Bamboo & Lace

by Lori Wick

  18

  would be telling her that twenty-four hours had passed, but the calendar and clock would show only 35 minutes elapsing.

  Owen and Lily arrived in plenty of time to have something to eat and spend some time alone. Owen had been quiet for most of the time, and his daughter wondered if this trip was bothering him more than he let on. He hadn't even noticed that Lily had been carrying her own bag until they were inside the terminal.

  "I can get it," Lily assured him when he tried to take it, but Owen took it from her anyway.

  Not prepared for the weight, his entire right side sank down as he took the handle in his grasp. He looked at Lily to find her standing quite still. He set the bag down at his side and faced her squarely.

  "Look at me, Lily," he said quietly.

  She would have given anything to disobey. If she had to leave Kashien after one of her father's scowls, she didn't know what she would do. Always a little unpredictable, his mood swings had been off the chart since he had given her permission to leave: laughing and joking with her one day and utterly quiet the next.

  Knowing she had no choice, Lily looked up.

  "What's in this bag?"

  "My books," she whispered.

  Owen melted his daughter's heart by giving her a small, tender smile.

  "So like your mother."

  "Well, the flight from Tokyo is very long," she felt free to tell him, "and so is the layover. I can pick something up in Hawaii for the trip back, but I thought I needed plenty now."

  "So these are just books to read on your trip there?" he asked, a slight tease in his voice.

  Lily smiled. "Plus a few of my favorites."

  Owen gave her an indulgent look, lifted her bag, and started down the corridor of the terminal. Lily easily kept pace with him and followed as he found the gate for her to check in. That done, he led them to seats in the waiting area. Lily glanced around at the

  19

  busy terminal, but Owen took out his newspaper and began to read.

  From her place across from him, Lily took the opportunity to covertly study her father. He was not a young man. He had not met and married her mother who had been much younger until he was nearing his mid-forties. Jeff had been born to them when Owen was 45; Lily, four years later. Lily had just turned 24, making Owen 73. He didn't look or act old, but the sagging flesh around his face and neck and the full head of white hair did make him look more like her grandfather than her father.

  While Lily was still thinking about her patriarch, Owen put the paper aside and tapped the seat next to him. Lily moved and, with her face in profile to him, began to listen to his instructions. Much of what he was saying urging her to work hard and learn a great deal he had said before, but his voice sounded tense now. Lily wished she could look into his eyes, but she didn't dare. She didn't know if she felt rescued or cheated when they called her flight, effectively cutting her father off.

  Lily stood, feeling the separation for the first time and not knowing quite how to handle it. She stole a peek at her father, but he was looking stern, so Lily dropped her eyes.

  "Thank you for bringing me, Father."

  This said, Lily lifted her own bag and moved into line. Her face was as calm and serene as though she were home resting in the village, but inside she was suddenly afraid. What if she never saw him again? What if he never wanted her to leave but couldn't find the way to tell her?

  Lily's tumultuous thoughts halted when she realized he had come to the line with her. Even risking his wrath, she stole a look at his face. For the first time in years their eyes held.

  "Take care of yourself," he said quietly, speaking to her for the first time in English. "Give Jeff my love."

  lily smiled up at him with such relief that Owen hugged her.

  "Come back to me, Lily," he whispered into her ear.

  20

  "I will, Papa," she whispered back and watched as he slipped away into the crowd.

  Heart pounding again, she turned back to see that only 20 people stood between her and the portal that led to the plane. She held her boarding pass outside her bag and noticed that it shook a little. She remembered little about her only other flight and honestly didn't know what to expect this time.

  A glance behind her brought no sign of her father, so she assumed he had gone on his way. Lily felt slightly let down over this, but thought it might be best. At the moment she was having second thoughts.

  Suddenly it was time to hand over her boarding pass. Lily did so, not aware that the kind smile of the airline worker stemmed from what she saw on Lily's pale face. Lily walked aboard, found her seat, and settled in. Before she was ready, the plane was taxiing down the runway and lifting into the air. It occurred to her as the aircraft jetted into the sky with a good deal of noise and movement that she didn't really want to do this. However, it was much too late to turn back.

  Honolulu, Hawaii

  In the morning bustle of the airport, Jefferson Walsh watched passengers emerge from the customs area, his eyes scanning each one. He thought it odd that Lily had not appeared. He knew she would pack light and could only hope there was no problem with her passport.

  He was getting ready to ask the security guard at the door about going in to have a look around when he spotted her. Standing out of the flow of traffic, eyes down, bag at her feet, she did not look up as Jeff approached.

  "Excuse me," he began, "I'm looking for a slim woman with dark hair and green eyes. Have you seen anyone like that?"

  "Oh, Jeff," she whispered just before his arms came around her.

  21

  Not given to tears, Lily was amazed at how much she wanted to cry. Having slept little in 24 hours probably didn't help, but seeing her brother for the first time in three years was also a major factor.

  "How are you?" Jeff asked and watched her keep her eyes down as she answered.

  "I'm all right. The flight was long." "Look at me, Lily."

  His voice was so like her father's that it startled her.

  Jeff waited until her eyes came to his and then shook his head. Her eyes, nearly black with fatigue, stood out all the more against her pale features. Jeff lifted her bag, put a hand to her upper arm, and started to lead her down the corridor.

  "We have a number of things to work on, the first being that you're not going to lower your eyes for the next three months. But before we do that, you need some sleep."

  Jeff glanced down to see Lily nod, but as he expected, her lids were down so she would not meet the eyes of any man. Jeff could only shake his head. It might take awhile, but before he was done, his sister would be stuck having to completely retrain herself when she got back to Kashien.

  Lily woke slowly, her head fuzzy and disoriented. The pillow was soft against her cheek, and the mattress was so comfortable that she never wanted to move. She lay facing the wall, her gaze taking in a white blur. The sound of something mechanical suddenly came to her ears, and a cool breeze blew over her.

  Lily's eyes opened fully, and she smiled as she rolled to her back.

  "This is your bedroom" had been Jeff's words when he had brought her into his second-floor apartment and directly to the room where he told her she could sleep as long as she liked. It wasn't fancy, but Lily didn't have painted walls at home, so

  22

  reaching out and touching their smooth white surface was a delight.

  Lily was still touching the wall and trying to make herself move when she heard the door open. Jeff peeked in and then swung the door open wide.

  "I wondered if you were ever going to get up," he teased.

  "How long have I been asleep?"

  "Almost six hours."

  "Oh, my," Lily said as she tried to sit up. Her back was stiff, and she couldn't get one foot out of the sheet. Her brother laughed at her and turned away. "I've got something for you to eat when you feel like it." "Thank you. Jeff?" "Yeah?"

  "Where is the bathroom?" "Out your door and to the left." "In the apartm
ent or out?" "In." "Okay."

  Lily hurried that way but came to a complete stop when she got there. Having gone to Capital City with her father over the years, she had certainly seen indoor bathrooms with flush toilets, showers, and tubs in them, but this was Jeff's. It was clean and white and shiny with dark green towels that looked soft, but it was more than that. It was her brother's bathroom, and he was family. She could use it all she wanted for the next three months.

  "Are you all right?" Jeff had come to the door that Lily hadn't even bothered to shut.

  She turned to him and smiled, her eyes meeting his for only a moment.

  Knowing that her pleasure would be hard to explain, Lily said only, "I'm just fine," before she shut the door to make use of the facility.

  23

  Chapter 2

  "What is this?" Lily asked for the umpteenth time, and this time Jeff patiently explained how the CD player worked. As with most things, she had read or heard about them but not seen them. The remote control for the TV fascinated her, as did the garbage disposal. She also took a long time inspecting the thermostat in the hallway and the way it would give cold air or hot, and the slight rumble in the apartment when it kicked in.

  Jeff stood back and let her lead, well remembering the countless times he had made a fool of himself when, at 18, he had left Lhasa to attend school in the United States. He wished someone had been there for him to ask questions of and let him explore.

  "Does this chain actually hold people outside, Jeff?" Lily now asked from the front door.

  "Not if they really want in, but it is still a security measure. Why don't you come and eat?"

  "Okay. Did you need me to fix something?"

  "No, I've got a sandwich here for you and some tea."

  "Thank you," Lily said gratefully as she took a seat. "You're not eating?"

  "I ate while you were asleep."

  Lily nodded and bowed for a moment in prayer. She took a small bite of sandwich, looking distracted until she got it in her mouth.

  24

  Watching her, Jeff smiled as her attention went completely to the food.

  "What kind of fish is this?" Lily asked. "Tuna."

  "And what is the white sauce covering it?"

  "Mayonnaise."

  "It's good, isn't it?"

  "Very."

  Lily caught the teasing tone in his voice and ducked her head a little.

  "I'm sorry to be such a pest." "Look at me." Lily obeyed.

  "We're going to talk now, and you're going to start.. .Look at me, Lily," he put in gently, waiting until she complied. "You're going to start practicing not lowering your eyes. Understood?"

  Lily nodded, automatically dropping her eyes, remembering, and then swiftly looking back up at her brother.

  "How was the flight?" he asked as if he hadn't noticed.'

  "It was fine. The layover in Tokyo was long. I couldn't get comfortable, and I was getting tired." Lily glanced down at her plate in embarrassment. "I dropped the book I was reading twice when I nodded off in the middle of a page."

  "So what did you do?"

  Lily remembered to look at him before saying, "I took a little walk and that helped." Lily took another bite from her sandwich and then a drink of tea. She noticed the ice cubes for the first time and fished one out to have a look.

  "Why are they half circles?"

  "Because the ice maker in the freezer makes them that way."

  As he knew she would, she dropped the sandwich and crossed the room to explore the freezer. She had her head buried inside that appliance when the phone in the kitchen rang, nearly scaring her out of her wits. Jeff reached for it, his eyes brimming with merriment as Lily's hand came to her pounding heart.

  25

  "Hello," Lily heard Jeff say. She listened to his side of the conversation. "Yep, no problem. Thanks for praying. Sunday? Sure. What time? Okay, we'll see you then. 'Bye."

  Jeff was still laughing at Lily when he hung up, and she shook her head at him.

  "Don't tease me, Jefferson. I couldn't believe how loud that was."

  I'm going deaf in my old age." Lily only chuckled. "Are you going to eat any more?" "Not right now. Is that all right?"

  "No, it's not. Come and eat every bite," he said with mild sarcasm even as he cleared the table. "How about a run? Are you up to it?"

  "I would love it."

  "Okay, but before we go, I have some things to show you."

  Telling herself she could explore the thin plastic her brother had wrapped around her sandwich later, Lily followed Jeff back into her bedroom and watched while he opened the closet door. He then opened two drawers in the dresser and stood back.

  "I shopped for you so you would have plenty to wear."

  Lily's mouth opened.

  "You bought me clothing? I mean, more than these shorts and T-shirt?" she asked, referring to the things he had given her to sleep in.

  "Here," Jeff motioned her close. "How did I do on sizes and such?"

  Lily came forward slowly. She was overwhelmed. Her father had given her a little American currency, and she had decided to buy one outfit, but the cost of flying to Honolulu had been significant. She never expected this.

  "Oh, Jefferson," was all Lily could say for a time.

  Jeff didn't say anything, but anyone who knew him would have seen that he was pleased by his sister's response.

  26

  "This is so pretty," she said of a navy and teal dress she found hanging in the closet, realizing with a start there was a skirt and blouse next to it.

  "Look down too," Jeff suggested.

  Lily shook her head in amazement when she saw the shoes. Three pair! Sandals, running shoes, and low-heeled navy pumps. Lily once again exclaimed, "Oh, Jefferson," and spent another few moments admiring his selections. They finally left the Kona Loni Apartments to run to the beach and back. It was only a mile away, easy for both of them, but Jeff knew that lily would still be feeling the effects of flying.

  "So, how is Father?" Jeff asked when they ended up walking the beach so Lily could look her fill.

  "He sends his love," she said quietly.

  "I appreciate that, but it doesn't answer my question."

  Lily was glad she didn't have to look at him. She could feel her brother glancing at her from time to time, but she kept her eyes on the beach in front of them. Not a hard thing to do, considering the beauty of it all.

  "I think he had a hard time with my leaving." Lily found that it felt good to admit this out loud. "As you know, he's been more moody in the last few years, and it was even worse once he gave me permission to visit you. I think he feels things that he doesn't know how to share."

  "What do you think he was feeling?"

  "Maybe that he was losing me like he lost you and mom."

  Jeff could only nod, but it was without guilt. His mother had died when he was 16. Long before he had become a teenager, he had told his parents of his desire to go to college in the United States. They had never had trouble with the idea, but once his mother died, his father assumed he would cancel his plans. When he finished his schooling in the village and still left at 18, his father had been devastated. Jeff knew this was the reason his father had educated Lily himself once she turned 18, sending for

  27

  any and all textbooks he could lay his hands on and teaching her at home.

  Jeff knew his sister had vast knowledge in both world history and physics. He was certain she could pass any exam given in her area of expertise in any college or university in the English-speaking world. Her letters to him had often sent him back to his own books or friends to respond intelligently to questions she asked. Along with the intense Bible training she had been given, she was one of the most educated persons Jeff had ever known.

  Even though he knew how difficult his leaving had been for his father, Jeff had no regrets. A whole new world had been opened up to him at the university in southern California, and that education had led to the job in the r
esearch department of Lang Chemical, a position he loved. It had taken a few years, but in time his father had come to see that his son had made the right decision. Jeff had continued to grow as a person and in his faith. He and his father were actually closer through the mail than they had been when he was growing up.

  "So will his mood ruin your time here?" Jeff suddenly asked.

  "What do you mean?"

  "I mean, will his lack of full approval make you feel you shouldn't have come?"

  "No, and I don't mean to mislead you, Jeff. I know he was glad for me. He hugged me right in the airport, but it was still hard. And he's not a young man. He still works as hard as he did when he was in his fifties and sixties. There are many men in the church now, and so many are changing and growing, but Father still does a lot of traveling to the needy in outlying places. The hungry those who are thirsting after righteousness energize him as they always have, but the unrepentant take their toll. I can see it in him a little more every year."

  "And what about Father's own areas of unrepentance? Is he still hard to talk to? Does he still think you're Kashienese?"

  28

  Lily laughed a little, but she knew Jeff was serious. She was too. At times like this, she asked herself if she was as blind to her own sins as her father sometimes seemed to be to his.

  "I figured something out, Jeff."

  "What's that?"

  "Papa is a maverick. If he was only as accountable to someone else the way everyone is to him I don't think he would be so stiff-necked on some issues. And, Jeff!" Lily exclaimed, having warmed to her subject. "The things he holds onto so tightly are not biblically based! They are just preference issues, like our prayer time in the evening and my subservient stance with him."