Chapter 73

“Oh! Baby girl!” Kyoko marveled. “She’s talking.”

“A little,” Erika said.

“Did it sound British to anyone?” Billy asked. “It sounded British to me.”

“Well, it will come faster now,” Kyoko said. “She’ll enjoy the attention she gets from using words. Congratulations again on your win.”

“Thank you.” Tom Alan and Erika spoke in unison.

“Your Japanese fans are quite excited fall is nearly here. The entire country cannot wait to see you.”

Erika knew the exaggeration was only slight. “Jesse’s here!” She hoped to steer her mother toward the reason for her unexpected trek to Thailand. Surely she wasn’t…

“How are you, Jesse?”

“Good, Mrs. Tsuchino. Everything’s good. Mostly. How are you?”

“I am well. Your grandmother and I spoke. She is a devoted and loving guardian. You are quite lucky.”

“I am.” There was a hint of regret, possibly, for what Jesse had put her through over B-boy. “I love her.”

Are you still a her, Mother? Erika wanted to ask.