Haruna peered sideways for her boyfriend’s reaction. When he didn’t respond right away, she faced him straight-on and saw that he had an oddly serious look on his face.
“Mani?”
“You sure it’ll be okay?”
Haruna shrugged. “It’ll be fine,” she repeated. It wasn’t the truth. The truth was that the whole entire thing was a disaster. The two of them together, she and Ryu, were fire and gasoline. As far as the assignment went, they had made no progress whatsoever. Worse still, Ryu had discovered something about her few others knew, even Mani. She wasn’t prepared to tell her boyfriend all of this.
“Well, s’ppose it’s time we head to the church,” Mani mumbled, wiping his hands into a napkin and tossing it before twisting the key into the ignition.
Haruna nodded.
What awkwardness that remained between the pair as they pulled out of the parking lot left once they were on the road again. Classic rock blared from the car’s speakers. They sang along, then after a while Mani went on a tangent, talking with anticipation about his first hockey match for the season against St. Benedict's Bravehearts.
Once they arrived at the church, they descended along the staircase to the basement where they held their youth meetings and Bible study. They were greeted by the familiar faces of the other, more senior youth ministers, Kristin and Giovanni. The room was lined with snack-covered tables. Scattered throughout the room were angels, cats, princesses and a very tiny, but still kind of menacing Batman. Haruna recognized them as the children from the Youth Group and choir. At the sidelines also, a few of their parents. In the corner were several pea-green crates stacked on top of each other, and beside those, Sister Anne and Father Blake, their young, new, redheaded priest. Both were immersed in conversation. Haruna turned to Mani.
“What’s all this? No recital practice today?”
Mani leaned in towards her and whispered, “Today’s just a casual meeting, remember? For Halloween? So recital practice is bumped to tomorrow—Saturday.”
Haruna gave a weak nod, absent-mindedly scratching her forehead. She’d completely forgotten. She’d had so much on her mind, but even so she couldn’t believe she hadn’t realised what day it was.
“All right everyone! I have a few announcements for you all. Gather ‘round, gather ‘round.”
Father Blake stepped forward, waving them over. Most of the children found a spot on the carpet, stooping to sit cross-legged; a few others took to chairs. Haruna and Mani, as well as the older teens and adults, stood and listened on, refreshments and diced cantaloupe in hand.
“So, I wanted to thank you all for coming today. It’s nice to see all of your lovely faces.” Father Blake offered a polite grin. “First, I would like for all of us to say a small prayer for poor Agatha who is at home recovering from that dreadful hip injury.”
After a collective recital of The Lord's Prayer, and an additional Hail Mary for good measure, the priest continued his announcements.
“For our first order of business, I thought I should give an update on our food and clothes drive this month. Some of you might recall that since the beginning of October we’ve been collecting non-perishable donations for this group home—er, Ten-something-or-other, they call it. Anyway, Emmanuel, I believe your father recommended it?”
Haruna glanced at Mani who nodded enthusiastically, though his posture reeked of indifference. His father rarely stepped foot into the church. In fact, Mani’s father wasn’t Catholic or religious at all, though his mother was. Still, Mr. Vangelis was often insistent in making “friendly suggestions." He was a community leader, after all.
Father Blake scanned each face, his hands pressed together. “Well, we’ll need a volunteer or two to drop the goods off in person. If it would be no trouble.”
Haruna noticed that everyone was looking about the room, seeming intent to avoid the minister’s hopeful gaze, but it wasn’t long before that gaze fell onto Mani. Haruna glanced to see Mani rubbing at the back of his neck, equally deliberate in his avoidance. Haruna couldn’t understand it. If his own father had initiated the drive, Mani should have been volunteering. Was he too embarrassed to? No, that couldn't be it. Mani was never too embarrassed to do something that would put him or his family in a good light. Perfect the brand, as he'd put it. It could have been that Mani just needed someone to ask him outright, just so he didn't look too self-serving. Haruna grinned, her head high to the ceiling. She lifted her hand.
“Mani and I will deliver it,” she declared.
The Father beamed, his eyes kind behind glasses as he clapped his hands together. “Wonderful! I can always count on you, Haruna."
Returning the grin, Haruna rested a hand on Mani's arm. He pulled away. Her brows shot up at the sight of his frown. Had she done something wrong?
“Now about the Bible study next week…” Father Blake was shifting gears.
Haruna was still focused on Mani. His attention was on the stacks of crates, his black eyebrows knitted with thinly-veiled agitation.
“Oh, and Sister Anne reassured me that the Youth Choir is making great progress in their rehearsals. Keep up the good work, boys and girls!”
Haruna tore her eyes away from Mani and looked at Sister Anne who at that moment stepped to Blake's side, poised to interject. They were an odd pair. Though both were dressed in black, they were opposites. He, tall and thin. She, short and squat. One light-hearted and enthusiastic, the other stern and scary.
“I should also inform you all, due to some scheduling issues, the rehearsal for the choir will be next week Saturday instead of Friday,” said the nun.
Haruna gritted her teeth, holding back her real emotions. First rescheduling this Friday's session to Saturday, next rescheduling the following Friday session to yet another Saturday? What was with these sudden last minute changes? Didn't this nun know or care that they had lives? Lives and priorities beyond this church? Haruna scowled. It was as though this woman and Mr. Lee were conspiring in tandem against her.
Father Blake sighed happily. “Those are all the announcements for this evening. Enjoy the snacks and drinks, everyone. And if these donations could be carried out before six, that would be just heavenly, thanks.”
Haruna glimpsed her watch. It was half-past five. She turned to see that Mani was a step ahead of her, clumsily picking up one crate and lifting it out of the room.
“I'll help you carry 'em out,” Giovanni offered, grabbing a second crate, tailing him out the door toward the staircase.
Before Haruna could call out, she was approached by Kristin.
“Oh, Haruna. It's so nice of you to volunteer to bring these to those kids. You and Mani are too kind.”
Haruna nodded slowly as she made her way to the crates, figuring she might as well help the boys lift the rest out. Kristin seemed to have the same thought as she followed her. The two girls were now lifting the crates together.
“It's really no problem, is it? I'm kind of surprised no one volunteered.”
Kristin screwed up her face. “Oh, don't you know? That place is all the way east. You know? That really shady part of town?”
As Kristin whispered the last part, Haruna felt goose bumps rise on her neck. East Campbelton?
Haruna didn't—couldn't even recall a time she had been in that area for anything, but she had heard all sorts of rumours about it. Everything was broken and dirty, and the crime was awful. They had to go to that sort of place right now? Was it even safe?
“Oh,” Haruna managed as she started up the stairs, now trailing with reluctance behind Kristin.
“Gosh, I'm sorry. You had no idea, right?” Kristin said over her shoulder. “I figured since you were half-Asian and such maybe—well, I thought that's why you wanted to help them out.”
Haruna scrunched her nose. “What does…”
Before she could say more, the girls found themselves at the front of the church, beyond the pews and wells of holy water, and con
fronted by the scene outside. The rain had subsided, but the atmosphere was still dull, amplified by the subtle howl of a vicious wind, even at a steady eight degrees Celsius. It was as though the weather outside was an ominous foreshadowing for the journey they were about to take into the unknown. Definitely like something out of Shakespeare. Now Haruna understood exactly why Mani had been hesitant about the whole thing. It was of no help that his car wasn't the least bit big enough for all four crates. The clothes, toiletries and gadgets were forced into one of two crates wedged in the backseat or strewn in loose, haphazard piles in the trunk. Once the last of the crates' contents had been safely tucked away, Giovanni gave a low whistle and swatted Mani on the back.
"Well, bud, that's the last of it." He paused and leaned in. "Say, what's that look for?"
Mani still had that miserable scowl on his face but catching himself he managed a fast grin.
"Oh, nothing. I was just worried about those kids, you know? To think there are people out there so desperately in need. I feel so bad driving up in a car like this to give them used things."
Haruna lifted a brow. Mani was thoughtful, but he wasn't modest. She suspected he was more concerned about whether or not one of those crates had scratched the paint. He had been staring at the fender for an obscene amount of time.
"Yeah, sure it's mostly used, but those are brand-named clothes. They'll love it," Giovanni assured.
"Oh no, I know what it is," Kristin said with a sly grin. "Emmanuel is worried about heading east with an expensive car."
"Ho-ho, is that it then? Worried about gettin' mugged?" Giovanni joked.
Haruna answered before Mani could. "He's not! Mani's not afraid of anything."
Mani seemed surprised by Haruna's quick defence, and his face lit up. "Yeah, that's right. East Side's got nothing on me. I'm a Vangelis, aren't I? Straight-up gladiator."
Giovanni chuckled. "Look, buddy, you've got nothin' to worry about. You're a tough-lookin' guy. No one's messin' with you. Plus, you've got this little firecracker at your side." He directed a friendly wink at Haruna. She half-smiled but felt herself shrink.
"Yeah, anyway, looks like the rain's about to start again. Let's get going," Haruna grumbled, rushing for the passenger seat. "See you later. God bless."
"Co-signed," said Mani, waving at the others and thanking them for their help before getting in beside her. He turned to her with a smirk. "Yeah, right. It's not raining at all."
"Yeah, yeah. I just want to go already. Those two are annoying," Haruna groused, hastily pulling on her seatbelt.
Mani sniffed. "You're telling me. The least they could have done is volunteer themselves. They're older than us."
Haruna tilted her head. "So you're not mad that I volunteered us, right?"
With one hand on the steering wheel, Mani fanned the other. "Nah, but… well, it is the East Side."
"Is the East Side that bad?" she wondered aloud.
"Well, truthfully the worst part is the drive through Main Street. The building itself is kinda nice, I guess. It's just on the outskirts of the really messed-up stuff."
"Really? So you've been there before?"
"Nope. Seen photos. You know Baba—always gotta play nice. So he knows the guy that owns the place. It's basically an orphanage. They call it Ten-something."
"Ten…?"
"I dunno. He's Japanese. The owner. The house has been there forever, you know. Almost got torn down. I guess out of goodwill he took over and set up a place for street kids to go so they don't end up dead or in Juvie. Kinda funny to me since I'm always hearing about how one or two of them still get in trouble here and there, stealing and stuff. But I guess it's hard to fix messed-up kids. Also I never got why it's just Asian kids. Seems pretty racist to me. But, hey."
Haruna didn't know what to say after his odd ramble, and so she didn't speak, but rather succumbed to a blank stare. Mani seemed to detect this for he added an offhanded, "No offense."
"Right," she muttered, still trying to process what had just been said. She wasn't sure if she should even feel offended for all she felt at that moment was raw confusion.
Fortunately, the topic changed.
"So, anyway, about the new plans with Sister Anne next Saturday…"
"Don't even get me started," Haruna grumbled.
"Right, so I'm thinking how 'bout this—we head to the diner before the rehearsal?"
"Gyros and falafels? I guess I'll have something to look forward to, then."
Vangelis Greek Diner was one part of his family's enterprise. With Mani, Haruna always ate for free, but the cost didn’t matter. It was great food. Plus, it was a date and she always looked forward to those.
The rest of the drive was slow, given the evening rush-hour traffic and steady flow of commuters passing through town. The sudden appearance of low-lying fog really didn't help matters. Haruna was completely out-of-it, staring dully at the Canadiens charm suspended from the mirror. She averted her eyes to glimpse sidelong at Mani as he scratched at the fine layer of stubble under his chin and along his jaw. He was a fast driver and the dawdling pace must have agitated him. His tension wasn't easing her own, and her past efforts of calming them both by switching radio stations were pointless.
The digital clock read 6:05.
Haruna sank in her seat as she noticed the rundown buildings of Main Street and the people passing by, either in an anxious hurry or slow and aimless, zombie-like.
Five more minutes passed.
There was a bend in the road, and a street sign overhead indicated that they were now on Wood Valley Crescent. The sky was darker, masked by the branches of old pine and maple trees. They came along a quiet roundabout and a large lot at the end of it, guarded by tall, iron fencing.
"This is it," Mani said tonelessly amid the crunch of gravel under his tires as he turned into the driveway, then yanked the gear shift into park.
Haruna gaped, lips parted. "Wow…"
Could it have been that this large building was really one of the old, turn-of-the-century mansions, like from history books? Or from a haunting fairy tale? Something about this place was rustic, mysterious… not at all plain and institutionalized as she had expected. Just off to the side was a sign with bronze letters written in Asian writing that she didn't understand. Directly below, translated, were the words "Heaven Home for Boys."
"I'll get the stuff out. They probably expect us so you should go on and sound the buzzer. The sooner we get out of here, the better."
Haruna nodded, deferential to his command as she marched to the gate with wooden limbs. She pushed a small button on the intercom. She heard static, then the muffled voice of a woman:
"Yes? Who is it?"
"Hi. Er, my name is Haruna." She paused, feeling self-conscious over how frog-like and throaty her voice sounded. She coughed once, noticing the eye of a camera on her. "Um, I'm from Holy Eternal Sacrifice, the church on the West Side. We've come to drop off donations." Haruna waited as the woman took a lengthy pause before responding. Haruna was relieved to hear her balmy laughter.
"Oh, right—of course! Wait right there. I'll let you in."
Haruna stepped back with a mild fright as a loud sound like a bullhorn erupted, and the gates jostled themselves open. Haruna was awed by the security system. Though she lived in a gated community something about all of this seemed excessive. Certainly, the boys were well-protected, but if anything it reminded her of the kind of measures fit for an asylum. Or a jail.
"So here's the first set," said Mani as he walked over, both arms filled with twin garbage bags. He grunted as he dropped them at the gate.
Haruna began to follow as he manoeuvred back to the car. "Let me help."
"No, no—deal with her. I've got this."
Haruna swivelled on her heels. She jumped out of her skin when she saw the person: a tall, slender woman that alighted the footpath leading out the house and to the gate, her sleek but short, inky-black hair
drawn back into a low ponytail with strands fallen along her forehead, framing her face. She offered a smile as she neared. Something about her, the way she moved, the way her dark eyes regarded her, no matter how simply she was dressed—in classic Lululemon leggings, old slippers and a grey cardigan—even with very little makeup on she was striking. Dignified. Composed.
The woman held out an elaborately manicured hand to shake Haruna's.
"Hello. I'm Claudia. I'm a guardian for the estate."
As Haruna took Claudia's hand, shaking it once, she raised her head and met her eyes.
"Your name is Japanese," the woman said still holding her hand.
Haruna gave a weak nod. "I'm… half. My father named me."
Claudia seemed intrigued by this and slowly released her hand. "Hafu," she murmured.
Strange. Though Claudia had repeated what Haruna had said, it sounded different. The woman then shifted focus and looked overhead. Haruna followed her gaze, turning to see that Mani had returned with the last crate. Claudia gave him a probing, distrusting stare.
"And you are…?"
"Emmanuel Vangelis. I'm a Youth Minister from the church, along with her."
Though Claudia was tall, Mani towered over them both. Claudia’s lips curled into a grin and Haruna caught the peculiar sparkle in her eye. He held out his hand. With a small dip of her head, she eagerly reached for it with both of hers.
"Of course, Councillor Vangelis' son," she said with a twang that brought out the subtle hint of an accent one could only really hear if they listened closely. "The boys will be grateful for your generosity."
Haruna scowled. The woman seemed to be holding Mani's hand a little too tightly while Mani himself seemed all too comfortable with it. How old was the woman, anyway? Definitely not a teenager like they were. Gross.
"Oh, would you look at that! Almost six-thirty? I guess it's time we headed out," said Haruna, directing a firm look at Mani. However, he didn't budge.
"Well, it's a lot of stuff. We can help bring it in," Mani said airily.
Haruna glared. So now he wanted to stick around? Was this Claudia person all that fascinating?
Judge by the Cover: High School, Drama & Deadly Vices (Hafu Sans Halo Book 1) Page 7