Confronting A Giant

Sean and I decided to grab some coffee, waiting to see if Rose would reply to my message. We sat there sipping the drinks and chatting, keeping the conversation light.

"Villy wants to redo the kitchen, but I want to redo the den. The kitchen is well enough as it is, but the den is outdated and ugly. Plus we have a lot of parties and gatherings on the den, so it would be nice to add a bar in there and more seating."

I glanced at my phone hoping to see a text, but still nothing. It had been an hour. She could just be busy, but I doubted that I would get a reply from her. She probably is ready to talk to me, will she ever be? She said she felt a connection in the note, but did what I say sever that connection for her? I still felt it, and I wanted nothing more than to run to her and hug her and tell her it's ok. I needed to fix things.

"Tars, are you listening? Earth to Tara!" I looked up to see Sean smiling sympathetically at me. "Let's go. You obviously cant focus on anything but Rose, so let's go find her. We can start at her work. If she is not there we can ask where she might be."

"Thanks Sean. I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention. I just I need to talk to her and I can't get her off my mind, I'm so worried. I do agree with you though. You should redo the den. Put a pool table in there for me so we dont have to go to the bar for me to kick your ass!" I forced a half-hearted laugh as we got up and headed out to the car.

We arrived at It Can Pizza and my heart sank slightly when I didnt see her bike out front. I was hoping she was just on a delivery, but I knew that was likely just wishful thinking. I sat in the passenger seat trying to calm my nerves. My stomach was in knots and I felt like I might get sick. "You ready sis?" I nodded.

We walked in to see a younger boy, looking to be in his teens with dark skin and long dark hair pulled into a messy bun, bringing a pizza to a family sitting at a booth. Other than that the place was pretty empty and quiet. We stood at the front and waited until the boy came up to us. "Hi! Welcome to It Can Pizza. Are you here for dine in or pick up?"

"Actually, I was wondering if Rose was here today? It's really important that I see her." My voice shook as I spoke. I was wringing my hands together.

"Oh, I'm sorry but she's not. She never showed up for her shift today. Even my dad can't get a hold of her. Did something happen? How do you know her?" he looked concerned.

"I uhh....well we are kind of...um...."

"Tara!" I looked over to see Kimo calling my name through an open window between the dining room and kitchen. He disappeared from view for a moment before opening the door to the kitchen and hurrying over to me.

"Tara, where is Rose? She never came back from her lunch break with you and she hasn't been answering her phone. I didnt know how to get a hold of you or I would have called yesterday. I even called Graham this morning, but he said she never came home last night. Please, what is going on? Where is my flower?"

"I....I don't know...I came here to find her. Shit, I really fucked up Kimo...I didn't mean to hurt her!" tears were streaming down my face at this point, as I couldn't keep my composure anymore. She was missing. She was really missing!

"What are you talking about? What did you do to Rose?!" Kimo stepped towards me, becoming angry.

"Back off sir!" Sean stepped between me and the large man. He stood tall and prepared himself to defend me if it came to it. "Its not Tara's fault. The situation is complicated and we are just as worried for Rose as you are, that's why we are here right now. Can we sit down and talk about this, please? Get an idea of where she might possibly be and try to figure things out?"

Kimo crossed his arms and looked Sean up and down suspiciously, "And who are you?"

"I am Tara's older brother Sean. I am helping my sister. Please, can we sit?" Sean did not shy away from the intimidating man. They stared each other down for a few seconds that seemed to last forever.

"Fine. You better have a good explanation girl." he looked at me threateningly. He started walking and we followed him to a booth in the back by the kitchen entrance. "Lani, watch the front and let David know he's heading the kitchen for a bit." The boy nodded and headed into the kitchen. Kimo sat down and crossed his arms again. Staring at me. "So what's going on?"

Once again, I explained what had happened yesterday. I left out the sex bit, not wanting him to know that personal business. As I was explaining the situation, Kimo's disposition changed. He went from cold and scary to concerned and soft. Once I finished retelling the events he stood up and opened his arms to me. "I am so sorry sweet girl. I was just worried about my flower and you were the last person I knew she was with. It was just that I don't know you, but I should have given you the benefit of the doubt. You have had such a hard time and here I am being a nasty bully!" I was apprehensive, but decided to stand up and accept the hug. He scooped me up a squeezed me tightly. It was like being hugged by a giant pillow and, for a moment, my worries melted away as I sank into the giant's embrace. My eyes watered as I held back tears, having felt so overwhelmed from the situation, the man's hug was so nice that I wanted to cry all over again. He pulled away and put his hands on my shoulders. "Given the situation, I have an idea of where she might've gone. I can't leave the restaurant, so can I trust you to find my flower?" I nodded. He gave me a toothy smile,"Ok, give me one second."

He went into the back of the restaurant for a brief moment and came back out with a paper in his hands. He handed it to me and I looked it over. It was a photo of Kimo and Rose in front of a large fountain. They were sitting on the edge, Kimo's arm wrapped around her shoulders. The fountain was a large statue of an angel with water pouring out of her hands and eyes. I had seen this fountain before."This fountain is the first place we went when she got out of the hospital. It's in a park between here and the city. Do you know of it?" I knodded. Kimo continued, "She said that the fountain was her guardian angel. It's her place to think and reset. I would've already gone myself, but with not having her return yesterday or come in today I haven't been able to leave. I slept in the office we have in the back last night. You've got to understand, this restaurant is both mine and Rose's baby and I can't abandon it. As worried as I am about my flower, I know she would chew me out if I closed down shop to find her. Even if it was just for the day. Our restaurant is too new to lose a day of sales. Here is my number," He handed me a slip of paper, "Please, text me and keep me updated. And if you find her, call me so I can talk to her."

"Of course Kimo. I'm so sorry to have caused this," I looked down at my feet. How could I have caused such an uproar? Suddenly I was swept up into another giant hug.

"Don't blame yourself for this sweet pea. This is such complicated situation. everybody's got demons, its just that some of yours and Rose's demons are the same. Everything will be ok. Just go find our flower and talk to her. Things will work out, I promise." He gave a tight squeeze before letting go.

I thanked him, and Sean and I left. Heading out for the park, we continued our search for Rose.