Kaede Meet Jerry

I almost couldn't believe it: I was a senior in high school and nearly on my own. In just a few weeks, I would be eighteen and an adult. And soon after, I would be getting ready for college--if I could afford it. I had been waiting for this my whole life, knowing my success would be entirely up to me, and I was ready for the challenge.

It had been three months since Akira left for college and I tried to not think what I said to him that night, but it haunted me. I couldn't tell if he had been sincere or not, and I obsessively replayed our conversation a million times in my head trying to figure it out. When Mrs. Sendoh mentioned that he would be coming home for Thanksgiving with a friend from school. I was relieved. Maybe someone else in the house would distract us both from the memory of that strange night in his room.

The Sendoh's usually planned big Thanksgiving feast, inviting several relatives and friends over. The whole house was filled with laughter, music and the exotic aroma of Mrs. Sendoh famous curried turkey. I wished my dad could come see me, but he was working in the shop that weekend. I was happy that he was really trying hard to make something of himself in Osaka, but I missed him. At least I had my other family to make me feel like I was a part of something. Thanks to my sister, all because of her.

At dinner one night, I learned something interesting: Akira's friend was more of strategic alliance than anything else, and the whole family was focused on making a good impression.

"His father is Gerald Franklin, CEO of Franklin Bank. Jerry is half Japanese," Mr. Sendoh explained, his voice noticeably solemn. "Akira is hoping to get an invitation to interview for a job after graduation."

The expression on Mrs. Sendoh face was tense and she seemed to flinch at the mention of the name. I sensed there was more to this story.

"How does Akira know him?" I asked.

Ayumi jumped in. "My parents used to work for him back in his Big Apple days, right dad?"

I noticed that Mrs. Sendoh quickly left the room.

"Yes, I was a financial analyst at Franklin Bank," he explained. "That's where I met my beautiful wife." His eyes were sparkling with love. He looked over to the kitchen to share a moment with her, but she was busy cleaning up.

"Oh? What did Mrs. Sendoh do at the bank?" I asked, curious.

"She was Mr. Franklin executive assistant," said Mr. Sendoh, proudly. "But that was before I whisked her away to a better life in the hotel business." He winked at me.

"Well, I'm sure Akira will get the job then" I said, envious.

Must be nice to have connections with all the right people.

The morning of Thanksgiving, I awoke with a start from the most sensual dream of my short life, and it lingered in the air as my dream screamed from my beside table.

Him.

And me.

In bed.

Making love.

What the?

I slammed the snooze button and lay down, but there was no way I could fall asleep again. I replayed the dream in my head, trying to make sense of it.

Why did I dream about Akira?

There was no explanation. I felt as if my sub-conscious betrayed me and now laughed at my embarrassed and flushed face, like a massive joke has been played on me. I hadn't even been properly kissed at this point of my life, and the first dream I had about making love with a man...features Akira in the starring role?

My god, he was so handsome...

STOP IT! I commanded my mind. What the hell am I thinking. He is a man! And I'm a man too! I needed to get out of this bed before I started to imagine what it would be like if he joined me in it...the two us tangled up in the warmth and softness of Mrs. Sendoh pricey 800 thread-count, single-ply cotton Pima sheets.

I jumped up and threw on some jeans and shirt, and ran my fingers through my black raven-haired. I could smell breakfast mingled with the scents of the Thanksgiving feast to come. My stomach grumbled as I headed downstairs for a quick bite.

Maybe I could help Mrs. Sendoh make a few dishes. Staying locked in the kitchen sounded like a good plan, especially if I didn't have to face Akira after that dream. What if he could see it on my face? Could he possibly know I dreamed of--having sex with him last night? Yes, I would stay in the kitchen all day if necessary rather than risk revealing my thoughts to him.

As I walked downstairs I could hear the dining room already filled with the usual voices. But two stood out: One was Akira and the other, someone I didn't know.

Dammit! He and his rich friend are here already.

I decided to sneak into the kitchen, grab some cereal, and take it to the patio to eat alone. If anyone noticed, I'd tell them I needed some fresh air. But my plan fell apart when Ayumi met me at the foot of the stairs.

Why was she wearing a dress and high heels? How odd.

"Rukawa-Kun, come meet Jerry! Oh my gosh, isn't that funny, his name is actually Jerry?"

She tugged on my arm toward the dining room. Was this some sick joke?

"He is freakin' hot...wait 'till you see." I just rolled my eyes. If he's hot, so what's the matter with me? He is a man right. I'm a man too.

The entire family was eating breakfast around the table in the Sendoh's massive formal dining room. When Ayumi and I walked in, Akira and a blonde man, about his same age, stood up.

The rich banker's son.

This Jerry was as Ayumi promised, handsome--hot in a Calvin Klein underwear ad kind of way--and wearing a cute, cocky grin to match. In fact, he would have been any type of girls. I quickly glanced at Akira. Had I not had that stupid dream. He looked especially attractive in a light grey sweater and black slacks. I felt my cheeks burn.

Could he tell?

Jerry extended his hand.

"I heard there was a Rukawa Kaede in the house. I'm Jerry. Now we just need to find ourselves and we'll have ourselves a proper love triangle."

Charming, too. No wonder Ayumi was wearing false eyelashes at eight in the morning.

"Doaho," I retorted. Everyone laughed. That is, everyone but Akira. I avoided his pinched face. Something about the flirty exchange bothered him. Was he jealous?

We sat down and Mrs. Sendoh passed me a platter of eggs. Jerry was smiling at me in a way that almost made me blush.

Ayumi watched us carefully. "How long are you going to stay, Jerry?" She asked, flirtatiously flipping her long, dark tresses away from her face.

Akira cleared his voice and jumped in.

"We're flying back on Saturday. Jerry's parents are in Greece, so I invited him to spend the holiday with us."

"Have you been to Kanagawa before?" I asked Jerry. Having grown up here and not traveled yet, I always wondered what people thought of my home state.

He stared into my eyes in a way that seemed a but too direct.

"This is my first trip. From what I can see, it's absolutely gorgeous." He smile broadly at me, his white teeth gleaming, his light blue eyes catching the morning light through the window. I decided to pretend his remarks wasn't a poorly veiled attempt at flirting in front of the entire Sendoh family. I looked away and took a sip of orange juice.

Ayumi decided to make her move. "You should go to see Kanagawa beach. It's just a short walk from here...oh, and it's fed from an underground aquifer. The water is really clear--we swim in it all the time," she offered enthusiastically.

"That sounds like fun." Jerry said, politely, obviously not talking the bait by asking her to show it to him.

"We're studying for an exam, Ayumi," said Akira, looking disapproving in that way I used to. Ayumi smile faded.

I could feel Jerry's gaze on me again. I looked over and Akira deprecating expression was now aimed at me, so I kept my eyes on his friend.

"I'm sure we'll have time for a little fun," said Jerry, burning a hole through me with seductive stare and flashing a grin that would make any girl weak in the knees.

Within the course of a few hours, the house was filled with people laughing and eating. I tried very hard to stay in the kitchen and help with the food, but Mrs. Sendoh had it covered with her visiting cousins. There I was in the middle of several middle-aged women speaking and laughing at inside jokes while chopping, stirring and cleaning. So when she told me for the tenth time to go out and enjoy myself, I did.

I meandered to the nearest family room where several men were watching a soccer game and cheering. I leaned against the wall and spied from a distance, having decided to stick to the sideline. I noticed Akira in the opposite corner talking with Yuki, a pretty girl, about his age. I had met her once before when the Sendoh's had her family over for dinner. Akira seemed to enjoy talking to her, as much as someone like him could. She was smiling boldly at him with admiration, and perhaps a little crush.

Good luck girl.

When I felt a nudge in my arm, I jumped.

"You like soccer?" Jerry asked, smiling that amazing smile.

"Oh, hi. You scared me." I smiled back. His grin was infectious.

"I have that effect on men."

"I doubt it."

Jerry moved in a little closer, I could feel the intimacy of the shrinking space between us.

"How do you like living here...with the Sendoh's?" he asked, seemingly eager to make conversations with me.

"They're a great family. I'm just staying here until I graduate." I took a sip of mulled cider. "What are you studying at school?"

"Finance. Boring stuff. I don't like to talk about it. I'd rather talk about you." He leaned against the wall.

Wow, he's really coming onto me.

"Okay, but I warn you, I'm not really good at talking."

"Let me be the judge of that." He winked.

Okay, game on.

We chatted for almost an hour outside on the patio. I told him about my dreams, traveling the world, and how I missed my dad and my sister; and he told me about growing up in New York, spending the summers in the Hamptons, and how he dreaded working for his father's bank.

"So if you don't want to work in banking, why not do something else?" I asked.

He shrugged. "It's complicated family stuff. I have a lot of pressure to follow in some pretty old footsteps. So I accept my fate and just look for various ways to release said pressure."

"And what ways are those?" I almost regretted asking. I had just turned 18 and I was way out of my league with this guy.

He leaned in a little closer. "Well, I feel pretty relaxed right now, here with you. You're very beautiful, Rukawa-Kun. I've never seen before a pretty boy like you," he's trying to make seductive sound.

I looked down, blushing. My mind blanked out.

He broke the silence a moment later.

"You know, I would really like to see the beach" he asked casually.

"It's just a short walk from here. I could show you after dinner if you want," I offered, thinking it would be fun to spend time with someone who made me feel relax.

Jerry flashed his movie-star smiling.

After dinner, Ayumi pulled me aside. She had been busy for most of the day in charge of entertaining her younger cousin, so we hadn't spoken much.

"I think I'm in love," she exclaimed to me.

"With...?"

"Jerry! Isn't he gorgeous?" She looked to me for confirmation that yes, he was indeed a god.

"He's handsome. In a slightly clichéd way," I toyed with her.

She scowled at me and then sighed in defeat. "Rukawa-Kun, if only you can accept me as your lover, I won't chasing him you know." She continued, "but you just consider me as your little sister, right?"

"Then, go." I said to her. "I wish I could date him. But...you should help me Rukawa-Kun." She pleaded.

"Why me? Why don't you talk to your brother instead? After all, he is your brother friend." I said.

"Niisan? Don't be kidding, if he can help me, why would I need your help instead?" She demanded. "Well, I can't promised." Ayumi sighed in defeat.

After Ayumi left, I wondered if I was right to agree with Jerry for go out. And thought I should cancel, but I changed my mind when I glanced at Akira from across the room giving me his usual disapproving look.

I just finished getting dressed when I heard a decisive knock. I opened the door to a somber and serious Akira, which was about normal for him.

Great.

"Kaede...may I talk to you?"

It felt odd to see him standing at my bedroom door, so close to where I dreamed of him. My stomach quivered slightly. "Okay," I managed to squeak out.

He didn't move from the doorway.

"Jerry told me you're going out with him later."

"He wanted to see the beach. I was just going to walk over with him."

He got straight to the point.

"I have to respectfully ask you to not go with him."

I was confused. "Why not?"

He shuffled his feet, obviously feeling uncomfortable. "I just don't think that was a good idea."

I figured it out. I clenched my hands in rage. "Oh, I understand. He's the son of a powerful banker who might give you a job. You don't want him to hang around people like me and make me a bad impression."

His face fell. A tense moment hung between us.

"I never meant that," he uttered, weakly.

"Well, the last time I checked, I don't belong to you. You can't tell me what to do," I barked.

And then, like a cherry on top, I slammed the door in his tortured face.

It felt good...and horrible...and confusing. A small voice inside suggested I might have misread him. But I decided not to listen to it.

That was mistake.