Invitation to Tea

By Donna and Abs

After serving her customers their lunch, Kasumi went back to her private rooms of her house and rolled up the piece of parchment paper she had labored over the night before. She sealed it carefully with melted wax and then tied it closed with a golden cord. She then took it back out to the young Chinaman who had told her that he would deliver it for her. With a bow, he took it from her and then trotted off. 

Montoya was a busy man.  Not only did he have to think of things for the youngsters to do while they worked for him, he also had to figure out a course of action where Kasumi was concerned.  While he was not daunted by her many beaux, he did understand the battle was far from won. So, when the nephew of the woman who ran the single men's boarding house came up to him carrying an invitation from Kasumi for a private dinner with a tea ceremony following it, it looked like at least one of his problems was solved!  

"That's a foot in the door, anyway," he said to himself as he went in his hacienda to pen a polite acceptance. 

Once it was done, he sent it on its way via the same messenger that had delivered hers, with a request that the boy pick up the uniform at Hop Sing's laundry that was being cleaned there. To his surprise, Hop Sing himself delivered it along with an elaborately embroidered kimono. "Kasumi say she honored you wear kimono. If no want, she understand." 

"Oh, it is I who am honored," Montoya said when he saw the kimono.  "Honored to be invited, and even more honored to be given such a lovely kimono to wear.  You will tell Kasumi that for me?" 

"Hop Sing tell," the Chinaman said. He bowed and then started to leave, but then said in a cryptic tone of voice, "Kasumi good girl." There was something about the Colonel that he didn't quite like, but he couldn't put his finger on what it was.  

Turning back, Montoya said to himself, "She is a good girl.  And quite worthy of *me*."  As he said these words out loud to himself, he noticed something in his garden and, putting the uniform and kimono aside, he rushed out to see that strange dark-haired woman leaving the premises.  Unsure what to think of that - somehow her presence was not as odious as the teenagers - he returned to his hacienda to dress. 

He was glad that he had gotten a shave and a haircut at the new barbershop in town just that morning, but as he stripped off his clothes and took a quick bath, he wondered if he could manage a private time with Kasumi in the bathhouse as well. As of late, there had been quite a few men who had made it their habit to go to the bathhouse, and much to everyone's disappointment, Kasumi had stopped bathing with them.  

Of course Montoya liked that custom - she was a beautiful woman and what man would pass up the chance to see her without any clothes on?  But he was also hoping for that private time, when they were not going to be interrupted by any other men! 

He took great care dressing for the evening, enjoying the rich feel of the silk kimono against his skin. He could understand why some of the other men seemed to prefer wearing the eastern style clothing. When it was time, he walked over to her place, and for the first time, knocked on the door to the house part of the building, which was located in between Kasumi's Kitchen and Hop Sing's Laundry.  

While he was waiting, he had the feeling he was being watched.  Turning his head, he saw a flash of black lace that reminded him, once again, of the woman in the garden.  This stayed with him as he waited, and he seemed slightly distracted as the door opened. 

"Welcome, Colonel-san," said Kasumi. She was dressed in a lovely red kimono and her hair done up in the traditional Japanese style with ivory pins holding it in place. She motioned at the place for him to place his boots, and then invited him inside.  

Montoya nodded and bowed respectfully.  "I am honored by your kind invitation," he said, but he seemed just a tad distracted. 

"It is I who am honored by your presence," she said politely, showing him inside her home. It was very simply, but tastefully decorated. She led him first to the inner courtyard of the house, where a little stone garden had been carefully arranged. "You may wash your hands there," she said, motioning to the cascading water of the fountain.  

He nodded again, his head clearing somewhat.  Again he remarked to himself how lovely she was.  Not being a man who underestimates himself, he now found himself wondering what he needed to do to convince her he was worthy. 

After he had completed the ceremonial washing of the hands, she guided him into the tearoom. In a little alcove, she had placed a beautiful vase filled with carefully arranged flowers. On the woven mat under it, she had placed a large shell that had been a gift to her from one of the sailors.  

"I must say, Kasumi, that you have done a wonderful job, bringing the beauty of the Orient to this far off and obscure land!  The room is just wonderful.  I feel transported!" 

"Thank you for your kind words, Colonel-san" Kasumi said softly, motioning him into the room where a low table had been placed in the center of the room. On the table were steaming platters of stir fry, tempura and rice. "We will eat first, and then afterwards, I will conduct the tea ceremony for you."  

Montoya nodded respectfully, saying again that she did him honor by offering the invitation.  They were seated at the table, which was low to the ground, and enjoyed a pleasant meal together.  Conversation was polite but interesting. 

Kasumi's movements were poised and graceful, and the meal excellent as usual. Just the type of woman that he thought he wanted! But his attention kept wandering, going back to the woman he had glimpsed several times that day. And Kasumi, who was trying to be the perfect hostess, could not help but notice his occasional lapses.  

Normally a focused individual, Montoya cursed himself inwardly for dwelling on the mysterious woman. *This* is what he wanted!  Why was he letting the chance slip through his fingers? 

If Kasumi was disappointed, she was doing a very good job of hiding it. After the meal, she led him back out to the little garden, and left him there to meditate in the quiet of the night while she made the final preparations for the tea ceremony.  

Looking around her garden, he was brought back to his own, at least in spirit.  His first thoughts were of the children who had "desecrated" his haven, but then, of course, he thought of the woman, and how well she seemed to fit inside its walls.  Hopefully, he thought, Kasumi would accept her as a part of it, too.  For if he and she were to marry, he would still want to open the garden to the dark-haired girl. 

A short time later, Kasumi returned for him, and after another ceremonial washing of the hands, he was escorted in for her to serve the tea. He had read about the tea ceremony, but this was the first time he had actually been a participant. It was even more lovely than he had even imagined, and it really was an honor to be part of one.  

After the ceremony, they went back to the garden to be alone together.  Montoya looked up at the moon and said, "You are lovely in the moonlight.  A precious flower."  He indicated the blossoms of her garden and said, "So rare. So delicate.  And yet . . ."  He paused, as if unable to continue. 

Kasumi studied him for a moment, not knowing what to think. "I have heard that you have a very lovely garden," she said softly. This was not going quite as she though it would. He wanted her, she could sense that, but at the same time it was almost as if there was somewhere else he would rather be.  

"Yes!" he said, as if finding himself.  "Would you care to come with me to my garden?  All of the blossoms are the same type - unlike this - but I promise you they are all rare beauties . . . like you are, Kasumi." 

She bowed her head, accepting the praise, even though it embarrassed her. "I would love to see your garden, Colonel-san," she replied.  

He put out his arm, offering it to her as a gentleman would to the lady he was escorting, and she took it.  Then they walked to his hacienda, and the garden around it. 

But as they neared, they both got the feeling there was someone there already!  "Those miserable children!" Montoya growled, letting Kasumi's arm go to rush into the garden. 

Kasumi stood and watched nervously, having seen his anger at the thought of his garden being invaded and wondering what he would do to the children when or if he found them. Would he try to hurt them? It was then she caught a glimpse of who it was in the garden. Not the teenagers, but a beautiful dark haired woman.  

She started at his entrance, then said, "I'm sorry. It was such a lovely night, and you were out for the evening.  I thought maybe I could sit here alone for a few hours." 

Montoya's mouth opened and for a moment or two he could not say anything.  Then he said, "I've told you that you are welcome in my garden.  I just wanted to show it to Kasumi." 

Kasumi bowed to the lady. "I am sorry if we have disturbed you," she said softly. Somehow she got the impression that this mysterious lady belonged in the garden. Was this the reason for Montoya's lack of attention at times?  

"No, I'm the trespasser, even though permission has been given.  I'll go now, and return when the garden is again empty."  And she nodded to them both as she passed.  Kasumi noticed that his eyes followed her exit. 

"She is very beautiful," the Japanese girl said softly. At that moment, she knew that his heart was not hers.  

Not that Montoya knew or understood this.  The woman was clearly Spanish, and so reminded him of his home, but she was also everything he had left *behind*. Kasumi was what he wanted for the future.  And besides, the woman came for the garden, not himself.  Her quick departure was proof of that!