“And that just about does that,” Hanako said after a few more key strokes. She printed off a few sheets and then waved the hot pages in the air before looking at them. “For as long as you need to this is your home.”
Yumi with her hands on her hips smiled brightly at the twins. They were wearing a new change of clothes but still looked guarded and bewildered. But when Yumi grinned at them they hesitantly smiled back.
“I told you guys. Miss Hanako is the best,” she grabbed their hands and shook them quickly. “Come on say something. I know you’re thinking stuff.”
They exchanged glances to each other and Ray said, “It’s a lot to take in. Hard to imagine that it’s real.”
“We haven’t had a home in years,” Flair shook her head and looked at Hanako who beamed their way. “But thank you for giving us a chance.”
“It’s what RAST is here for. I’m glad we were able to find you some clothes that fit better than those rags from before,” She put the papers away on the desk and walked back around to look them over. They both had jeans and long sleeved shirt on though they were a little big on them, it was close enough. They’d both been able to shower as well and scrape off the layer of dirt on them.
A knock on the door and they all turned around as Theo waited. He looked at everyone, paused on Ray and looked like he lost his train of thought for a second. “Yes Theodore? What is it”
“What? Oh. Oh yeah. Uh lunch is almost done. That lady you brought with you is crazy good at cooking,” he said to Yumi but then looked at his mom. “Wanted to make sure you didn’t hang around here too long.”
“Thank you! I am hungry but I want to finish one more thing here. But if you could show Flair and Ray around I’d appreciate it.”
“No problem mom,” he looked at the twins and pointed behind him. “Guess we can start at the TV and stuff.”
They looked back at Yumi for a moment and she smiled giving another thumbs up as they disappeared around the corner. She turned back to Hanako and slumped forward gripping the chair. “I hope they relax more.”
“They look like they’ve seen a lot,” Hanako went back to her chair and moving the mouse back and forth. “Seen and been through a lot.”
“I didn’t ask. Maybe I should have?”
“No no. Let them come to you if that’s what they want,” She sighed though and rubbed her face slowly. She pushed back her chair and walked over to Yumi but something was missing in her movements. She was more reserved. But when she looked at Yumi she smiled all the same. “Let’s get something to eat before we run out. It does happen sometimes.”
Whatever was going on with Hanako, Yumi didn’t understand. But food. Food she understood. So she pushed it away for the time being and followed her to the line. The way they’d done meals was pretty straight forward. Whatever the meal of the day was it was lined up across two tables and people came up, got served what they wanted and then could spread out and eat wherever in the shelter. There was some space outside that had tables and such but it was still a little too cold for anyone to want to use them yet.
Most of the time things ended up being some form of soup or something else easy to make. But with Echo’s help and some quick spending they were able to make chili. Hanako, Yumi, and Echo were the last to get their food but thankfully it was still hot and fresh.
“I’ve never had something with a flavor this unique,” Hanako said taking a piece of bread and scooping some into her mouth. “What’s your secret or can you tell me?”
Echo laughed taking another spoonful, “I’d love to but it’s a family secret. No hints. But I’m very glad that you like it. It’s a decent hit back at home when everyone wants something warm. And its super super cheap”
“Everyone loves it when Echo cooks,” Yumi said scraping her spoon against the Styrofoam bowl trying to get as much as she could.
“I can respect cheap and tasty,” she ate a bit more and looked at Echo again. “Thank you for coming by at such a last minute,” Hanako bowed her head as Echo poured the last of the chili in her bowl. “Our usual staffers called off and we would have been in beyond of a bind.”
“I’m happy to help. A long time ago this place almost became my home. But things turned for the better. But it’s always been on my radar.”
A smile that reached her eyes brightened her face and she motioned to Yumi, “So you two live together? Roommates I’m guessing.”
“Something like that,” Yumi nodded. “There’s a few of us together at home. A weird big happy family.”
“I like that. Family’s important. Too many of them have been getting torn apart by violence or enhance.”
Before she could go in further, “Hey mom. We got a bit of a problem.”
She let out a rueful sigh, “Speaking of family.” Turning around she looked at her son. “What’s wrong?”
“One of the ladies told me the toilets acting up again and its starting to flood the women’s room.”
“Oh not again. Always something,” She set her bowl down. “Theo can you get the mop and bucket for me.” She was gone before he could even get a chance to answer.
“She’s quick on her feet,” Echo commentated.
“That’s how she is. It’s really just her and me trying to keep this place together.”
“How can we help?” Yumi asked without hesitation.
Theo shrugged, “Follow me I guess.”
They had to dig for a few minutes but they found it deep in the closet. Taking it, an extra plunger and a few rolls of towels to be double sure they went back across the shelter to the women’s room and it was indeed flooding slightly. It wasn’t the great flood of the bible but it was definitely messy.
Hanako had managed to stop the toilet from regurgitating. That left the cleaning up part which between four people was much easier but no less a slog. After almost an hour they got the last of the excess water mopped up and had the fan running to catch any of the smell left over.
“Thank you. You’ve saved me once again,” Hanako laughed putting her hands on her hips. “Me and Theodore would have been in there for at least a couple of hours.”
“It was a team effort,” Echo said. “You sound like this isn’t the first time that’s happened.”
“No it isn’t,” Hanako’s face fell into one that was tired beyond her age. “We get donations to keep this place up and running but its hard. Sometimes we’re just barely making ends meet.”
“You should have got an assistant a long time ago,” The look on mother and son’s faces said this wasn’t the first time this conversation had been had.
“I’m looking. I am honestly.” She was going to say more but her phone began to ring. She checked the number and covered her mouth. “I have to take this. It was good seeing you Echo. I’ll see you later Yumi.” With another quick bow of her head she rushed back toward her office.
Yumi watched her go, somewhat starry eyes, “Your mom’s an amazing lady.”
“Yeah she is. Just wish she wouldn’t work so hard,” he shrugged. “I got some other stuff to do. I’ll see you later Yumi. Thanks for the cooking Echo.”
“My pleasure,” Echo waved adjusting her glasses again.
“Hey wait up. Where’d you set the twins up!” Yumi called as Theo hurried away.
“In the corner. Over there,” he pointed to a corner near the door and then was gone.
Yumi beelined over to the corner in question and found only Flair. She looked around, peaking under the bed but she couldn’t see her twin. “He’s not hiding from you,” Flair said raising her eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just wanted to make sure you guys were good and set up,” she smiled but it faltered slightly. “I’m kinda over bearing for you guys aren’t I?”
“A little. But you’ve kept your promise,” she made a face, pursing her lips and trying to get her thoughts together. “You’re weird. But normal people didn’t help us at all in the past. Maybe weird is good.”
Yumi grinned at her, “I don’t work again until next week. You guys good in the mean time?”
“That boy. Theo? He said to let him know if we need anything,” she touched her mouth. “He kept looking at my brother. I wonder.”
“Hm?”
“Nothing,” Flair looked past Yumi’s shoulder and saw Echo approaching and visibly tensed, almost scowling. “You.”
“Yes,” Echo kept her distance. She took off her glasses slowly and clasped her hands together. “I’m sorry for reading your mind. It was intrusive. It is not something I make a habit of doing.”
“Good,” she glared at her and then looked at Yumi. “We’ll see you next week?”
“Definitely.”
Yumi and Echo finally left standing on the side walk hanging around. “You know what I’m thinking Echo?”
“I could,” she replied.
“Haha,” Yumi wagged her finger. “That’s cheating. Well I was thinking I should bring leader here. But also I’m thinking me and you should get ice cream. And maybe bring some back for everyone else.”
“You have an uncanny affection for that particular type of sweet.”
They got on the train instead of running to the shop which was thankfully closer to this side of the city than their home. The train deposited them underground and they took the stairs back up to the street. The walls were heavy on graffiti and a few gang signs hidden away within the words. Yumi had learned a rough amount of them from Shade. They passed a man passed out on the stairs with a cup balanced precariously in his lap.
Frowning Yumi dropped a few bills into it and Echo did the same as they both came up to street level. The moment they did Yumi’s phone started buzzing rapidly with a phone call. She picked it out and raised her eyebrow, “What is it?” Echo asked.
“Wiz kid is calling me and I know I gave them a ring tone.” She answered it saying, “Did you mess with my phone?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Darren replied.
“Whenever you call Pretty Fly is supposed to play.”
Darren sighed, “No, I definitely did not unhook that song from my call signal on your phone. That would be ridiculous.”
“Yeah yeah. What’s up Wiz kid?”
“Where’re you to at? I have a use for you.”
“The hell?”
“We’re ready for phase 2 of testing the glove. And if I remember correctly you wanted to be the guinea pig.”
She grinned wide and pumped her first, “Hell yeah I do. When are you running the test?”
“ASAP is preferred.”
“Alright. Me and Echo are picking up some ice cream and then we’ll head right back.”
Darren sighed, “Alright. I guess I’ll take an offering of sweets to accept your tardiness.”
“Keep talking like that and I won’t get any for you.”
“See you in a few.”
Hanging up she looked at the area where the shop was located. It was across the street from them now and the place right next to it had tape across the windows. One was shattered and other was deeply spiderweb cracked. Echo glanced at her but she shrugged, “I’m guessing that’s new then.”
“As of a few weeks ago yeah. Wonder what happened.”
“Maybe we can ask.”
Yumi had barely walked in the front door of the shop when the little girl came barreling forward. She jumped and wrapped her arms around Yumi’s waist but Yumi picked her up and spun her quickly getting a sequel of delight.
“Big sis!”
“Hey little sis. How you doing?”
“I’m good. I been working with Papa.”
“Oh really? What are you guys doing?”
“New flavors!” She paused and looked past Yumi and pointed. “Echo echo echo echo.” She said her voice getting lower with each repetition of her name.
“Hi Nina!” Echo crouched down and gave the girl a hug as well. “I haven’t seen you in so long. You’re getting so tall.”
“I’m this tall now,” she said holding her hand up to the top of her head and Echo feigned surprise.
“Incredible.”
“I thought I recognized those voices,” Peter smiled. “And of course Nina knows your voice better than anyone else’s. Are you stopping by to visit or can I get you something.”
“We’re buying this time around. Half pints of all of the favorites. Mint for me, triple chocolate for Feint-“
“No need to recite it all. I made a note to write it down the last time you ordered,” he chuckled reaching underneath the counter and producing a list with a small stub of tape on the end. “I’ll go and get them.”
“Thanks.” Yumi said as Peter disappeared through the back door.
The shop was a small little pocket in the neighborhood. There was space to stand and wait in front of the register, a counter with easy scoops of ice cream available and glass to observe the selections. The walls were a pale yellow and covered with pictures. Some were family portraits, one being a young peter with his parents. Others were handmade art that Nina herself had made, a constantly rotating chair of pictures.
“Big sis look. Look!” Yumi looked from Nina to where she was pointing and saw one of the new pictures high up on the wall. It was a pale little girl holding hands with a slightly taller brown girl. The taller one however had one orange hand instead of brown. The shapes weren’t exactly to scale but the idea was pretty clear.
“Is that us little sis?”
“Yeah!”
“I like it a lot. It’s perfect,” Nina stared at her handiwork happily but Yumi was looking at her now a crease of a frown on her brow.
“You wonder if she remembers that night?” Yumi started and looked at Echo sharply. She offered a small smile.
“Yeah I do. I hope not. She’s just a kid. I want to let her stay a kid.”
The back door opened and Peter returned carrying the eight cartons balanced expertly in his hands. He produced a large bag with silver insulated material on the inside. When they were all inside and the top zipped up it was like book bag or something similar.
“What’s the eighth one?” she asked raising her eyebrow.
“A new flavor we’re working on. Nina’s creation,” he chuckled. “It’s a surprise so I hope you all enjoy it all.”
“Alright what do I owe you?”
“Please Yumi. You over pay every time you’ve come by. This is on the house. I insists.”
“Come on I can’t.”
“You can and you will.” He pushed the bag into her hands and smiled. “You and your friends are good people. It is my pleasure to give you this as a gift.”
She grumbled softly not sure how to just accept the gift so she lowered her head and hugged the bag against her chest. “Thanks. I know we’re all going to appreciate it. What happened next door by the way?”
Peter shook his head fighting the urge to scowl, “Vandals. Kids wanting to cause trouble and scare them. It did not work but it has been making the neighborhood a little tense.”
Yumi tense slightly, “You guys okay?”
“Yes thank you. We are looking after each other. The streets have just been much more active lately.”
“And that means more dangerous,” Echo said.
“And the police aren’t exactly reliable. Especially out here,” Yumi scowled for them both as he nodded.
“Unfortunately. But do not worry. We are safe and we are well,” he smiled and Yumi did her best to return it. “Say hello to everyone for me.”
Echo nodded, “We will.”
“Are you going?” Nina asked not bothering to hide her disappointment.
“Yeah little sis. I’m super busy today. But I’ll be back to spend a lot of time. Promise,” she said. Nina pouted but hugged her tightly and she had to work to disengage from the little girl. She waved at Echo and the pair of them finally left. “Now let’s go swing across the city.”
The Harlequin Library 