Turning Tables

That Awkward Bathroom Scene

"You're going on a what?" Batchi's eyes grew wide, the chopsticks suspended in the air, the yakisoba noodles dangerously close to falling back in the bowl.

I invited her to dinner at Benihana to discuss my plans.

The logical thing to do would be to call a meeting with the rest of the board but I didn't want to do that yet.

Doing so would make everything official.

Besides, I wanted to talk to Batchi first.

Not because I needed her approval.

I needed her to understand.

"A sabbatical or a hiatus or whatever it is you want to call it," I explained.

I sipped the hot green tea I ordered.

Batchi looked upset with me and abandoned the food she was eating.

"I knew this was going to happen," she exclaimed, the disappointment obvious in her voice.

She slapped her palm against her forehead and I stifled a laugh.

"This isn't funny, Althea" her eyes turned to slits and I couldn't help but give in to my laughter.

"God! You are impossible!" she made a move to leave but I caught her by the arm.

The other customers turned to look at our table but I ignored them.

"Batchi, please sit down?" I pleaded.

She sank back on the chair, frustrated.

"This is my chance to be with Jade," I explained.

"If I don't do this now, I may never have this opportunity again."

Batchi studied my face and slowly, her expression softened.

"Wila was right," she replied. "I shouldn't have told you about Jade,"

"I am to blame for this," she exhaled.

I saw the guilt in her eyes but I made up my mind.

"I haven't been on vacation for a long time and you know that," I reminded her.

"When I go abroad, it was mostly for business."

"I deserve this Batchi."

"What do you deserve?" she retorted.

"To have your life broken again?" Her voice was raised.

I leaned on the chair.

"My life was never whole since she left," I replied.

Batchi turned silent.

I could tell that she was contemplating what I said.

When she spoke, her tone was calmer.

"Do you really trust me to be the captain of our ship?" she smiled.

I nodded my head.

"If there's one person I know I can trust, it's you." I answered.

"I assume you have everything planned?" she asked.

"I do,"

Batchi took a deep breath.

"Are you sure of what you're doing, Althea?"

She picked up her chopstick and ate the forgotten bowl of noodles.

I took a California roll and dipped it in wasabi and soy sauce.

"I'm sure, Batchi." I answered then ate the sushi.