Book 3: Heart Strings

Chapter 28: Shhhh

Turning Tides

Chapter 28

Shhhhh

Everything had begun to wined down now. MK and Red Son still danced in the middle of the room to slow music. Their arms around one another, forehead to forehead. Most of the armor sat on the table where Wukong and Macaque sat chatting quietly. Both wildly drunk, but too drunk to move.

Raya and Jin slowly danced near the table where the kids watched giggling among themselves with the grandfather who seemed to be also drunk, but he was a cute drunk and loved to do card tricks. Or rather, he thought they were card tricks.

Tyla sat watching them.

Wukong looked around at his daughter and sighed.

"We'll still have one bachlor and...maybe...if she plays her cards right she'll have a boyfriend soon."

"Tyla play her cards right? She's got a boyfriend?" Macaque closed one of his eyes and shook his head. "She tries hard to be single." Macaque sighed

"What about Baryl?" They both turned at the small sound of Tao who to their amazement had a plate of food he had obtained himself and was eating it. Everyone else was too tired, too drunk, or occupied.

"What about the loner?" Macaque asked.

"She's invited him to stay. Said that new King said he could."

"New king huh?" Macaque leaned back and looked at his son upside down.

"What do you say kiddo...we go home and sleep till noon?" Tao stuck a grape in Macaque's mouth. "Oh your turn to feed me now huh?" He asked, chewing. Tao giggled and held up a small cube of cheese. Macaque let him with a soft chuckle.

"We'll be seeing that again..." Wukong chuckled and took a piece of apple and cheese too.

"Are you helping them eat?" Tang asked as he walked by.

"Perhaps it's time Uncle Tang worked his uncle magic and allowed you to stay at our place tonight? What do you think, Suna? Sleepover with your best friend?" He asked. He looked at Tyla who didn't seem to hear.

"Tyla hun?" Tyla jumped and looked at Pigsy. A tear ran down her face. Pigsy pulled the cloth from his lapel and held it out to her.

"Sorry I didn't know I was crying. I mean look at them...grown so much and now they're married, one has kids and the others to start a life of their own." She looked up at them and sighed. "I can only hope Yomi finds someone to take care of her."

"What about you darlin?" Tona asked. She had a huge habit of calling everyone small nicknames.

"I donno...I doubt it. I think I'm barking up the wrong tree. He's..." She shrugged. "Iffy." She told them.

"Thats okay sugar. Sometimes its best to grow with someone rather then jump straight into it."

"Yeah, probably."

"Just means you gotta start fishing. Sweety wear something nice." Tona giggled

"But then he'd be falling in love with someone that's not me. If I want him to love me, I want him to love love ME." She ran her fingers through Tao's hair. "Now you be good and listen to your uncles and cousins. Go to sleep when you're supposed to." She sighed and shook her head. She picked him and and nuzzled him close. Kissing his head.

"Mom...stop that." He giggled and licked her forehead before running over to Pigsy and took his hand. She sighed, shuffling her feet. Perhaps she should go home too? She felt arms around her.

"Saved you a dance." Tyla looked up at MK...when did he get so tall? She sighed and turned, putting a hand on his shoulder, and another in his hand. Slowly dancing to the music.

"Didn't go right?" He asked. She shook her head.

"I donno what to think. It shouldn't be this bad, he said he'd think about it. It wasn't a yes or a no..."

"Probably because you're used to being told yes all the time." Oh that bit. She turned to see Red Son who shrugged. "It's true!"

"He's right you know, you are a princess and you've been told no several times, but not all the time. You are...fixated though. Just show him just how wonderful you really are. I mean I wasn't too keen on having a sister at first either. I tried to kick you out of my cart." Oh yeah she remembered that. "If you truly love him and he you. Things will work out. Just...smile. It's the best thing you can wear...and it's cheap." He chuckled, hugging her tightly to his chest.

Tyla jumped when she was whisked away and spun around.

"Fair sister. I must steal your brother from you." Red Son said

"For the rest of his life." She asked, leaning forward kissing Red Son's forehead and smiled at him. "Be good to each other." Her face grew serious. "Or else...that goes to the both of you. I'll kick both your butts." She wiggled her finger at them. Red Son rolled his eyes and MK laughed nervously as they walked toward the door. Tyla walked toward the door herself. In her head she figured it out all at one time. She just...wasn't going to try hard. Whatever happened, happened.

End

(Book 4 will start the new Journey to the West, which will begin April 9th as I'll be on vacation)