Delayed Reaction

Originally posted on November 6, 2006
Note: When the story was originally prepared, there were three parts. I have combined parts two and three here, since the third part was always fairly short.

Kohana I’ll be ok in a minute. I’ll be all right. Just…let me sit here for a little bit, ok?
Kaida: Something is really wrong, Aneko…please…talk to me…
Kohana The…..the ….accident….
Kaida: But you weren’t even involved in it! Were you?

Kohana No….I wasn’t…. but….
Kaida: Oh, Aneko,…..I’m sorry….. I forgot for a minute…..just rest and you’ll feel better…. (considers something) …You haven’t been having those nightmares again, have you? I didn’t think you had had any for a long time…

Kohana No, not for a long time….
Kaida: You want me to talk or shut up?
Kohana No, it’s ok, whatever you want. Seeing that accident tonight…. Well, it affected me after all…. I was right behind the last car in the pileup and…. (shivers again)

Kaida: You don’t have to talk about it. Try not to think about it. I’m going to get you some water, I’ll be right back.

Kaida: (answers the phone, whispering) Oh hi, Asher. No, guess I forgot to grab that on my way out. Save it for me, ok? Thanks…… Me, quiet??.... I just don’t want to disturb Kohana – she’s a little upset about something……
…No, nothing you did, it was that accident….no, she wasn’t involved but I told you…. about Akio… right?
…No I don’t think she would want you to come over….she doesn’t like it when anyone sees her like this….OK, yeah, see you tomorrow. I have to go. Thanks.

Kaida: (hands Kohana some water) Any better?
Kohana Some…… I guess. Thank you.
Kaida: You kinda scared me there for a minute. It’s been quite a while since this has happened, hasn’t it?
Kohana Two or three years at least. It must have been because it was so close …I thought I was ok - I didn’t even think about it much when I came to pick you up but then when I got home….it just hit me….. (sigh) I hate this …..I really thought this was over with for good….
Kaida: You don’t have to be superwoman all the time, Aneko. Everybody has things that get to them. (sound of doorbell) Oh rats – now what?

Kaida: (whispering) Asher! I told you not to come! She’s not going to like it.
Asher: I know you did - I decided to come anyway.

Asher: ……Kohana? You all right?
Kohana Yes… I’m okay…fine….. what are you …. you shouldn’t have come….….it….wasn’t necessary….
Asher: Well, you’re just going to have to deal with me anyway. I wanted to be sure you were okay.
Kohana I am, I’m….. fine. Sorry if you came out of your way….. for nothing…
Asher: Do you want to tell me about it?
Kohana No, not …. now. Maybe someday I’ll… be able to....

Asher: Kaida, can you make your sister some tea? Use this…

Asher: Kohana, you’re shaking. You’re not “fine”, are you?
Kohana I…no, not really, but…. I will be…. don’t worry…..really, you don’t need to...stay…
Asher: This isn’t about what I need. But I think I know what you might need…..

Asher: …………………………. Better?
Kohana No……..I don’t…know…………this isn’t……..…. maybe….. (whispers) Thank you.

Asher: Anything for a friend.

Kohana So, what’s in this tea? It tastes sort of…fruity…
Asher: It’s chamomile. Herbal stuff, has a soothing effect. Is it working?
Kohana (still embarrassed) Well something is. The tea… or …. something else….
Asher: My grandma used to swear by this stuff. Don’t like it myself.

Kohana Oh, but you’d give it to me? I don’t know if I like that idea…
Asher: It worked, didn’t it? Or was it my manly charm that did that? On second thought, don’t answer that. I’m not so sure I want to be known as the next great sedative.
Kohana (smiles) You really have helped me feel better. Thanks…. That’s the second time tonight you’ve caught me at my worst. I’m still a little embarrassed…

Asher: Don’t be embarrassed. If that was your worst, I think I can handle it.
Kohana No, I guess my worst was…..when I treated you so badly ……before. I’m sorry, Asher. You’ve been a really good friend to me already; I should have seen that, seen how you were right from the beginning.

Asher: Wow, this stuff never worked like this before. Gonna have to get me a whole case of this, and soon.
Kohana (smiling) Yes, you do that. Where did you get it from? I’ve never seen this label before.
Asher: Family secret. I think they only distribute it to co-ops and such. You want me to get you some?

Kohana I hope this isn’t going to happen again anytime soon, but sure. It’s not too bad, not bad at all. But now I have to let you go home. (yawns) Suddenly I’m awfully sleepy…
Asher: Ahhhh, now you’ve discovered another benefit of chamomile tea. It soothes you…. right off to sleep.

Asher: ‘Night again, ladies. See you tomorrow, Kaida…. Kohana, you call if you need anything, ok? Anything at all….

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