Chapter Thirteen

Hoshi arrived at Newtown Hospital. He headed down the hall to his brother's room. He knocked on the hospital door quietly. "come in." called Sam. Hoshi walked into the room. He saluted his Uncle respectfully with his good arm. Sam saluted him back. "I brought you guys some food." He put the boxes down on the dresser in James' room. "I have the girls' in the jeep." Sam nodded. Hoshi looked at James. "how are you feeling, broseph?" he asked. James smiled weakly. "I could be better." Hoshi sat down in the recliner right by James' bed. "figured you want to eat some actual food. I know how it feels to eat the fake ass food that the hospital tries to pass off as edible." James just chuckled in amusement. He stayed with his brother for a while. "well I better get going. I have to feed the three girls at home plus Winter." James nodded. "I'll see you soon." Hoshi dipped his head at his brother before leaving the room. Sam readjusted in his chair. James fiddled with his blanket. "I really miss being able to save people, Uncle Sam. Do you think I'll be able to do my job again?" Sam sighed. "you'll recover James. It will take time though. You'll probably be spending some time at home though." James had a thought come through his head. "Uncle Sam, what if we convinced Doctor Don and Nurse Anacker to let me help out with the Spring Festival?" Sam smiled. "that doesn't seem like a bad idea. It'll take some convincing though."

Hoshi pulled up outside of his house. He checked the pizza to make sure that they didn't get too cold. "wow the pizza is still rather warm." He commented. He got out of his jeep. He walked into the café. "I'm home!" he shouted. Bronwyn heard her son's voice downstairs. She got up from the couch and walked down the steps. "sorry I'm late. I went to go and see James on the way home." Bronwyn smiled. "it's not a problem love. Set the pizza down on the table and I'll round up the other girls." Winter smelled food. He was already down at the bottom of the stairs. Hoshi jumped when Winter came up behind him. He put a hand over his chest turning around. "bro! If you do that shit again!" he threatened. Winter looked past him. "you can eat after the girls have eaten you dingus." Hoshi gave Winter a flick across the nose. Penny and Sarah came downstairs. "Girls you get first dibs. Dingus and I will wait." Penny nodded. She grabbed a couple of slices out of the box. Hoshi leaned back against the wall. "you'll be happy to know that they're trying to get James to eat solid food again, Penny." Penny smiled. "that's good. That means he's just one step closer to coming home." Hoshi nodded. He looked out the window. Bronwyn was the last one to get her food. Winter made a move for the pizza. He grabbed three slices out of the box. He stood behind the counter to eat. Hoshi went over to get his. He only grabbed one before walking back over to the wall. He took a bite of it. "you sure you don't want anymore, Hoshi?" asked Bronwyn. Hoshi shook his head. "I'm fine mom." He looked back out the window. He wasn't going to take anymore until his family was taken care of. Sarah placed her plate down in the sink. The rest of the afternoon was rather quiet. Sarah sat down on the couch and watched a movie with Penny. Sarah leaned back on the couch. "so if you're going to be a permanent part of this family we might as hang out more." Murmured Sarah. Penny nodded. Sarah punched her lightly in the shoulder. "that way we can get started on being sister-in laws early." She added with a wink. Penny smiled kindly. "I'm not as much of a hipster as you are." Sarah chuckled. "Don't worry the more you hang out with me, the more that side of you shows."

Hoshi was at the table on his laptop. He was listening to the soft muttering of conversations upstairs. He smiled to himself. Bronwyn sat down at the table with him. "you seem happy about something." She commented. He nodded. "after all of this time, the family manages to stay together." She nods at him. "that's how a family works. We stay together through good times and bad." Hoshi took a sip of his tea. "I wouldn't doubt that for a second." He put his tea cup down sighing. "well I think I'll out fishing for a while." He got up from the table. He grabbed his dad's boat keys off of the wall. He headed down to the quay. His father's boat rocked steadily in the bay. Hoshi hadn't taken his father's boat since his dad passed. He ran his hand against the smooth wood gently. The wood had long since been ravished by the waves. It held the memories Hoshi shared with his adopted dad. He turned on the small radio sitting in the cabin. "Spanish Sahara" by the Foals began playing. Hoshi untied the front of the boat from the moor. He started the engine up pulling away from the harbor. He headed out to his father's usual fishing spot. He put the boat on idle before tossing the fishing net off to the side. He sighed leaning against the cabin. He hummed to the song that was playing. The sun was setting on the horizon turning the ocean a bright orange. The skies broke out into various shades of purple and blue. Hoshi looked up at the sky. He closed his eyes as the breeze went through his hair. Bronwyn watched her son while he fished out on the water. He yanked the nets back up once they were filled with fish. He opened up the storage chamber and unloaded the fish into it. He stood up again. He noticed his mother watching him from the shore. He smiled waving at her. She waved back. Hoshi fished out on the water for a couple of hours before driving the boat back to shore. He tied his father's boat back up again. "the ice in the holding chamber should keep them cool for a while. I'll be back to unload them in the morning." Bronwyn nodded. Hoshi walked up the steps. He turned to lock the gate. He made sure that the lock was on the latch tight. Bronwyn took Hoshi's hand gently. She walked him back to the café.

Penny had just finished getting her laptop set up for the night. She got changed while she waited for the call to go through. James picked up his phone.

James: hey

Penny: hey James

James: so I don't know how this is going to work but we'll figure it out. Though I have to warn you that there will be people moving in and out of my room during the night hours.

Penny: that's okay. I don't care as long as I get to see you.

-James lays down on the bed.—

James: can you still see me?

Penny: yeah. I can still see you

James: good. Now let's try to get some rest.

Penny lays in front of her laptop. She pulls the blanket up past her shoulder.

James: good night Penny

Penny: good night James

Penny ends up falling asleep in front of her computer screen. James watches her sleep. He smiles before turning out the lamp on his nightstand. He lays his head on his pillow. He continues to watch her sleep for several more minutes before falling asleep himself.

About a week goes by…

Downtown Cardiff was buzzing with life. Thousands of people flocked to Main Street for the Spring Festival. Hoshi hung out with Elvis backstage. He tuned his guitar while waiting for their act to begin. "you ready?" asked Elvis. Hoshi nodded. "yeah. We have a big crowd waiting for us. I never imagined there be this many people." Mused Hoshi. Elvis smiled. "It's like a real rock concert." Hoshi poked his head out. He saw his mother and his sister sitting in the middle row. Sarah had her camera in her hand. Hoshi turned to Elvis. "how long before we're on?" Elvis checked his phone. "in about four minutes." Hoshi slid his guitar over his shoulder. His heart was pounding in his chest. He normally didn't like to perform in front of large crowds. Elvis clasped his shoulder. "Don't worry, Hoshi. Just follow my lead." The hype man walked out onto the stage. "What's good everybody!? Welcome to the 15th annual Spring Festival!" The crowd began cheering. "We have a very awesome program for this evening. We have a band performing for you guys today. Please give a warm to Elvis and the Cridlingtonettes!" The hype man walked back stage. "you guys are up!" Hoshi got up from the wall. He followed in behind Elvis. He slowed his heart rate down so he wouldn't freak out on stage. He looked to see his mother staring at him. She gave him an encouraging smile. Hoshi went over to his microphone. He plugged in his guitar. Elvis began playing his guitar and singing. Hoshi soon followed suit. His vocals melted with Elvis' and pretty soon he forgot about being nervous. A lot of his passion went into singing and playing. He closed his eyes letting himself get lost in the beat. Sarah took pictures of her brother on stage. She smiled looking at them. "go Hoshi!" shouted Bronwyn. Elvis and Hoshi finished singing their song. Elvis put his arm across Hoshi's back before bowing. Both of the boys retreated back stage. Elvis punched Hoshi lightly in the shoulder. "you did awesome out there." Hoshi let out a sigh. "thanks. I honestly thought my heart was going to explode."

Hoshi stayed backstage for several more seconds. He heard the next band performing on stage. He took a sip from his water bottle. "Hoshi!" Sarah ran up to him. She hugged him tightly. "hey Sarah. I hope you've had luck with getting photos." Sarah nodded. "Yeah. I took some great ones of you and Elvis performing. You guys rocked the house." She showed him her photos. Hoshi smiled "I'm not as talented as Elvis. He has better vocals than I do." Hoshi was literally blushing. Sarah looked up at him. "are you kidding? When you two sing it's like two angels ascending on the earth." Hoshi coughed into his hand nervously. "where's mom?" he asked. "she's waiting for us. Come on." She quickly ran off the stage. Hoshi slung his guitar back over his shoulder. Elvis was off to the side talking to Ben. He stayed there staring at them before going off to find his sister. Sarah was standing by his mom. Bronwyn hugged her son tightly. "you were amazing up there love." She whispered. Hoshi hugged his mother. He laid his head on her shoulder. "Hoshi." Ben walked up to them. "I'm so proud of you." Hoshi smiled shaking hands with his mentor. "thanks. Though you need to show Elvis some love too." Ben clasped his shoulder. "I need to talk to you once you get a chance. I know you and Elvis will be performing again later tonight." Hoshi nodded. "I've got a few moments to spare if you want to talk now." Ben looked at Bronwyn. "I'm going to borrow your son if that's okay." She nodded. "of course, Ben." Ben kept his hand on Hoshi's shoulder. The both of them walked away from the stage.

"so what did you talk to me about Boss?" questioned Hoshi. Ben leaned against the railing overlooking the water. "there's something I need to tell you, Hoshi." He began. "my feelings for you are starting to change a bit. I know it sounds a little suggestive but I feel like the emotions I have for you are getting stronger. I try not to let it get to me seeing as we're both working together." Hoshi looked away shyly. "I get it. Your crushing on me. It's okay boss I won't tell anyone." He chuckled. Ben punched his shoulder. "ow!" Hoshi rubbed his shoulder gently. "I'm glad you can put two and two together captain obvious but you didn't let me finish. I'm trying to say that I love you. Hell I think we're past the bro stage as of now." Hoshi put his hand on his heart. "aww, Boss man has feelings for his apprentice." Ben punched him in the shoulder again. "Shut up you!" Hoshi hugged him tightly. "it's okay. I love you more than a bro too. I'm glad you worked up the courage to tell me." He leaned on the railing with Ben. He enjoyed the ocean breeze blowing around him. Ben took his hand in his. "I heard your brother is helping out with the fundraiser." Hoshi raised an eyebrow. "oh? Is he now? How did he manage to do that?" Ben shrugged. "Sam was saying that him and James managed to convince both Nurse Anacker and Doctor Don to let him come out here to help." Hoshi laughed shaking his head. "I wish you were that motivated." Mused Ben. Hoshi turned to face him. "hey!"