I looked at the shelter that stood before me. Even though it is the home of the two most important women in my life I had never been here before. I had only met Mika's giant family at the wedding. I knew she had several children since I can recall seeing her at work pregnant a couple of times. I knew she was married and had a sister. However, I was uninformed about the existence of her brother, niece, nephew, and adoptive son. I was about to knock when I noticed familiar grey eyes through the window next to the door.
A few seconds later the front door opened and Mika stood before me in a robe and more wrinkles then I can recall. "Tony." I smirked. "No, it's pizza delivery." "You look different." "You do know I am not required to wear a suit all the time right?"
She smiled and looked down at her feet, shivering from the cold. The desert gets freakishly cold at night. I gestured towards the hallway. "Mind if I come in?" Mika just nodded and let me in. After two airlock doors we stood in a tiny living room with a seemingly ancient grill, a dirty loveseat, a bookcase, several doors and a staircase. Everything was made out of brick and to finish it off only had 2 tiny windows. "Nice place." Mika scoffed and crossed her arms. "For a criminal, you’re a terrible liar." I walked over to the wall that was lined with pictures from times before Glassbolt. I traced a picture of what looked like a really young Mika with my finger. "You had such a babyface, you know that?" She slapped my hand down. "Hands off, that picture is ancient." I had to stifle a laugh, remembering people were asleep in here. "You're like what? 15 on this picture? That's barely 35 years ago." "You really know how to make me feel better about myself. Why don't you just tell me why you're here."
I sighed. Of course playful banter with Mika at 3 AM isn't going to last for long. "I'm here because I wanted to talk to you about something." I gestured toward the loveseat. "Can we sit down for this?" Mika nodded and sat down. I took a deep breath and started talking.
"I am not exactly sure how to phrase this, But I'll try anyway. Mika, I have always felt attracted to you." Mika's eyes widened in surprise, but before she could reply I continued talking. "Not the 'I just think you're hot' way. I am attracted to you as a person. We're getting old. I just thought getting it off my chest before I go might be a good idea." Mika didn’t respond. I got up and made my way outside into the cold night. Before I had reached the end of the street I heard the sound of bare feet running and I felt her grab my hand. I turned around and felt a pair of soft lips on mine.
It felt like we kissed for minutes, but in reality only seconds had passed before Mika took her lips off mine. "Tony, I have a family to take care of. There is too much history between us to ever make it work, sorry." I stared at my shoes. "I get it. take care of my daughter. and yourself."
I turned around and walked away, her hand slowly letting go of mine. When I got home all I could think of was what she'd said to me. "There is too much history between us to ever make it work." If only I had met her all those years ago. With that thought I went into a restless sleep.