Tears on Both Sides of the Ocean (part 4)

Mom and dad prayed every night for Carlo wishing him a safe trip. They too had not heard from Eke since she left that early day in May. Uncle "Joe" had visited some time the middle of June and spent the night as they talked till all hours as mom and dad learned about the real reason for Eke's return. Uncle "Joe", according to mom, almost was apologetic for his brother's actions but then again you could tell that even though he lived in the United States he was still of the old school Japanese. They respected their elders; they honored the traditions and lived proudly within their inherited culture. Look at all of the symbolism within the tea ceremony and the detail to which they go to in preparation and performance. Traditions are inbred and followed to a precise point. So it is no wonder that they responded the way they did, especially being at such a distance where they had no control. And even Eke could have very easily refused to go home but in respect for her parents and their siblings, and her culture she knew she had to honor them and return home and try to deal with things from there even though she had not completed her school year.

Had Carlo arrived in Wakayama? Had he seen Eke? Did the Suki's welcome him into their home? Anxiously they awaited word knowing that Carlo would soon write or call.

The train trip was difficult as Carlo was caught up in a flow of emotion. He had traveled all of this way and now he was questioning himself and it was becoming almost too much for this tall, lanky, Mexican young man. Thoughts of his mother raising him alone; the reflection back to his discussion with Manuel Jose Gonzales; his vision of those last moments together with Eke in Bakersfield were all causing him to tighten up inside and he was for the moment a wreck. What was he going to do once he arrived in Wakayama?

The train arrived at 3 o'clock sharp. According to the directions, the hotel was only about 5 blocks away. So Carlo decided to walk to see if he could relieve some of the tension. Fortunately he only packed two bags and so the hike was tolerable and he arrived within a few short minutes. There was a minimal line at the counter in a very narrow lobby/hallway (it was the only hotel that was available within his price range). Again, it was clean but definitely not of the quality of the hotel the night previous. Once he arrived at the counter, the clerk was polite enough but there was something that he could not put his finger on that was different from his stay in Tokyo. The clerk looked to another person when he gave his name and they both nodded. He couldn't ask what that was about since he didn't know the words to use so just assumed that it had nothing to do with him. He got his key, headed toward the elevator and then up to the 5th floor.

Carlo immediately pulled out his writing pad to catch up on his correspondence since he had not communicated back home since leaving San Francisco. He knew that his family and our mom and dad were most likely worrying themselves sick knowing that Carlo was so far away and unseasoned as a traveler. The letters were short but they were reassuring that all was fine and he was ready to fulfill his quest starting tomorrow.

I had actually been to Japan earlier that year and stayed with the Suki's at there request while attending a wedding of my wife's "foreign sister". She was the daughter of the family that Jill stayed with one summer as an exchange student from the United States. They spoke no English and I knew no words of Japanese. But during that week, I learned a great appreciation for these polite people and their wonderful quality of life. The word family had true meaning in their culture. It was everything in those years. The elders had paid their dues and they were respected for that and that respect had been going on for centuries. This made it especially hard for me to hear what was happening since I could see and appreciate both sides.

Carlo awoke in the middle of the night and couldn't get the "nods" out of his head. What was that all about? Was there something he should be aware of? Suddenly he heard something being slipped under his door. At first he was a bit frightened, not exactly sure of what to do so he lay there quietly waiting to see if he could hear anything from the hallway. After a few moments went by and not a sound heard, he turned on the bedside light and saw that there was an envelope on the floor. After a sigh of "what now" he made his way to the doorway and picked up the envelope labeled "23B". (...to be continued)