Page 13 of Key Of Dreams
“You’re close to your family.”
“We are, but things have changed since Pa passed away. My brothers have taken over the farming, and they have their own families. Don’t get me wrong, they wanted me to stay put so they could take care of me, but that’s not what I wanted. Ma struggled to find her new normal without Pa. She’s gotten involved with some charities and has some new friends who she’s connecting with. I’m glad she has that. But Pa taught me to go out and explore. I couldn’t do that back home. Too many eyes were watching. All out of love, but it was too much. Still, I do miss them,” she says with a wistful tone. She perks up and asks, “What about your family?”
“My family’s garbage. My dad’s an asshole, my mother’s a bitch, and she did a good job teaching my sister to be as big a bitch or better than her. My oldest brother took off as soon as he turned eighteen and never looked back. My other one is in jail more than he’s out. I don’t see them. I don’t talk to them, and I have no desire to reach out. Tried it for a long time, especially my kid sister. She’s a grand manipulator, and when I saw that I couldn’t reach her, I let her go. Can’t be helped if you don’t want it.” I shrug.
I can tell I’ve caught Maya off guard as she’s staring at me with huge eyes. It takes her a second, then she says, “You’re the bright light in their sea of darkness.” Jesus, her words hit me like a sledgehammer. When she looks at me, she seeslight? “Is that why you joined the army?”
“Yeah. I needed to figure out my life. I wanted an education, and I needed to get the hell out of the slums before I got sucked into the abyss that was surrounding me. There was a gang on every corner, and that’s what my brother got into. He’s a fucking mess. I got him out twice and took him to rehab. It didn’t stick because I made him go. Next time he goes, it’s got to be because he wants it. My family now is Storm. Phoenix, Wire, Rebel, Falcon, and Kailyn. There’s one more of us, but he’s still serving. Should be home soon. We’re all counting down the days and praying he makes it home safe.”
“And Gertie,” she says.
“And Gertie,” I repeat with a chuckle. “That woman is stubborn and resilient.”
“And sweet, and wise,” she adds. Her expression serious, she leans over the table to get closer. I meet her halfway. “She says you’re dangerous, but you’re worth the trouble.”
“She’s right about the dangerous part,” I admit. Whether I’m worth the effort is anyone’s guess.
“You’re worth it, Conall,” she states with determination.
“How do you figure?”
“Everyone thinks I’m naive, and I am in many ways, but I’m not stupid. I know an ugly heart when I see it, and I know a good man when I meet one. I’ve met good people, but you’re the only man I’ve ever felt safe with.”
The waiter arrives with our appetizer, forcing us to sit back. I watch her as she twists the chopsticks in her hand, trying relentlessly to pick up an egg roll and failing miserably. With Maya, everything is simple. She says what she thinks, and she moves on. No games, no pretense, just telling it like she sees it.
“At this rate, I’ll starve to death,” she grumbles with an adorable frown. I pick up my own chopsticks and pick up the egg roll, then hold it up in front of her.
“We can’t have that,” I murmur. She giggles and takes a bite, then moans at its goodness.
“That’s the best I’ve ever had,” she says, holding my wrist and taking another bite.
As the waiter sets out more dishes on the table for Maya and me to share, he asks, “Shall I get a fork for the lady?”
“Might be a good idea.” He runs off to fetch one.
She pouts. “You need to teach me how to use chopsticks.”
“You got it, babe, but let’s get a fork just in case.”
I show Maya how to hold the chopsticks, and as the evening progresses, she gets better with them, until she attempts the noodles. Then she picks up her fork. I laugh so hard, the whole restaurant rumbles with the sound. Maya giggles and eats a forkful of Singapore noodles with beef.
Chapter7
Stay with Me
Bull
Maya is a delight. She’s funny and quick witted. She shares what she’s thinking, even her fears about the first day in a new school.
“Teenagers have so much happening in their personal lives that it seeps into their education. A teacher’s job is to teach, but because each kid is an individual, they all learn in their own way. And many come in with an attitude. I want them to get excited about the class. I teach English and history, both of which they think are a waste of time. I’ve got an idea to take modern song lyrics and see if that piques their interest. After all, music is a type of poetry. It relates emotion and a story all in one. What do you think?”
I can sense her passion for teaching. Back at her place, we search for songs she can use in her classes. I learn more about her and her taste in music. Maya loves old rock like the Who, Queen, and the Rolling Stones. She has a great collection of albums.
“Pick something you like,” she says. Maya has a sunshine energy that’s so contagious, I find myself hauling my ass over to her record player and sorting through her albums.
I can’t say I’m much of a music junkie, but there’s always been a song that spoke to me, and it’s in Maya’s collection. I put on “Simple Man” byLynyrd Skynyrd. Maya stops what she’s doing and comes to stand before me. She wraps her arms around my neck and begins to sway with the tempo of the music, taking me with her.
I can’t dance, but I can move back and forth in time with Maya’s movements. “I love this song,” she says quietly. “It embodies the beauty of what you want for those you love.”
