A Dissection of the Heart

Beef

Rosalind admired the feast they had just finished laying out on the table. She had really outdone herself this time, she thought to herself as she gazed at the rows upon rows of sides and meats. Alrighty, time to get this party kicked off! She clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention, “Tabemono wa daremoga junbi ga dekite imasu, horisagete kudasai!” (The food is ready everyone, dig in!) She beamed as the men immediately hurried to the table to start piling food onto plates. “Oh!” She called out, “Asoko no aisuchesuto ni mo bīru to sōda ga haitte imasu.” (There's beer and soda in the ice chests over there too.)

“I think we deserve something a bit harder to drink, don’t you?” Rosalind said to Speciale with a wink. “Oh I’m right behind ya Andi!” He laughed back. “Isao, do you want anything?” She asked, turning to her other companion. He looked uncomfortable for a moment, “I’m not sure what you mean.” Rosalind giggled, leaning in towards Isao, “We’re going to go get some shots and whiskey to help us relax.” Isao raised his eyebrows, a little shocked. “I think I’m good with just a beer,” he said with a smirk. Rosalind shrugged her shoulders at him before leading Speciale away by the hand through the crowd, much to Isao’s annoyment. Perhaps, he thought, I should have taken her up on her offer.

Isao turned to the line that had formed for Rosalind’s cooking, his men easily parting to let him in the front to get a plate for himself. His mouth watered at the smells coming off the many dishes. Though he had never had American barbeque, Isao knew he would love anything Rosalind had a hand in making. He selected a sampling of several dishes and was grabbing a beer when he heard her light giggle across the crowd.

Glancing back, he could see Roz weaving her way through the crowd, a bottle of liquor and several little shot glasses. Speciale followed behind, a bit slower with a salt shaker and a bowl with what seemed to be lime wedges. They made their way to a table on the outside of the patio area, away from most everyone. Roz looked up, meeting his eye as she slid onto the bench seat. He couldn’t help but match her smile as she excitedly waved to him as if he didn’t know where she would be sitting.

Grabbing his beer and his plate, Isao made his way over to her table, sliding into the space beside her. “What’s all this then?” He asked, bemused, as she set up the glasses and salt shaker beside the bowl of limes. She flashed him an evil smile, pointing to her ingredients as she spoke, “Salt, tequila, limes; lick, sip, suck.” She set a little glass before herself and Speciale, raising an eyebrow to Isao as if to ask if he was sure he wanted to pass.

Isao shook his head no, holding up a hand to her. “Okaaay, your loss,” she giggled as she poured the clear liquid into the little glasses. Isao watched as she licked the back of her hand to make it wet before sprinkling salt on it. She grabbed Speciale’s hand, licking and sprinkling it too. “Ewww,” he teased. “Shut up, you know you like it,” Rosalind teased back, sticking her tongue out at him. “One, two three!” They cheer together before licking the salt off their hands and shooting the shot of tequila. They tapped the emptied glasses twice on the table before reaching for a lime each, both smiling like a pair of fools.

The merry atmosphere didn’t last long, however, before the sound of bullets being shot out of several guns rang through the air. It only lasted for a moment, long enough to get their attention. Long enough for Isao and his men to go on the offensive, pulling out previously concealed firearms. They all turned to the path along the side of the house, the falling night turning it into a darkened portal of danger as a group of rough looking men appeared from out of the shadows, all brandishing weapons.

The sound of men scrambling behind tables and anything that could provide cover and the click of loaded weapons readying to be shot was deafening. “ENOUGH.” Rosalind yelled out, slamming her hands on the table as she stood. “Anata ga dareda to omou ka wakarimasenga, koreha pātī de kōdō suru hōhōde wa arimasen!” (I don't know who you think you are but this is no way to act at a party!) She began, making her way towards the party crashers, their leader stunned in the front of their formation.

“Sate, anata wa watashitachi ni sanka shite keiiwohyōsuru gesuto ni naru koto ga dekimasu,” (Now then, you can either join us and be respectful guests,) she continued, her white high heeled wedges stomping across the lawn until she was in front of their leader, sweeping her hard glare across the whole group as she spoke, “Matawa, anata wa subete watashi no zaisan o oriru koto ga dekimasu!” (Or, you can all get off my property!) She fixed her steely gaze on the leader. “Sorede mondai ga arimasu ka?” (Got a problem with that?)

There was a moment of stunned silence. Speciale sucked in a breath, terrified that his friend had just signed her death warrant. Isao watched on, eyes wide with surprise. Now there’s the devil I saw last night! He thought to himself. The tension was palpable, no one dared move as Rosalind stood with her hands on her hips in defiance, glaring into the black eyes of Jiro Watanabe, the icy leader of the Inagawa-kai yakuza syndicate and Isao’s mortal enemy.

Suddenly laughter burst forth from Jiro’s mouth. “We have no problem with that,” he chuckled, motioning for his men to put away their weapons as he smirked down at her. “Good,” Rosalind humphed, spinning on her heel to saunter victorious back to her seat. Speciale released a breath he didn’t realize he was holding in. He and Isao stared at Rosalind incredulously as she happily began pouring another round of shots. “I am so not drunk enough for this,” she sighed to herself.