Loud

Chapter 11 - The Worst Case Scenario

After Cynthia exited the other side of the crosswalk and strutted away, Makiko gritted her teeth and dropped the phone into her bag. She stared at the store entrance, her body stiff, her jaw set. Relieved she remained, but unsure what to do, Rob pressed his hands against his thighs. Any attempt to explain could drive her away. "Thank you for staying," he said.

She did not look at him. When she was ready, she would let him know what to do.

Heels tapped the polished marble stairs. Two middle-aged women stared at the rumpled red panties. Makiko slid over so the women could pass. Once they had, Rob cleared his throat. "I love you."

Makiko did not respond.

Staring at her might force a reaction he would regret, so he waited, going over Cynthia's performance in his mind. Given her apparent spunkiness and integrity, it was hard to believe she betrayed him for money, but then why?

Makiko spoke softly. "It's your business, I don't care, but keep me out of it."

"Cynthia lied. I didn't, I don't."

Makiko clenched two trembling fists near her chest. "Don't explain. I hate it."

"Cynthia lied. The truth-"

"Please stop." She unclenched her hands, readied them to cover her ears. "Don't." She choked out the last word and climbed a few steps toward the clothing store, then waited, her back to him. Since she stayed, the truth could wait. He joined her, one step below, and ached when she moved away.

"I'm not a child," she said. "I know men."

The last couple of days had taught him about her, about the young woman who used to be Makiko. He no longer thought of a nine-year-old when he gazed at her, but he was not ready to contemplate too much about her life with guys or heartbreak, not yet. He just wanted her to be happy.

"I hate your ways and don't want anyone like you," she said.

He understood revulsion. He leaned forward, grateful she stayed, clinging to it, but mourning the loss of truth and vowing to set it right. "I don't want you with a man like me either."

"Can we enter this store then like normal people and not talk about this ever?"

"Absolutely." He glided up to the store's entrance and held the door.

***

That evening, Rob pressed Rachel Thurman's doorbell. He kept his finger on the button, but the buzzing ended. The noise complimented his bleak mood, so he pushed again. Rachel cracked open the door, her lively eyes brightening the sliver of space there. "Ah, you look like the living dead but come in."

He stepped through her piled-up shoes and hugged her. "Love those pompom slippers you're wearing." He yanked his feet out of his sneakers without untying them. "No wine glass?"

"I left it in the living room. You want one?"

"Yes." He dangled a purple gift bag by its two black cords. "For your troubles."

"Lovely!" She took the bag and pulled out wine bottle inside. "For listening to your troubles, you mean?"

"If you're willing."

"Spaghetti?"

"I'd love some. The best spaghetti in Tokyo."

She pointed at a shelf before hurrying down the hall. "Leave your stuff there." She raised her voice from the kitchen/living room. "A lot has happened to you since I saw you in January."