hey mom." Bronwyn sat down on the couch with Penny. "Ellie is supposed to be by in just a little bit. She got held up at work." Penny smiled kindly. "that's okay. Though I don't see why considering how quiet it's been in PontyPandy." Bronwyn nodded. "you can say that again." Bronwyn turned on the TV. "Hey mom can you turn it over to the news? I need to check up on the riots that are going on." Bronwyn nodded. She changed the channel over to the news. She turned the volume up on the TV. This is PontyPandy News at 11:30am. We bring you news from the US on the Immigration Riots. There were riots reported to have started in one Arlington School District. Three troublesome high schools each had students leave during the middle of class. The riots resulted in 500 dollars worth of property being damaged. There are no reports of people being injured. Coming up at 12 we have an address from Capitol Hill. Bronwyn turned the TV down. "the world really is going crazy." She murmured. Hoshi knocked on the door frame. "hey I'm going to go pick up lunch from Bella's, do you ladies want anything?" he asked. Bronwyn thought for a moment. "a simple pizza would be nice Hoshi." Hoshi nodded. He wrote it down so he wouldn't forget it. He checked to make sure he had enough. "alright I'll be right back." Hoshi headed downstairs. He pulled his phone off his belt. He dialed up his Uncle Sam.
Sam: Station Officer Sam
Hoshi: hey Uncle Sam. I'm picking up some food from Bella's. I was just calling to see if you wanted me to pick up anything for you.
-Sam talks to James off speaker.-
Sam: get me two calzones.
Hoshi: you sure you can eat two calzones Uncle Sam?
Sam: (laughs) no the other one is for your brother. They want to try and get him to eat without the feeding tube today.
Hoshi: oh I see. Well I'll be in Newtown in a little while. See you soon Uncle Sam.
Sam: take care Hoshi.
Hoshi put his cell phone back on his belt. He climbed up into his jeep. He drove all the way to Newtown. He parked outside of Bella's pizzeria. The bell on top of the door rang quietly as Hoshi walked in. Enzo, Bella's British long-haired cat, woke up hearing someone walk into the café. He mewed a small greeting to Hoshi before rubbing up against his ankles. Hoshi smiled bending down. He stroked the small cat. Enzo flipped over onto his back letting Hoshi touch him. "hello Enzo. Hopefully Bella is around." Enzo chirped hearing his owner's name. Bella walked down the stairs. "ah Hoshi. Welcome to my restaurant." Greeted Bella cheerfully. Hoshi smiled. "hey Bella. I was wondering if I could pick up some food? I've got a hungry family to take care of." She nodded. "of course! Of course! Let me take your order and I'll get to work."
Hoshi sat down at one of the tables. He had Enzo laying in his lap underneath the table. Bella walked out into the parlor with three boxes in her hands. Hoshi took them from her gently. "oh, and Bella while I'm here I was wondering if I could get an application? I'll need a small job to keep up with." Bella put her hands on her hips. "now wait a minute mio caro I was told by Ben not to let you work so hard." She wiggled her finger at him. Hoshi sighed. "busted by the old man." Bella eyed him. "you are very lucky to have such a respectful gentlemen looking after you." Hoshi looked down. "I'll give you the application but mark my words, Hoshizora. You will be doing light work when you're here." Hoshi nodded. "yes Signora." Bella smiled. "that's a good boy. See ya later. Send your brother my love!" Hoshi smiled. "I will." He walked out of the café.