by Lia London
Chieko let out a silent laugh, remembering the night she and Barth had sequestered themselves on the couch in Amaya’s old apartment. “A lot has happened in the last month, hasn’t it?”
Barth’s dimple deepened, and he took her hand. “And a lot could happen in a year.”
“Yes, it could.” She maneuvered their fingers into position for a thumb war. “Ready to be next-door neighbors?”
“Are you serious about this?” he asked.
“Totally. One, two, three, four, I declare a—”
“No, no. I mean did Ms. Parker really talk to you about this duplex thing?”
Chieko nodded, using her free hand to squeeze their clasped hands back into position. “She said I should be the one to tell you. For some reason, she got it into her head we made a good team and thought she might facilitate the next phase of our careers.”
“Of our careers.” Their thumbs squirmed right and left.
“And our whatever,” she added, pinning his knuckle down.
Barth lifted her winning hand to his lips. “Miss Chieko, you’re too good to me.”
“No, Barth. You’re the good one. You put up with my temper tantrums and blubber boxing.”
“And you put up with my bouncing around like a puppy.”
Chieko laughed and pretended to ruffle his ears. “Good boy.” Her face grew serious. “Will you be patient with me while I learn about the faith that drives your family’s strength?”
Barth’s eyes widened, and his voice hushed. “Take your time and let it grow on you peacefully.”
“I might not really get it,” she admitted. “Please don’t hold any expectations. I just don’t know if—”
“It’s okay,” he said, caressing her cheek with his thumb. “I don’t really like sushi, but I guess we can both learn new things. We’ll take our time, and we’ll be true to ourselves.”
“It’ll be a chance to redefine ourselves away from family pressures or the ghosts of our past.”
Barth nodded slowly. “We both will have a steep learning curve, I bet.”
“Speaking of which, I forgot to mention one of us will have to learn to fly.”
Barth blinked. “Seriously?”
“We’ll be using the Clay Pigeon to get to filming locations whenever possible.”
He leaned back and grinned. “Well, given that your kisses are all moon magic and shooting stars amazing, I think you are probably most qualified.”
“Really?” Chieko felt surprisingly gratified. “You think I could do it?”
“If you’ve figured out a way to love me despite all my flaws, then you can probably do anything.”
Chieko wrapped her arms around his neck. “Oh, then I’m unstoppable.” With a smile that reached all the way from the bottom of her heart, Chieko pressed closer in a tender kiss. Her future might be a crazy jumble of opportunities and question marks, but the most important one was right there in her arms, and she knew she wouldn’t let go.
Epilogue
“Hi Mom.” Chieko stood on the front doorstep, dressed in jeans and a sweater, but she knew her mother wasn’t looking at her clothes. She was staring at the way Chieko grasped Barth’s hand.
“I came to say good-bye. We’re heading up to Washington today.”
Mayumi’s eyes flickered to Barth’s face, but she said nothing.
“Mom,” prompted Chieko.
Biting her lip, Mayumi stepped back, allowing them to enter the foyer. She did not, however, close the door behind them.
“I can come back down for New Year’s if you want me to.” Chieko ached at her mother’s silence. She expected hostility from her father and knew her actions had humiliated him. When time had passed, she would apologize, but for now, she just wanted her mother’s… something maternal.
Mayumi heaved a sigh. “This is really your decision?”
“It’s my decision, not Barth’s, if that’s what you mean,” said Chieko. “And by the way, Mom, please meet Bartholomew Jefferson. He’s my boyfriend and my colleague.”
“And you’re running away together.”
Barth spoke, offering what almost passed for a deferential bow. “We’re accepting an employment opportunity that comes with free housing, Mrs. Makiguchi.” He held out his hand. “And I am pleased to meet you.”
Mayumi looked at his hand for several seconds before taking it.
Barth immediately enveloped the woman’s tiny hand in both of his, a smile blooming on his face. “It really is a wonderful opportunity, Mrs. Makiguchi. Your daughter will have the chance to travel all over the country for her work, meeting influential people from many walks of life. I can’t think of a more educational and exciting way to spend these early years of adulthood.”
Mayumi withdrew her hand, her expression blank. “She should be settling down and starting a family.”
Chieko’s stomach flipped. Not only was her mother talking about her as if she wasn’t there, she was planning her future again.
“I’m sure she will someday,” said Barth without skipping a beat. “And when she does, I know she’ll want your blessing.”
Chieko blinked at Barth.
Mayumi blinked at Barth.
Barth shrugged, his dimple growing. “What? If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. Everybody knows that.”
Mayumi stifled a giggle, and Chieko’s eyes popped wide with surprise. “You made Mom laugh. It’s time to go buy a lottery ticket because the odds are in your favor.”
“Oh, Chieko, don’t overreact. I have a sense of humor.” Mayumi sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m still trying to imagine why Chieko did not accept Charles’ marriage proposal. Her future would have been prosperous, and…” Her voice faded out as she studied Barth’s earnest gaze. A hint of a smile played on her lips. “But a heart wants what it wants.” She shrugged. “We have different priorities, I guess.” Mayumi’s brow knotted, and her jaw clenched, both signs that she was holding back tears.
“Mom,” said Chieko, softening. “Money and prestige aren’t what make me happy.” When Mayumi visibly tensed and looked away, Chieko quickly added, “Please let me do this with your blessing. I’m going either way, but I’d love it if you could find it in your heart to approve, even just a little.”
To her surprise, Mayumi turned back with glistening eyes. Her voice sounded foggy. “You are either very brave or very crazy.” A single tear released from the corner of one eye. “I don’t know which, but I hope you are brave.” She rushed forward to hug Chieko. “And I hope you find happiness.”
Chieko gasped at the feel of her mother’s embrace, both tender and fierce. A moment later, Barth enveloped them both in his strong arms.
Mayumi startled for a second but did not pull away. Glancing sideways and up at Barth, she gave a wry smile. “I hope that Chieko has placed her trust in you wisely because she has given up her future for you.”
Chieko’s skin crawled and she stepped back. “Mom. How can you—”
“It’s okay.” Barth held up a hand. Speaking gently, he kept one hand on Mayumi’s shoulder. “I understand, Mrs. Makiguchi. Your daughter gave up millions of dollars in favor of a nobody like me, but ma’am, I promise you something right now. I promise it with my whole heart. I will always treat Chieko with the love and respect she deserves because she’s still worth millions to me—more millions than I could ever count.”
Chieko stared at her mother and Barth as they fell into a tight embrace, both crying, and both comforting the other. A peace washed over her, and she knew Barth had more to offer her whole family. This was just the beginning.
***
Fifteen minutes later, Chieko turned into the drive-thru lane. Barth’s camera equipment crowded their seats so far forward that his knees touched the dashboard.
“It’s not too late for breakfast burritos, is it?” she asked.
“Miss Chieko, I love you for so many reasons, and you being able to read my stomach’s mind is only one of them.”
She chuckled
and glanced back at the gear.
“And once we order, we’re ready to go, right? You’re sure we’ve got everything?” asked Chieko.
“Except breathing room,” teased Barth.
“You’re the one who sold your truck.”
“Aw, you know I had to get some ready cash for living expenses. I got to set up house now.” He winked. “I’m going to have to keep up with the neighbors.”
“Well, if you run out of sugar, just knock.” Chieko winked and placed their order. After paying, she pulled forward to the next window. “It sure was nice of Guy and Parker to bring his van down to haul up a trailer with our furniture and stuff.” She chuckled to herself, imagining all the back-and-forth borrowing they’d do as neighbors in a duplex. And sometimes, they’d just trade kisses.
“Here.” She passed him the sack of food and eased forward, ready to re-enter traffic.
“Thank you.”
“And can I say thank you? You were brilliant back there with Mom.”
“Everything I said was the truth.”
Chieko reached up and tickled his earlobe. “I got my Fortune 500 man right here.”
With a flourish, Barth unwrapped her breakfast. “Complete with a 99-cent breakfast burrito.” He held it up for her, and she turned to take a bite.
Seeing his shining eyes, she diverted his hand and kissed his lips.
“Delicious!”
Northwest Locations Mentioned in Crazy Little Crush
Christmas Valley Sand Dunes ~ Located in southern Oregon, this 8000-acre patch of sand is a huge attraction for off-road vehicles. Different areas can be used for different kinds of riders, so the daredevil dirt-biking high flyers won’t crash into more moderately-paced folks on ATVs, etc.
Fossil, Oregon and Wheeler High School ~ Near the John Day fossil beds, this tiny town with a tiny High School (go Rattlers!) is like blasting into the past. Many of the buildings are from the early 1900’s, making it a fun destination for history buffs of both the Old West and the pre-historic times that get unearthed in the archaeological digs.
IHOP in Ellensburg, WA ~ I’ve never been to this particular location, but as a kid, IHOP was one of my favorite places to go whenever my family went on vacation. I got the 12-stack of “Silver Dollar” pancakes (tiny) and tried a different flavor of syrup on each one. They don’t have that on the menu anymore, alas.
Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum ~ Leavenworth, the town, is famous for it’s old-fashioned Bavarian ambience, and the museum adds to that. There are some adorable elderly docents in costume who run the tours, but my descriptions of Martha and Amelia are fictional. They really do host an annual competition, and it really does get a lot of entries from kids far and wide. Pretty cool!
Mo’s PDX ~ I actually had no clue there was a Mo’s restaurant in Portland, Oregon until I was browsing the map for place to eat near the airport. Mo’s in Lincoln City is featured in Book 1 of the series, Who Needs Reality?, and will be highlighted again in Book 6, Love from A to Z. The Mo’s locations on the Oregon Coast are famous for the excellent clam chowder, but my personal favorite is the onion rings.
Pioneer Courthouse Square ~ This brick-paved beauty is a favorite gathering place for major civic events in Portland. It hosts an annual Christmas tree lighting with all kinds of local acts, and many activist groups congregate there to voice concerns. It is also home of a Starbucks stand, one of the KGW studios, and a super cool statue of a businessman with an umbrella; it looks so real at first glance, that many people mistake it for a living person.
Love from A to Z
Chapter 1 ~ The New Neighbor
“Does it feel weird when the old folks call you Mr. Seneca?”
Antonio glanced up from washing the breakfast dishes. His younger brother Carlos stood ready to dry as each plate came clean.
“Actually, most of them call me Maestro.”
Carlos frowned. “But you’re not a real teacher.”
Antonio cringed at the disappointment in his brother’s voice. “It’s a respect thing. You could try it.”
“Hey, I called my ESL teacher Maestro back when I took those classes.”
“Muy bien,” said Antonio. “And so did I. Now I’m doing what I can to teach the beginner ESL classes at La Casa.”
“La Casa,” scoffed Carlos. “It’s like a daycare for old people. How boring is that?”
“It provides a much-needed community for adult Latinos in the community who don’t get the benefits of making friends at school like you do.”
Frowning, Carlos stacked the bowls in the cupboard. “I wish you were still an actor. You made bank doing all that kissy stuff.”
“Yeah, and I had to live far away and compromise half my standards. I’m not doing it anymore. I need to be here to protect you.”
Carlos puffed his chest. “I’m thirteen, Antonio. I don’t need a babysitter.”
Antonio dried his hands on a kitchen towel and placed them on Carlos’ shoulders. “Isabel was twelve when she died—”
“That was in Mexico!” protested Carlos.
“—and if I had been with her, I could have protected her.”
“You were at work making money to pay for Mamita’s medicine.”
Antonio sighed. “And we ended up losing them both.” The weight of so much loss still burdened him seven years and thousands of miles later. If Carlos knew the whole truth, he might understand better, but Antonio was too ashamed to tell him.
Carlos’ expression darkened. “It wasn’t your fault, and it all happened in Mexico. We lived in a rough area. You don’t need to treat me like a baby here in Oregon.”
Antonio reminded himself that Carlos and Emilio had only been six and three when all the trauma had happened. They did not carry scars as deep as his. They did not shoulder the blame. Softening, he ruffled Carlos’ mop of black hair. “Let me be the kind of man Papa and Mamita would’ve wanted me to be. When you’re grown, I’ll leave you alone.”
Emilio bounded into the kitchen. “There’s a cute girl outside. I saw her when I took the garbage out.”
“Thanks, buddy.” Antonio’s heart squeezed at the resemblance his youngest brother bore to their mother. He was delicate in frame and feature with large, soulful eyes.
“You should go look at her.”
“Yeah, okay. In a minute.” So now, at the ripe old age of ten, Emilio had discovered girls. With a snicker, Antonio released the plug from the drain and let the water spiral down.
“I wish we could live in a big, fancy mansion in Hollywood.” Carlos swiped his long bangs from his dark eyes.
“Be grateful,” groused Antonio. “We have a house.”
“This is a summer cabin by anyone else’s standards,” fussed Carlos.
“And it’s paid in full.” Antonio hated it when Carlos complained about their circumstances. The boy had no recollection of the extreme poverty they had fled. “You think you want a Hollywood home, but the lifestyle isn’t worth it.”
Carlos persisted. “But the beautiful models—”
Emilio groaned. “Guys, I’m trying to tell you! There’s a really pretty girl outside. Come see.”
“I’m not interested in little girls, Emi.” Carlos shoved Emilio’s shoulder.
“Don’t call me Emi!”
“Okay, then. Mee-lee-oh!” Carlos gave Antonio his tween frustration grimace. “Anyway, with Who Wants to Be a Soap Star over, now you’re not as famous anymore, and—”
“I’m still an actor,” said Antonio. “Every day, I dress up and pretend I’m a program director at work, and people actually think I know what I’m talking about!” He grinned. His high school teachers had recognized his natural aptitude for learning languages and explaining them to his peers. After he graduated, they wrote letters of recommendation to help him get hired on at La Casa as an assistant to the ESL teacher. He had quickly risen in the ranks because the abuelos clamored for his attention, finding his quiet, kind nature a blessing in their difficult times.
&nb
sp; Antonio handed Emilio a sack lunch.
Emilio peeked inside the bag and extracted one of the two Double Stuf Oreos Antonio regularly included. “Can’t we get more than two cookies in our lunch?” He twisted open the Oreo and licked the center crème.
“Is it my fault you eat them for breakfast?”
“Dessert after breakfast,” corrected Emilio. “Please? Just two more?”
Antonio smiled. “Nope. My fat stomach can’t afford so much junk food.”
Carlos playfully punched Antonio in the gut. “You don’t have any fat.”
“Only in my head, right?” He gently shoved the boys towards the living room. “Let’s go. You’re going to be late for school.”
“That’s because the car takes two hours to start,” said Carlos.
“Next time I win a jackpot, we’ll get a new car. Or maybe it’s your turn to earn some money, huh?” Antonio’s dusty green Subaru Forrester now sported a new transmission, but the salt air of Lincoln City took its toll on local cars, filming every crease with a touch of green moss or orange rust. Still, it worked reliably… once it woke up.
“Antonio, you might want to fix your hair before we go out.” Emilio snatched up his backpack from the couch. “There’s a super pretty girl outside.”
“That’s what you keep saying.” Patting his brother’s back and grabbing his keys from the counter, he headed for the door. “I’ll let you do the flirting this time, buddy. I’m too busy to chase girls right now.” He held the door open and ushered his brothers outside into the frosty late November air. As he tried to follow them out, he bumped into Carlos. “Andale,” he prompted.
“Um, that’s not a girl, Emilio,” said Carlos, ignoring Antonio’s nudge. “That’s a full-on lady!”
Antonio caught the slack-jawed, dreamy expression on Carlos’ face and shifted his gaze to follow the boy’s line of vision. He saw a woman coming out of a downstairs apartment directly across the street. “Oh. Wow. Yes.” His heart skipped unexpectedly. “But let’s get the terminology right. She’s a bella mujer!”
