Building Connections

Though he possessed the ability to go anywhere now, Jonah still felt out of place whether he went. He was alone most days in most locations. He had always tried to keep a low profile in his previous life. Back then, it was necessary. He was a criminal, after all. Too much heat, and you get burned. So crowded places always made him uncomfortable—too many eyes.

Despite this slight agoraphobia, Jonah willingly chose to go to one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. It was iconic; it was beautiful, but it was crowded. In the final hours of sunlight, tourists still crowded the stretch of beach that hugged downtown Honolulu. Whether on the sand or the street, there were people. Luckily, the city’s infrastructure supported the crowds, and there was plenty of breathing room for those trying to enjoy the island paradise. But regardless, Jonah was nervous.

Jonah was nervous because next to him was one of the most beautiful women he had ever met. While no traditional magazine would be lining up to hire her as a model, Jonah couldn’t keep his eyes off her or the image of her out of his mind. After a little good old-fashioned persistence, Kendra Saunders, aka Hawkgirl, agreed to go on an actual date with him.

“Might be nice to take a dip in the water,” Kendra said, looking over the calm Pacific.

Kendra was wearing a red silken romper of many layers and white shoes. The open rear of her top showed her defined back and shoulder muscles. Bundled over one of her arms was a dark leather jacket. Useless in the Hawaiian heat.

“Probably didn’t need to bring this.” She continued with a smile, referring to her jacket.

“My fault. But I wanted to keep the location a secret.” Jonah couldn’t help but stare at Kendra. Her green eyes and olive skin shone so brightly to him.

“Hawaii wasn’t my first guess, so I think you would have been safe.”

“Ha, well, my horizons are pretty broad regarding travel destinations. I could go anywhere I wanted. Though I find that the US is such a diverse place that I rarely need to leave its borders if I don’t have to.” Jonah explained.

“Really? Perhaps you need to broaden your imagination.”

“Imagination wasn’t something I was allowed to have when I was younger.”

“A difficult childhood?” Kendra studied his reaction.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Jonah admitted.

“That’s fine.”

“Besides, even if I can step anywhere I want, they don’t take US dollars everywhere. Plus, I only speak English.” Jonah continued.

“Well, I suppose this will have to do then,” Kendra responded with a theatrical eye roll. “Where are you taking me, by the way?”

“A restaurant called ‘La Playa’ not too far from here. It serves Spanish-Hawaiian fusion cuisine.” Jonah explained proudly.

“And what does that entail exactly?”

“I’m not sure.” Jonah confessed. “But the website looked real nice. It got plenty of good reviews from some professional-sounding critics. Afterward, the local aquarium is having a midnight cocktail event on bioluminescence if you want to see that.”

“I do like fish.”

“That’s good! This is a seafood restaurant, after all.” Jonah said with a self-satisfied smirk.

Kendra rolled her eyes again, but this time, it was much harder to tell if it was sarcastic or not.

‘La Playa’ was located on the second floor of an upscale hotel. Jonah and Kendra had to walk through the hotel’s lobby to get to the host standing behind a dark wooden podium.

“Do you have a reservation with us tonight, sir?”

“Yes, should be under Richardson. Jonah Richardson”

The host looked down from his thin glasses and carefully studied the iPad just out of sight.

“Ah yes, here you are. Right this way.” The host grabbed a couple of menus and guided the pair down the row of booths and tables onto a heated balcony overlooking the beach.

The restaurant was decorated with dark colors and warm lighting, like that over a firelight garden party or a steakhouse. The walls featured a mix of natural Hawaiian decoration and colonial Spanish stylings. The balcony was ringed by clear glass to block out the sounds of the people below.

“Your server will be right with you.” The host said before leaving the two.

“This place is nice. Good choice. You’re two points up so far on this date.” Kendra said, raising two fingers.

“That good, huh?”

“You’re also one point down, so…”

“What did I do?” Jonah asked.

“Well.” Kendra leaned forward. “You haven’t told me how good I look tonight.”

Jonah wasn’t sure if she was fishing for compliments or teasing him. Either way, he blushed at her comment. Her confidence made her even more attractive. She was comfortable enough to be desired by him without disgust.

“I couldn’t possibly encapsulate your beauty in words. But you do look outstanding.”

Kendra brushed some of her hair back. “We can call it even them.”

Sometime after, their server arrived with water and introductions, leaving just as quickly to let them ponder what they wanted to eat and drink. The food menu was only two pages long. The options were filled with things Jonah didn’t recognize and whose price was far greater than he was used to spending on himself. The front fold being dedicated to a mission statement written in Spanish.

“I wonder what all of this says.” Jonah mused.

“Oh, it’s just a mission statement and a small blurb on Spanish immigration to Hawaii,” Kendra explained, pointing to the words that held no meaning to Jonah.

“I didn’t know you spoke Spanish. Where’d you learn?”

“My Abuela couldn’t speak English, so if I wanted to talk to her, it had to be in Spanish.”

“That’s dedication.”

“Eh, I was a kid.” Kendra shrugged. “It’s not like I had a choice in the matter.”

“Still, it’s a useful skill. I have no language skills whatsoever.”

“I have an unfair advantage.” She pointed to her head. “With all those previous lives swimming up there, I could learn any language I wanted to.”

“You have a Spanish-speaking past life?”

Kendra chuckled. “Of course. I have many. I was even a Spanish settler once.”

“Yikes.”

Kendra waved away the comment, “We aren’t all perfect. And there’s been many me’s. I was also an Aztec warrior, if that makes you feel better.”

Jonah picture Kendra wearing an Aztec war headdress and wielding a spiked club instead of her hawk helmet and mace. She looked fierce. But he recognized that the woman he pictured was Kendra as an Aztec warrior, not the individual she described. Who was connected to her via reincarnation but, in the moment, was a whole individual being with unique thoughts and feelings divergent from those before her as much as an individual as Kendra saw herself as.

“It sounds to be that there’s only one you, Kendra. And I’m gladder for it.”

Kendra turned from his observation. “Thank you. It can be different to differentiate from the greater hole sometimes.”

“Right now, all you have to differentiate is what you will order. There are many great choices.” Jonah said with a smile.

“Indeed.” Kendra flipped the menu open and closed again. “Though it is on the pricey side.”

“Don’t you worry about that. I’ve got it covered. Anything you want.”

“Are you sure?”

The way that Kendra doubted him stung Jonah. In a way, she was right. In the past, he never would have been able to afford this place. Hell, he was wearing his one nice shirt. But that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt any less.

“I can afford to save with the JL benefits I’m getting. Besides, you desire it.” Jonah tried to strike a balance between confidence and honesty.

“I’ll feel bad if I don’t pay for at least some of it.”

“Nonsense, your company is payment enough.”

“Why do you flatter me so? Why pursue me so doggedly?” Kendra asked.

Jonah could tell her question was genuine. In the dimly lit restaurant, Kendra looked warm and ****, her usual gruffness lost in the ambiance.

“Would you believe me if I said you were one of the most beautiful women I have ever met? I was drawn to you the first time we met.” Jonah pushed out the different words, his heart beating heavily in his chest.

“Most men are scared of me.” Kendra fingered the wrapped napkin in front of her.

“People are frightened by the sort of strength that you exude. Whether out of genuine fear or because of their self-consciousness.” Jonah tried his best to catch her downward gaze, to engage in eye contact. “If I’m being honest with you. I was scared when we first met, especially when I first met Hawkgirl. But what I was scared of more was that I wouldn’t be able to see you again. I knew that I would regret never trying with you. That’s why I was able to pursue you because I had to. You gave me enough hope to keep me going. Even if it took some time and space.”

Kendra smiled sweetly at Jonah. “I didn’t make it easy for you, did I?”

“You had every right to keep me at arm’s length.”

“Let’s figure out what to order, alright, loverboy?” Kendra couldn’t help but keep smiling.

The meal passed by in much the same manner as how it started. Jonah ate a sweet and spicy paella, and Kendra got a smoked pork tenderloin. The conversation flowed naturally, with the two discussing many topics. They spoke about recent hero gossip and Kendra’s childhood. Jonah did not speak of his past, only the present.

“So, Fire and Ice aren’t a couple?” Jonah took a bite of flan.

“Nope. Just really good friends.”

“Really? Fire seems so…”

“Brazilian? I can see that.” Kendra sipped her espresso martini. “It seems you’ve already made friends in the hero community.”

“They’re a friendly bunch.”

“Not all of them,” Kendra noted.

“No, I suppose not.”

“It seems you’ve fallen into the younger crowd. Why is that?” Kendra asked as gently as she could.

“The team?” Jonah shrugged. “They opened themselves to me, and I accepted. While I am older than them by a couple of years, I appreciate something there—a lack of judgment. I can relate to some of their struggles. They all seem so…”

“Lost?” Kendra finished his sentence.

“Yeah. I guess it's nice to feel lost with other people. The Titans are also pretty nice. But the other heroes, the independent ones especially, seem so put together.”

“We’re all lost Jonah.” Kendra touched his hand. “Some of us are just better at hiding it than others. I suspect even the trinity have their secret doubts and demons.”

“I’m not sure if that makes me feel better.” Jonah held Kendra’s hand gently from across the table, like it was some small creature that would run away from the slightest of movements.

“Things got easier for me when I stopped seeing them as super beings and more like the humans they are. People will fears and needs.” Kendra rubbed her thumb across his hand.

“I will find my way eventually. I will choose a path.” Jonah affirmed to himself.

Jonah paid the hefty bill, and the two left hand in hand into the warm Hawaii night. They cross the beach onto a patch of grass next to the beach. They watched as the quiet waves lapped against the land.

“Did you like the restaurant?” Jonah asked.

“Yes, it was delicious.” Kendra faced him.

“That’s good. I’m glad I chose right.”

“Don’t worry. I’m enjoying myself.” Kendra touched him on the arm.

Was his anxiety and worry that obvious? Jonah desperately wanted for her to have a good time. If she was happy, he was happy. He looked at her beautiful face one more time. A full moon lit her, and the gentle island breezes whispered through her hair. She was looking up at him with eyes like a deep well.

Jonah leaned towards Kendra and kissed her. He wrapped an arm around her back and brought her closer to him. Her lips were soft and tasted just a little like coffee.

Kendra kissed him back without any trepidation or remorse. It was sweet, soft, and sensual like a proper first kiss should be. Even if they had kissed before, this felt like the first in a long line of kisses.

Nuzzling her head into his neck, Kendra hugged Jonah.

“Wanna get out of here?” Jonah whispered.

“You mean to the aquarium?” Kendra whispered back.

“Of course.”