Chapter Two-hundred One: Reconciling

Chapter 201

Reconciling

Jordi walked down Juniper Street as the sun started to set on his way to Madelyn’s house. He thought about what both Ashley and Tristan had told him, and decided to talk to Madelyn about it. He took a deep breath and went up the patio steps to knock on the door. Footsteps drew nearer to the door. Madelyn was surprised to see Jordi.

Madelyn: “Jordi?”

She gasped. Jordi smiled a bit.

Jordi: “May I come in?”

He asked. Madelyn nodded and stepped aside, holding her arm out.

Madelyn: “Come in!”

She smiled a bit. Jordi stepped inside and hooked his thumbs in his jeans, examining the house.

Jordi: “So, you got the furnace I had installed, I can feel?”

He bobbed his head. Madelyn smiled up at him.

Madelyn: “Yep, that's right! Thank you for warming up our house!”

She bobbed her head.

Jordi cleared his throat.

Jordi: “Do you want to go somewhere private to talk?”

He asked. Madelyn nodded.

Madelyn: “Sure, let's go to my bedroom!”

She declared, turning to the staircase. Jordi nodded and followed her up the stairs and to her bedroom. When he entered her bedroom, he looked around and inhaled sharply. Her room reflected her own fantasy land. He shrugged out of his sports jacket and set it on one of the mushrooms.

Madelyn smiled and sat down on the toadstool by the bay window, gesturing for him to join her at the toadstool table. Jordi nodded and sat across from her, gazing out the window at the duck pond in the backyard. Madelyn looked out to where he was looking.

Madelyn: “Aren't they pretty?”

She smiled at the wild ducks who came by and hovered around the beautiful pond. Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “Yes, of course. It’s nice to have this room with this view.”

He said, his voice trailing off. Madelyn turned to him.

Madelyn: “Not as nice as this view!”

She winked at him. Jordi smiled tightly at her.

Jordi: “Is that so?”

He chuckled.

He then took a deep breath and examined the room.

Jordi: “So why do you retreat into your own world anyway?”

He asked and locked his gaze on her. Madelyn glanced at him.

Madelyn: “Because the real world is boring and it sucks!”

She shrugged and laughed a bit, observing her fairytale bedroom.

Jordi: “Is that right? Is it not a coping mechanism to deal with something else, or not?”

He leaned back and folded his arms over his chest.

Madelyn: “I don't know? I never really thought about it. I just find life more enjoyable this way!”

She smiled. Jordi nodded, taking that in.

Jordi: “Well, that’s what works for you. That doesn’t work for me because that isn’t going to solve whatever issues that may arise.”

He drummed his fingers on the table.

Jordi: “If I hadn’t intervened about your furnace or heating system, it wouldn’t have gotten done.”

He twisted his mouth.

Madelyn: “I guess not. Nari loves the cold, and Juniper is off in Jupiter.”

She stated.

Jordi: “And are you much different?”

He tilted his head. Madelyn looked around her room.

Madelyn: “...I guess not!”

She laughed. Jordi twisted his mouth.

Jordi: “And therein lies the difference between you and me.”

He stated.

Jordi: “I never asked you to change anything for me. The way I deal with trauma and my issues is how I do. I always help others, just as I did for you now. I don’t want to be told I am not doing this right or told I should put myself first. If I did that, I’d be homeless now. There are certain sacrifices one has to make to secure their future and make others’ lives easier. This is what works for me.”

He said firmly.

Madelyn: “I didn't ask you to change anything for me? I was just worried about you neglecting yourself and wanted you to take care of yourself, too! What about you? If you're always helping others and making their lives easier, who is helping you and making your life easier?”

She replied.

Jordi: “You insinuated it. As for why I am this way, well, my grandmother walked out and left my grandfather and me when I was sixteen. Everything was a chaotic mess. I was hungry and had to turn to Demetrio and Concetta Donati for food. I don’t want to do that to someone else. I don’t want others to suffer because I have. Can’t you try to understand that? Ashley does.”

He knit his eyebrows.

Jordi: “They understood my plight, and I felt they would because they deal with this from Lazaros.”

He added.

Madelyn: “I'm sorry about that. That's not your fault, though! You were a child and needed help, and there's nothing wrong with needing help, Jordi! You don't make others suffer, you do the opposite! Ashley? What do you mean that they deal with this from Lazaros? Are you saying I'm like Lazaros?”

She asked. Jordi cupped his mouth and nodded soberly.

Jordi: “They made me feel better and understood my plight.”

Madelyn’s eyebrows rose.

Madelyn: “How did they make you feel better, and how am I like Lazaros?”

She asked slowly. Jordi cleared his throat.

Jordi: “They listened to me, and I feel they understood me very well. They went through that ordeal with Blair just to save Lazaros, and I don’t think he understands or grasps it. Like Lazaros, you just think it’s okay for everyone to retreat into fantasy land, but it doesn’t work that way for everyone. In most cases, it’s just running from your problems, which he does and you do, too.”

He concluded.

Madelyn: “I'm not saying you need to retreat into a fantasy land, I just want you to be happy and do music and take care of yourself, too!”

She smiled at him.

Jordi: “Madelyn, I can’t get into the music scene. It’s easier said than done. I am not quitting my job to busk on the streets. That won’t pay the bills. I am taking care of myself, but not the way you want me to.”

He rubbed his temples.

Madelyn: “I'm sorry… I was just trying to help. I just wanted you to be happy…”

She sighed and bowed her head. Jordi drew a long breath.

Jordi: “I’ll be fine, don’t you worry.”

He smiled sadly.

Jordi: “I faced many adversaries during my life, and what’s one more?”

He laughed humorlessly.

Madelyn: “You don't have to face them and deal with them alone, Jordi.”

She reached her hand out to him. Jordi looked at her hand on his, and he placed his other hand on hers.

Jordi: “You’re right.”

He whispered. Madelyn smiled at him.

Madelyn: “If you ever need help, I got you!”

She assured him. Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “I’ll bear that in mind. I suppose the helper sometimes needs help, too.”

He drew a long breath.

He gazed out the window as the sun set and the sky grew darker. Madelyn gazed out at the sky with him and pulled him into a hug. Jordi smiled and hugged her back, rubbing the small of her back. Madelyn shivered at his touch and smiled up at him. Jordi smiled down at her and lowered himself to kiss her. Madelyn beamed and stroked his face, kissing him back. He opened his mouth to taste her, and took in her sweetness as his tongue wrestled with hers. Madelyn slid her tongue along his, tasting him in their embrace.

Jordi broke the kiss and gazed into her eyes.

Jordi: “Are we good?”

He whispered. Madelyn shivered at his whispers.

Madelyn: “Of course! I’m glad we’re good!”

She smiled at him and booped his nose. Jordi giggled and heaved a sigh of relief.

He gazed out the window, watching the sunset, and brushed his sleeve back to glance at his watch.

Jordi: “It’s getting late.”

Madelyn: “Do you want to stay the night?”

She offered, leaning forward. Jordi raised his eyebrows.

Jordi: “You want me to spend the night with you?”

He smiled.

Madelyn: “Of course, I do! …Do you want to spend the night with me?”

She asked softly, swaying her hips side by side. Jordi smiled and nodded.

Jordi: “Of course, I do.”

He said gently and bent over to unzip his boots. He slid them off, revealing his sheer socked feet, and sat on her bed, leaning back.

Madelyn: “Yay!”

She then flicked her gaze down to his sheer socked feet.

Madelyn: “Is that an invitation?”

She teased and winked at him. Jordi chuckled.

Jordi: “It could be that…”

He whispered and bent over to take off his socks.

Jordi: “Or just me getting comfortable.”

He winked. Madelyn’s violet eyes sparkled.

Madelyn: “Good!”

She grinned and grabbed a box from her drawer, dumping hundreds of feathers onto the ground, over his bare feet. Jordi shivered as he surveyed the myriad of feathers.

Madelyn: “Get comfy because I’m gonna tickle you good!”

She laughed and rustled the feathers against the soles of his feet. Jordi shrieked and erupted into laughter.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

He pressed his hands against his temples and howled with laughter. Madelyn smiled at him and tickled between his toes with the soft, fluffy duck feathers. He doubled over, a jagged, breathless laugh tearing out of him as he writhed and squirmed.

Jordi: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!! OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO NOHOHOHOHOHOHOOO!! WAHAHAHAHAAAAA!”

He screamed with laughter as tears filled his byzantine eyes. Madelyn knelt over him, climbing on top of him and tickling his sides. Jordi howled with laughter and gasped for air in between laughing.

Jordi: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!! OHHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO MY GOHOHOHOHOHOD!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

He laughed as his entire body twitched with panicked joy. Madelyn snickered with delight as his laughter grew. She stroked the soft feathers up his shirt to his tummy. Jordi laughed hard and pulled his shirt out of his jeans, unbuttoning it for her. Madelyn’s eyes widened, and her smile grew, delighting in his delight.

Jordi: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

He laughed hard and gasped for breath.

Madelyn: “Oh, you’re enjoying this, huh?”

She poked her tongue out and stroked her finger tips down his sides and toned tummy. Jordi laughed loudly and wheezed, ragged breaths in between laughing. Tears streaked down his cheeks, and he nodded as he laughed.

Jordi: “HEHEHEHEHEHEEHEHEHEAHAHAHAHAHAHAA YEHEHEHEEHES! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

Madelyn beamed brightly.

Madelyn: “Yay! Me too! I’m so glad you’re enjoying this too!”

She exclaimed, tickling all over his toned flesh and soft soles of his feet with the soft feathers. Jordi laughed hard and buckled over.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAA!! OHOHOHOHOHOHOHO NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!”

He dissolved into a wheezing, tearful fit of laughter, squirming like a landed fish while gasping for mercy.

Madelyn: “Hehe, oh wow! You’re mighty ticklish, aren’t you?”

She teased him as she tickled between his toes. Jordi laughed loudly and gasped for air. He nodded as he laughed.

Jordi: “YEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHES! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA!! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!”

He laughed hard as he wiggled his feet and scrunched his toes. Madelyn heeded him and ceased from tickling him.

Jordi lay back, laughing breathlessly and panting. His chest rose and fell in rhythm as he panted, his Cuban-link chain glistened in the light. He raked his fingers through his hair and drew a long breath. Madelyn marveled at him under the light.

Madelyn: “I’m glad you had fun!”

She beamed. Jordi sat up and smiled at her.

Jordi: “I did…”

He caressed her cheek and pursed his lips. Madelyn closed her eyes and melted to his touch.

Madelyn: “Me too!”

She sang and caressed his cheek.

Jordi shifted his eyes and looked around the room.

Jordi: “Do you love me?”

He asked her. Madelyn’s eyes widened.

Madelyn: “I’ve never been in love before! How do you know when you’re in love?”

She smiled at him. Jordi looked away.

Jordi: “You’ve never been in love before, huh?”

He asked her. Madelyn shook her head in confirmation.

Madelyn: “Have you?”

She asked him, glancing up at him. Jordi sighed and nodded.

Jordi: “Yes.”

Jordi: “I think you’re in love with someone when you want to be around them, can’t envision yourself in the future without them, and they complement you. It’s when their happiness, their safety, and security are as important as yours.”

He explained. He bowed his head. Madelyn smiled at him.

Madelyn: “Wow, that’s beautiful!”

Jordi: “Prioritizing them in disagreements…”

His voice trailed off. Madelyn nodded.

Jordi: “It’s a beautiful feeling.”

Madelyn: “Oh! Then I guess that means I love you!”

She smiled at him with no hesitation and certainty in her voice. Jordi’s eyes widened, and he reddened. His heart hammered in his chest.

Madelyn: “Do you love me?”

She asked him. Jordi smiled and nodded.

Jordi: “Of course, I do. Why do you think I am here?”

He brushed her hair out of her face. Madelyn giggled at his answer.

Madelyn: “Haha, because you love me!”

She teased him and booped his nose. Jordi chuckled.

Jordi: “Yes, but I also wanted to work this issue out.”

He shifted his eyes and raked his fingers through his hair.

Madelyn: “Me too! I don’t like it when you’re sad.”

She frowned.

Jordi: “I can see that. My apologies for how I reacted. I’m under a lot of pressure, is all.”

He bowed his head.

Madelyn: “I know, and I just felt bad that you were put under a lot of pressure, and I was just trying to help ease the pressure…”

She sighed. Jordi put his arm around her and kissed her head. Madelyn smiled up at him and kissed his cheek.

Jordi: “Well, you just did now.”

He nodded.

Madelyn: “Oh?! What did I do just now?”

She laughed.

Madelyn: “Tickle you?”

She teased. Jordi guffawed and nodded.

Jordi: “Yes!”

Madelyn smiled.

Madelyn: “Good! I’ll take note of that!”

She clasped her hands together.

Jordi cleared his throat and locked his gaze on her.

Jordi: “So why do you do what you do and what happened to you?”

He asked her gently, placing his hands on hers. Madelyn paused and gently caressed his hand.

Madelyn: “...I don’t know…? I just prefer to live my life this way. It makes me happy and makes me feel more at peace, and that’s what I want in my life!”

She smiled. Jordi eyed her skeptically. Interesting, he thought. Something happened to her, he mused.

Madelyn: “And you make me happy and peaceful!”

She smiled at him. Jordi smiled tightly at her.

Jordi: “As do you.”

Madelyn smiled back at him.

~

Jaxon drove down the streets of Little Tokyo, deep in thought about what he witnessed. He wore a dark red snakeskin pattern button-down shirt, tight black leather pants, and black Chelsea boots. He was smoking as he was driving down the busy streets. He knit his eyebrows and didn’t want to see him, but didn’t know who else to turn to. He checked his rearview mirror, looked behind his shoulder, and turned on his signal to change lanes to the exit to Meadow Boulevard.

~

Jaxon stepped into Percy’s manor and hooked his thumbs into his pants, looking around. There was no one in the living room or at the bar, except Percy’s dogs, cats, and a couple of rabbits. He knit his eyebrows and looked around.

Jaxon: “Percy?”

He called out, and there was no answer. He heard a thump and heaved a deep sigh.

He went upstairs and marched to his bedroom, where he heard moaning and the bed’s headboard banging against the wall. Jaxon swung open the door to see Percy on top of Etsuko, thrusting inside of her.

Jaxon: “I fucking knew it! Forget it, I’ll go somewhere else!”

He huffed. Percy paused, and he and Etsuko turned to face Jaxon. Percy pulled out and flopped on the bed, panting. Etsuko panted and smiled.

Etsuko: “Nee, kakkoii. Nakama ni irete ageyou ka?”

She teased.

Jaxon: “Muri.”

He huffed. Etsuko pouted.

Etsuko: “Terenaide ii yo…”

Percy chuckled and rubbed her back.

Percy: “I expect Trevor to walk in during my rendezvous, but this is a surprise, my dear Pepper Prince.”

Jaxon looked away.

Percy: “It’s so sexy when you speak in your mother tongue, Jaxon…”

He whispered, stuck his tongue out, and wiggled it. Jaxon rolled his eyes.

Jaxon: “Whatever.”

Percy smiled and threw the sheets off himself.

Etsuko: “Going to leave me here?”

She teased and slapped his ass. Percy shivered. He then draped a silk robe over himself and shrugged into it.

Percy: “It’s clear my Pepper Prince requires my presence. I shan’t be terribly long.”

He winked.

He went up to Jaxon and placed his hand on the small of his back as he led him out of his bedroom and downstairs to his bar.

Jaxon sat at the bar. He got out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and glared at Percy.

Percy: “Aren’t you the demanding one tonight?”

He chuckled and whipped out a lighter to light it for him. Jaxon inhaled a long drag.

Percy: “Kind of turns me on…”

He murmured. He then placed a martini glass on the counter, filled a cocktail shaker with ice, and added 2 ounces of vodka, 1 ounce of pomegranate juice, ½ ounce of simple syrup, lemon juice, and a dash of bitters. He shook it for about fifteen seconds and poured it into the martini glass through the strainer, finishing with pomegranate seeds on the bottom.

Jaxon took the drink and sipped it.

Jaxon: “Nice…”

He whispered and inhaled another long drag. Percy leaned over and took a lock of his hair, threading it between his fingers.

Percy: “I call this ‘Solar Opposite.’ ”

He said gently. Jaxon nodded.

Jaxon: “Sounds perfect.”

Percy: “What’s troubling you, my prince?”

Jaxon drew a rough breath.

Jaxon: “I did everything right! I stopped letting what happened in Seashell Cove get me depressed, focused on Celeste, got our house back, and she’s still over that fucking asshole, Fabien!”

He slammed his fist on the counter and cried. Percy wagged his head.

Percy: “So is she done with you?”

Jaxon looked away.

Jaxon: “We didn’t fight, and she didn’t tell me it’s over, but I saw her kissing that fucktard!”

His bottom lip trembled.

Percy: “...So she wasn’t hiding this from you?”

Jaxon shifted in his seat and exhaled smoke.

Jaxon: “I don’t know? I don’t know what more I have to do!”

He slammed his hands on the counter.

Percy placed his hand on Jaxon’s.

Percy: “Celeste is… a fickle one. She’s like a cat who appears to only like your lap, but when you blink, she’s on another man’s lap. Perhaps, she likes the feel of both laps for different reasons.”

He stroked his hand.

Jaxon: “Well, I don’t want her on his lap! He’s a fucking loser who trolls a bigger loser!”

He clicked his tongue and sipped his drink. Percy shrugged.

Percy: “You can’t deny the Donati nepo baby brings amusement to the table. I daresay he’s funnier than that Sex Bee guy.”

He chuckled. Jaxon’s eyes went into a full roll.

Jaxon: “Don’t remind me. I haven’t heard or seen Maxwell in a while. This is a good thing.”

Percy leaned over and lightly tickled Jaxon’s neck. Jaxon laughed and jerked his head away.

Jaxon: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA! DOHOHOHON’T!”

He whined. Percy smirked.

Percy: “I don’t know what to tell you, darling. I don’t think Celeste wants to leave you or that she loves you any less.”

Jaxon: “Then why is she doing this?!”

He huffed. Percy shrugged.

Percy: “Some cats like two laps instead of one. I love both you and my ice prince.”

He smiled and brushed his fingers against Jaxon’s face.

Jaxon: “Is that why you fuck everyone else but us?”

Percy threw his head back and gave a harsh bark of laughter.

Percy: “I have urges, love, and neither you nor Tristan is fulfilling those. I am not going to force either of you to do that!”

He cackled. Jaxon rolled his eyes. I don’t think it would stop you if we did, he thought.

~

The next day, Tristan was driving through downtown Pink Top City with Celeste in the passenger’s seat. Tristan wore a black Italian-cut suit, a light-blue pressed shirt, a dark-blue tie, and black wingtip Oxfords. Over his suit, he wore a black peacoat with a blue scarf tucked into the collar. Celeste wore a leather bustier with silver studs on the bustline, a white tiger stripe skirt, black nylons, black thigh-high boots, a spiked collar, and a leather jacket.

Celeste: “So, where are we going?”

Tristan: “The hospital.”

Celeste: “If you’re sick, you can ask Jax to heal you.”

Tristan: “It’s not for me. It’s about that body double Ichiro told you about.”

He smiled.

Celeste: “Oh, yeah. Yeah, he did.”

She drawled.

~

When they entered the hospital, they ventured down the corridor.

Celeste: “Why don’t we ask a help desk lady?”

Tristan shook his head.

Tristan: “I don’t want this person to know we’re here. Do you not think he would be reporting back to the real Ichiro?”

He challenged.

Celeste: “Then how will we find him?”

She raised her hands up.

Tristan: “It’s a massive hospital…”

He cupped his mouth.

Celeste was in the gift shop, staring at Garfield balloons and plush toys. Tristan joined her.

Tristan: “What has caught your eye?”

Celeste pointed to a balloon with Garfield as a doctor that said, “Get well soon.”

Celeste: “Maybe you can get that for Deimos? Or a teddy bear?”

Tristan gaped at her.

Tristan: “Is that a joke?”

Celeste: “He’s sad he’s not with you.”

Tristan looked away.

Tristan: “I don’t want to discuss Deimos right now.”

Celeste held up a teddy bear with a heart that said, “A sweet heart for a sweetheart!”

Celeste: “Deimos could give this to you.”

She smiled. Tristan looked away.

Tristan: “That defeats the purpose, Celeste. He should do it of his own volition.”

His eyelids dipped.

Sylvia and Etsuko stepped into the store. Sylvia smiled when she saw Tristan and Celeste.

Etsuko: “Hey, handsome! We meet again!”

She winked at Tristan.

Etsuko: “Who’s the sweetface?”

She asked.

Celeste: “I’m Celeste.”

Etsuko: “I’m Etsuko! Nice to meet you! Jiro has excellent taste!”

She lowered her glasses and winked.

Etsuko: “He interrupted Percy and me sharing a night of passion last night!”

Celeste: “Sharing passion with Percy is impossible. Nothing kills my mood faster than looking at him.”

She gagged. Etsuko laughed.

Etsuko: “You’re so funny!”

Celeste: “I am? I was stating facts.”

She tilted her head.

Sylvia cleared her throat.

Sylvia: “Etsuko, I have the gift basket, so let’s make haste to Demetrio’s room.”

She clapped her hands and grabbed the basket. Tristan raised his eyebrows.

Tristan: “What’s going on with Demetrio?”

Sylvia: “He had aortic repair surgery done.”

Celeste: “I want some fruit, Tristan.”

She pointed to the basket. Tristan put his hand up.

Sylvia: “If you two wish to see him, he would be delighted to see you.”

She paused.

Sylvia: “Best to do it now before Blair arrives.”

She said slowly. Tristan gave her a knowing look.

~

Tristan and Celeste arrived in Demetrio’s room with a basket of fruit. Outside of Demetrio’s room was a security guard. Sylvia stepped outside to tell him they could come in.

Tristan: “Hello, Demetrio, how do you feel? Celeste and I bear fruit!”

He held his hand up with the basket. Demetrio smiled to see the two of them.

Demetrio: “Tristan! Celeste! Come in!”

Celeste: “I want an apple.”

She pointed to the apple.

Sylvia: “Celeste, this is a gift Tristan gave to Demetrio.”

She chided her gently. Demetrio laughed.

Demetrio: “She can have it, Sylvia! I don’t terribly like apples much anyway.”

He winked, and Tristan smiled.

Tristan set the basket down. Celeste opened it and got an apple out for herself.

Demetrio: “It’s nice to have company around. I hired 24/7 security to stand outside my room.”

Celeste: “Why? Was there another assassination attempt?”

She asked as she ate her apple.

Demetrio: “No, sweetheart, I had an aortic aneurysm, and the surgeons repaired it.”

He reassured her.

Tristan eyed him curiously.

Tristan: “So why do you have a security guard outside of your room?”

Demetrio heaved a deep sigh.

Demetrio: “During our Christmas gala, my friend, Kahn Samra, was rushed to the hospital while complaining about chest pains.”

Tristan’s face turned ashen. Celeste blinked.

Demetrio: “Sylvia and I came to visit him and check on his wife, Japji, but the staff told us he had heartburn and checked himself out.”

He drew a long breath. Tristan looked away.

Demetrio: “This is not like Kahn to do this. He would at least inform Japji if he wanted to leave town.”

He bowed his head. Tristan flashed a strained, sympathetic smile.

Sylvia: “On top of that, several patients have gone missing from this hospital, and we’re taking extra precautions.”

She concluded.

Tristan: “That’s a wise decision.”

Demetrio folded his hands over his chest.

Demetrio: “Be glad it’s me here and not Blair. I can’t imagine what would happen if someone were to kidnap him.”

He sighed.

Celeste: “Don’t worry, Demetrio. The kidnappers would return Blair and offer to pay you to keep him.”

She smiled. Tristan and Etsuko laughed.

Etsuko: “What a funny and sexy girl!”

Sylvia cracked a smile.

Celeste stepped outside of Demetrio’s room for a bit. Through her peripheral vision, she saw an Asian doctor walking down the hall, dressed in a white lab coat over a suit and bearing a striking resemblance to Ichiro. When he drew closer to Celeste, she lifted her skirt and took off her boot to show off her pantyhosed leg and foot. The man strolled past her as if she were invisible. Celeste watched him go down the hall and into another room. That’s not Ichiro, she thought.