After calling his Dad, Michael picked up a large Frappuccino at Starbuck's. He should have bought Starbuck's stock when the price was low, he thought. While waiting for his Dad he drank the icy coffee drink, which brought back thoughts of the beach at Santa Monica and lazy summer days.
He sat and watched the people going about their business, knowing that the remainder of the trip would probably be rather dull, without Miyoko. It was difficult to believe how much he already missed her.
His Dad had to drive twenty miles to the airport, so Michael timed it as close as he could, then took his bags out to the front of the terminal. He saw a shiny little black Honda pull up to the curbside, with his Dad behind the wheel; blowing the horn like a typical American. Michael's Dad got out of the car and hugged Michael; something he had not done in years.
"Hi Dad, it's good to see you. Where's Mom?"
"She is at your Uncle's house, working on a party."
"Oh God; not for me, I hope."
"No not for you. Sunday is your cousin Tomiko's twentieth birthday party and as my brother has no wife, your Mother is helping plan it."
"Tomiko is twenty? The last time I saw her she was still in high school. Remember when they came to California and we took them to Disneyland. She laughed and giggled on every ride. She even sat on my lap when we went on several of the rides. I can't believe she is twenty. A birthday party huh?"
"Yes Sunday. Your Uncle has arranged for a very large semi-formal party."
They got in the car and started for Michael's Dad's house. They chatted like a couple of parrots, in a pet shop. Michael's Dad asked about Lisa, and Michael said that she was Ok, but didn't mention about the breakup. His Dad suggested that Michael widen his horizons and look around for a nice Japanese girl as they make the best wives.
"What is this thing you have about me hooking up with a Japanese girl? You married a girl from Ireland. I don't understand why you don't like ... uh .. Lisa?"
"Son I love your mother dearly and it's not that I don't like Lisa, but since I ... since we have been living in Japan, I have found that there is more to life than just a home, a wife and work."
"What? Don't tell me that you have a mistress?"
"Not exactly. Your Uncle has taken me into his exclusive men's lodge and we have our own Geishas."
"And ...?"
"And I have what you might call a young protégé. Her name is Sumi, which means elegant. You can believe me that she is very elegant; and she isn't much older than your cousin Tomiko. As young as she is, she has taught me quite a lot about life."
"Sumi? Sounds like a sushi dish. I can't believe my own Father is a dirty old man. What about Mom; does she know?"
"Hell no; and I don't want you to tell her either. What goes on in the lodge is just for the men. As a man I hoped that you would understand."
"Trust me Dad; I do understand and your secret is safe with me. I would never tell Mom. It would break her heart. I'm here on vacation; not to judge you."
"Thank you son. Do you think you would like to go to a lodge meeting with me some night?"
"I don't know Dad, let me think about it."
They got off the highway and drove through some very narrow streets. No wonder the Japanese make their cars so small thought Michael. When they went up a driveway and stopped in front of the house, Michael was surprised that it was so large and commented to his Dad,
"Your house is enormous. I didn't expect anything like this."
"Five bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms a den for me, and a sitting room for your Mom. There is a large sunken living room and a family room; also a nice kitchen; with all of the latest appliances. Nothing like our three bedroom apartment over my restaurant in the states."
"I should say not, we barley had room to change our minds in the apartment. But why did you get such a large house Dad? Your protégé doesn't live here too ... does she?"
"No of course not. She lives in town. When we first came here we were living with your Uncle, until we could find a place of our own. His house is three times this size or bigger. When I told him that I wanted a nice place that was fairly large, he said that he would take care of it. He has one of the largest home construction businesses in Osaka. He built his place and ours. Your Mom picked out the property as it has a nice ocean view. Wait until you see my entertainment center in the den. Your Uncle has a friend at Sony, who put it in for cost. It is almost like a small recording studio. Total surround sound and it has ten large speakers. It is very high tech. It's great when your mom and I are fighting, we go to our separate parts of the house until we both cool down."
Michael's Dad took him on a tour of the house and asked if he was hungry. Michael said he only had a cup of coffee since dinner the night before and was famished.
"OK Michael we are going over to your uncle's house for lunch. He is expecting you."
It was only a ten-minute drive to his uncle's house. The house was enormous, like an ancient castle of a Shogun warlord. As they pulled into the circle driveway, the Master came out to meet them. Michael's uncle was short but very strong. He had worked in construction since he was in his early teens. When he hugged Michael, it hurt a little.
"Uncle I would like to say that I'm very sorry for your loss. Auntie was a very sweet person, and very beautiful."
"Thank you Michael. She has been gone almost two years. She passed just two weeks after our return from visiting you in California. That trip was her last request. I'm OK with her loss now, however when it happened I was numb. I had two daughters to raise on my own; not to mention the construction business. I must say it was very difficult for a while. The girls were in a private Academy and they only came home on the weekends. It was tough at first as the girls spoke mostly Japanese like their Mother, however I made it a rule that they would speak English when they were at home. Please come in and see our home. Make yourself comfortable."
Michael had thought his Dad's house was large, however his Uncle's house was like touring a museum. There was art of all types everywhere. His uncle had an eclectic collection of two Picasso drawings, a Monet, a Renoir and several Leroy Neiman originals and prints. He also had several Frank Frazetta paintings, and three Aldo Luongo serigraphs of the "Hawk". There were oriental vases, scrolls and Samurai swords everywhere. He was very proud of his collection and was adding to it all of the time.
"Michael, I have something for you."
He handed Michael a beautiful, highly polished walnut box. Michael opened it and couldn't believe what he saw. Inside the box resting on royal blue velvet covered interior was, a black handled Samurai sword. It was the most beautiful sword he had ever seen. The blade was engraved with a dragon, while the black speckled scabbard, was decorated with a white tiger and dragon design.
"It took an eighty year old craftsman over two years to finish this sword." said Michael's uncle. "He put his knowledge, his heart and his soul into it, and I want my only nephew to have it. I know that you will take care of it. Michael you must never forget the Golden Rule of the Sword,
"Do nothing which may injure you or damage the sword."
"Please hang it in a place of honor in your home."
"I don't know what to say Uncle. It is the most beautiful piece of work I have ever seen. I will cherish it always. Thank you so very much."
"Nothing is to good for my brother's only son. You and you alone must carry on the family name. Now let's have some lunch." Upon entering the darkened dining room, Michael was strongly affected by the beauty of it all. The room was adorned with walls of black Teak, inlaid with purple velvet panels and a flawless marble floor, which had been imported from Carrara Italy, where the Renascence artist Michelangelo obtained marble for his most famous works of art. There were stained glass windows of ancient Samurai; in various; sword wielding poses. On the large mahogany table, Michael saw a spread that would have shamed the Hilton buffet. There was everything from Sushi to Kobe steaks. Soups, salads; and vegetables of all kinds; and several bottles of vintage wine were placed randomly around the table. Three maids in uniform scurried around at their Master's gruff commands knowing that they could be dismissed at the snap of his fingers. Michael couldn't have been more impressed. When his Mother came in the room he smiled and stood up, as he hadn't seen her since they had left California. She went over to him and gave him a hug and a kiss on his cheek. "Michael I'm so happy to see you. It has been a long time without my baby."
"Mom, not the baby stuff again. I'm thirty-two and far from being a baby."
"No matter how old you are you will always be my baby Michael."
