Float On

It was a frigid winter; the kind that didn’t seem to end. Just as you think spring is right around the corner, earth is coated in a blanket of white. A blizzard had kept us stranded indoors for several days. The roads were too treacherous to navigate, and neither of us cared to brave the bitter cold. The guys had all agreed to take a break from practicing until the weather improved, and Saya decided to keep the studio closed. We had only had a few surprise visits from the neighbors, but they were short lived. Kyoko kept to the outdoors-sled riding and digging tunnels through snow piles. Saya and I had made ourselves busy laying around like slugs in our pajamas, watching Netflix marathons and eating cereal all day long.

“What should we do for dinner?” Saya pondered out loud, wrapping her arm around my bare torso from behind. She insisted on being big spoon today. I glanced back at her small face, her lip puckering at me. It was obvious she wanted something besides a meal that came out of a bag.

“Veggie sushi?” I offered, knowing it was her favorite. She grinned wildly, pecking my shoulders with soft, tender kisses. “Okay okay.” I chuckled, shrugging away from her and out of bed. The air was cold compared to the warmth of her body.

I scuffled into the kitchen, rummaging through the cupboards. Just as I reached for the rice steamer, the condo blacked out.

“Shit.” I cussed, smacking my head off the counter as I stood quickly.

“You okay baby?” Saya’s voice questioned. I rubbed my head, uttering a ‘yeah.’ “Another power outage?” She sighed. I could hear the frown in her voice. A small, blue light lit up the kitchen: Saya’s cell phone.

“I can’t wait for the house to be done.” I grumbled, fishing for the flashlight. Saya nodded in agreement. This condo lost power with any fluctuation in the weather.

“Do you think they’ll deliver a pizza?” She questioned, still focused on dinner. I shrugged, still irritated.

“Only one way to find out.” I grumbled. Saya rolled her eyes, turning away from me and swiping through her phone to dial the local pizzeria. She disappeared into the bedroom, probably looking for her purse. I pulled my lighter from the junk drawer, moving to the living room. One by one, I lit what candles were available. The room glowed warmly, lights flickering off the walls.

“45 minutes to an hour!” She shouted. There came a knock at the door, followed by a familiar, tiny voice.

“Mister Kyo! Everything turned off and we’re hungry!” Kyoko squawked from outside. I rolled my eyes, opening the door to be greeted by her tiny face. “Momma was going to cook when the power went out. I told her you would feed us.” Hiyo quickly appeared behind her, apologizing for her daughter’s behavior. I shrugged it off, now accustomed to Kyoko’s blunt personality.

“You must be Kyoko.” Saya’s voice sang, “We just ordered a pizza if you would like to join us.” She offered, wrapping an arm around me. I couldn’t help but tense up at the suggestion-I was enjoying such a quiet day.

“Oh no we couldn’t put you out like that!” Hiyo exclaimed. At least she had some common decency.

“It’s no trouble at all! We never finish a whole pizza. We have leftovers for at least three days!” Saya laughs. I couldn’t help but to glare at her.

“I want pizza!” Kyoko exclaims, making herself comfortable on the couch. Hiyo sighs, her brows furrowing in disapproval.

“Well…if it’s really no trouble.” She mutters in her mousy tone. Saya grins, ushering her into the room.

“It’s quite cozy in here.” Hiyo complimented, her face twisting into a grin. “Kyoko, don’t touch the candles. The fire is very hot and will hurt you.” She warned as the girl shrugged beneath a blanket.

“I know mommy.” She huffed from beneath the mound on the couch. I made myself busy putting the dangerous objects out of reach while Hiyo and Saya chatted-mostly about their occupations and the weather. It was all small talk. About an hour passed, and Kyoko had managed convinced me to bring the rest of the blankets out from the bedroom and hall closet. She was intent on rearranging the living room into a fortress. The pizza arrived in the midst of her reconstruction, and soon we were all crowded beneath a tent of dimly glowing blankets and furniture.

“Let’s tell ghost stories!” Kyoko plead, balancing her plate on her lap as she resisted the urge to bounce on the couch cushions.

“I don’t think that’s the best idea.” Hiyo tutted, setting down her slice of pizza. “You’ll have nightmares.”

“Mooo-oooom!” Kyoko complained, her eyes the size of saucers. “I will not! Mr. Kyo and I watch way scarier stuff on TV!” She pouted. Hiyo’s attention set on me, her brows furrowed. I raised my arms up defensively.

“She told me you were okay with it!” I retorted, glaring at the child who shrugged away impishly.

“You know…Kyo tells some of the best ghost stories.” Saya winked.

‘Thanks for putting me on the spot…’ I thought, growling to myself. I’d never told a ghost story in my life.

“Mr. Kyo doesn’t have a scary bone in his body!” Kyoko huffed, rolling her eyes. Challenge accepted.

And so, we gathered around closer as I tapped into my darker side. Soon, Kyoko was snoring soundly amongst the disheveled couch and mounds of blankets. The candlelight dimmed as the wicks wore down, leaving the adults to their own discussions.

“She’s a sweet kid.” Saya mused, glancing over at Kyoko. Hiyo smiled earnestly, her fingers running through her daughter’s raven locks.

“She’s everything to me.” She sighed in a soft tone, “Sometimes I feel like she’s my reason for existence...like I was put here just to bring Kyoko into this world. If there’s anything in my life I’m proud of, it’s her.” Her gaze appeared far off and solemn. Saya and I looked at her with concern.

“My family never approved of my situation…why would they?” She laughed to herself, her voice wavering. “A single mother, struggling to get by. Her father and his family wanted nothing to do with her or me. My parents never cared for him-they had reasonable arguments.” She chuckled, “So when I go pregnant and he took off, I knew I had to get my life in order. I got my R.N. while Kyoko was still a baby. I started working at a hospital, but couldn’t afford the living expenses where my family was…so that’s why we moved here.” She shrugged. “I literally have no one here-no friends or relatives..." She paused. "Thank you so much for opening your home to us Kyo.” Hiyo looked up, tears in her eyes. I was taken aback. No one had ever stared at me like that.

“Y-you’re welcome.” Was all I could muster.

“Kyoko really admires you.” She smiled, wiping her face to hold her composure.

“She’s a pretty great kid.” I grinned. Hiyo laughed softly as Kyoko squirmed in her sleep.

“It’s just a shame that Kyoko’s family has never gotten to know her. They’ll never understand the joy she’s brought to my life…or the joy she could bring to theirs’.”

Saya frowned, along with me.

“I’m glad we had the opportunity to meet.” She whispered, resting her palm on Hiyo’s shoulder. I nodded in agreement. Despite the chaos that was Kyoko, she brought something to my life that I’d never experienced before. Someday, I hope to have a little bundle of chaos of my own. I couldn’t help chuckling at the thought.

Before we all knew it, we had all joined Kyoko in sleep beneath her fort.

I heard an alarm buzzing in the distance, my eyes barely opening. I was surprised to be surrounded by bedding on all sides, constricted beneath couch pillows. I sat up quickly, Saya joining me in alarm. I noticed Hiyo and Kyoko nestled together across from us.

“I’m going to be late!” Saya exclaimed, eyes on her phone. Hiyo woke up as well, her eyes darted around the room, unsure of her surroundings
.
“What time is it?!” She squeaked.

“8:00am!” Saya answered, darting to the bedroom.

“Shit!” Hiyo cussed, darting out from beneath the blankets. “I’m supposed to be at work!” She quickly bolted from the room, going to her condo in a hurry. Both the women returned soon, dressed in sloppy work attire with their hair pulled back. Hiyo attempted to wake Kyoko, to no avail
.
“Just get to work, I’ll watch her today.” I grumbled, Hiyo thanking me quickly. She pecked Kyoko on the head, whispering an ‘I love you’ and quickly disappeared out the door. Saya did the same for me, following Hiyo’s lead. I threw myself back into my pillow fort and fell back into dream land.



Kyoko and I spent the day cleaning up after last night’s festivities, running errands, and shoveling the sidewalk. She of course spent more of her time making snow angels and building snow men.

The roads were still a bit too treacherous to navigate, so we spent our time playing in the winter wonderland. We had made makeshift sleds out of cardboard boxes wrapped in garbage bags and went sledding down the small hill behind our condos.

Before we knew it, it was rounding on 4:30. Saya was supposed to be home at 4:00. She may have needed to work overtime, but she would usually shoot me a text. Maybe her phone was dead.

“When is your mom supposed to be home?” I questioned over a bowl of hot soba. She shrugged, slurping her soup. I frowned to myself.

Soon it was 5:00, and then 6:00. I called the studio, but they told me Saya had left on time. The hospital Hiyo worked at said the same. I was concerned, but did not want Kyoko worrying. Soon, my phone rang. It was Saya’s brother.”

“Is Saya okay?” I answered, my stomach full of knots.

“Kyo…you should come to the hospital.” His voice was solemn. My heart dropped.