KINDNESS is the compassion we show toward the well-being of others. It's consideration given to their plights and needs, without concern for ourselves. Being kind saves us from the Deadly Sin of Envy, because those who fall prey to Envy find fault in everything, while those who practice KINDNESS see joy every day, secure in the knowledge that all people deserve love.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While lying in bed upon awakening, in the lull between dreams and daylight, Hank gave thought to his new life. And while looking around the place where he lived, the more he hated everything he saw. After failing to go to work for four days, he figured his job at Asok's was gone. He spoke out loud to himself as he noshed on a bagel for breakfast, to come up with some new ideas.

"If I stay with Milton, I won't have to worry about money. And he'll let me stay, as long as he thinks I can help."

He wondered if he could like Rio as much as he knew he liked Anna. Rio seemed too old, since she was older than him, where Anna was so young. Plus Rio was small. Beautiful to be sure, but Anna was more his size.

"Screw it," Hank said, deciding on Rio anyway, since she and Milton came as a package deal. He searched for a suitcase and bags, to pack what little of his crap he still cared to own. The more he packed, the more he worried about Anna getting pissed over him disappearing again. He was sure, however, that she wouldn't go for a man who didn't have money. If he accepted Milton's generosity for a while, maybe he'd offer him a job.

"Anna would go for that," Hank surmised.

After packing, and while debating what to do with the stuff he was leaving behind, an unexpected knock came at his door. The only person who visited unannounced was his landlord, but he was certain his rent was paid. The lady next door came calling a couple of times over the years, in need of a tall man to reach a high shelf, or to change a light bulb for her. But most of all he feared it was Rio, having tracked him down to beg him to return, or perhaps even to force him.

Or kill me, Hank thought of the little assassin, as he opened the door.

To his surprise, it was Anna. She was dressed in business attire, a strange choice of clothes for a Sunday. Her suit was ash gray with dark accents and oversized black buttons. Its matching pencil skirt reached just past her knees. The blouse she wore had no collar, as it had delicate pale stitching along its edge, patterned to look like roses petals. A silver teardrop pendant nestled in her cleavage, where her jasmine rice scent billowed forth. It mixed with the vanilla tea on her breath, as she must have had breakfast this morning with her roommates at the White Tea House.

She blasted him with her scents and flavors as she attacked his face for a kiss.

"What are you doing here?" he asked when she allowed him to breathe.

"Fuji and I are working today," Anna said with a smile, an inch away from his nose. "When you work for the PEP, you work all the time!"

She looked around his flat and scowled at its decrepit state. Sensing her disapproval, he stepped into the hallway with her, making her turn her body so she was less likely to see his stuff. Now embarrassed as well as surprised, he found himself unable to raise his eyes any higher than the waistband of her skirt.

"So… what's up?" he asked her waist.

Anna struck a pose, straight and tall. Hank did his best to match it by not slouching so much, as she began a well-rehearsed speech.

"I am here at the request of one of our best PEP Sponsors. She has heard of you, and would like to meet you."

Hank interrupted. "A PEP Genius Sponsor?"

"Yes. Aika is one of the best Sponsors we have. She likes helping those who are needy, and who she believes are the most gifted."

Hank managed to raise his eyes higher, almost reaching Anna's chin. "Which am I?" he asked her teardrop pendant.

Anna relaxed her delivery, acting more like a friend. "Well, that's hard to say." She cast another disapproving glance into his flat. "You're a hard case to work, that's for sure." She cleared her throat as his eyes found hers. "I mean, you're unique. You don't fit the standard models."

"You got that right," he muttered, unable to maintain eye contact for long.

Anna dropped her professional act entirely. "Look, Hank. I'm just a grunt. I don't even have a desk. Not yet, anyway. Fuji lets me hang out at hers because she likes me so much. It's my job to knock on the doors of newly PEPed Geniuses, to get the ball rolling for them. And here I am, knocking on yours!"

With Anna acting more like a friend, Hank found himself able to smile. Still, he expressed doubt. "I'm not a Genius, though. I'm a Dot."

Anna tried interrupting. "Hank…"

"I mean it. I'm not. If I am, what kind am I?"

Anna's body swayed, as nerves got the better of her. "Please. When Aika calls, the whole PEP Center listens. You have no idea who she is, do you? Or how this even works?"

Hank shook his head to both questions.

"The PEP Initiative would collapse if not for the Sponsors. They're the ones granting us money and service."

"Which kind is Aika?"

"That's another hard question! I mean, she's so smart, and… uh, well, she's useful. She takes our hardest cases, almost knowing in advance which ones they are." Anna grew animated, her love for her job shining through. "Oh, and she's nice! And to me! She called my Fuji directly, telling her specifically to send me!"

Hank's lack of enthusiasm remained. "For me?"

"Yes! This could be the biggest thing ever for me at the Center! Please. Do this. If not for yourself, then for me."

Hank blinked. Their eyes locked. His gorgeous butterfly lashes reflected in her nearly all black eyes before her gaze fell to the floor.

Bowing politely, she begged. "Hank-sama, please. Yare okonau. Do it. Onegaishimasu."

Anna kept her eyes on the floor, clutching her purse with both hands. After a deep breath, Hank grabbed his keys, wallet and phone. He put on his new hoodie and slipped his feet into his untied boots. He pressed close to the beautiful woman bowing before him as he locked his door.

Upon hearing the latch, Anna looked up. "Let's go," he said to her.

Anna stuck her purse in his chest, making him hold it for her before bending low to tie his boot laces. "Oh, you are going to love Aika!" she enthused. "Besides," she added as she labored, lowering her voice so only she could hear. "Mada issho ni seikō shi tenai."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I hope I'm getting my Japanese right. I wouldn't want to misconstrue anything Anna says.

Do you have some pointers? 🧡😸🧡

The Book of KINDNESS - Prologue

0 Comments