A Dissection of the Heart

Back on the Horse

“Andi!” Speciale cheered as she opened the door. “Special!” Rosalind yelled, jumping forward and pulling him into a big hug. “How crazy! I honestly never thought I’d see you again!” She said as she pulled back to meet his eye. “Come in, please!” She stepped back and he walked forward, kicking off his shoes at the door. 

“How long ya been around, gotta say it was kinda hard tracking ya down.” Speciale asked, looking around the entryway and into the livingroom. “Wow almost like I didn’t want to be tracked,” she joked, winking at him. “I just finished unpacking so I really haven’t been here long, maybe a few weeks.” She led him into the livingroom, a nice open space with large windows, a pale brick fireplace, and decorated with white furniture. She was pretty proud of how it’s come together, with little pops of blue to finish off the room. “Do you want anything to drink? I have some cookies left over from earlier too if you want those.” 

“Cookies please!” He chirped excitedly. Rosalind laughed as she walked to the kitchen and retrieved a plate of cookies for him and set it on the coffee table as she joined him on the couch. Immediately, he leaned forward, swiping a cookie and biting in. “Mmmf, fis ish sho great!” Speciale exclaimed through the mouthful of cookie. Rosalind burst into a fit of giggles at her old friend, watching him as he munched on the cookies in comfortable silence. 

He had changed since she last saw him, she noticed. His dark hair was shaved close to his head, there was a new scar cutting through his left eyebrow, and he had maybe even grown an inch. Though he was still short, about 5’6 maybe, she mused. She doubted he’d ever reach her 5’8 but his small stature was balanced with his feisty attitude. She wondered if that was still the same too.

“What are ya starin’ at?” He said, glancing up from the plate long enough to notice her staring. “Oh, nothing, just a miniature pig that wandered into my home. Oh wait, nevermind it’s just you.” She sassed, smirking to herself as she saw his cheeks redden with anger. “f***k off Andi, at least I’m not some overgrown giraffe with the unruly mane of a lion.” They eyed each other sternly before bursting out into laughter. “Man, I missed your sorry a.ss!” He said, clapping her on the back. “I guess I missed your sorry a.ss too.” She giggled with a wink.

“If ya really missed me you’d consider my offer,” Speciale ventured, glancing at her from the corner of his eye, “It’d be just like old times again…”

“Special…” She warned with a frown.

“I know, I know, but it would be easy! No contract, no obligations, one job! I need a specialist, and you’re the best. I can’t trust anyone else to do it right plus you’d get to spend hours alone with THIS GUY.” He smirked and pointed his thumbs back at himself.

“Just one job? Like one guy, you and me?”

“Just like old times.” He confirmed with a smile.

Rosalind sighed, “You aren’t going to let it go, are you?”

Speciale laughed, “No way, and you KNOW I can be an annoying pr.ick!”

“UGH, fiiiiiiine.” She groaned as he pulled her into a hug. “You won’t regret this, Andi!” “Oh, I already am.” She retorted with a chuckle. “Alright, imma take these cookies and call my guy. I’ll text you the details later!” Speciale swiped the plate as he stood up, pulling out his phone as he walked back towards the front door with Rosalind on his heels. 

“ONE time, I’m serious.” She warned as he began walking to his car. “Yeah, yeah!” He called back over his shoulder as he put the phone to his ear to speak to whoever his guy was. She shook her head at his retreating back and closed the door with a sigh. Her good mood was dampened by this proposition, this was exactly what she came to Japan to avoid. 

She turned her rosebud lips down into a slight frown as she made her way back through the house to the basement steps. Flicking a switch, the lights came to life before her. She hesitated for a moment before descending step by step until she reached the bottom, her feet carrying her forward numbly until she reached a small crawl space hidden in the wall of her basement. Wedging her long nails in the groves along where she knew the door was hidden, she was able to pop it open smoothly.

Inside was a chest shaped photo box covered in antique depictions of flowers and birds. She ran a hand along its smooth surface, the ghost of a smile gracing her lips as memories came flooding back. She sighed gently before pushing it aside, procuring a black leather briefcase from the darkness. “Hello my old friends,” She said to no one, gazing at the case, knowing she’ll be needing its contents soon.

Smoothly, she pulled out the case with one hand as she gently eased the door back into place with her other hand. Time to get to work.

Just as she reached the main floor, her phone sounded off with a ‘ding ding’. Rosalind pulled out her phone, checking the message even though she already had an idea who it was.

From: Special A.ss Hey Andi, the client wants to know if you can come out tonight.

She thought for a moment before figuring it was probably best to get it over with. ‘Yeah sure that’s fine with me. When and where?’ She typed back. Not five minutes later and the familiar ding ding sounded off again. “Someone’s an eager beaver,” she chuckled to herself, checking the new message.

From: Special A.ss Great! We’ll send a driver to come pick you up. Say, 6 o’clock? See you then Andi!

“Time to get in something I don’t mind ruining but will make an impression on his guy.” Rosalind thought about her choices, smiling as she thought of the perfect thing. And off she went to get ready, typing out a list of supplies she’ll need Speciale to procure for her before she arrives. “Send!” She smiled a secretive smile to herself as she sent off the list. If she was going to come out of retirement for this, she was going to have fun with it.