Chapter 1: Making Plans

While this story was inspired by actual persons and events, certain characters, characterizations, incidents, locations, and dialog were fictionalized or invented for the purposes of dramatization.

July 13, 1983, Chicago, Illinois

“Keiko-chan, «結婚してください» (Kekkon shite kudasai)?” (“Will you marry me?”)

She smiled, “«もちろん結婚するよ» (Mochiron kekkon suru yo)! (“Of course I’ll marry you!”)

“I take it that means ‘Yes’,” I chuckled.

Keiko nodded happily then kissed me. Given our special circumstances, we had agreed to forego the traditional betrothal ceremony, and to exchange rings as soon as they arrived.

“Hold out your hand, please,” I requested.

She held out her right hand and smiled, “Remember, this is the traditional hand for Japanese. The right ring finger is said to be directly connected to the heart.”

I nodded and slipped the ring onto her finger, then handed her the box with my ring. I held out my right hand, and she slipped the ring onto my finger.

“You look uncomfortable in that suit,” Keiko said with an inviting smile. “Perhaps you should take it off!”

I took her hand and led her upstairs, where we undressed, got into bed, and made love, with Keiko on top of me. After we both had our release — multiple for Keiko — she stretched out on top of me.

“I love you, Jonathan,” she said dreamily.

“I love you, Keiko-chan. I think we should schedule the «yuino» for August 13th. That would be three weeks after you finish this round of chemo, and is enough time for everyone to plan to be there.”

“I think that makes the most sense.”

“And we should speak to the Shinto priest to choose a day for our wedding.”

“We need a Japanese calendar,” Keiko said. “We want a «大安» (Taian) day for the wedding. The Kanji mean ‘great peace’, and those days are the most auspicious for wedding ceremonies, but also for starting a new business, moving to a new home, or beginning a journey. I actually have one in my drawer, which I’ll check when we get out of bed.”

“How common are those days?”

“Every sixth day,” she replied. “The «六曜» (Rokuyo), or ‘six days’. The cycle repeats throughout the year, and resets on the first day of the month on the Japanese calendar, which isn’t identical to the Western one. Because of the number of days in a year, a specific date will not be the same type of day each year. Each day has a different auspice.

“The first is «先勝» (Sensho), and brings good luck in the morning, and bad luck in the afternoon. The second is «友引» (Tomobiki), and it brings good luck all day, except at noon. The third is «先負» (Sakimake), which brings bad luck in the morning, and good luck in the afternoon.

“The fourth is «仏滅» (Butsumetsu), which brings bad luck all day, and is the worst day of the cycle. The fifth is «大安» (Taian), which brings good luck all day, and is the best day of the cycle. Sixth is «赤口» (Shakku), which brings bad luck all day, except at noon.”

“Do you actually believe that?”

“I think the best answer is to ask why we would needlessly tempt Fate or upset the «kami». And it will matter to the priest. But you should treat it as you would a horoscope, which is basically how I think about it.”

“OK, but I do have to ask — the day you began your cancer treatment?”

“«先勝» (Sensho), so good luck when they began the chemotherapy. And Monday is «友引» (Tomobiki), so good luck except at noon.”

We lay together for about fifteen minutes until Bianca knocked on the door and let us know that dinner would be ready in five minutes. We reluctantly got out of bed, took quick showers, dressed, and Keiko got her calendar from her drawer and scanned it as we went downstairs.

“Perfect!” she exclaimed. “August 13th is «大安» (Taian)!”

“So even picking the date was good luck,” I chuckled.

“I think Saturday, October 8th or Saturday, November 12th, are the best choices, if the priest is free one of those two days.”

“Whatever will make your parents, grandparents, and the «kami» happy will make me happy.”

“Mom is serious about it, my grandparents a bit less so, and my dad thinks the same as I do.”

“I’m all for keeping your mom happy,” I replied. “At least as far as I’m able to, not being Japanese.”

We sat down at the dining room table, and Keiko held out her right hand.

“Does that mean what I think it means?” Kristy asked.

“It does! Jonathan asked me to marry him!”

We received congratulations from Jack, Kristy, Bianca, Juliette, and CeCi, though, unfortunately, Deanna was at work.

“Did you pick a date?” Bianca asked.

“We need to check with the Shinto priest,” Keiko said, “but the options right now are October 8th or November 12th, both of which are Saturdays. Those are ‘lucky days’ on the Japanese calendar.”

“Where?” CeCi asked.

“One step at a time,” I chuckled. “Keiko will call the priest tomorrow to find out if either of those days works for him. Keiko, what’s a proper venue?”

“A Shinto shrine,” she replied. “There are none in Chicago. I think the closest one would be Hawai´i, though there might be one in California. A large garden would work.”

“What about the Chicago Botanic Garden?” Jack suggested.

“What do you think, Keiko?” I inquired.

“I like the idea! But then we certainly need the October date if we want to be outside. November might be cold. If it’s OK with you, I’ll call tomorrow and find out if it’s possible and the details.”

“What’s with the rings on your right hands?” Juliette asked.

“That’s traditional in Japan,” Keiko replied.

“Some places in Europe do that, especially in the East Bloc,” Kristy observed. “Dad has Russian Orthodox friends who wear theirs on their right hand.”

“We have to have a bridal shower!” CeCi declared.

“And a bachelor party!” Jack added.

“How about a joint one?” I replied. “I was going to ask you about yours so I can arrange with the usual guys, plus whoever you want me to invite.”

“And a joint bridal shower, if Kristy and Keiko don’t object,” Bianca suggested.

“The problem is,” Keiko said, “I can’t be around large groups of people.”

“We’ll figure something out,” Kristy said. “Let’s chat after dinner.”

I figured the bachelor party would be simple — beer, burgers, and brats in the backyard. Neither Jack nor I were heavy drinkers, and a simple cookout would suit us both.

“Jonathan, does everyone know about Saturday?” Kristy asked.

“Yes,” I replied.

Saturday was Keiko’s birthday, and unfortunately, I couldn’t take her out for a romantic dinner because of her weakened immune system, but Jack and Kristy had offered to cook and serve us a romantic meal in the Japanese room. Bianca graciously offered to make a cake for us. And Keiko’s parents and grandparents would visit briefly during the afternoon.

When we finished eating, Kristy and Keiko went to the Japanese room, and Jack and I cleared the table, washed the dishes, and cleaned up the kitchen. While we worked, we agreed on the cookout idea, and after checking the calendar, chose August 20th. When we finished, Jack and I went to the Japanese room to see what the girls had come up with.

“We’re going to keep it small,” Keiko said. “We’ll each invite six girls. I’ll have to wear a mask the whole time, but I’m OK with that. What did you come up with?”

“A cookout,” I replied. “We’ll invite about twenty guys, including some of Jack’s friends from High School. Is there a best man at a Japanese Wedding?”

“No. The only participants besides the couple and priest are fathers, who make an offering to the gods. You would ask your grandfather or your father’s or mother’s brother, in the absence of your father.”

“I’m not seeing my grandfather agreeing to make an offering of any kind to any god,” I replied. “Would my mom’s brother be OK?”

“Yes, of course, given it needs to be a male relative. Do you think your grandparents will attend?”

“I have no idea,” I replied, “but it’s on them, not on me. I’ll invite them, and make it clear that it’s a Shinto ceremony. Did you two pick a date for the party?”

“We’re thinking August 21st,” Kristy said. “But I need to make sure Allyson is available.”

“If I calculate correctly,” Keiko added, “that’s the Sunday before the third round of chemo.”

“OK. I’ll put everything on the calendar in pencil, and we can adjust as necessary.”

“We’ll leave you two to spend time together,” Kristy said, getting up.

“We did THAT right after he asked me!” Keiko declared with a huge smile.

Kristy and Jack laughed, then left the room. I went to the kitchen, updated the calendar, then returned to the Japanese room to spend time with Keiko. We sat together for a bit, then she called her grandparents and parents to give them the good news, and I called my mom.

“I’m happy for you, Jonathan,” she said. “Keiko is a wonderful girl!”

“Your opinion matches my thorough analysis of the situation,” I replied. “So I believe I’m fully aware of that!”

“You can be such a smart aleck at times!” Mom declared. “Do you have a date?”

“Even I’m not crass enough to bring a date to my wedding!” I teased.

“Will you stop!” Mom demanded, laughing. “I meant, have you decided on a day for your wedding?”

“Oh,” I said flatly.

“Jonathan Edward Kane!” Mom growled, but she was laughing.

“All three names! I’m in deep sneakers now!”

“Look, Mister...”

“Either Saturday, October 8th or Saturday, November 12th. We’re hoping for the October date because we want to have the wedding at the Chicago Botanic Garden. We need to confirm with the Shinto priest.”

“Oh, that’s going to go over SO well with your grandfather.”

“As I said to Keiko, that’s his problem, not my problem. I’ll invite him and let him know it’s Shinto, and he can choose to be a little man or a big man. I have my bets.”

“Me, too,” Mom replied.

“I should tell you something important that will also likely result in Grandpa having a conniption fit — there’s a very good chance Keiko won’t be able to have kids. Keiko and I will adopt if that’s the case, but Bianca and I are going to have one together.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” Mom said, laughing. “That should send him right off the deep end!”

“If you’ll pardon the language, tough shit.”

“I work in a High School! Do you think I’ve never heard that word? And worse?”

“No, but being polite to my mom is important.”

“And I appreciate it. I suppose I can’t say anything about your choice, given how you came into the world.”

“I do NOT need details!” I chuckled. “I know the basic process!”

Mom laughed, “You’re too funny. You know I meant the fact that I wasn’t married to your dad.”

“I know. I’ll fill you in on the details once we have them. I don’t know all the traditions as yet, but we’ll make sure you know.”

“How far are you taking those Japanese traditions?”

“I’ll be wearing a kimono.”

“I think I’m going to buy a better camera than my Instamatic!”

“I’m sure we’ll hire my friend Dustin to take professional photographs, but you’re obviously welcome to take as many as you like.”

“Do I need some kind of special outfit?”

“No. Just normal wedding attire. It’ll be outside in early October, hopefully, and temperatures are usually in the 50s. I think they have a banquet hall, but I’m not sure, and obviously I don’t know if it’s available.”

“Just let me know. Congratulations, Jonathan. I’m very happy for you.”

“Thanks, Mom!”

We said ‘goodbye’, I hung up, then went back to the Japanese room to spend time with Keiko before bed.

July 14, 1983, Chicago, Illinois

Late on Thursday morning, I went to see Kendall Roy in Compliance to let him know to expect the application from Overland Park.

“The only hiccup is I begin my annual sensitive leave on Monday,” I said. “Mr. Matheson will handle any concerns or any client questions.”

“Unless the documents arrive tomorrow, the transfer won’t be complete until around the 27th. It’s coming in as instruments and cash, right?”

“Yes. There’s no point in liquidating their current holdings beforehand to transfer only cash. I’ll begin re-allocating their holdings when I return.”

“Then, for sure, no earlier than the 27th by the time I complete my review, Legal signs off, and their current broker transfers the accounts.”

“OK. There will be a secondary application for their charitable benevolence fund. I’m not sure when they’ll request to transfer that account, but I’d expect it in the next two weeks.”

“Total amount?”

“Eighteen plus three, so about $21 mil.”

He made some notes.

“OK. Have a nice vacation. Doing anything interesting?”

“Spending time with my fiancée who’s having chemo.”

“Sorry. I hope it works.”

“Me, too,” I replied. “And no need to apologize.”

“You should have all the paperwork waiting for you when you return.”

“Thanks.”

I left his office and returned to 29 to continue my research. At 11:25am, I left the office to meet Bev for lunch.

“I asked Keiko to marry me yesterday,” I said once we had our food.

“Totally not surprised!” Bev declared. “Did you set a date?”

“Keiko is making some calls today. We’re hoping for October 8th.”

“Justice of the Peace?”

“Shinto priest.”

“OK, now THAT is a surprise!” Bev exclaimed. “You aren’t religious!”

“Neither is Keiko, but it’s her cultural tradition, and I get to wear a kimono.”

“I’ll bring my camera!”

“That’s the same thing my mom said when I spoke to her last night.”

“I assume there will be a bridal shower?”

“Yes. Kristy and Keiko are planning a joint one, and Jack and I will have a joint bachelor party. You and Glen will receive an invitation.”

“How is she doing? Be honest, Jonny.”

“I think the best thing to say is that the first round of chemo was successful, but there is a long way to go. The doctor didn’t give a prognosis because Keiko is in the middle group; not the best, not the worst.”

“Which means?” Bev asked.

“That the first round of chemo reduced her leukemia cell count significantly, but didn’t eliminate it, and she had some increase in cancer cells afterwards. It’s basically a neutral result. That said, there were none in her spinal fluid, which is a positive development. We’ll know more after the next round, which starts on Monday. How are things with Glen?”

“Good! He found a teaching job in Oak Park. He was issued a temporary Illinois teaching license, but it should be made permanent before it expires in two years.”

“That’s great! How is your job?”

“I like it. I signed up for paralegal classes starting in September.”

“Nights?”

“Yes. Glen agreed he’d watch Heather while I’m taking classes.”

“And you two?” I asked.

“I expect him to ask me to marry him once he starts his new job in August. I’ll say ‘yes’, obviously.”

“Obviously! Are you happy, Bev?”

“Yes. That’s not slight on you, Jonny.”

“I didn’t take it as one,” I replied. “All I ever wanted is for you to be happy.”

“Are you?”

“Yes. I love Keiko, and I’m lucky to have her.”

“But her...”

“Bev,” I interrupted, “what kind of man would I be if I let that affect how I think about Keiko? Bianca flat out asked me what I’d do if Keiko received a terminal diagnosis, and I said I’d still ask her to marry me. I said I wouldn’t be able to look at myself in the mirror if I pushed her away because she has cancer.”

“You were always very protective of me,” Bev said. “Even after I treated you badly.”

“I can’t even begin to imagine the stress you were under as a pregnant teenager, and then the mess with Bob and paternity, and then wanting to keep your relationship with Glen secret. Did you decide what to do about your parents?”

“I don’t want to talk to them.”

“I understand that, and it’s your decision, but I’d try to reconcile.”

“Your mom never reconciled with her parents.”

“And after having dinner with them at my uncle’s house, I fully understand that. The difference is, your dad isn’t a Republican Evangelical Fundamentalist. I’ll invite my grandparents to the wedding, but I’ll be shocked if they attend, given it’s going to be what is, in their mind, a pagan ceremony.”

“Did he use that term?”

“No, I actually learned it from my friend, Anala. CeCi uses it too to refer to Christmas and Easter as ‘pagan holidays’.”

“What denomination is she?”

“Quaker,” I replied. “Though not so much that you’d notice.”

Bev laughed, “Which means you got her into your bed!”

“No comment,” I replied.

“Does anyone at your house go to church?”

“Bianca, occasionally, with her mom or grandmother, to make them happy. Kristy is nominally Lutheran, but stopped going when she moved out of her parents’ house. She and Jack are marrying at her mom’s church.”

“And your Indian friend is Hindu, right?” Bev asked.

“Yes. She goes to a Hindu temple in the suburbs, though I don’t know any details. None of the boys go to church, as I’m sure you can imagine.”

“No church would have them, I suspect.”

“I honestly don’t know. Tom and Maria are Catholic, and I know she goes regularly, and Tom occasionally goes with her. But neither she, nor her sister, nor Lily, were fanatical the way my grandfather is, or the way Rachel Kealty was.”

“That was the girl who was totally into you, but who was too religious for you, right?”

“Yes. I might have handled that better, but, in the end, someone with an Eastern mindset is a better fit.”

Bev smirked, “It fit, alright!”

I laughed, “You told me, that first night, that you were very happy you didn’t see it before it was in you because you would have freaked out!”

“Despite wanting to do it, I was naïve.”

“Me, too. But it’s pretty easy to figure out! And you were not shy about telling me what you wanted!”

“Guys have it so easy!” Bev complained good-naturedly. “Orgasms are basically automatic!”

“Poor baby,” I teased.

“Did you land that new client?”