"After that, rinse it off gentle with lukewarm water. Then, pat dry. Don't rub. Be nice to your skin now."
I watched Satoshi's face. He looked like he was trying not to hope too much.
"And then?" Grandma's voice went softer. "Grease that baby up. I mean it. Take some petroleum jelly and seal that skin good. Lock in the calm. Protect it from the air and the water and whatever else trying to stir it up."
Yoichi was still writing.
"And after all that's done," Grandma said, and I could hear the smile in her voice, "tell that baby to go on to church and pray about it because that ain’t nothing but the devil. The Lord will do all the soothing."
Silence filled the stairwell.
"Thank you, Grandma."
“Now I’m tired. It’s late over here and my friends and me are going to play Bingo at Miriam’s tomorrow. It’s a pot luck. They said they’re bringing some of those Japanese dishes so the whole neighborhood excited. You know we don’t travel like you. Got to get our culture how we can get it.”
I chuckled. "Have fun at Bingo with your friends, Grandma. I love you."
“Love you too. Goodnight.”
Yoichi frowned. “Her detail shouldn’t be cooking and playing Bingo. They’re supposed to be focused.”
“Well, I feel like part of their job should be making my grandma happy too.” I placed the phone in my pocket.
Satoshi looked at Yoichi. "We're going to try it later tonight. She sounds like she knows what she's talking about."
“Here’s everything.” Yoichi tore the page out of his notebook.
“I say let’s not wait until tonight.” I stepped forward, checked out all those red bumps on his neck, and did my best to not flinch. "Why don't we go ahead and make the paste and everything now, so Satoshi can do that immediately. He needs to be relieved."
Kaoru shook his head gently. "We need to stay close to you."
"One person going to the chef to get this done and then the team coming in to help him out is not going to keep me unprotected," I said. "I'll still be safe. We're going straight to the theater box, so just come back."
“No. The Fangs stay close to you.” Yoichi turned and handed the paper to one of the five men standing behind us. "Give this to the chef and tell him to follow the instructions."
I cut in. "And make sure the chef does it now, and have it up in the theater box immediately."
The man nodded and took off at a jog.
I looked back at Satoshi and winked at him. “I hope it works.”
His shoulders dropped slightly, and for the first time since I'd met him, he looked like he could breathe. “I hope so too.”
Chapter thirty-two
Bad Bitch Energy
Nyomi
We walked down the hallway toward the theater, and I could see people everywhere.
Families.
Kids running ahead of their parents.
Older couples holding hands.
Everyone headed toward the main theater entrance, and the energy was festive despite everything happening beyond this island.
