Backlashed

By: CNJ

PG-13

7

Lucille:

It took some lying low, but luck was on our side because none of the managers mentioned anything about our night computer sessions. However, it was harder to have them now because sometimes Gary or Charles lingered around.

A couple of times I did manage to squash in a few more crash sessions by May. I also completed the final class and was relieved to be able to add that onto my resume.

"Congratulations, Lucy!" Alicia said over the phone that weekend.

"Thanks," I was grateful for her support.

"Now the next step is to get you into the job you deserve," Alicia told me. "If you want, you can add me as a reference. Hey...how would you feel if you were offered something here back east? Would you be able to take it?"

"What...oh...yes, I guess so." Move back east? I'd have to leave Daniel and Mr. Miyagi...but if I didn't find anything here...it was a distinct possibility.

"So would computer programming be up your alley?" Alicia asked.

"It sure would," I told her. "I found that I enjoy the class and I'm good at fixing things...real machines things and computer programs."

"I'll let you know if I hear anything," Alicia told me before we said goodbye and hung up.

"I knew you could do it, Mom," Daniel smiled at me as he, Mr. Miyagi, and I sat down to eat at the Japanese Noodle and Steakhouse.

"Congratulations, Lucille-san," Mr. Miyagi put in.

"So...have you looked around yet?" Daniel asked as we dug in.

"I've sent out my resume to a few places in Los Angeles and to one law firm in San Francisco." I looked at them. "Daniel...Mr. Miyagi...there's something I need to ask both of you."

"Sure, Mom, fire away," Daniel nodded.

"Alicia said something about job openings in New York City...I'm thinking if I don't find anything here, I might consider heading to New York...I just want to bounce it off the two of you. Daniel, I know you have one more year of college to go."

They were quiet a minute.

"We'd miss you, but it would be fine with us," Daniel finally said. "I say go for it."

"I say too," Mr. Miyagi nodded. "You work hard for better pay and you deserve better job, so take it if offered."

"Thanks..." I smiled, grateful for their support. "You know, if I do go back east, I will miss you two a lot."

"There's always letters and the phone," Dan smiled his warm smile.

I sent out my resume to at least a dozen places a week and even landed a few interviews. So far it didn't seem like anything was turning up here in Los Angeles. The one in San Francisco went dead too.

I was glad I'd talked to Mr. Miyagi and Daniel because it looked more and more like a possibility the job I was seeking was out of this area.

So it was that weekend that I said a silent wish and sent three resumes to New York and one to New Jersey. The next week, one of the firms in New York City called me and conducted an interview by phone, which felt a little odd.

Two weeks later, I received a letter accepting me for the position of computer programmer at Graphics Layout at the company which would start in late July. So I wrote back accepting the offer.

"Congrats, Lucille!" Alicia told me. "So you're taking the job?"

"I sure am," I said. "Thank you so much for your recommendation. I'm giving my notice at Rocket Computers this week."

"I'm looking forward to seeing you," Alicia put in. "Hey, while we're at the planning, maybe I can send you a guide to looking up apartments or something here?"

"Oh, I'd love that," I said gratefully.

And she did send me a copy of Apartments magazine from New York City. Besides giving notice at work, that was my next major project.

I did a lot of calling around and finally landed an apartment that was close to where I'd be working. It was affordable...barely, but with my new salary, I'd be able to cover this one. It reminded me of when I'd found the South Seas apartments here.

On my second-to-last day at Rocket Computers, Vera came to my desk to excitedly tell me that she'd found another job with a communications company in San Diego also doing computer programming.

"Oh, way to go, Vera!" I crowed, hugging her.

"It was you, thanks to you, dear," Vera grinned at me.

I was glad my tips had done at least one person some good. If all the other women here could be sure to find better jobs...

My last day there was a little poignant and peaceful. Gary I think knew that he couldn't browbeat me anymore.

The other women took up a collection and presented it to me. I was so touched that my eyes filled with tears as I thanked them.

"Just...something to tide you over until you get started at Graphics Layout," Helene told me and I was a bit surprised to see tears in her eyes.

I hugged her and then all of us grabbed each other in a group hug. I realized that I'd miss them too.

"Good luck, all of you," I whispered. "As soon as I get settled in, I'll send you a card of something and let you know my number, so if you need a reference or anything..."

The afternoon was very warm as I loaded the last of my supplies into my old station wagon, which I'd decided to chance today and take to work. Then for the last time, I drove home from Rocket Computers.

In just three more days, I'd be leaving for New York City. The night before I left, Daniel and I would be heading over to Mr. Miyagi's place for dinner.

Miyagi:

I wished Lucille-san well as we sat in my living room after eating the night before she was to leave for New York. The radio played softly in the background, something like jazz and rock and very American.

Lucille was leaving for her new job in New York tomorrow and Daniel-san and I had made dinner to wish her goodbye and good luck. Daniel-san now lived in a nearby apartment with two roommates and had one more year of college to go.

What a dear pair they were. I knew Daniel-san was going to miss his mother very much. We sat and talked and one song seemed to move them both and they held hands, looking at each other. I smiled softly seeing how much alike their eyes were.

As the song, which was about putting one spirit to the test, progressed, both Daniel and Lucille fell silent and I could hear their hearts beating fast.

Tears welled in both of their eyes and spilled down their faces, their mouths drooping identically. I put a hand on each of their shoulders as they wept harder.

I don't really know how long they cried, but I knew they'd been through a lot, so they needed to cry.

Their sobs eventually slowly dissolved into whimpers, then sniffles and I handed them tissues. They wiped their eyes, both of them swallowing simultaneously as their crying slowed.

I'm going to miss you so much, Mom... Daniel's voice came out in a barely audible whisper.

You too, my darling son, Lucille breathed back in an almost soundless mime.

Lucille:

It was a strange day that I left. Daniel and I were quiet as I packed a few last minute items, then we went to pick up Mr. Miyagi.

Daniel was driving his yellow convertible and I remembered how he'd picked me up from the same airport a few years earlier when I'd gotten back here from caring for Louie. Now it was reversed with Daniel taking me to the airport.

My throat felt tight as Daniel and Mr. Miyagi waited for my flight with me. I'd scraped together enough for this airline ticket and now I held it tightly along with my bag.

I had a couple of other bags I'd checked in and I'd shipped several of my larger belongings to my New York apartment already. I just hoped they'd arrived before I did.

Finally, a disembodied voice called, "Flight One-Oh-Nine departing from Gate Four..."

"That's me," I said huskily.

I stood and so did my son and Mr. Miyagi. We grabbed each other in a group hug and Daniel and I both had tears in our eyes.

"I'll write you both as soon as I get settled. Goodbye and good luck..." With that I gave my lovely son one last hug, then grabbed my bag and headed onto the plane.

Once I was at the entrance, we waved one last time, then the attendant took my ticket and I got onto the plane.

I silently bid Los Angeles good-bye, then blew down a kiss to Daniel and Mr. Miyagi as the plane soared into the air and toward New York City.

More later!