...Part 14: Suna Akimoto...
The phone rang just as I was opening the tea shop. "Hello. Chiisai Tea, this is Suna – what can I do for you?" I sounded like a recording, I'd said that so much.
"Hi, Suna! It's Risa. I'm on the plane right now and I'll be home in about an hour. Do you think you could pick me up from the airport? – I know Satoshi has work."
"Sure!" My voice brightened. "I'll be there. How was your tour of Europe?" I went against my own rule and pulled myself up to sit on the counter to listen.
"It was great! I got to see all sorts of landmarks – the Eifel tower, Acropolis, Stonehenge, Rome, Venice – I think Italy was my favorite country by far. And of course I got pictures and souvenirs for everybody, but you have to be there to get the full experience of it."
"Of course," I agreed. I figured it was like that with most places.
"And Suunaa," she added. I could almost hear her smile. "I've got a huge surprise for you! I hope you're sitting down!"
"Risa – what?" I could hear indistinguishable murmurs from the other end of the line. An insisting tone arguing with a softer, more reluctant one – hesitant. I thought I heard a growl, but maybe that was just the plane's engine in the background.
"Hello... Suna..."
I froze in disbelief, staring blankly at nothing in particular. The phone began to slip out of my hand, but when I realized this I scrambled to catch it again. "Is it really you?" I whispered.
"Yes, it's me."
I giggled in a way that sounded hysterical. "Krad –" I shook my head. I didn't know what to say – I was ecstatic.
"Are you okay...?" My silence must've worried him – or maybe it was the giggle. Whatever.
"Yes!" I nearly shouted. "You're coming home – finally! You have no idea how excited I am." The way I was freaking out, you'd think I was ten again.
Mitsukai came down to the kitchen, then. "Mom, what's going on? Why are you shouting?" He blinked as I suddenly pulled him to me in a massive hug, pressing the phone down on my shoulder.
"Your father's coming home, Mitsukai," I whispered excitedly.
He scowled. "Good for him."
"Don't' be like that, sweetie. If nothing else, you can get all your questions answered, okay? I know he's a stranger to you, but please give him a chance for me – who knows? You might like him once you get to know him."
Mitsukai was still scowling, but he rolled his eyes, giving in. "Fine."
I turned my attention back to the phone. "Krad? You still there?"
"Yeah. I'm here, Suna."
"It's so wonderful to hear you say that again," I told him. "I'll be at the airport to pick you and Risa up – car travel may not be your style, but..." I shrugged. "So, I'll see you there."
"I love you, Suna," he said quietly.
"I love you too." I forced myself to hang up the phone and turned to Mitsukai.
"How can you love someone like that?" he asked me. A disgusted look masked his face.
"Mitsukai –" He grabbed a roll off of the pan and headed out the door with his book-bag slung over his shoulder. He had school, but I didn't really want him to go. I wanted him to meet Krad when he stepped out of the crowd at the airport.
But I guess that wasn't going to happen...