Haru looked at the desert.
And then he looked back at the airport.
This couldn't be the right place. His mom specifically said that Jasper was the 'Entertainment Capital of the World,' and this place...most definitely not that place.
Then again, whenever his mom said that she would usual end up laughing. Haru was starting to get why now.
The desert was exactly like he had heard described: empty, desolate, a barren wasteland. The airport, on the other hand, was bustling with life and beckoning the young man to return to it and get as far away as possible. And Haru was pretty sure he was going to listen to the voice beckoning him back to the big building.
Haru took the first few steps back into the safe, air-conditioned building, his suitcase bouncing against his leg as he turned.
HONK-HONK!
Haru turned back, surprised to see a taxi awaiting his command. Maybe this was a sign? Maybe he wasn't supposed to leave? At least, not leave just yet?
"Where do you need to go, sir?" The taxi driver asked, reaching for Haru's suitcase.
"I..." Haru trailed off, having to think about this for a moment. He wasn't supposed to meet his mother's friends until tomorrow... "I need to find a hotel for the night," Haru finally told the man.
"Right away, sir," the driver replied, putting the suitcase in the trunk and opening the cab door for Haru. "Hey, where you from anyway? I hear an accent."
"Japan," Haru smiled.
"Oh, that's cool. You guys make great cars," the driver remarked, pulling out into the traffic. Haru sighed, and leaned back into his seat. This was going to be a long drive...
~(0)~
Rafael walked down the streets of Jasper, all the sights and sounds taking him back to his youth. Raf could remember driving his toy cars down these streets, he remembered walking these same streets with his mom, all those years ago.
He remembered when Bee would drive him down these roads, taking him home or to the base.
"It hasn't changed a bit," Raf marveled aloud, shaking his head in disbelief. Even all these years later, Jasper was unchanging, a static spot in the desert.
"I'll say," an older man near Raf agreed. "Everything looks the same!"
"You grew up here too?" Raf asked the other man in surprise.
"Yeah, I'm meeting some friends tomorrow. Maybe you know them?" The man replied, turning to face Raf. Both men looked at the other in shock, eyes widening and jaws dropping.
"Jack? Jack, what is it?" An older woman asked, shaking his shoulder as she tried to get his attention.
"Sierra, you remember Rafael Esquivel?" The man asked, turning the redhead at his side.
"Of course, the resident genius of Jasper," Sierra laughed.
"Well, some people may call me that," Raf chuckled. "But most just call me Raf."
"Raf!" Sierra explained in surprise. "How are you?"
"The years have been pretty good to me, what about yourself?"
"Can't complain," Sierra smiled.
"And Jack," Raf shook his head in amazement. "I can't believe it's you!"
The two friends hugged each other, the shock and surprise still written in their eyes.
"It's been ages! How's Italy? The kids?" Raf asked eagerly.
"Absolutely wonderful, we just sent our youngest off to college. What about yours?"
"I had a surprise baby a couple of years ago, so my wife and I are basically starting back at square one."
"Children are absolutely adorable," Sierra cooed.
"Have you heard from Miko? Is she coming?" Jack asked.
"I haven't heard from her, but that doesn't mean anything," Raf laughed. "She never told us anything, anyway. Besides, she was the one to make us swear to come back. If she's not here we'll have to do something about it."
"True, I've been wanting to visit Japan," Jack grinned.
"Oh no, don't you even dare," Sierra warned, taking a step away from her husband and glaring. "You get to choose one city, one country, oh heck with it, one continent, but we are not traipsing across the whole globe on one of your whims! We either go back to Italy, or we stay in the states! Make up your mind!"
"I think you've upset her," Raf whispered conspiratorially to his friend.
"I think it's my irresistible charm," Jack whispered back good naturedly.
"Jackson Darby," Sierra warned.
"Sierra Darby," Jack countered.
"Oh, what am I going to do with you?" Sierra sighed.
"Not much you can do with me, but that's why you love me, right?"
"And I used to think you were so charming," Sierra sighed again.
"Used to?"
"Yes, used to."
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry, you're right. I'll let you pick where we spend our retirement, okay? Wherever you want. If you say Hawaii, we'll go to Hawaii, if you say Russia, we'll go there! If you say China or Paraguay, Spain or Somali, we'll retire there. I promise."
"Oh Jack," Sierra rolled her eyes.
"But either way, it's getting late. Do you want to join us for dinner, Raf? We're going to Mel's."
"Mel's is still here?" Raf asked surprised, remembering going to that restaurant twenty years ago, almost to the day, with his dad.
"Yep, and they still make really great food," Jack grinned.
"Of course, then," Raf agreed. "Maybe we can go back to Mel's with Miko tomorrow?"
"Sure. Let's just hope that girl isn't late!"
"With Miko, you never know," Sierra laughed.
"She had a good heart, just not a good sense of time management," Raf agreed.
"We'll worry about our favorite Japanese friend tomorrow," Jack decided. "All I know is I'm hungry, and we should probably get to Mel's before they run out of pie!"
"Mel's never runs out of pie, silly," Sierra reminded him.
"Oh yeah. So, tell me what's been going on around here, Raf. What have you been up too?" Jack asked.
The trio headed down the street, talking, laughing, and reminiscing about the past. Their group would be perfect tomorrow, when a certain Japanese would join them in the memories.