Chapter 3: Decisions

Kira began to show up every day to swim. After the first week Chunk would just give a little woof when he heard her at the gate and trot out to greet her. I would usually wander out and wave at her, then sit down at my coffee table to watch her over a steaming mug of java. I always brought out a portfolio of an amateur model for her to peruse after her swim which she did roughly half of the mornings. On Saturday I left a stack outside and went into my kitchen to meal prep for the week. She was glued to the stack and spent much more time with the pictures when I wasn’t actively watching.

After the third week Taki and Fumi came over to apologize for their daughter taking advantage of my hospitality, which I vehemently denied she was doing. I suspect that Fumi was also checking to make sure everything was okay, after all her daughter spent most mornings with a man she hardly new. I served them tea on the deck while we chatted about the perils of raising teenage girls.

Through the conversation I learned that Taki was actually leaving for several months and would be back for Christmas. He had only stayed to get his family unpacked and complete registration for schools and was scheduled to fly in a couple weeks. His company was not having the luck they hoped for in the US and wanted to debrief him personally.

“That means I need to get to know you like a proper neighbor and swap this tea for beer and whiskey!” I waved off his protests as I brought out some good bottles and one round turned into 5. I was feeling good, but I could tell Taki was not a heavy drinker as his English devolved fairly rapidly.

“I happy for your being neighbor! Good-a man, verly generous! I sink you and I, good-a friends in future! Many stories about a-you from office, many people know you.” He was practically falling off his chair when Fumi asked for help carrying him back home. I could tell she was a bit embarrassed by his behavior. I guessed she was fairly straight laced, as her posture had not slipped once since being over.

Taki continued to jabber, his immaculate sweater and khakis now slightly dishevelled. A small stain from whiskey, spilled when he used to glass to punctuate some point I couldn’t understand, now adorned his pants. Fumi had dabbed at it quickly but he swatted her hands away. She had not finished her beer, and her sweater and long skirt still looked pressed and neat.

“I am very sorry, I believe we must go now,” She listened to him whisper loudly to her in Japanese and nodded. “We are sorry to inconvenience you, but could you help get us to the car?”

Standing and pulling Taki up to a standing position, I felt it was the least I could do. “Haha, it’s no problem! I should have warned him this is very strong stuff.”

With a heave, I hoisted Taki over my shoulder and walked him to their sedan, setting him gently in the back seat. “I know he drove over, but are you good to drive back? It’s a good 20 minutes on foot which could do me some good if you want me to drive back.”

“Thank you Mr. Turner, very nice of you. I am afraid I have not received my American drivers license yet,” Fumi murmured as she settled in the passenger seat. I buckled in and even though it was a short drive, I couldn’t help but notice her eyeing me a little.

Clearing my throat awkwardly I addressed the looks, “Miss Fumi, is something wrong?”

She started in her seat, startled to be caught, but shook her head and laughed a little. She had only sipped at the beer but she definitely had a nice buzz going. “When I was a young girl, I dated a big American man like you. I dated many big American man, I was wild beach girl. You remind me of one of American men.” She giggled, but then horror crept into eyes as she realized what she had just said. Her hand flew to cover her mouth and the other nervously smoothed her skirt as she attempted to compose herself.

Taki wasn’t paying attention in the back, speaking loudly in Japanese and laughing at his own jokes. I grinned at Fumi, who was clearly abashed by her sudden outburst. I reached over and patted her leg, letting her know I hadn’t taken it too seriously. On a whim I decided to leave the hand there, gently rubbing her thigh.

“Can I tell you a secret?” Fumi nodded and looked at my hand, unsure of how to react but too polite to make a fuss. “I dated several Japanese girls when I lived there. I studied in Japan, and lived near Tokyo for 3 years. I miss some of them very much. I almost married a girl who looks a little like you.” And a lot like your daughter, I thought.

I rubbed my hand further up her thigh, giving it a meaningful squeeze. She shifted slightly as my fingers swept delicately towards indecency. She let out a small breathy gasp as my hand neared her erogenous area and I looked over, pulling the hand back, “I’m sorry, old habits!” She stared at where my hand had brushed not replying, but a brilliant scarlet blush had covered her neck.

We spent the rest of the ride in silence until I pulled up to their idealic suburban home. Moments late I was unloading and helping Taki into their door and depositing him on the couch. I thanked Fumi for visiting and headed towards the exit. I saw a small movement as I exited their breezeway and caught a quick glimpse of Miku, the youngest, staring at me from the window before she dashed out of sight.

I enjoyed the walk home in the cool Autumn air, and spent the rest of the afternoon in a hammock reading my favorite book. I kept the buzz going with some delicious whiskey, and occasionally scratched Chunk’s ears who had stationed himself under my hammock, snoring loudly. I must have dozed off because I woke up to Kira looking down at me with that dazzling smile of hers.

“Good evening Mr. Dan! I hope you don’t mind, I missed swimming this morning.” It was a struggle not to pull the girl into the hammock with me. Wavy hair framed her lovely face as she leaned over me. Even Chunk wasn’t immune to her charms as his tail made a thumping sound against the ground. Her eyes sparkled against her tanned skin, and the faintest hints of strawberry and vanilla scents reached my nose.

With a stretch and an effort I mumbled, “Hello Kira, you are looking lovely tonight. I must have fallen asleep in the sun.” She quirked her head and looked up at the shade now falling across me.

Her nose crinkled in thought before replying, “Mr. Dan, I think you must have been asleep many hours. Do you need help getting up?” She squealed as Chunk let her know he had not received his due attention by licking her exposed ankle.

“Hello Chunk San. I am very sorry, I should have greeted you properly as well.” She squatted down to rub his belly, much to his doggie delight. They had to be roughly the same size, if he didn’t outweigh her by a couple pounds. I swung myself up as she pet my dog, admiring the smoothness of her exposed back. She had those damn tiny shorts and flowy midriff showing blouse on again. I couldn’t help but stare.

Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and speaking half in yawn I said, “Feel free to use the pool Kira. I think I’m going to head up to the house and grab a water. I may have had a couple with your dad today. Very nice guy.”