Invitation
"I will be down in a minute." Sam hurries to the door and leaves her messy room. She finds Yoko waiting for her in a black BMW with the driver standing by the back door. He opens it for her to get in next to her friend.
"Thank you." Sam enters. "Sorry, I hope you haven't waited for a long time."
"No, it's all good."
She looks at her old friend and feels a bit embarrassed. Yoko is wearing an amethyst dress with a matching jacket and some fancy jewelry.
"Damn, I feel so underdressed."
"Oh, sorry. Ever since Kei opened that new mall, journalists have become very interested in the family. So, I always have to be picture ready." She takes a deep breath. "Actually, it is very exhausting."
"I have an idea." Sam smiles at Yoko.
"I don't know how I feel about that." Yoko laughs, she can see mischief in her friend's eyes.
Sam asks the driver to take them to Yokohama, then she tells him that they will call him when they finish. She takes Yoko's arm and they walk around until they find a clothing store.
"What are we doing here?"
"We are getting you out of those clothes." Sam says with a wide smile.
She gets her a few pairs of pregnancy jeans and some T-shirts to choose from. While Yoko tries some on, she grabs a hat, tennis shoes, and a pair of sunglasses. After Yoko puts the whole outfit on, Sam is satisfied with the result.
"Operation disguise complete." Yoko starts laughing and Sam joins her.
"So where to now?"
"Ice cream, of course." Sam wiggles her eyebrows.
They find the cutest café on the shore, and order two big ice cream coupes.
"Oh my goodness, these shoes are so comfy." Yoko looks like she is in bliss.
"I am glad I could be of service, ma'am."
They eat the dessert in silence, enjoying the beautiful ocean view and the gentle breeze playing with their hair.
"You know," Yoko breaks the silence. "Jiro still feels guilty about the other night."
She is silent for a moment. "It was bound to happen at some point anyway."
"Are you okay?"
Sam hated when people asked her that question. It implies that something is wrong, but the question is too simple, too broad, for the answer.
"Honestly, I am not sure," She utters as she gazes at the horizon.
"It has been so long, but do you think there are still some lingering feelings?"
"I don't think-" Sam starts.
"Yoko, I almost didn't recognize you."
Both Yoko and Sam turn toward the source of the voice. The woman is wearing a beautiful silk Yukata. When Sam takes a closer look at her, her eyes widen. It is Kei's wife.
"Hana, what are you doing here?" Yoko asks, panicking. She does not know what effect meeting Hana will have on Sam.
"I had some errands to run in Chinatown and thought I would take a break here." Hana's eyes scan Sam.
Yoko clears her throat. "This is my friend from high school, Samantha Martin."
Hana bows politely and Sam does the same.
"I think I have heard you guys talk about her before. You are Kei and Jiro's childhood friend, right?"
"That's me." Sam can't help the sarcasm in her voice, which doesn't go unnoticed.
Hana smiles. "Then, please join us for my husband's birthday this Thursday. The whole family will be there and I am sure they would love to see you."
"I am sure Sam is busy, she just moved here," Yoko jumps in.
"What's better than a party to make new acquaintances in town?"
Sam looks at Yoko and then at Hana. "I'm sorry but-"
"Please, I insist. Even my mother-in-law is going to be there."
'Why is she being so pushy?'
"Fine, I will be there." Sam says with a sigh, making Yoko nearly fall from her chair.
"Great, I will see you then. It was a pleasure to meet you, Samantha."
"You too, Hana." Hana disappears in the crowd and Sam leans back in her chair.
"Are you really planning on coming?"
"What do you think? Of course not." Sam shakes her head. "You saw how persistent she was. She wouldn't have left if I hadn't said yes."
They eye each other for a moment then they both burst out laughing.
"She can be pushy."
"I've noticed." Sam adds before they start giggling again.
When they part ways, both Sam and Yoko ponder Hana's invitation. Sam thinks about what it would be like to actually go and how Kei would react.
Yoko, on the other hand, knows Hana better. 'She must have an ulterior motive for inviting Sam. I have to talk to Jiro about this.'
The next morning, Sam feels more energy flowing through her body when she wakes up. Spending time with Yoko has always made her feel this way. She gets ready and goes down to the lobby where Ed is waiting for her.
"You look radiant this morning, Sam."
"Are you saying that I have been looking gloomy and dull lately?"
"Never." Ed answers with a straight face which draws a smile on Sam's face.
They get to the university a little early to be able to take a tour. The dean's assistant takes them around and shows Sam where her classroom and studio are.
As the time for her class draws closer, she gets more nervous. She has only had little experience teaching art classes here and there. She has never taught a university class before.
"I will be back after your class. I have a call with Nippon Magazine. They really want to do a piece about you." Sam is too nervous to focus on Ed's words.
"We can talk about it after class."
"Okay, break a leg."
Sam waves at him and walks to her studio. As soon she does, students start coming in. She can hear a few of them whisper, probably surprised to see someone other than their usual professor. A foreigner, for that matter.
She takes a deep breath. "Good morning, everyone."