The Lavender Blue Comfort

Franziska demolished the glass of wine like her life depended on it. “It’s been a while, Maya Fey.”

“I know.” Maya leaned back on her chair, grinning. Her black hair swayed as she bounced back to take a bite of her burger. “I thought we could have some girly time together.” It was refreshing for the two women to meet on their terms instead of work.

Franziska’s head steered around the fluorescent hallways of the diner. Every corner had salarymen celebrating their Friday nights. There were more empty glasses on the tables than there were customers. The salty soy scent empowered the thirst. “Why here of all places?”

“Because it does the best ramen burgers in town.”

“Ramen in a burger? We’ll see what my whip says about that! What?” Franziska paced around. “Where did it go?”

This was not Franziska von Karma. At least, it wasn't the Franziska that Maya was used to. Franziska von Karma was a stern woman. Maya had seen Franziska use the whip many times, but never on innocent bystanders. She always kept her head up and her whip by her side. Maya swerved her head to see where Franziska’s whip was, then laughed. Maya had forgotten it was in her handbag. She was taking care of it for her.

“It’s okay,” Maya cried out. “It’s in my bag.”

“Oh…” Franziska slumped down on her seat. Her forehead pressed the edge of the table.

“Are you okay?” Maya asked.

“I’m fine.”

The waitress brought over the food and topped up their drinks before heading off. Maya licked her lips at the juicy burger swimming in the ramen. The steam hit her nostrils and gave her a sense of paradise. “Don’t you worry,” Maya said to Franziska with a grin on her face. “You’re going to love the ramen burgers when they come. My favourite foods in one! It’s a culinary treat.”

Franziska raised her head. “You seem excited.”

Maya flicked her black hair away from her face. Whatever had happened, had taken a toll on Franziska. “Of course. Oh did I ever tell you that I have a niece?”

Franziska shook her head. “No?”

Maya slammed her hands on the table. “Yes! I’m an auntie just like you”

Franziska gasped. “This is the first time I’ve known about this. Have you ever met her?”

“The only thing I know is that they had a daughter called Sapphire. Mia never mentioned her much. Aunt Morgan said Sapphire was stillborn. But I did some snooping around. Sapphire isn’t dead. She was adopted and they changed her name.”

“I’m sure you would like to meet her one day,” Franziska said, her voice more softer than usual.

“Yes. I wonder if she inherited our spiritual powers or our never-ending appetite. I wonder who she resembles more; her mother or her father. Most of all, wherever she is, I hope she’s safe and happy.” Maya looked up on Franziska. She could tell Franziska was trying to pay attention, but she looked dazed and confused. “What’s the matter? Maya leaned over to hold Franziska’s gloved hand. “You look sad.”

Maya could tell the smile Franziska pulled was forced. “I’m fine, Maya Fey.”

Maya sighed and squeezed Franziska’s hand tighter. “Are you really fine.”

“YES! I SAID I’M FINE, MAYA FEY.”

“You haven’t touched your food…”

“Nor have you,” Franziska muttered, lowering her head. “I guess I have a lot on my mind.”

“Did you have that big trial today?” Maya asked, thinking about what she saw on the news. A teenager had been accused of matricide on his brother’s birthday party. Maya could only imagine how hard it must be for Franziska to prosecute a boy so young.

“Yes.”

“How did it go?” Maya could understand if Franziska couldn’t say much, but she hoped Franziska would open up.

“It dragged on…foolishly. Witnesses said different things. The cross-examinations and testimonies were a disgrace. But he confessed to doing it, and thus was found guilty.”

“Congratulations!” Maya regretted what she said when she saw tears well in Franziska’s eyes. After all, Maya couldn’t think of a reason why anyone would confess to a murder they didn’t commit.

Franziska wiped them with her sleeve. “Thank you. But I don’t think it’s worth celebrating.”

“Can I get you ladies anything else to drink?” the waitress asked.

“Can I get two lavender blue cocktails please?” Maya said.

“Coming right up.”

“Maya Fey…” Franziska’s lips quivered. “Why have you ordered two?”

“For both of us. It’s the weekend. It’s time to have fun and enjoy ourselves. Let’s go clubbing.”

“Clubbing? I, Franziska von Karma in a nightclub?”

“You’ve never been? It depends on which ones you go to, but I know a nice one close to Nick’s office. If we get too drunk we can crash on his coach; I’ve still got keys to his office.”

Franziska took her first bite of her meal. “This is quite tasty. It looks like a foolish thing you see on that foolish TikTok app for fools, but I am impressed with it.”

“I’m glad!”

The lavender blue cocktails went further to Franziska’s head than Maya expected. On the way to the club, Franziska couldn’t stop giggling. Maya had been following her jagged footsteps and had her arms ready to catch her if she fell. She had heard many stories about Mia and Lana’s drinking days to prepare herself.

“I’m glad you’re having a good time,” Maya said, raising her voice over the sound of the crowd. “I love the music they play here.” She pulled Franziska’s arm and dragged her underneath the disco ball. The floor changed colours every five seconds. “It’s the macarena song. You know the routine right?”

“Nien…”

“I’ll show you. You just put your hands on your head, then follow our movements. You’ll get the hang of it.”At first, it seemed everything was going well until Franziska landed on Maya’s chest, and then they both collided onto the floor. The bouncers came charging at them, and Maya jumped right on her feet. “DON’T WORRY!” Maya cried out with her hands in the air. “I’ve got everything under control.”

Perhaps it was the biggest lie ever told.

Franziska left to go to the bathroom. After a few minutes, Maya went in to see if she was okay. She called her name and even asked around but nobody in the ladies' bathroom had seen her. Heart racing, she knew she had no choice but to check the men’s bathroom.

“Excuse me guys…” Maya peaked her head over and was greeted by a row of occupied urinals. “Has anyone seen a lady with short blue hair with a whip? She’s wearing a black dress.” The sound of the whip lashing against the only free urinal was her answer. Maya’s stomach churned, but she scurried over to Franziska. “So sorry about this!” Maya said to the men. “I think she got lost.”

“What are you doing?” Franziska’s eyes had widened. “Why are there men and urinals in the women’s bathroom?”

“Uhm…that was the men’s bathroom.”

“Really?”

“Don’t worry,” Maya said. “I’ll show you the way.” Both women giggled as they hummed the macarena song and the dance in perfect rhythm. “You’re a really good dancer, Franziska. It brings a smile to my face.”

“You’re sweet. You’re a bloody fool, but you’re sweet.”

Maya opened the free cubicle. “Okay, this one is free. You can do whatever you need to do…Uhm, Franziska…that’s the bin. Hang on, I’ll help you.” Maya found it funny the first time. The second time, she could feel the judgement from the other women and bouncers. It was a handful, but she didn’t mind. All Maya wanted was for Franziska to have a good time and forget the stress of the courtroom.

However, the change of tone changed when Franziska started spontaneously crying in German. It hit her: this was not Franziska von Karma. At least not the Franziska she was falling in love with. “Franziska?” Some things had been a blur for Maya too. The loud music, the crowds, the heat and sweat from the dancing had piled up for her too. But the sound of Franziska’s tears had brought Maya back to reality. Perhaps Maya was just as drunk as Franziska was.

“That’s it!” the bouncer cried out. “Get her out!”

“What!” Maya’s tone changed the moment she met the bouncer’s eyes. “But she’s not doing anything wrong.”

“She’s been whipping everyone and disturbing the peace. Now both of you get out before I call the police.”

“Hey, Pal!” Another voice hovered behind the bouncer and startled both women: it was their pal, Dick Gumshoe. “I am the police, I’ll take care of everything.”

“Cheers Mate,” the bouncer said before storming off.

“Hey!” Maya said. “Can you help me take Franziska to Nick’s office?”

“Sure!” Gumshoe took Franziska’s left side, whilst Maya took her right as they made sure she remained conscious. Maya couldn’t understand what Franziska was saying, and from the sound of it, nor could Gumshoe. Maybe it was German or gibberish.

“Thanks! You’re a lifesaver!”

“That bouncer was a jerk!” Maya cried out, as she and Gumshoe placed Franziska onto the coach. “Franziska wasn’t doing anything wrong.”

Gumshoe scratched his head. “Well, the most important thing is that she’s safe. I wouldn’t drink anything other than water if I were you though.”

“Sure thing! Thanks for saving the day, Dick!”

“You’re welcome. I gotta go, or else Maggey will think I’ve ditched her.”

Maya understood. Good old Gumshoe saved the night. Maya dashed to get a bucket for Franziska, but it was too late, she had been sick all over her clothes. “Oh no! Don’t worry, I’ll help you get cleaned up.”

“I need a shower or a bath…” Franziska mumbled, her face pale.

“Oh, that’s not a good idea right now. You can have one in the morning.” Maya passed Franziska the bucket. “Here take this, I’ll help you get cleaned up.” It was not the ideal way to end the night. At least Franziska was safe, Maya thought to herself.

After freshening Franziska up with a flannel and hot water, Maya assisted her into the Steel Samurai onesie. She had to hold in her urge to squeal. Franziska looked adorable in it: it suited her colour scheme. Maya did her best to remove the evidence. But there was plenty of time to clean up in the morning, as Nick and his daughter were with Miles on a holiday to Prague.

Franziska began to cry again.

"What's wrong?" Maya held Franziska in her arms on the coach. Franziska had insisted all evening that she was okay, but she knew she was not. Something about the trial had traumatised Franziska, and Maya could not rest until she knew what it was.

"I LET AN INNOCENT MAN GO TO PRISON!" Franziska cried out and wept into Maya's chest.

Maya gasped at Franziska's confession. It all made sense now: how she drank like her life depended on it. It was all a mask to hide the shame. Maya only hugged her harder. "Don't worry, we can make it right. He can have a retrial."

"YOU'RE THE BEST!" Franziska sobbed, before muttering German words that sadly Maya didn't know.

"Hey!" Maya cried out. Cupping onto Franziska's cheeks. "There's something I have to tell you."

"What is it?" Franziska passed out before she could hear Maya's response. Maya began to giggle at Franziska's soft snoring which got drowned out by the sound of her rumbling stomach, what she would do for a Big Mac right now. She stroked Franziska's hair and smoothened the spikes into place in a way Franziska would have approved. She couldn't bring herself to eat without her.

Maya blushed and kissed the top of Franziska's head. "I'll tell you when you're sober."