Please Remember Me

A Soft Moment

Inside I found Kota sitting on the couch intensely staring down at his laptop. His face was contorted in deep concentration, captivated by whatever the screen was displaying. Victor was nowhere insight, and there was no indication of anyone else who might be in the house. The Christmas decorations they had finished were wonderful. I took a moment to breath in the festive atmosphere. The aroma of cinnamon and coffee wafted through the air.

I wish my apartment was as soothing as theirs.

"Hi Kota." I softly said with the intention to not startle the man. 

I giggled when he jumped anyways, nearly dropping his laptop onto the ground. Glancing up at my form, he quickly fiddled with his glasses, before a breathtaking smile overtook his face. His green eyes sparkled with giddiness. The serious aura from moments before, dissolved into joy. I flushed at the thought, that just the sight of me, could make him light up so brightly. 

"Tulip! I didn't know you were visiting today. How are you? How long are you staying?" His questions were rapid, and I felt bad about bursting his bubble.

"I'm doing okay...I won't be able to stay very long though. I just came to say hello and speak to Owen briefly. But I am happy to spend some time with you first...if you don't mind."  

I didn't know how to explain to Kota that I wanted some alone time to process what could be wrong with me, without also worrying him. No doubt, word would be spread like fire in their family, and then I would have a horde of worried men. 

That would be too overwhelming at the moment. 

"Of course I don't mind. Let's go, I have something I've been wanting to show you anyways." 

Kota's eagerness was infectious and I was immediately curious. Standing up, he set his laptop on the living room table, and began to make his way towards the back door. I followed dutifully wondering where he would be leading me. As we made our way across their vast backyard, towards the tree line, Kota finally spoke again. 

"There are a few trails through our property that my brothers and I enjoy walking and running down. My favorite  is this one...it leads to the most beautiful part of our property. It's a pretty quick walk, I promise." 

Kota's demeanor was so similar to Luke's normal energy that I was pleasantly surprised. As he spoke, we began heading down a worn down foot path that wove through the trees. For a few minutes, we lapsed into silence. I got lost in the nature surrounding me. 

We are not in Kansas anymore, Toto, that's for sure. 

"This area is beautiful. With all of the nature, the privacy. It must be amazing to live here, and with your family no less." My voice is  wistful. 

Kota studied the area around us, as if seeing it for the first time, through new eyes. 

"It has been a healing location for us. Especially after the past few years we've had..." He trailed off, eyes clouded with the past. 

I so badly wanted to ask about that pain I could  clearly see written on his face; to learn more about them. But before I could, his gaze cleared up, and his pace quickened. 

"This...is my happy place." Kota spoke with contentment as he swooped his arm around in front of himself. 

In front of us was a decently large pond surrounded by willow trees and mostly frozen over. I couldn't wait to see it in spring and summer, if it was this gorgeous in the middle of winter. There was a breeze here, that was absent in other areas of the property, which made us both shiver. 

"This is beautiful, thank you for showing me. I think we might both turn into popsicles soon though, seeing as neither of us grabbed a coat." 

Giggling, I focused on the fact that we were both so excited neither of us had thought of the weather. I didn't know what else to say.