Maya Stark

Chapter 73: Cherry Blossom Tea

'Well, I got nothing',' Bucky said as we walk into the house. Sam, Bucky, and I sat on the two couches. 'No one's talkin' about Donya.'

'It's because Karli is the only one fighting for them,' I said. Bucky sighs. 'And she's not wrong.'

'What?' Bucky asked. Sam turned to look at me.

'Oh, come on. For five years, people have been welcomed into countries that have kept them out using barbwire. There were houses and jobs. Folks were happy to have people around to help them rebuild. It wasn't just one community coming together, it was the entire world. And then, boom. Just like that, it's the way it used to be again. To them, at least Karli's doing something.'

'You really think her ends justify her means?' Bucky asks me. 'Then, she's no different than him or anybody else you've fought.'

'She's different,' I said, quietly. 'She's not motivated by the same things.'

Zemo walks over with a tray. Something to drink. I wasn't really in the mood.

'That little girl,' Bucky said. 'What'd she tell you?'

Zemo hesitates. Calculating what he should tell us. 'The funeral is this afternoon.'

I shake my head and Sam's head tilts.

'You know the Dora's coming for you any minute,' Bucky said. 'In fact, they're probably lurking outside right now. Keep talking.'

'Leaving you to turn on me once we get to Karli.' Zemo shakes his head. 'I prefer to keep my leverage.'

Bucky stands up and grabs Zemo's glass, throwing it at the wall. 'You wanna see what someone can do with leverage?'

Sam stood up. 'Take it easy. Don't engage him. He's just gonna extort you.'

'And do that stupid head tilt thing,' I added.

'Let me make a call,' Sam said. He walked to the back of the house.

'You want some cherry blossom tea?' Zemo asked Bucky.

'No, you go ahead.' Bucky walks away.

'What the hell is cherry blossom tea?' I say.

Zemo looks at me. 'Have some, and then you'll know.'

'I'm not running the risk of that being poisoned.'