As he walked toward the other busses AJ was nearly run down by Nick on his blades. "Damn, boy be careful! You're liable to run a person down."
Nick laughed, "I already did, actually."
”Uh, oh, are we talking lawsuits?"
"Nah, Eyebrow didn't mind so much."
"Eyebrow?"
"Yeah, she's one of our dressers. I like her. Her name is Myumi, but that means beautiful eyebrow in Japanese. Isn't that cool?"
"Myumi Ishii?" asked AJ.
"I believe so. Unless there are more than one Myumi's on our staff! See ya later, Bone." and off he zoomed.
Hm. Interesting. Yesterday he didn't even know she existed, and suddenly Myumi was popping up everywhere. He walked over to watch the crew packing up. There she was, hauling costume crates. When she looked up he tipped his hat to her. She blinked at him, smiled slightly, and continued her work. She was a pretty little jewel, that one. Somehow, Nick being interested in her rubbed AJ the wrong way. Myumi didn't seem like a Nick-type lady. More like an AJ type lady? Hmmm.
AJ was still contemplating when Howie walked up. "What's got you so lost in thought bro?" he asked, slapping him on the back.
"Just thinking about someone," he smiled ambiguously, glancing in Myumi's direction. "Listen D, I know I was a bit of a pain the other day where Red was concerned, but I want you to know I wish you the best. She's a great lady. Just realize how lucky you are my man," he said matter of factly. "And if you screw up....." he laughed.
"Thanks man," Howie chuckled. "I'm going to do my best not to. So who has that look on your face? Anyone I know?"
"Nah. I just met her last night," he nodded his head towards the work crew. "She gave me a light when I was sighing over you and Rach running around. Her name's Myumi, she's one of our dressers. That's her over in the purple and overalls," he nodded.
Howie looked over. "Oh, yes, I've seen her. I think she helps me into my costume for one of the songs. She's really sweet. i don't believe I've ever heard her talk though."
"She's shy. Nick told me this morning that he's interested in her."
"Uh oh."
AJ rubbed the back of his neck, 'Yeah, i don't know, she just doesn't seem like the Nick type, you know?"
"You mean blonde, ambitious, basically Nick with boobs?"
AJ laughed. "That's the type." he looked over to Myumi again. "Still waters... well, bro let's go. I think we have a meeting with the Firm before we hit the road."
+++
As the day moved on the pain in Myumi's hips began to subside. Perhaps it had just been sleeping wrong on it... and she did bang hard into that box yesterday, maybe she had a little bruise. Maybe. Maybe.
Myumi sighed. Even after years of dealing with lupus flares she still lived with a pollyanna sense of justification. She looked up and saw AJ looking at her. He tipped his hat. Myumi felt a little physical thrill run through her body. That man was absolutely magnetic.
+++
Rachel looked at the day's schedule posted on the bus and laughed quietly to herself. How in the world Howie thought he'd be able to "make time" for reading that first chapter was beyond her. Their afternoon was booked solid with meetings with the Firm, a press conference, a radio interview and the soundcheck. The poor guys hardly ever had a moment to breath she thought. It amazed her that she and Howie had managed to get as much done as they had.
After sitting and trying to write unsuccessfully, she gave up and decided to walk around. She waved to Billy as she stepped from the bus, seeing the big man smile to her. Strolling quietly amongst the crew of guys assembling the huge stage for the night's show, she marveled at how much manpower it took for the guys to do what they did. Being female definitely put her in a minority with the exception of the dancers, most of which didn't seem interested in talking to her. Oh wait, there was the girl in the costume area. She hadn't met her yet, but the two had exchanged glances a couple of times. Maybe she could introduce herself, she mused, walking determinedly towards the backstage area where the costumes were.
She was greeted by John, the main wardrobe coordinator, when she walked by. He was definitely gay, but the coolest guy she'd ever met. "Hey Rachel," he greeted her. "What's going on?"
"I just got a bit claustrophobic on the bus," she giggled. "So I thought I'd come out and join the land of the living."
"So I hear a buzz going around that you and Mr. D got something going now," he winked knowingly at her.
"Damn word travels too fast around here!" she groaned.
"So it's true?" he asked, eyes wide with curiosity as he steamed the wrinkles from some suits.
"Yes, it's true. We clicked last night. Nothing major, but it's a start," she smiled, all starry-eyed. "So John, what's the girl's name that works with you? I've seen her a couple times, but we've never spoke. I thought I'd try to meet some new folks today."
"Oh, you mean Myumi. Myumi Ishii," he said, pointing towards the back.
"Myumi." Rachel said, repeating the name so she could remember it. "Myumi, Myumi..." Myumi heard someone saying her name and she glanced up. It was the writer. "Myumi?" said the writer, approaching.
"Hi." Myumi said, self-consciously, wiping her dusty hands on her overalls before shaking her hand.
"I'm Rachel, I'm working with Howie on his book about his sister Caroline."
"Uh huh..." said Myumi, uncertainly. Did Rachel know about her lupus? she hadn't told anyone... why was she here?
"I just wanted to get to know some of the other people around, especially FEMALE people." laughing, Rachel pushed her hair back out of her eyes. 'It's quite 'testosteroney' around here as Phoebe on friends would say."
Myumi smiled. "Definitely." she stretched her hands above her head. "I think what you and Howie are doing is terrific. Lupus is not a disease that is well known."
"Very true. And it's so much more widespread than I knew before I started."
Myumi nodded, pressing her lips together. "But people don't always die of it."
”Many people don't die, they just live with it." agreed Rachel, "And apparently take handfuls of medication." Myumi laughed. Too true.
"Hey, I like people to read my work. Would you be willing to look at it, just as an objective view? I sure would appreciate it. Not that you're not busy enough..."
"I'd love to, Rachel." Answered Myumi quietly.
"Fantastic!" Rachel said appreciatively. "Thank you so much! I know Howie will read it, but I'm afraid he may not be a critical as he should be when he does," she laughed lightly, plopping down on one of the crates. "That's the hardest thing to do, find someone who isn't afraid to tell you what could be improved upon," she sighed. "Boy those guys have too many clothes," she commented as she glanced around all the crates and rolling hangers. "How do you manage to keep it all straight?"
"Practice! And John is an organization freak. Usually we each work with one of the guys, helps us keep things together that way. I usually help Howie between numbers," she smiled sweetly, her voice quiet. "He's quite lovely, he is," she giggled.
"You don't have to tell me that," Rachel giggled with her. "The man floors me - that's all there is to it," she admitted. "He came out in a towel this morning! I thought I'd pass slam out," she rolled her eyes.
Myumi smiled. Rachel was nice, very easy going. It would be nice to have someone else to talk to for a change. "They're all handsome in their own ways, aren't they?" she thought out loud.
"Yes they are. That AJ, he's something else. Whatever lady manages to snatch him up is going to have herself one catch of a guy. He may seem all gruff and tough, but deep down I think he's a big old pussy cat from what I can tell so far," she said knowingly. "It's all attitude and act with him. Big softy. You know he told me this morning not to hurt Howie," she said, surprising herself by talking so freely with Myumi, but it was nice. "He really does care for those around him."
"Hmmm. He does seem to." Myumi thought about AJ's eyes as he had watched Rachel and Howie disappear into the woods the night previous. 'I'm saying goodbye to hope' he had said. And this morning he told Rach not to hurt Howie, all the time he was hurting, perhaps more that Rachel knew. Myumi felt a lump form in her throat. "Yes, he's something else. They are all kind people. Though Nick knocked me over this morning on his blades," she winced, remembering the jarring pain. "What a big puppy that guy is."
"I don't really know Nick." said Rachel. "Mostly I've gotten to know Howie and AJ."
Myumi nodded, biting her lip. "Well, I have to go back to work."
"Can I drop off my manuscript later?"
"Sure."
"And let's have lunch too. I am ravenous for female companionship."
Myumi laughed. "Sure."
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