Chapter 12: Sobo and Jiji

Cori, Edward and Yumi were back in Blue Valley, but Yumi was taking a detour from their suburb.

"Mom, where are we going?"

Yumi replied, "Oh, I just gotta hit the pharmacy real quick and grab my medicine. You guys okay for a little bit?"

She pulled up to their local drug mart and ran in, leaving Edward and Cori alone in the car. Cori let out a long sigh in the silence, waiting for Edward to say something or for her to think of something to say. Then he opened his car door. She looked back to see him hunched over the opening spitting.

She asked in concern, "What's going on?"

He shut the door and leaned back into his seat, "Sorry, I just don't feel good."

"Oh, fuck. Are you sick?"

"No, I'm just…"

"Is it like a tummy thing?"

"No."

Cori pried, "Then what? Are you gonna throw up?"

"I'm fine," he weakly smiled, "It just smells really bad in here."

Cori's concern went to annoyance, "Really? I stink that bad?"

He chuckled, "Yeah, a little."

She went to swipe his knee, but he moved it, "Not even! It's not that bad."

"You smell like fish that's been left out in the sun for a few days."

"Shut up!"

"You're still beautiful, though!"

Cori cracked a laugh and looked back, meeting his wheezing grin. He continued, "I really tried not to show it, but it's just too much. It's staining my nostrils."

"You're not allowed to talk anymore. Shush." She turned back to the front window holding back a smile. She looked back and asked, "Would you still kiss me?"

He was quiet, looking down to his lap and shaking his head, "To be honest… I'd probably end up spewing on you."

Cori giggled, "God damn, I need a shower."

"I concur."

"Shush."

Yumi came back out with almost a grocery bag size pouch of medicines. Cori said quietly to herself as Yumi approached the door, "The fuck?"

She opened and beamed, "Okay! Thank you two kindly! Let's get our tired asses back home."

"Mom, is that all your prescriptions?"

Yumi batted her eyes, "Huh? Oh. Yes! Those are my prescriptions."

Cori inspected the bag, looking at the laundry list of different medications. A few that she'd never even seen before. Her mom started to pull out of the parking lot as she exclaimed, "Jesus H. Christ, mom. Your doctor prescribed all of this?"

"Yup! Singhy has had me on those for a few days, and I have never felt better!"

"Clora… pixalol. Pickloaul? Mom, I can't even pronounce half of this shit. I've never seen these meds in my life. Why does he have you on all of this? One of these names just looks like someone whacked their head on the keyboard five times."

"That's what my psychologist has prescribed, baby. I don't question it."

"Why?" Cori battled, "Cause' he's your boyfriend?"

"Not just that. He's a doctor, Coraline. It's kind of what he does. If he knows, he knows!"

Cori said boldly, "Isn't it like… super illegal to be dating the physician as they're treating you?"

"It's not illegal it's just frowned upon, and baby, frankly it's not really your concern. If anything, me dating him should show he's gonna do everything in his power to make sure I'm well and healthy."

"What are these meds even for? Do you have cancer and neglected to tell me?"

"That's for my BPD, honey. Oh, and my insomnia."

Cori went slack jawed and wrinkled the space between her brows as they furrowed. She glared at her mom in disbelief at first, then gradual anger, "You're shitting me, right?"

"Don't worry about it, Cori! It's fine! Like I said, I feel the best I've ever been! You're so concerned about it, ask him tomorrow night at dinner."

"Oh, I got some questions, alright." Cori angrily inspected the bag longer before her mom swiped it away.

"Stop! Gross invasion of privacy," chastised Yumi.

They arrived back to the house to see a mini van parked in front of the home. Yumi groaned, "Aw, shit."

"What?" Cori asked, then saw her grandparents waiting at the doors with scowls written to their faces, "Oh."

Yumi came up to the driveway waving nervously at them, but they just kept their glares of annoyance on the deck. Yumi mumbled, "They look pissed."

"Did you forget to tell them we went fishing?" Cori asked.

Yumi shrugged, "I mean… it was a spur of the moment thing."

Cori went droll, "Jesus Christ, mom."

"I'm sorry! Just… don't fret. I'll deal with them."

Cori opened the door and at one glance her sobo and jiji's faces eased into small smiles.

Jiji said proudly, "There's my Hana! Hello, sweetheart!" He was an older Japanese man in his early seventies. He wore a wool sweater over a button up and some khaki pants. He had a thick Japanese accent with a hint of southern american. A strange but inviting combination. His black dress shoes stepped off the deck and onto the driveway, his arms out wide for a hug.

"Hey, Jiji!" Cori cooed sweetly, coming over and embracing him. He made a wholesome belly laugh as he patted her back and swayed with her. Yumi exited the vehicle a bit dejectedly, her face wincing like she sucked a lemon.

"We said nine in the morning, Yumi," Cori's sobo scolded as she walked off the deck, as well. She too was in her early seventies. Wearing a long, blue cardigan, a button up with flowers and black trousers. She had a Japanese accent. Not nearly as thick as Jiji, and more southern Oklahoma fashion. Much like Yumi.

"Yeah, yeah. My bad. I honestly forgot. You guys weren't… waiting here long, right?"

Sobo said stern, "About twenty minutes. I tried to text you."

"Right," mumbled Yumi, "Phone died."

"You don't say."

"Yeah. Brain fart! Haha!"

Sobo sighed grievously and looked to Cori with a large grin, "Hello, my dove."

She brought her hands up to give Cori a hug but immediately retreated when she took a whiff. Sobo asked in disturbance, "What… is that?"

Cori said, "Fish. I manhandled one to the ground. I won."

Sobo and Jiji chuckled as Edward got out of the vehicle next. They fluttered their eyes to him coming out. A tall, Caucasian man with glasses and coming over timidly to the gathering.

Sobo gasped and laid her hand to Cori's shoulder, "Is this boyfriend?"

Cori looked back to him and smiled, "Yup. This is Edward. Edward these are my grandparents."

Jiji introduced, "She just calls us Jiji and Sobo. I'm Haiko Chisaka, nice to meet you." He brought his hand out to shake Edward's, who returned it.

"I'm Edward Nashton, nice to meet you."

Sobo added, "Amaya Chisaka. Goodness me, much taller than I was expecting. Cori must never need to climb the counters for the top shelf!"

They laughed and Edward nervously smiled, nodding with them.

"Are you six feet?"

Edward agreed, "Six foot one, yeah."

Sobo announced, "Well, let's get inside and settle in for a visit. Have some tea. Cori can get washed up and I can give my granddaughter a proper hug."

Enough time passed for Cori to have a shower and get on some clean clothes, Yumi to start the tea and coffee, and sobo and jiji to get settled in. Edward shyly hid in the bedroom, claiming he wanted to get changed, as well. Secretly, he didn't want to be the odd one out around a table of just Yumi and two strangers. Cori's presence was the valuable asset in the situation, the denominator to avoid an awkward interaction. He went through his phone on the side of the bed. A few more articles on Nigma regarding the Bat Man and his toils against a mysterious, whimsical mafia lord known as the 'Joker'. A theme taking place in Gotham. Whether good or bad, a few people would stand up to become these characters behind a mask. As if it was the only way to stand among the masses of Gotham and let your voice be heard.

Cori opened the bathroom door to her room and saw Edward on the bed with his phone. She said amused, "Are you hiding up here?"

"A little. I don't know what I'd say down there."

"Sobo and Jiji are nice. They're not as spirited as my mom which might be a breath of fresh air, depending on how you see it."

Edward handed her his phone to show off the article, "Take a look at this."

Cori took the phone and her face curved into a disturbed glare, "What the fuck is the Joker?"

He chuckled and raised his shoulders, "I have no clue. That's what's going on back home."

"Shit, we couldn't have picked this vacation at a better time. He's a fucking psycho. I'm actually rooting for bat dude."

"Yeah. You saw what he sent the GCPD?"

"Uh-huh. It's like a horror movie," irked Cori, handing him back his phone like it was hurting her. "Okay, no more hiding. Let's go, sir."

Cori and Edward went downstairs to Yumi, Sobo and Jiji chatting at the table. Sobo praised happily, "There you are! Come, come. Let's have a hug."

She wove Cori up and took an obvious whiff, "Much better! You smell like a rose, now."

Jiji teased, "Proper fisherman, this girl."

Yumi laughed as Edward and Cori sat down with them, "Ma, you should have seen it. Eddie caught this big ass trout and Cori grabbed the thing and started beating the shit out of it on the deck. I was like, that's my girl!"

She was making dramatic swinging motions to imitate Cori and her grandparents chuckled. Sobo asked to Edward, "So, you live in Gotham with Cori?"

He replied timidly, "Uh. Yes."

"What do you do for work, Edward?"

He didn't think anything of it, but Cori had a subtle 'here we go' eye roll. Knowing her grandparents were sizing him up, seeing if he was a good provider as any traditional Japanese family would.

He said, "I'm a forensic accountant."

Sobo awed and touched her husband's thigh excitedly but discreetly, "Very good! You make good living?"

Cori winced but Edward responded, "Good enough. I could always be paid more but I'm comfortable."

Sobo smiled, "Very nice. A man who works hard and provides is very good."

Cori groaned, "Yeah, I work hard and provide, too, Sobo."

"I know! You are hard working woman, Hana. That's no secret. Just want to make sure you're both on the same page. Equality is key."

"How is the journaling, Hana?" Jiji asked.

Cori sighed, "It's fine. Same old same old. Still writing articles about the mayor."

Yumi added, "Yeah, and she fuckin' hates it."

"Definitely. But it pays."

Sobo ranted, "It's been two years, they should know you want to make it into crime. I've read your articles; you are such good writer. Have you thought about making a novel?"

"A few times, yeah. I just don't know what I'd write about."

Sobo suggested, "Well, you already have a story. Write about Celeste, keep her memory alive."

Jiji agreed with a nod, and Cori sunk into herself debating if this was the time she'd tell them about the case. She cowered from it, "Uh. I don't know. I don't like… the idea of my personal life being ogled at and benefited from."

She was already writing a story but didn't feel right in doing so until she had an ending. Such as an end to Celeste's murderer.

Then Sobo changed the subject quite radically, "So, Edward. How do you feel about children?"

Cori spat the coffee back into her mug, and Edward went solid. He mumbled, "What? Children?"

Yumi laughed to herself, "Oh, shit."

Sobo encouraged, "Yes! Do you see yourself having children? Do you have the positive roots to start a family? Are your family involved?"

Cori broke out, "Sobo. It's like way too soon to be talking about this."

"It's better to be talked about now rather than later, Cori. Eggs aren't a viable resource for long. Sure, you're young now and not wanting children is totally normal in this time of your life. When you get older, that mind set will change very quickly. Edward is already quite a bit older than you. Not there is anything wrong with that, but it should be on the table."

Edward sputtered finally, "I mean, yeah. Kids… would be nice. One day."

Sobo straightened up contently, "You see? Now you know, Cori."

Cori pinched the bridge of her nose as Yumi added, "Oh, Eddie! I can just see it now. Wouldn't they have such beautiful kids, ma?"

"Oh, they would! I can see the cute little chocolate brown hair now!"

"You two would need to move back to Nebraska, then."

"They might need glasses. Vision impairment in some cases is genetic."

"That's A-okay with me! Edward was probably freakin' adorable! You remember Celeste? Her little goggle eyes."

As Sobo and Yumi excitedly chatted about Edward and Cori's hypothetical children, Cori finally stood up. "Oh, shit, my phone is ringing. Gotta take it. Edward, come with."

Yumi whispered as they suddenly stood up, "The fuck?"

Cori said as they walked out to the back patio, "You guys carry on."

They closed the sliding window doors behind them, and Cori released the longest, heaviest sigh. She held her head over the rail in exasperation. Edward came and stood next to her, "You okay?"

"Yeah, they just… don't know how to take a hint. Fucking debutants."

Edward sniggered then said quietly, "I don't think they'd approve of my orphan past."

"They don't need to know, and even if they did, wouldn't change anything. Just like how they don't have a say in what I do with my eggs. I mean, what if I don't want kids?"

"Do you?"

"I don't know. Definitely not right now. They know that, too." Cori looked to him for affirmation, "Like, it's way out of line in there, right?"

Edward thought for a moment and said, "It's uncomfortable but… maybe they just want you having kids before they… you know."

Cori shot a glare, "You saying you want to start having kids?"

"What? No. No, no, no. I'm just… saying what they might be thinking."

Cori exhaled in relief, then began staring drolly to the yard. Edward waited for her to say something or move.

He finally asked, "Are we going back in?"

"Yeah, I'm just… mentally preparing. Give me a minute."

After some time, Cori exhaled and went back inside the house with Edward following. However, when they got back to the table, sobo and jiji were sitting from the table exchanging hugs with Yumi.

"It was nice, but we really need to get back to our motel. Travelling is quite hard on us."

Yumi replied, "Aw, I understand. You know, you two don't need a motel, I've still got that guest room."

"No, no, Yumi, it's fine. You already have Cori and Edward here, we don't want to impose. We'll be back tomorrow for dinner, which is when?"

"Thanksgiving dinner is at 4pm sharp. Or that's the plan, at least."

Sobo replied, "Very good," she turned to Cori and gave her a hug, "It was nice seeing you again, Hana. We will be back tomorrow. We need rest."

Cori affirmed, "No, it's okay. I get it. You guys go rest up."

"It was very nice to meet you, Edward." Sobo shook his hand.

"You too." He smiled back.

Jiji shook his hand, as well, and gave Cori a firm hug and pat on the back. Yumi walked them out to their van and when she came back inside she announced in her cheery voice, "Now, that wasn't so bad! Ha! Thanksgiving is gonna be a treat."

Cori groaned sarcastically, "Oh, yeah. Can't wait."

"Oh shit! Left my meds in the car. Be right back, kids," said Yumi as she went for her car keys.

Cori intruded, "Oh, I'll get them for you, mom. Just unlock it."

"Thank you, honey!" Yumi turned to Edward, "Alright, Eddie! I'm gonna teach you how to scale and gut this fish. You ready?"

He replied affably, "Oh. Okay, sure."

Cori walked from the house leaving their conversations behind.

Yumi's voice faded as she held the fish up to Edward, "Ya see that? You see the face on this thing? Looks like my ex, I swear to God. Even the same cock-eyed stare. Haha!"

She walked out to the SUV and grabbed the unusually large bag of medicines. Before she took it from the car she took her phone out of her pocket. She got a picture of the list of medicines, then stuffed her phone back in her pocket before going inside.

As she came in with the bag, Edward asked Yumi, "We leave the head on?"

"Meh, some people don't, but fuck it. All I do is scale and gut the thing then roast it. You ever have trout?"

"No."

"It's like salmon! You'll love it, here, hand me that knife."

Cori set the medicines on the counter, "Here's your entire pharmacy shelf of pills, mom."

"Ha! Get a load of this kid! She's a freakin' smart ass, isn't she, Eddie?"

He didn't look up from dissecting the fish but smirked, "Oh, yeah."

Yumi nudged him, "You love her for it, don't you?"

"Definitely."

Yumi squealed, "Oh, you're too fuckin' cute! Both of you!" She swiftly went back to what they were doing, "That's right, follow up the incision, and all of that grey shit, take it right out."

Cori stood at the counter simply absorbing the moment with Edward and her mom. A small smile coming to her face as she left them be and went to tidy the table after sobo and jiji's visit.

Later on in the day, Edward was doing work on the file given to him by Mr. Stone. He sat on Cori's bed, who went downstairs looking for her mother.

"Mom?"

She looked around the main floor. AM radio was playing on a stereo in the kitchen. The only noise in the house. She went into the backyard. The chickens were clucking but there was still no sign of Yumi.

"Mom!"

Then suddenly a rooster went flying at Cori's ankles, making her scream and kick her feet away. The galloping wings of the grumpish cock swatted her legs with enough pressure to bruise.

Then Yumi came storming out of the coop with a deep, frightening voice she only heard her summon a handful of times.

"Cockerel! You fucking dickhead, get back to your coop, you little asshole! Git! Git!"

The rooster squawked and ceased attacking Cori, who was gasping mist into the chilly air with wide, mortified eyes. Yumi swatted her feet at the rooster, herding back to the coop. Yumi looked back quite obliviously, "Sorry about that, baby. That's Cockerel, he's a real prick."

Cori shrilled, "The fuck, mom!"

"Hey, he's an ass but he protects the flock. Probably thought you were some adorable wolf coming to eat his bitches. Haha!"

"I'm pretty sure I shit my pants!"

Yumi broke out into a hearty laugh, "I should put a sign up. Look out for the cock!"

As Yumi went back to her duties cleaning the coop, Cori followed, hearing the Dolly Parton from her phone speakers on the fence.

"Can I ask you something… about Singh."

"Of course, honey. Anything! I could talk about him all day if you'd let me."

Cori asked hesitantly, "How exactly did you… meet him?"

"Well, it's quite simple. He was a psychologist, he was referred to me by Dr. Bennet, who didn't do a damn thing for me. Then I met Singh and it was like all my prayers had been answered! Most doctors tried to keep me off medication, but Singhy knew that I was being neglected. There's so much fear about meds, honey. Especially in the mental health sphere, but he broke down those walls. He was right, too! I haven't felt better!"

"Did this thing blossom in the therapy chair? I mean, how did you two start going out?"

"Well, one day he helped me go to the pharmacy to get all the prescriptions I needed. Then, he took me out for coffee and we just clicked!"

"He took you to the pharmacy for the medications?"

"Yeah, he didn't want the pharmacist getting confused is all. I do have some unique prescriptions but my case of BPD is a very rare one. If I don't take these pills, it's possible I could even go into a serious case of psychosis."

"Who told you that?" Cori scoffed.

"Who do you think?"

"Singh?"

"That's right! He caught it. No other psychologists did. Scares the shit out of me how close I came to falling through the cracks if not for Singh. Who knows where I'd be."

After supper, Cori and Edward were in bed. Edward was still engraved into his work in the file. Cori was searching up the medications of her mother on her phone. Various titles, various causes, some of them not even for mental health requirements, at all. Some were experimental, some were highly addictive. She looked through the dosages, the times taken, the detrimental effects of each medication. When she did, she was starting to glower. She had to bottle down the panic to not alarm Edward.

"This is fucking horseshit." Cori cursed to herself with the phone inches from her face.

Edward turned to her, "Huh?"

Cori sat up in bed and explained, "You remember the huge bag of pills my mom got at the grocery store? You know, a prescription from her boyfriend who just so happens to be her psychologist."

"Yeah, you were upset about that."

"Yeah, and I couldn't let it go. Look at all of this," she showed him the picture of the medications.

He asked her, "You took a picture?"

"Well, yeah! I needed to know. I'm happy I did because these medications are bullshit. He has her on several stimulants and depressant meds, they're clearly not regulated. He has her on a high dose of risperidone and even lithium. Lithium! She has BPD, sure, but she's not fucking manic. She's not foaming at the mouth. Not to mention he just has random meds on here like ACE inhibitors and levothyroxine. Those are for fucking thyroid and heart problems. Why is a psychologist prescribing meds for thyroid and heart problems, makes zero fucking sense. Some of these meds I couldn't even find. Like they are so new and underground no one has even written about them, yet. It's insane! I googled him, can't find him, either."

"What's his name?"

"Singh Banarjee. I'm thinking something but I know if I say it to my mom, she's gonna get pissed and ignore it."

"What's that?"

"I think he's using her as a cash cow. He gets paid from all the medications she's buying. Manipulating her into a relationship where he can further coerce her and feed the impression he's doing what's right for her is his tool."

Edward went stunned and asked, "You sure about that? That's… despicable. We see that kinda thing in Gotham. You think it's happening here?"

"I don't know. I mean, could be something else but… it's really glaring. Either way, it's not normal."

Edward took her phone for a moment to look at the list of medications, and even he was a bit taken back at the titles and dosage. He asked quietly, "We're meeting him tomorrow, right?"