2Promises

by Phil Armstrong

  “Portal no, Corom yes.”

  Everard was looking into the rear view mirror directly at Beth. When Beth raised her eyes to the mirror Everard grinned. “If you’re ready she’s sitting on the bench like she normally does, right there,” he said exaggerating his head movement to the left.

  Looking to the left she could see a scene surrounded by trees and a small park. Opposite the restaurant a small isolated figure was sat motionless positioned at one end of a bench. Beth observed the petite frame clad in layers of clothes on a hot day. Her back was stooped as she faced the park. She had short black straight hair and wore a brown knitted sweater that was better suited for Fall. Beside her feet was a purse placed upon the ground. Hoshi looked smaller than Beth expected, she seemed less intimidating. Beth took a deep breath and reached for the handle on the Benz door. She heard a click and without really being present she found herself standing on the stone chips and clunking the Benz door closed. She could hear the stone crunching under her feet as she took steps towards the solitary figure. Beth knew that Hoshi could hear her approaching.

  “Portal no, Corom yes,” rattled her thoughts again.

  Beth looked at Hoshi she could see a distinctive Indigo aura emanating from her tiny figure, it was strong and pure with no trace of any other color. “That’s what I must look like?” thought Beth.

  If Hoshi heard Beth approach she did not move to acknowledge her presence. She decided to remain facing the park. Beth rounded the arm of the bench and caught her first glimpse of Hoshi. She was indeed small framed and looking down at her feet. Her back was slightly arched and her hair was straight, neat and jet-black. It framed a face wrinkled with age. Her skin had an unusual color to it. It was a yellow color that darkened in the creases of her wrinkles. The yellow pallor was not a healthy glow it was the mustard yellow of dying skin. In stark contrast she had dark refined eyebrows and long dark eye lashes. Hoshi had a small puckered mouth and wore no lipstick. Hoshi rolled her eyes upwards to see who was casting a shadow over her favored sunspot. Her eyes were clear and bright, a deep chocolate brown with a fire burning behind them. This was the first indication to Beth that this woman was still sharp and engaged.

  “Beth I presume,” said Hoshi in an accent that sounded more Canadian than Japanese. She did not change her facial expression, which added to the impact of the greeting. It was almost dismissive.

  “May I join you?” asked Beth respectfully.

  “You’ve traveled a long way,” said Hoshi moving her head to face Beth.

  It was then Beth realized that moving was an effort for this woman. Our bodies were not designed to function for this long. Beth sat on the bench careful not to touch Hoshi. The silence was deafening but Beth just stared forward at the park.

  “Do you know what an aura is Beth?” asked Hoshi.

  This was not going where Beth had anticipated but she remembered the advice; keep it simple and go along with the conversation. “I know what an aura is and I know we both have Indigo auras,” said Beth assuredly.

  “Hmmm,” said Hoshi. “What do you think that means?” asked Hoshi.

  “It means everything and nothing,” said Beth feeling pleased with her answer.

  “Hmmm,” said Hoshi starting to rock. “Sakura said I should meet with you. She’s never said that before. She usually tries to hide me, not introduce me. Why does she want me to meet you?”

  “Perhaps we are alike you and I.”

  “What makes you say that?” asked Hoshi.

  “I believe we’re more alike than you can imagine,” said Beth strongly.

  Hoshi stopped rocking and glared at Beth fixing her in those steely brown eyes. “How much do you know about me young lady?”

  “Like I said we’re a lot alike,” said Beth vaguely.

  “You know I’m an old woman, I like riddles but you’re telling me nothing and yet you’ve traveled so far. I’m not sure that I’m seeing the worth of this conversation,” said Hoshi bluntly.

  “You might not see the worth but I wonder if Corom does?” asked Beth waiting to see the reaction. Beth certainly got a reaction from Hoshi. She glared intensely at Beth.

  “Who told you about Corom? Bunch of delirious rants. Everyone hears voices at my age.”

  “Not everyone hears voices in your twenties and lives as long as you. Did you make him a promise?” asked Beth pointedly.

  “You’re not alone are you dear?” fired back Hoshi.

  “That’s right,” said Beth pausing to see a reaction, “Everard drove me here today.”

  Hoshi smiled but she knew. “So you haven’t answered me, why are you here?”

  “You and I are looking for the same thing,” said Beth keeping her options open.

  “What would that be?”

  “What’s in Schelle Hoshi?” asked Beth using her name for the first time.

  “I like living here it’s quiet,” bluffed Hoshi.

  “IN DEN VOS” offered Beth. “The Toronto reference library helped you link ‘IN DEN VOS to Schelle. Let’s stop playing games. We need to cooperate,” said Beth offering an olive branch. Hoshi studied the request but was not inclined to give in that easily.

  “That place serves lousy coffee,” snapped Hoshi.

  Beth knew she was just blustering and she knew she was lying. Her voice altered slightly when she lied. Hoshi would be of little use at poker. “We can play with each other all day, you and I. I suggest we cooperate and join forces we’d be a stronger team,” said Beth.

  “What if I don’t want to be a team, I’m happy on my own,” said Hoshi resuming her rocking.

  “You’re not happy, I can tell. I know you don’t want to hurt Corom he’s your friend,” that statement caused Hoshi to turn her head slightly and again glare at Beth. Beth swallowed hard and continued, “You have to get him home I understand that, more than you know,” said Beth.

  “Go on, say more,” barked Hoshi.

  Beth wondered if she should, she was giving her hand away. “Might as well go for it,” thought Beth. “I know that we both need to find something then we can resume our normal lives.”

  “I’m old; I don’t have a normal life. I’m ready to leave this world,” said Hoshi softly.

  “I know. You’re getting tired of searching,” offered Beth.

  “What are you looking for dear?” asked Hoshi all coy.

  “The same thing that you are,” answered Beth cleverly.

  Hoshi paused as if to say something dramatic that could turn the conversation. “Do you have a Corom?” Beth was rocked, what should she say? It was time to raise the stakes. She needed to hit back and get serious.

  “Yes, Toshie, I have a Corom,” said Beth using her real name and maintaining firm eye contact. It was time to be straight with each other.

  It was not lost on Hoshi what Beth had just called her; she fixed her gaze squarely upon Beth. You could see the wheels turning in her head as she weighed her options. “My dear, I don’t know what to make of you. You’re a clever one but I’m still not convinced that you’re genuine. You seem to know a lot about me but there’s still plenty that no one knows.”

  “I want to help, you have to trust me. I want to help you find your gate,” said Beth looking at her feet and avoiding the stare from Hoshi.

  Hoshi continued to stare at Beth but she felt her world slowly getting revealed. Beth was a strong vibrant woman. Her skin was clear and her green eyes were full of fire. Her long hair glistened in the sunlight and she had a youthful strong body. Hoshi knew she could not compete with Beth’s determination and zest for life. Her aura was glowing brilliantly and her energy source was strong. Hoshi was convinced that Beth had a Spirit Warrior within her. She recalled how she felt in her youth. She remembered how it felt coming to terms with sharing her mind. It had been so long that Hoshi could not remember being alone anymore. She did not want Corom to die; she had worked so hard to find the gate and try to release him.

  “What do you know of the gate?” asked Hoshi
in a more serious tone.

  “I know that you’ve been searching for a long time.”

  “Beth, no more games, I’m serious,” said Hoshi realizing that both women needed to be more open.

  “Then do you want to talk with me honestly?”

  “I’m convinced that you’re not a reporter, you’re not in this to sensationalize or get rich. For me to be totally open with you, you need to tell me why you’re looking for the gate,” Hoshi sighed.

  “All right, dancing over time for some straight talk. I know all about you and why you’re so guarded. I know more than you think because I’m in the same predicament. I need to find the gate so I can release my captive spirit. The spirits seek out an Indigo Child, a strong Indigo aura when they’re in need of refuge. We both are afflicted with the same circumstance. If we sought medical help you know we’d be committed. Why do I mention that? You know that only too well. We can’t eat, we can’t drink, and we need to find this gate. I look at you and I see myself in the future,” said Beth.

  “Not a pretty sight my dear,” chuckled Hoshi rocking her small frame.

  “If we find this gate both Corom and Subra, my spirit, can pass through at the same time. The same time,” repeated Beth to make sure Hoshi understood. This tweaked her interest.

  “What have you found out about the gate’s location so far?”

  “This only happened to me a week or so ago. I’ve spent my time searching for the only lead I had, a Shell. It’s led me to you, to Schelle and this IN DEN VOS restaurant. Sakura told me of you. She was reluctant and very guarded. She recognized that you and I are so alike,” explained Beth.

  “I’m losing this fight Beth. I was convinced that the IN DEN VOS in Schelle was the answer. I’ve covered every inch of that restaurant; I’m practically banned from entry now. I’m starting to think that I’m waving my sword at shadows,” said Hoshi.

  “Beth felt a sudden rush of blood to her cheeks as they warmed. “Corom yes, portal no.”

  “Thank you Subra,” thought Beth. “What other leads do you have?” asked Beth.

  “Dear, if I had any other leads I’d be chasing them. This is the best I’ve got and I was convinced, totally convinced, for the longest time. I’m not convinced now,” said Hoshi dejected and staring off with a vacant expression.

  “Sometimes when you look too hard you can’t see what you want. It could be right in front of your face, in your blind spot,” said Beth in an encouraging tone.

  “Corom said to me once that he might be able to feel the energy from the gate, he’s very weak, but he would still sense it,” said Hoshi. “He feels its close but not here.” Hoshi looked at Beth in an inquisitive way and Beth knew what she was asking with her eyes.

  “Subra doesn’t feel the gate at all.”

  Hoshi turned the corners of her mouth upwards in a smile of irony. “I’ve known for a while but I didn’t want to accept that I was wasting my time. I’m out of options Beth. I hate to say this but I do need your help.” Hoshi flashed her small brown eyes at Beth and for the first time she looked vulnerable.

  Beth decided to make a move. She nudged forward closer to Hoshi and reached for her hand. She gently placed her hand on top of Hoshi’s folded hands. In a calming voice Beth tried to reassure, “I’m here to help. I do understand what this is like. I’ve made a similar promise to Subra and I don’t want to let him down either. I know you’ve been looking a lot longer than I have. Now there’s two looking, someone to bounce ideas off.”

  Hoshi smiled without opening her mouth. “Thank you Beth. Seems like Sakura did the right thing. I want Corom to go home. I don’t care what happens to me but I intend to keep my promise, I can’t let him down.”

  “You’ve done more than expected but you still need some closure. I get it and I want to help. So this is as much as you have to offer? No insights left on the gate?” asked Beth gently.

  “Nothing,” was the dejected response from Hoshi. Beth felt her heart sink. The IN DEN VOS was situated right across the street. Should she go inside and try to find a gate?

  “Should I look in the restaurant, perhaps I’ll see something you didn’t?” asked Beth.

  “You can try, but I know you won’t find it,” said Hoshi.

  The word “No” raced through her mind, a message from Subra.

  Hoshi slumped over and looked despondent. She was not the fiery witch everyone had painted her to be. Beth felt sorry for Hoshi. She understood what she was living with. She was a frightened little girl living with a responsibility that until now she could not explain or share. Beth squeezed her hand.

  “I know what it’s like. You have someone you can talk with again.”

  “I haven’t had that since my sister died. It’s not fun watching people grow old and die Beth,” said Hoshi shaking her hand. “People were not designed to live this long.”

  “Then we need to find this gate,” said Beth in a determined voice. “I have energy Hoshi; I’ll chase down our ideas. I want Corom and Subra to go home safely.”

  “Beth, what happens to me when Corom leaves?” asked Hoshi staring at her hands not wanting to hear the answer.

  Beth thought for a moment, “I think we both know the answer, don’t we?”

  “I get a chance to go home too,” said Hoshi gently.

  “Yes, you get to go home and meet up with your sister again,” offered Beth.

  “That would be good,” said Hoshi clearly tired of this existence.

  The two women sat in silence holding hands and staring off into the green lushness of the park. The only sound was birds singing and the wind brushing up against the trees. They could not have been more different, raised in different times and in totally different cultures. Under normal conditions these two women would never have met, never have talked with each other. They were sitting together sharing the day because of an unexplainable bond that linked them across time. Beth tried to imagine what life was like for Hoshi as a young woman and how much effort it must have taken to adapt to today’s world. The two women sat and talked about many things; life growing up as a young woman in Tokyo. How touching hands was an erotic gesture only reserved for serious suitors. She described the teahouses and how she missed her life. Time had changed the dynamics between men and women. They talked about the changes Hoshi has seen in her life and how hard it was to see her sister and friends get old and die. Hoshi spoke of her regret not being at her sister’s funeral. Beth talked about her short life growing up in foster homes and child support centers. She talked with Hoshi about what it was to be a liberated woman still trapped in a man’s world. How dating is complicated with date rape drugs, binge drinking, HIV, STD’s and technology such as text and web cams. Hoshi listened and shook her head many times. The two women were clearly from different worlds and the gulf between them was immense.

  “Beth, it’s good to have a sister again,” said Hoshi raising her face.

  Beth’s pink lips opened into a broad smile, “I know, people just don’t understand what we’re dealing with, and then you get labeled.”