Maya cried until she was dry, and she sternly told herself to cry no more. Her life had been going along just fine... and then she let a little bit of hope in... maybe, just maybe, AJ would fall in love with her... and now she was aburnt out shell. Well, so much for hope. A current of air blew strangely through the room, causing the crumpled telegraph to blow up against the wall. P'yong hwa. She pulled her blanket more closely around her.
There was a knock and the nurse came in with the pain medications. Maya obidiently swollowed the pills. The nurse was chatting about how nice it was to have famous people come and visit you...
"Take the flowers to the children's wing." said Maya, flatly.
"Really?" the nurse looked at her oddly. "Well.. ok, that's really nice of you..."
"Do it."
"OK. Hey, what's this? A present!"
The nurse handed the box AJ had brought to her. "How exciting, are ytou going to open it?"
"Maybe..."
"OK well, I'll take these flowers then... have a good rest. You may be able to fly home tonight."
After the nurse left Maya looked down at the box in her lap. She closed her eyes, and although she felt she had no more left, two tears tracked down. With a trembling hand she opened the box. On the top was a card. A hand made one, with a drawing of Medusa. She opened it. "Dear Rumple, couldn't find a medusa, and didn't know what the hell a golden fleece is. So I got you this instead, AJ."
AJ. Not love. Well, what did she expect? She parted the blue tissue paper and pulled out a shimmering kimono robe of heavy golden silk, with dragons and yin-yangs and cherry blossoms and cranes embroidered richly over it. She held the rich silk to her cheek, and then, her heart constricting, imploding, folded it back into the box. She replaced the cover, and slid the box onto her bedside table. AJ, AJ. Jesus, why did her heart ache so?
~~~~
Howie and Allona still sitting silently when AJ came back onto the bus. The stearn look on his face told Allona everything. "She was pretty cold huh?" she said as she watched AJ plop down onto the sofa.
"That's putting it lightly Cherry," AJ sighed. She didn't even open the robe I took her. But I couldn't lie to her you know? I don't know what I'm feeling, and I just couldn't say something that wasn't true."
"I know that was hard AJ, but in the long run it's the best thing. Lying is only going to make it worse."
"That it would. But...I don't know...I just didn't think she'd get so cold so fast. It was like she was a totally different person. I see why you'd quit trying to convince her of something," he shrugged. "Anyway, we've got to decide and soon if we are going on to Denver or if we're going to try and reschedule the show," he threw out, looking to Allona as he spoke.
Howie interrupted quickly. "Wait. What about Maya? She's not out yet."
"She said her travel arrangements were taken care of and to have a nice show pretty much," AJ answered without emotion.
Howie looked to Allona as she stood and paced again. "That means you're waiting on me...." she shook her head. She wished the answer would just come to her. Glancing over at Howie, her heart melted when she saw his deep brown eyes watching her, trying his best not to say anything....to not ask her to stay and unduly influence her decision. It needed to be her own.
"I don't mean to rush you sweetie, but if we are gonna go to Denver, we do need to pull out in the next half hour," AJ said softly, wishing anything she didn't have to make this decision either, but the call was Maya's and her decision seemed set in stone.
"I'll be back...." she said suddenly. "I need to be alone," and she stepped off the bus and went walking around.
Howie watched silently as she crossed over to a patch of trees at the end of the parking lot and sighed. "You really want her to stay, don't you?" he heard AJ ask. AJ saw the look on his friend's face when he turned to him. "Never mind....dumb question. Want a beer?" he said, rising to make his way to the small refrigerator. "I think we both need one..."
~~~
Allona walked out briskly, feeling tight and rushed and full of pain and confusion. She stopped, closed her eyes and did the Ki breathing that Maya had taught her. "Oh, God, Maya... my sister, what can have happened?"
She had to see her. This would not do. She would not let this happen. Stiffening her spine she walked briskly to the hospital and marched up to Maya's room, whipping open the door and slamming it behind her.
"Maya." she said firmly. Maya looked up, her eyes puffy from crying.
"Go on... get out of here... unfurl those wings of yours..."
"Shut up, sista, and listen to me." Allona grabbed chair and slammed it down next to Maya. "You are my best friend, the closest thing I have to family and I am NOT going to walk out of here with you sucked in a pit of despair. But I am also going to go on with Howie and the tour. I need the job, and WE need the job. The reputation of Pohoja Ch'onsa rests on it."
"But... I TOLD you..."
"I refuse to accept it. It is dishonorable."
Maya sat up, her mouth gaping. Dishonor was the highest sin in the martial arts world. "That's right! WARRIOR." continued Allona, "You bring dishonor on this house, this house that YOU built, which makes it worse. It is disrespect in the highest. Maya Brown, You are going to go home. Your brother is going to come and help you recover."
"But... Joe is..."
"Transferring to Case Western so he can be with you. Hush up, girl, I'm talking."
Maya sat back, amazed at the fire in Allona's eyes and voice, the firmness... "OK," her friend, her PARTNER continued, "This is how it's going to be girly girl. You go home and heal. You also need to hire more people for Pohoja Ch'onsa... the money we are making on this gig will allow us to expand. You are going to HEAL. We will talk every day. YOU WILL KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ARE LOVED, dammit..." Allona's voice cracked and she began to weep angry tears, which she dashed off of her face. "Remeber Dragon? Bruce Lee came back from paralysis, so don't give me any crap about your wussy broken leg. Now, I have to go, we have to go to Denver. Do you understand?"
Allona rushed up and took a shocked, amazed and sobbing Maya into her arms. "I love you, Maya, you're my pohoja ch'onsa, so you can't let me go. And I'm your pohoja ch'onsa, and I'm not bloody letting go either. Joe will be here in the morning to help you."
As she stepped back, Maya's face seemed to crack. "I l--love you, Allona."
'"I love you, too, ya silly fool. Just HEAL, ok?"
"I'm... sorry..."
"Good. You were a real bitch. You should be sorry. You should also apologise to AJ."
Maya looked down at her hands. "I don't think he'll ever..."
"Ever what, Rumple?" said AJ. leaning against the door frame. Allona gave Maya one last hug and left to tell Howie the good news. AJ stood in the door. "May I come in?"
"Yes." AJ took off his hat, and twisted it in his hands as he walked forward. "Rumple...."
"AJ? Will you help me put on my beautiful golden fleece?"
AJ swollowed hard and opened the box, pulling the heavy silk out with his hands. He helped Maya get her arms though it, and slid it down so that it lay long and lovely over her cast. "Oh, it's too big..."
"It's perfect." choked out Maya. "The sash, please."
AJ helped her wrap the sash. He stood back and looked at her. "You're beautiful."
"Nah, just Rumple. But this..." she ran her hand over the silk, "Is the most beautiful thing I have ever owned. And the memory of you..." AJ blinked back a tear, "Is also the most beautiful thing I have ever owned. And I will always have it, AJ. OK?"
AJ moved forward and took her in his arms. "Sometimes," she whispered in his ear, "The ships that pass in the night are the most important ships, ae'in."
Maya reached back around her neck and took off the yin/yang medallion she always wore, and placed it around AJ's neck. "Take care of Allona."
"I will..." he rasped out.
"P'yong hwa, AJ."
"P'yong hwa, Rumple."
And he was gone. And it was okay. Everything was in balance once again.
Please don't forget to send your feedback to Lisa and Mary.
Links to other sites on the Web
© 1997 crunkgrl62382@yahoo.com
Get your own Free Home Page