2Promises

by Phil Armstrong

  Beth could not contain herself anymore, “Did she find this gate?”

  “No, my story isn’t done yet. My Mother Matsu introduced me to Toshie when I was about six or seven I think. We had just completed a journey from Yokohama to Toronto and we were all tired. My parents were fighting and I pretended not to listen. They never fought but my Father didn’t want me to meet her. My Mother was as strong as a Pine and she introduced me to my Aunt a few days later. She was old, musty, and had a bad smell about her. She had this extraordinary bright Indigo aura, blinding really. There was something fascinating about her and yet repulsive,” Sakura looked up to see if she had caused offense.

  “Say more,” said Beth eagerly.

  “I’ve met my Aunt many more times since then. In 1975 just before Kaigara was born I talked with my Mother. She informed me that she had numerous heated arguments with Toshie, as she was adamant that she wanted to move to Belgium. She said she’d spent years researching god knows what in the library and was adamant her salvation laid in Belgium. My Mother tried to talk her out of it and explained it would be difficult to get her through immigration. Times have changed since she landed in Canada. Fight after fight continued until Toshie threatened to take her story to the Globe and Mail newspaper. A compromise was struck. My father had connections into diplomatic circles and managed to get Toshie safe passage and citizenship in Belgium,” said Sakura.

  “Belgium,” said Beth aloud?

  Sakura ignored Beth and continued, “There’s one small hitch we had to disguise her identity. Her name Toshie Osanami was too infamous so we changed her first name to a name that sounded similar. We registered her as Hoshi instead of Toshie. Hoshi means Star in Japanese. Before she left she was referring to herself as Hoshi or Star. She settled in a small village outside our Brussels and lives in it still.”

  “Still? That’ll make her over 140 years old?” whispered Beth in a strained voice.

  “I know,” said Sakura, “My husband and I send her money monthly, I promised my Mother that I would look after her. She doesn’t eat or drink. Her apartment is paid off Kaigara manages the property. The only thing she needs is a little money for expenses and clothes. I’m convinced that she’s gone mad, but her obsession about the gate is harmless. She doesn’t get into trouble and she causes no harm as far as I can see.”

  “What does she look like?” asked Beth.

  “Like a woman in her 90’s,” answered Sakura, “she smells a bit odd but old people do, so she blends in. She doesn’t speak Flemish or French so living in rural Belgium is a challenge for her. She’s a loner so she’s content.”

  “Why Belgium she has no link to Belgium?” asked Beth.

  “She’s chasing this gate. It’s a workable relationship, she lives in a little village and we send a check once a month to her apartment in Schelle,” said Sakura watching a distinct change in Beth’s expression.

  “Where is she? The name of the place again?” asked Beth impatiently.

  “Schelle, S-C-H-E-L-L-E, Schelle, Belgium it’s a quaint little place. Eight or nine thousand people I think,” explained Sakura.

  Beth’s heart sank to her stomach, Schelle, not Shell. Over a hundred years of research has led Toshie to Schelle and Beth was wasting time looking for seashells! Beth sat back in her seat and reflected.

  “At the turn of the century Toshie was looking for a gate. With science fiction movies today we’d call that a portal. We’re looking for the same thing,” thought Beth.

  Sakura sat patiently as Beth digested the information. Her expression was stone faced but her eyes pierced Beth’s thoughts. “What are you looking for Beth?”

  Beth felt her face flush; she looked down at her untouched drink. She slowly raised her strong green eyes and flashed them at Sakura. “You know, don’t you?”

  “A young woman can’t live on fresh air; someone with your athletic body type would need to eat and drink regularly. Sure, I get it, you’re health conscious. Perhaps you eat small meals but the truth is you can’t actually eat anything can you? By the look of that glass you can’t drink either,” said Sakura nodding in the direction of the full glass of Perrier. “I’ve told you something that only my husband knows. I’ll need to tell Kaigara about Toshie when she’s ready. My fear is that Kaigara is different from our long line of caring women. You’ve met her she’s,”

  “Independent,” offered Beth.

  “Yes, Independent. She would not look after Toshie after I go. We made a promise that we would look after her, Mother to Daughter through the generations. When Toshie looked strong and vibrant all she could talk about was finding the gate. We all knew that she wanted this gate to grant her eternal life and unlimited powers. I suspect she hasn’t found the gate for one of two reasons. Either she’s crazy and there is no gate, or she’s not destined to find it. I think she’s looking for the gate for all the wrong reasons. Do you understand?” asked Sakura.

  “I do,” said Beth hoping she would continue. There was an uncomfortable silence as the two women avoided eye contact. Beth was determined to listen.

  To her relief Sakura continued, “I’ve told you our most intimate family secret and you sit there accepting it without scrutiny, questioning or ridicule,” she stopped abruptly.

  “We’re closing ladies, so I’ll leave the bill with you but you’re welcome to stay and chat as long as you wish,” said the young woman sliding the bill and a pen onto the table.

  Beth was eager to hear Sakura out so she grabbed the bill, filled out the total with the pen, added her room number and hurriedly signed the bottom of the bill stub. The young woman breezed by and collected both the pen and the bill in one smooth motion. “Thank you and have a great evening, stay as long as you like.”

  Beth stared at Sakura in silence; both women knew what that meant. “Most people would laugh this off as ridiculous, my husband did at first. You seemed to accept it readily and even asked for more details. Your Indigo aura is the same, you haven’t touched your drink or eaten in front of me and you seem like you’re on a mission of some sort. You’re interested in Kaigara the English translation is Shell. Your face fell once I told you that Schelle is a village in Belgium. I’m not a stupid woman Beth, but it’s time you were as honest with me as I’ve been with you, don’t you think?”

  Beth sat frozen contemplating the question; she felt a surge of energy flood her brain and the word ‘Yes’ reverberated. Subra had sent Beth a signal to open up and talk honestly with Sakura. “Thanks,” she thought. “I know what you’re talking about. I was struck by lightning just like Toshie,” said Beth.

  “I have to apologize Beth; I want you to trust me. I’m a well-connected person and I made a few phone calls after today’s lunch to contacts in the UK. Let’s just say that I knew that already,” said Sakura sheepishly.

  “I have the same aura, and I have a Spirit Warrior that communicates with me at night. I have to find the” Beth paused, “Gate. I think my warrior is dying and I need to get him through the gate.” Beth looked at Sakura and wondered what she had done. Sakura could use this as evidence to claim that Beth was mentally unstable and unfit to manage the Generosity Account. “Can I trust you?” she asked leaning forward and making strong eye contact.

  “Dear, I trusted you,” responded Sakura. “I have some more information and a request, and then I must leave. At first Toshie, or Hoshi, as she’s now known, was trying to find this stupid gate. I’m confident that her motivations have changed. She’s a wily old bird Beth so I’ve got to be careful when I do correspond with her,” Sakura looked down and sighed. “When she was living in Toronto and was researching in the library she confessed to something interesting. She told of her near death experience when she first drank water in Japan with Otome. She was given another image to help her find the gate. She was convinced that this was a clue. She was provided with the phrase “IN DEN VOS” she had no idea what it meant. She didn’t know if it was French, Flemish or German? Toshie found a restaurant in Schelle
called the “IN DEN VOS” she pestered the place until the owners banned her. I know she feels strongly that’s where the gate is located,” said Sakura glancing around to see who might be listening. “You can’t tell her that I told you that. I now think that immortality is not her driving force. After living through two world wars, and two turns of the century, let’s just say she’s feeling dated. Can you imagine living in the eighteen hundreds and surviving in today’s world? Internet, television, microwave ovens, computers, cell phones, automobiles, and credit cards that’s rapid change,” explained Sakura.

  “People have changed, kids don’t respect their elders and people aren’t as trusting,” offered Beth. “Why is she still looking for the gate?”

  “I have to think its Corom. At her age you grow tired of life and seeing your friends and family die. Not having the pleasure of food and drink looking and smelling like she does. I hate to say this but I’ve often thought why wouldn’t you throw yourself off a cliff or under a train? The answer is Corom. He’s been her friend for over a century, I think she couldn’t live with the guilt of killing him. She wants her life to end Beth, but she doesn’t want Corom to die,” explained Sakura.

  Beth smiled knowing that there was a shred of decency left in this woman. “I think I can understand that. Perhaps she made a promise to him. I’m sure she would like to reunite with Otome and her family again.”

  “Beth, you’re the only person I’ve ever met like Hoshi. I had to find out if you had been struck by lightning. I needed to know when you were struck to figure out how old you really are. I know you’re a young woman. You need to go to Schelle and meet with Hoshi. The two of you need to combine forces and find this damn gate. She needs to be released from her living hell and Corom needs to go home. I want to give you her address. Will you go and talk with her?” asked Sakura losing her composure slightly.

  Beth leaned forward and held Sakura’s hand in a reassuring gesture. “I’m looking for the same gate for the same reason. I’d like to help. She’s got over a hundred years head start on me and I think we could make a good team,” offered Beth.

  “Hoshi is a bad tempered, mean spirited, Bitch! There, I’ve said it and I won’t say that again. You need to know what you’ll be facing. I know you have the same goal and plenty in common. You’re probably the only two people on the planet that I know who understand each other. She won’t be welcoming and she can be mean. She likes to play mind games and she teases people with her intellect. She’ll try to twist your words. Listen to me I’m going on and on. Beth, you’ll need your wits about you,” said Sakura concerned.

  “Don’t worry about me,” said Beth twisting her right wrist upwards. “I’m a sly fox,” said Beth smiling in a show of bravado. “I’ve an important question for you. Could Anwar read auras?”

  “We’d talked about that and yes he could, he would have seen your pure Indigo color. He knew what an Indigo child was. It’s probably a big factor in why he chose you, but he had to trust you too Beth,” explained Sakura in a voice tinged with wisdom. Sakura broke hands and reached into her small black purse. She picked out a piece of yellow paper. On a post-it note was Hoshi’s name and address. Below was a phone number with “Everard” next to it. Beth studied the note and glanced up at Sakura. “Everard is a friend of my husbands, he lives in Brussels. He owns a livery company,” said Sakura recognizing the wrinkling of Beth’s forehead. “A limousine company. He makes a good living off the bureaucrats. Brussels is the capital of the European Union. I’ll let him know you’re coming and he’ll take care of everything for you. You are going to go aren’t you?” pleaded Sakura.

  “Yes, soon as I can,” confirmed Beth. “Is Schelle near Brussels?” asked Beth.

  “Close enough, Everard will drive you, you’ll be spoiled. I’ve done that trip a few times. Schelle is about forty-five minutes North of Brussels by car. It’s a trip on one highway the ‘A12’ I think,” Sakura stated with a wave of her hand. “You could fly into Antwerp but we always stay in Brussels.”

  “I’ll arrange through Mr. Wilks to fly to Brussels as soon as I can. Perhaps tomorrow if that’s possible. I understand you’re leaving tomorrow also?” inquired Beth?

  “I need to fly to Yokohama and join my husband; we plan to stay a couple of weeks. I’ll phone Everard and he can let Hoshi know that she’ll be getting a visitor. She’ll be curious. She doesn’t have a phone or a computer so we use Everard to relay messages to her. It’s quicker than the mail,” said Sakura looking at the dark street outside. She took a quick scan of the empty restaurant and reached for Beth’s hands again. “Beth, this was meant to be. Anwar selected you. As you get older in life you’ll start to notice patterns, alignments or coincidences.”

  Before Beth could think, almost like a reflex she was saying, “There are no coincidences.”

  “I agree I wish you luck strong little fox. You’ve got my card it has my cell number should you need to contact me. Call me for anything, at any time, day or night,” said Sakura knowing she must go. “I wish I could come with you. One last thing, then I really must go. Remember to call her Hoshi, if you call her Toshie she’s got a wicked temper and for some reason it provokes her. Beth, please find that gate. Let’s put Hoshi, Corom and everyone who has had to deal with her lately out of our misery. Can you do that for me?” asked Sakura passionately.

  A few years ago Beth would have answered, “I will try.” She now recognized the word try is a graceful way of saying no. “Yes, I will,” said Beth confidently. The power surge in her head came through again; she heard “Yes” and smiled thinking of Subra.

  “I can’t thank you enough for doing this,” said Sakura.

  “My pleasure,” said Beth thinking of Sanjeev and his posh watch. “Sakura, don’t be so hard on Kaigara, she’s trying to make it in a man’s world. It’s a different time now, you should be proud of her you know.”

  “I am,” said Sakura smiling, “I have to go.”

  Sakura stood, flipped the strap of her purse over her shoulder and did something that shocked Beth. She leaned in and kissed Beth’s cheek lightly. She did not pull her face away quickly but stayed close, gazed into Beth’s brilliant green eyes and said, “Good luck my sly little fox.”

  With that she was gone confidently walking out of Azure and into the night. Beth tucked the yellow post-it note into her jeans pocket and moved towards the elevators. She sat with her back to the restaurant and was surprised to see it was now completely empty. She glanced at her watch, 11.50pm. Time literally had flown that night. She rode the empty elevator and looked at herself in the mirror. At the seventh floor she followed the signs for room 732. She reached into her rear jeans pocket and slid out her plastic room key. Gaining access to her room she slotted the key and watched the lights come on automatically. The room had been cleaned. The bed was turned down, items straightened, drapes closed and a little chocolate lay on the pillow with the breakfast menu. A pile of freshly laundered clothes was neatly folded on the bed.

  “That was fast,” thought Beth.

  Beth walked over to the desk and unloaded her jeans. Lord Ganesha came out of the front right pocket, followed by a business card and a post-it note came out of the left. She looked at Lord Ganesha, “A good nights work, If I say so myself,” said Beth feeling like she had made significant progress. She undressed quickly and threw her clothes on the armchair. She lifted the laundered clothes from the bed and gently placed them on the desk. She walked naked into the bathroom and looked at herself in the large mirror. Her thoughts turned to the smiling man in the restaurant. “Eat your heart out,” she said mouthing the words into the mirror. Beth reached around the door and felt the robe hanging on a silver hook. She untied the belt and slipped into the robe. She pushed her feet into the hotel slippers and headed back to the bed.

  “Well, my friend Subra, we’re going to have a good chat tonight. I did well today,” she said contentedly. Then she recalled the signals that Subra had sent her. “Thanks,” she said so
ftly. She wanted to sleep and talk this over with Subra but she was so excited, so energized. She felt like she had consumed seven cups of coffee. Schelle, IN DEN VOS, Toshie, Hoshi, Star, Everard, mean Bitch, holy water, Brussels, Belgium, the A12, Livery, all these words kept flooding into her head.

  “Stop,” she told herself. “Lie down in the dark and focus on your breathing.” Beth felt the gentle rise and fall of her chest and tried to relax. Within ten minutes she was drifting off to sleep.