1.34 A Fitting Ending to Slim Novel 1

Slim Novel 1 - http://adventuresofkimi.blogspot.com - See Homepage

34: Hama Rikyū

Kimura suggests they visit Hama Rikyu, a leading Tokyo tourist site near Hamamatsucho Station, along the shore where the Sumida River becomes Tokyo Bay and where city folk may lose themselves in the natural beauty of former Edo, the old name for Tokyo.

  On the way, they walk by the Imperial Hotel designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and Kimura points proudly, “It is the only building that withstood the 1923 earthquake!”

  “Which only proves that God has piss-poor judgment,” quips Tommy, adding “That building fits Tokyo like a Mayan pyramid in New York's Times Square.”

  Ali comments, “It recalls Harry Thaw’s ‘My God, I shot the wrong architect.’ on seeing Rockefeller Center."

  Kimura explains to Kimi that the very rich man, Harry Thaw, shot an architect who romanced Thaw’s girlfriend. They cross a final street to a stretch of bare brown ground leading to a many-hundred year-old wall of stacked black rocks. There, Kimura buys tickets. From a gate entrance, a gray pebble path leads into a forest. Almost magically, sights and sounds of Tokyo blank out, quiet Nature surrounds them, and the path divides.

  “Let's split,” suggests Tommy, grabbing Kimi’s hand and leading her to the left path.

  Kimura turns to Ali. “Do you mind taking the right road with me?”

  She replies “With you, anywhere,”

Kimi and Tommy walk on. As they stroll the narrow path taking in its pine-tree fragrance, Kimi imagines being a little girl again on an outing; while Tommy, holding her hand, hums an American tune. They come to a pond on which two swans glide among heart-shape green lotus leaves with occasional white blossom and from which a group of fat orange carp peer up at the weird human forms. Tommy sits on the grass by the pond's edge, taking out a big black handkerchief and spreading it for Kimi to sit on his left.

  “Where are you from?”

  “North Island”

  “No wonder so quiet. I’ve read North Islanders are more serious types.”

  “I am fisherman’s daughter, ashamed to show the nothing I know.”

  “From your eyes, I think you’re wise. Speaking of eyes: close yours and make a wish.”

  She shuts eyes and feels the light brush of his face across her cheek and touch of lips on hers.

  “Good wish?”

  “Um, good.” She looks into his eyes. “We go back now.”
   Hand in hand they walk in silence. She fears she will ruin things by saying more. Her heart thumps. Strange, she thinks. Why I feel this? Against my training. But never a man kiss me by a pond with eyes closed, and I, wishing to kiss just as I do. It wonderful crazy happiness!  Is it love?

   They come out of the forest to a beach. Yards away, Ali stands with camera snapping a scene while Kimura sits on a rock admiring her view.

A whistle shatters the silence.
   Kimura stands and says “Closing time, we better get out or we’ll be locked in.”

   The Americans have to be back at hotel for an appointment. Kimura and Tommy shake hands. As he gets into a taxi, Tommy says to Kimi: “Don’t forget that ice cream soda.” And Ali puts her card in Kimura’s hand and says, “Call me wontchya?”

   Kimura and Kimi stand and wave. They catch the next taxi and Kimi gets off at her club.

End of Slim Novel 1 

To read a great short story, click Gold Blindness by Erle Stanley Gardner, edited by ... here. 

To start a Slim Novel 2, World’s Fair 1939, tells a trip to USA. To go to its start now, click 2.1 A Date in Tokyo/Anti American Rant