Author's Note

Here's a short story I tried working on many years ago and I couldn't really finish, so it's probably not that very long. I hope you like it very much. There's more of these characters or perhaps something similar to these characters. Especially since I am writing mostly LGBT urban fantasy. 

     It wasn’t to buy a gift for someone due to past events of their childhood. Especially when that part of their childhood consist of child abuse.    

    Imani Oakley, a member of the Department of Paranormal Crimes, had suffered from such abuse and now she was not sure if she wanted to celebrate her 29th birthday.    For Jane Rosecrow, a 26 year old Native American woman who was dating an African-American woman like Imani herself, Jane had always accepted the Western ways of celebrating the coming of age holidays. She wanted to do it with Imani. But what would be the best way to cure her unspirited soul?     

    There weren’t many stores that caught Jane’s interest, much less Imani’s.     The lesbian couple lived outside of New York City, in a small town called Easthaven, which was located up north on the edges of New York itself.    Jane didn’t have much family except for her aunt Claire Rosecrow, who lived in an apartment complex belonging to mostly Native Americans. But there were also a couple of Whites and African-Americans and Asians living there too.     

    Finally arriving at her destination, Jane got off the local bus and made her way to Kabuko’s Flowers. It was a Japanese flower shop, said to be carrying a bunch of bonsai trees, especially the mini versions. The owner , Kaede Kabuko, had came to North America and settled down in New York. But no one knew exactly why. She had no contact with anyone back in Japan, from what Jane gathered. Could there be some instigation that Ms. Kabuko was older than she might look?    The world was filled with paranormal entities, like Imani said.     

    Not to mention that Jane herself was actually a werewolf.     

    Entering the store, Jane noticed the entire place was empty of flower. How come?    

    “Make I help you, Miss?”

    A voice spoke out of nowhere, with Jane tracing it to a elderly looking Japanese woman with white hair wearing a kimono of purple and black.    

    She must be the owner. “Actually, I was about to ask if you have bonsai trees, but I can see that you’re empty.”    

    “I am closing this shop, my dear. I’m afraid no one seeks any bonsai or cherry blossoms trees in this town. So I’ll be moving to New York City.”    Hearing that, Jane wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that Easthaven is dealing with too many crimes in the streets. She remembered vampires were being killed in alleys. Weres were often given death threats in the most twisted manner. Witches, faeries, and other paranormal entities were being slaughtered daily just for being there. It was a sick world Jane lived in.    “I understand.”    

    Then, suddenly, the subject changed.  

 “Would you like to come check something out with me?”    

    Whatever this old woman was thinking, Jane was not sure if she wanted to. She didn’t even known the elder woman.    “Why are you asking me this?”    Ms. Kakuko said nothing as she turned around, her back facing Jane, and walked off to the back of the store.    Jane followed, without thinking.    

    Once she was in the back, she was Ms. Kakuko facing a large mirror that looked outdated. Very outdated, to be correct. The mirror itself seemed to be in good shape, however.    

    “I show you something because I believe you are going into the wrong direction. You see, material is not the solution to dealing with love problems. Only love can solve its own issues.”  

     Saying nothing, Jane titled her head.    

    “But don’t take my word for it....”, the elder Japanese woman pointed to the mirror. “Ask the mirror.”    Now Jane was a believing in the supernatural. She too was evidence as a werewolf, but what was the point of asking an object that couldn’t speak to you?!    Taking a deep breath, Jane figured it was no use arguing to herself about this and spoke.    

    “Mirror, mirror, on the wall? I have an important question. I have this girlfriend who doesn’t believe in birthdays. She’s had a a tragic childhood, which I am aware about, But you see, I want to celebrate her upcoming birthday with her. I don’t want Imani to feel like she has to hang on to her fear and resentment of herself any longer. Whatever her father did to her, it wasn’t her fault. What can I do to help Imani be happy on her birthday?”    

    Just as Jane stopped speaking, a glowing face appeared in the mirror, catching the werewolf off guard at first, until she regained her courage.    

    The mirror spoke:    

    “YOU SEEK A CURE THAT MAY DESTROY THE PAST. THE PAST CANNOT BE DESTROYED. IT CAN ONLY BE LEARNED FROM. YOUR LOVER SEEKS PEACE FROM THAT WHICH SHE COULD NOT CONTROL. MY WISDOM MAY NOT HELP YOU COMPLETELY, BUT IT WILL SEVERE ANY WORRY YOU MAY HAVE FOR YOUR LOVER. SEEK NOT ANY MATERIALISM FOR THEY ARE OFTEN THE SOURCE OF UNHAPPINESS AND RESORTMENT OF ANGER. YOU MUST BE THE KEY TO UNLOCKING YOUR FUTURE WITH YOUR LOVER. USE FLESH, NOT THE GIFT OF STONE.”  

    And so the mirror stopped talking and the glowing face disappeared.    Jane took a deep breath, reeling everything from what the mirror told her into her heart. In other words, don’t bother buying anything and just be at her side.  

     That would make sense. But what else can Jane do to make Imani forget the past again?  Talking might help.  She turned to the old woman and waved goodbye and then made her way out of the door. Not matter how long it took to get back home, Jane made it within 46 minutes to the small house she and Imani shared together.  

     Imani Oakley, the black woman was dressed in white business shirt and black casual skirt. On her head was what surprised her.     It was a birthday hat.  

 “Surprised?” Imani asked.    

Jane smiled. “No. I’m happy.”They kissed each other. When Jane pulled back, she said, ”Still, I think we should talk.”  

The End

So did you like the short story I wrote? I hope you would. There's probably going to be more of Imani Oakley and Jane Rosecrow in an LGBT BBWM Urban Fantasy series I'm planning on doing. 

This is only the beginning.

~ Alicia Sages