Stranger Things Happened - an Urbis Arcana short
This was supposed to be a quick post. I had a short story idea that kept nagging at me, and I had a few hours free, so I figured I might as well write it quickly and put it up on Livejournal.
That was almost six weeks ago.
I made pretty good progress that day, but then, I decided to finish the rest tomorrow. And then, things got busier. And busier. And I only added little bits. Until finally, I decided to sit down and finish the bloody thing today. Which I did. I’m kind of shocked.
For those of new who are new to Urbis Arcana, you can see all the stories posted so far here. You can read more about Jas here and Dan right over here.
But now that the story finally arrived, I hope you enjoy it. As always, comments, corrections and criticisms are welcome.
Stranger Things Happened
(an Urbis Arcana short story)
The woman sitting across the table didn’t look that old. Her skin was smooth, and not a single strand of her long, jet-black hair showed so much as a hint of gray. But the signs are deceptive. Looking at Sally Morikawa was kind of like looking at an old Prairie Avenue mansion. It still look as beautiful as it the 19th century, but it will never look as fresh - or as new - as they did when its original owners moved in. The colors get darker, and walls show wear from almost a century worth of Chicago winters.
Old Prairie Avenue mansions are beautiful, but you’ll never mistake them for the “old-style” 21st century mansions next door.
“This used to be a restaurant,” Mrs. Morikawa said suddenly. “A big, fancy restaurant, with a band and everything. Folks used to line up all along Randolph, all dressed to the nines.”
“Did you ever eat here?”
Mrs. Morikawa laughed humorlessly
“Oh, heavens no. They were a respectful restaurant. No respectful place would ever let a Jap in. They’d let a Jap clean tables, but only after all the good, respectful folk leave.”
Way to go, Dan. Open mouth, insert foot.
“I’m sorry,” was all I could say.
“Don’t worry about it,” she shrugged. “It was a long time ago. And now, it’s a tea place. Heidelberg must be rolling in his grave.”
“If it makes you feel you any better,” I said. “Before Argo Tea opened, this was a hot dog stand. They had those huge light-up signs right above the door. ‘Hot dogs - $1.50. Polish Dogs - $2.50’”
Mrs. Morikawa looked at me like I told her Cubs won the World Series. Then then, her eyes lit up and she laughed. She laughed for a good solid minute.
.”Oh, thank you, Daniel,” Mrs. Morikawa said once she calmed down. “Truly, thank you. You have no idea...”
“Always happy to help,” I shrugged.
Mrs. Morikawa smiled, and, for a moment there, she reminded me of her granddaughter. Not because she looked Jas - her jaw was wider, her nose was shorter, her eyes were dark grey rather then soft brown, and I couldn't imagine Jas ever growing her hair past her shoulders. But the was she smiled, the warmth in her eyes, and the way she brushed her hair to the side as she picked up her tea was so quintessentially Jas it was eerie.
“It’s nice to see you again, Daniel,” she said as she took a sip from her cup. “How have you been?”
“It’s been… interesting, “ I replied. “When you work in politics, there is a lot of daily grind, lots of paperwork and negotiations people don’t really see. But every once in a while, you do something that actually make a difference, and people notice… I’d like to say I don’t let it get to my head, but I kind of do. What about you, Mrs. Morikawa? Still keeping the supernatural world under wraps?”
She smirked
“Zombies aren’t rampaging outside, are they? And, for goodness’ sake, when are you going to stop being so formal? I keep telling you - you can call me Sally.”
“I know, I know. It’s just… it’s hard not to feel like a kid when you’re around.”
Not when she barely aged at all since I first met her.
“It is, isn’t it? When I took the oath, I met people who’ve been doing this for decades, centuries… It’s been fifty years and they’re still the same. Sometimes, it feels like I’m back in that room, stumbling over words.”
Mrs Morikawa took a sip of her tea.
“But the world doesn’t care how old we are or how we feel. It keeps changing. A fancy restaurant becomes a hot dog stand,” she snickered. “And a bright young boy becomes a clever, driven man. A father of my great-grandchild… How is Toshi, anyway?”
“He’s good. He’s doing well in school… except with math, but what else is new? He got a part-time job at a pan-Asian place near Davis Street. Toshi says they’re trying a little too hard to be hip, but the money is decent, You should stop by.”
Mrs. Morikawa’s eyes furrowed:
“Not this again.”
“Hear me out,” I said. “You don’t have to introduce yourself. Just stop by, order some sushi, and if Toshi happens to be on duty, you can at least see what he looks like.”
“No.”
“’No’ you can’t see what he looks like?”
“You don’t get it, do you?’ Mrs Morikawa said. “He’s my blood. Do you have any idea how hard it is just to be here, knowing my family is just an hour away? If I see him… I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“Would it really be so bad?”
Mrs. Morikawa glared at me.
“Look… I get it,” I tried for a softer tone. “You’ve never met them before. You have no idea how they would react. It’s scary. I would be pretty scared too if I was in your shoes.”
Her glare softened a little.
“It’s not just that,” she sighed. “When I joined the Order, I left my husband, my son…I didn’t even try to give a reason. Seemed easier that way. My whole family must hate me.”
“I don’t know about your son,” I replied. “But Jas doesn’t hate you. Neither does Toshi.”
“So you keep saying.”
“Because it’s true,” I said. “If Jas knew I told you this, she’ll probably kill me… but here it goes. When she was growing up, she felt like she didn’t belong. Her parents never understood her. They expected her to be certain way, and when she didn’t turn out like they wanted… they couldn’t handle. They just couldn’t. Jas used to think she was adopted. But then, she found out about you. Your son wouldn’t talk about you, but Jas found pictures, a few of your records, your diary... And there you were - a smiling girl in bright clothes who went to parties, listened to rock n’ roll and didn’t apologize for anything.”
Mrs. Morikawa smiled. Just a little bit.
“For the first time, Jas didn’t feel so alone. She didn’t feel like she was a mistake.”
Mrs. Morikawa looked away. She didn’t say anything at first, but when she did, her voice was breaking:
“Why didn’t you ever tell me any of this?”
“Because I knew it would hurt,” I said. “And… You seemed so adament about staying away that I didn’t want to push it. I figured, sooner or later, you’ll come around on your own. But… It’s been twenty years since we first met, and… I know it seems like you have time in the time in the world, but Jas is mortal. So is Toshi.”
“So what am I supposed to do? Just show up and say - oh, hi, I’m your long-lost grandmother! Nice to meet you!”
“Well, you don’t have to do it like that. You can call her first. Or e-mail. Or write her a letter.Or I could tell Jas I bumped into you on the street or something. It would even be kind of true.”
“And then what?’ I can’t show looking like this,” she pointed to her body.
“So glamor up something that looks your age,” I shrugged.
“I wasn’t there for her. I was never there for her. I could’ve been, but… I wasn’t. She’d never forgive me for that.”
I shook my head.
“No. That’s not the Jas I know. She would never hold anything against you. Never has, and she isn’t going to start now.”
“And Toshi?”
“Toshi has the Talent. He can feel you that you’re out there somewhere. And he would really like to meet you.”
“How do you know?
“He told me.”
Mrs. Morikawa looked at me skeptically.
“Look into my mind. I ‘give you full permission. Look into my soul if you don’t believe me.”
Mrs. Morikawa’s expression softened.
“You got an answer or everything, don’t you?”
“No,” I smiled. “But I try.”
She took a sip of her tea.
“I need to think about this,” she said.
“Of course,” I said. “But I hope you don’t take too long. Jas and Toshi….”
“…Are mortal. Yes. You don’t have to remind me.”
“Good. Because I don’t want to have this conversation the next time we meet. Or the time after this. Because I’m not going to let this drop. You might outlive me, Mrs. Morikawa, but I promise you I’ll keep bringing it up until the day I die.”
Mrs. Morikawa smirked.
“You are a good man, Daniel,” she said. “Subtle as a brick, but you’re a good man. It’s too bad things didn’t work out between you and Jas.”
“Yeah,” I said. “But it is what it is.”
I took a sip of tea. It was getting cold.
“So, tell me about Jas,” asked Mrs. Morikawa. “What has she been up to lately?”
“The usual. What happened with Carol… It hit her hard. But she’s getting better. I think she just wants to take it easy for a while. Oh, and she’s been blogging. You should read it.”
“Daniel!” Mrs. Morikawa glared.
“What? It’s pretty interesting. Besides - it gives you a chance to get to know her a bit before you decide to meet her.”
Mrs. Morikawa looked like she was about to argue, but then, her posture relaxed.
“What’s the address?”
And I was happy to give it to her.
It was a small step. A tiny, tiny step. But at least, after all those years, it looked like I was finally getting somewhere.
Who knows. Maybe next time, I’ll have tea with two Morikawas.
Stranger things have happened.
2013 © Strannik01