was wrong.
"Did Shaundra leave?" Cristal asked.
"Yes," Ichiro said.
"Maybe I should have volunteered to go with her," Cristal said.
"No need," Ichiro told her. "She doesn't need anyone to look out for her." He sat down at the table well aware that everyone expected him to say more.
"She shouldn't be driving herself," Satoshi said. "She does not know Osaka well enough. What if something happens?"
"The Lord will take care of her," Ichiro said absently. "And Harper."
"What do you mean?" Satoshi asked.
"Nothing. Don't pay me any mind. What time do we have to be at rehearsal today?"
"Eleven," Takumijo said.
"I like Amaterasu," Ichiro said. "She's a very lovely young woman and much better than your past choices for a companion."
"Thanks," Takumijo said. "I'll tell her."
"Where did you meet her?"
"At a club. She's a backup dancer."
"Oh, the two of you have something in common. That's nice. It's always good to have someone you can share a common interest with."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Satoshi asked him.
"Yes, did you know that Shaundra may need to have a Cesarean?"
"No," Satoshi answered. "Why would I know that?"
"The two of you are such good friends. I just figured she'd mention it to you. But apparently the babies are too big for her to have naturally. She told me not to worry." He chuckled weakly. "How can I not worry?" He sighed. "Sometimes I do not understand her."
"Maybe you should meet her at the hospital," Cristal suggested. "She might be terrified and just too stubborn to let you see her that way."
"No, she doesn't want me there. She wants to do this on her own."
"But they're your babies too," Takumijo said.
"So, she says." He got up with his cup in hand and strolled out of the dining room.
Yori was glad to see Amaya looking so much better this morning. The doctor had given her a clean bill of health and fortunately the drugs had not messed up any of her vital organs. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," Amaya said.
"Do you think you can get out of bed this morning and join me at the kitchen table for breakfast?"
"I think so," Amaya said. "The doctor says I need to eat to regain my strength."
Like him, Amaya had lost some weight, which hopefully they both would put back on soon.
Amaya pushed back the covers and stepped from the bed.
A few seconds later she disappeared inside the bathroom. Yori had made sure all the pills and razors had been removed from the house before she was discharged from the hospital. She came out a few minutes later with a freshly scrubbed face and her hair pulled back in a ponytail.
Yori opened the closet. "What would you like to wear?"
"I'm perfectly capable of dressing myself," Amaya said.
"I know," Yori told her. "I like taking care of you."
Amaya wrapped her arms around his waist. "I know, and I appreciate everything you've done for me, but I think we need to talk." She took her arms from around him and sat down on the bed.
"About what?" Yori asked sitting down next to her.
"About what happened."
"Oh, if that is what you wish."
"Yes, I think it is best."
"Why did you do it?" Yori asked.
"I have no idea," Amaya admitted. She sighed. "I guess I was angry and jealous, and just basically stupid."
Yori reached over and patted her hand. "Why didn't you tell me you were depressed? We've been friends for many years. I thought we talked about everything."
"Not everything," Amaya said. "I've been taking them for about two months now."
Yori nodded. Right around the time Shaundra returned.
"What are you depressed about?"
"My life," she said.
"You mean our marriage?"
"Yes and other things."
"What other things?" Yori asked.
"Shaundra."
"I married you," Yori said. "And I'm sorry for being such a fool and teasing you. My infatuation with her ended when I said, 'I do' with you, and to set the record straight, I am not the father of her babies. We've never had sex, and she is in love with Ichiro."
"But why did she disappear?"
"They were having problems, but it had nothing to do with me. Ichiro was neglecting Shaundra and they had this big argument. Shaundra didn't want to be a bother to Ichiro anymore because of her health and she planned to leave him so he could find someone else younger. Unfortunately the earthquake hit and she went into a comma, nothing else. She apparently was pregnant by Ich before she left and knew it."
"So she was going to leave and raise the babies alone?"
Amaya asked.
"Yes."
"But how can you be sure that