2018-08-13

Paid Date (Take 4)


Paid Date
by Joel Matthew Rees,
November 2017 to August 2018, Amagasaki, Japan
Copyright 2017, 2018 Joel Matthew Rees

We have some minor business today in a clean, modern health food sandwich shop.
We note three young men sitting at a table, talking, but not ordering. The youngest of the three is one of our charges, and we bear certain responsibilities for the older two by dint of their relationship to him. Behind the counter, the chef and his sole staff at present, a young woman who is also one of our charges, discuss the three young men quietly.
The door of the shop jangles open and a young man, yet another of our charges, enters, carrying a basketball against his hip. He spots the three and hails the youngest.
"Hey, Bru, who's your friends?"
"Yo, Kurt," Bruce raises his fist for a back-of-the-hand bump as Kurt approaches. "My homies."
"Bru’s Bros," Kurt nods to the two young men sitting across from his friend. “Kurt Hier.”
"Robert," the younger of the two declares, kicking his head back slightly in greeting.
Kurt responds in kind.
"Rob's just back from his mission in the Ukraine." Bruce moves over a bit so Kurt can slide in beside him.
"Gareth," the older inclines his head slightly.
Kurt returns the nod.
"Gar's in his last year of college."
The four talk briefly of school and missions.
"So," Kurt leans back, "what's up?"
Gareth leans forward conspiratorially, "Bru says you get around."
Kurt gives him a blank look.
"With the women!" Robert lets his enthusiasm get ahead of him.
Kurt tilts his head, "Nah, I just make sure I date twice a month, rarely the same woman twice. Keeps the Relief Society President happy."
"Do you kiss 'em all?" Robert is not to be discouraged.
"Bruce, homies or tennis team, this is a breach of etiquette. Why am I here?"
Bruce visibly backpedals. "Guys, I don't know why I let you talk me into this."
Gareth glances in the direction of the order counter and leans forward again, speaking in a low voice. "Bru says good things about you, and we’ve got a favor to ask. Could make it worth your while, something like a fifty ..."
Kurt frowns. "I can tell I have doubts."
Gareth and Robert are suddenly quiet.
"Uhm, guys," the young woman’s voice breaks in from behind Kurt, "I don't own this place. Somebody has to order something."
We note Kurt's eyes widen slightly at the sound of her voice. "Got something 100% from the tree, no added sugar?" he asks without turning around.
"Apple or mango today," she replies, a laugh covering a catch in her voice, "if reconstituted's okay."
"Mango sounds good. Rob's buying."
Robert starts.
"Just kidding," Kurt turns with a grin to get a look at the young woman, who is studiously checking her order pad. "I'll take a mango."
She nods without looking up.
The brothers laugh. But with Kurt having ordered they find it awkward to delay further, and each orders something to drink.
"That was easier than usual. Thanks, guys."
"Sure, Bree," Bruce grins. The four all chorus their agreement.
She smiles lopsidedly and returns to the counter.
"You didn’t tell me -- that you have a sister, Bru," Kurt observes, watching her fill their drinks. "Twin?"
"Yeah, Brianna."
"She looks like you."
Bruce studies his feet.
"And, if I were guessing," Kurt continues, "you three had the less-than-stellar idea to try to pay me to insert her into my dating schedule."
"Is it such a bad idea?" Robert asks defensively.
"Ask Bru."
Bruce doesn’t look up.
"You have Bru’s recommendation," Gareth goes on the attack, "and I can think of worse reasons to date."
"I can think of better."
"True," Robert acknowledges, and the conversation wanders off into dating experiences.
"Here’s your drinks, guys."
There is a chorus of thanks and some small talk before Brianna returns to the kitchen area.
"Tell you what," Kurt swirls his ice, still observing Brianna and the chef at work, "I'll forgive you guys if you can take me in a little hoop." He nods at the park across the street, visible through the window.
"Huh?" Both older brothers evidence confusion.
"Three on one," Kurt grins.
"Bru says you can be cocky, but, ...," Gareth laughs, "forgive?"
"Meaning I refrain from punishing you for asking me to insult your sister by accepting money to take her out."
Robert raises an eyebrow, "If you somehow win?"
"I choose your penance."
"Let's see if you’re as good as Bru says," Gareth snickers.
But Bruce rolls his eyes.
The young men pay for their drinks and go outside into the summer heat.
An hour later, they file back inside, laughing and sweating profusely.
"So, what's this penance we have to do?" Robert asks as they sit down.
"Let's see if we can make the punishment fit the crime."
"Incoming," Bruce signals quietly.
"Uhm, the boss says --"
"I could use a small tofu burger and a salad after that workout," Kurt grins, with raised eyebrows. "What about you guys?"
The three brothers look at each other.
"Didn't someone mention a canceled," he coughs, "... project, and some leftover funds?"
"Uh, I guess so," Gareth hesitates.
"Well, I could think of worse things to do with it than get something to eat," Kurt says pointedly, "if the money were mine."
Persuaded, the brothers each order something, and the four talk while they eat. As they pay and leave, they all say goodbye to Brianna and the chef.
--
Three weeks later, we again have business in the area of the sandwich shop. Kurt and the three brothers are playing two-on-two in the park.
"You know," Kurt says as Gareth rebounds, "you guys still haven't finished your penance."
"Foul!" Gareth calls, "Who can play with you tossing comments like elbows?"
Everyone laughs.
Robert leans on his knees, breathing hard. "Wasn't the penance to quit pushing Bree to date?"
"How many dates has she been on since I told you to knock it off?"
"Two last week, and she's got one tonight."
"So, basically, she just needed less interference from you guys."
Kurt steals the ball and passes it to Bruce, who drops in an uncontested layup.
"Let's break for some food."
The brothers agree.
The four of them cross the street and enter the sandwich shop. (We follow, unnoticed, as always.)
"Hey, Bree!" Four young men chorus.
"Hi, guys, ya eatin' today?"
"Yeah. Mom'll complain, we know," Robert laughs.
"Your mom might, but I won’t!" the chef calls out from behind the grill.
Brianna laughs, too.
While the four talk after ordering, Kurt watches Brianna, deep in thought.
"I don't get it," Gareth asks quietly.
"What?"
"You do like Bree."
"Yeah."
"Kurt’s decided to ask her out after school starts, and he wants us to give her static about it. Reverse psychology," Bruce explains in low tones.
"What's with the whispering?" Brianna asks from behind the counter, collecting the brothers’ orders.
"Kurt says he thinks he's in love with you," Gareth replies, normal voice. "Ouch. Now he's kicking me."
"I'll kick him, too, Ddaear Tywysog," Brianna brings the brothers' orders with a laugh.
"Toy arg divvy what?" two brothers ask in unison as she returns to the counter.
"Earth Prince?” Bruce mutters to himself.
Kurt stands, slightly dazed. "Dywysoges Dŵr. Ti'n cofio!"
Three brothers turn to stare at him, puzzled.
Again Bruce mutters, “Water Princess? And what does she remember?”
"Of course I haven’t forgotten," she smiles, returning with Kurt's order. "And you can call me when we get to school next week and my brothers are nicely out of the way."
Kurt looks chagrined. "You're gonna make me wait 'til we're back at school to remind me why I've been pretending we haven't met?"
"Well, I appreciate it, anyway," Brianna winks at Kurt.
"Wait," Bruce guesses. "Last summer, I let my twin sister go to Wales without me for a little family history research with Mom and Dad, because I have basketball camp. And she comes home with the coolest boyfriend that she refuses to tell us about. But I have to re-introduce you two a year later?"
"Not exactly," Kurt hedges.
"Close enough," Brianna smiles.
Having business elsewhere, and our business here being complete for the day, we leave Earth Prince and Water Princess with her brothers, to their own devices.

[18 August 2018]
=*=*=*=*=

[I wrote the original of this, which can be found here, for a flash fiction anthology. 

It became the seed of a novel I'm working on here.

I was informed that it didn't fit in with the rest, so I tried rewriting it to fit, for example, here.

I knew that it was too cryptic, but my efforts to open up the backstory just ended in confusion until last Saturday, when I started adjusting the POV to match the novel's POV. 

This version slowly came together, and I more-or-less finished it between meetings, family business, and work, from Saturday to this afternoon, too late for the anthology.

When it goes into the novel, it will be split up a bit, so I'm putting this version here just for the record.

JMR201808132110]

=<*>=<*>=<*>=<*>=<*>=<*>=

[Version from 2018.08.13 follows:

Paid Date (Take 4)
by Joel Matthew Rees,
November 2017 to August 2018, Amagasaki, Japan
Copyright 2017, 2018, Joel Matthew Rees

The door of the sandwich shop jangles open and a young man, one of our charges, enters, carrying a basketball. He spots three more young men, also among our charges, seated together.

"Hey, Bru, who's your friends?"

"Yo, Kurt." Bruce raises his fist for a back-hand bump as Kurt approaches. "My homies."

Kurt nods to the two young men sitting across from his friend. "Bru's Bros."

"Robert." The younger of the two kicks his head back slightly in greeting and Kurt responds in kind.

"Rob's just back from his mission in the Ukraine." Bruce slides over a bit and Kurt slides in beside him, basketball in his lap.

"Gareth." The older inclines his head slightly and Kurt returns the nod.

"Gar's got one more year of college."

The four talk briefly of school and missions.

"So," Kurt leans back, "what's up?"

Gareth leans forward conspiratorially. "Bru says you get around."

Kurt gives him a blank look.

"With the women!" Robert's enthusiasm is evident.

Kurt tilts his head. "Nah, just make sure I date twice a month, rarely the same woman twice. Keeps the Relief Society President happy."

"Do you kiss 'em all?" Robert is not to be discouraged.

"Bruce, homies or tennis team, this is a breach of etiquette. Why am I here?"

Bruce backpedals. "Guys, I don't know why I let you talk me into this."

Gareth glances in the direction of the order counter and leans forward again, speaking in a low voice, "Bru says good things about you, and we've got a favor to ask. Could make it worth your while, something like a fifty ..."

Kurt frowns. "I can tell I have doubts."

"Uhm, guys." A young woman's voice breaks in from behind Kurt. "I don't own this place. Somebody has to order something."

This young woman is, of course, another of our charges. We note Kurt's eyes widen slightly at the sound of her voice.

"Got something 100% from the tree, no added sugar?" he asks without turning around.

"Apple or mango today," she replies, a laugh covering a catch in her voice. "If reconstituted's okay."

"Mango sounds good. Rob's buying."

Robert starts.

"Just kidding." Kurt turns with a grin to get a look at the young woman, who is studiously checking her order book. "I'll take a mango."

She nods without looking up.

The brothers laugh, but with Kurt having ordered they find it awkward to delay further, and each orders something to drink.

"That was easier than usual. Thanks, guys."

"Sure, Bree." Bruce grins. The four all chorus their agreement.

She smiles lopsidedly and returns to the counter.

"You didn't tell me -- that you have a sister, Bru." Kurt observes, watching her retreat. "Twin?"

"Yeah. Brianna."

"She looks like you."

Bruce studies his feet.

"And, if I were guessing," Kurt continues, "you three had the stupid idea to try to pay me to insert her into my dating schedule."

"Is it really so stupid?" Robert asks defensively.

"Ask Bru."

Bruce doesn't look up.

"You have Bru's recommendation," Gareth goes on the attack. "And I can think of worse reasons to date."

"I can think of better."

"True," Robert acknowledges, and the conversation wanders off into dating experiences.

"Here's your drinks, guys."

There is a chorus of thanks and some small talk before Brianna returns to the kitchen area.

"Tell you what." Kurt swirls his ice, observing Brianna and the chef at work. "I'll forgive you guys if you can take me in a little hoop." He nods at the park across the street, visible through the window.

"Huh?" Both older brothers evidence confusion.

"Three on one." Kurt grins.

"Bru says you can be cocky, but, ..." Gareth laughs. "Forgive?"

"Meaning I refrain from punishing you for asking me to insult your sister by accepting money to take her out."

Robert raises an eyebrow. "If you somehow win?"

"I choose your penance."

"Let's see if you're as good as Bru says." Gareth snickers.

But Bruce rolls his eyes.

The boys pay for their drinks and go outside into the summer heat.

An hour later, they file back inside, laughing and sweating profusely.

"So, what's this penance we have to do?" Robert asks as they sit down.

"Let's see if we can make the punishment fit the crime."

"Incoming!" Bruce signals.

"Uhm, the boss says --"

"I could use a small burger and a salad after that workout," Kurt grins, with raised eyebrows. "What about you guys?"

The three brothers look at each other.

"Didn't someone mention a canceled," he coughs, "... project, and some leftover funds?"

"Uh, I guess so." Gareth hesitates.

"Well, I could think of worse things to do with it than get something to eat," Kurt says pointedly, "if the money were mine."

Persuaded, the brothers each order something, and the four talk while they eat. As they pay and leave, they all say goodbye to Brianna and the chef.

--

Three weeks later, we again have business in the area of the sandwich shop. Kurt and the three brothers are playing two-on-two in the park.

"You know," Kurt says as Gareth rebounds, "you guys still haven't finished your penance."

"Foul!" Gareth calls. "Who can play with you tossing comments like elbows?"

Everyone laughs.

Robert leans on his knees, breathing hard. "Wasn't the penance to quit pushing Bree to date?"

"How many dates has she been on since I told you to knock it off?"

"Two last week, and she's got one tonight."

"So, basically, she just needed less interference from you guys." Kurt steals the ball and passes it to Bruce, who drops in an uncontested layup.

"Let's break for some food."

The brothers agree.

The four of them cross the street and enter the sandwich shop. (We follow, unnoticed, as always.)

"Hey, Bree!" Four young men chorus.

"Hi, guys, ya eatin' today?"

"Yeah. Mom'll complain, we know." Robert laughs.

"Your mom might, but I won't!" the chef calls out from behind the grill.

Brianna laughs, too.

While the four talk after ordering, Kurt watches Brianna thoughtfully.

"I don't get it." Gareth asks quietly.

"What?"

"You do like Bree."

"Yeah."

"Kurt's decided to ask her out after school starts, and he wants us to give her static about it.  Reverse psychology. " Bruce explains in low tones.

"What's with the whispering?" Brianna asks from behind the counter, collecting the brothers' orders.

"Kurt says he thinks he's in love with you," Gareth replies, normal voice. "Ouch. Now he's kicking me."

"I'll kick him, too, Ddaear Tywysog." Brianna brings the brothers' orders with a laugh.

"Toy arg divvy what?" three voices ask in unison as she returns to the counter.

Kurt stands, slightly dazed. "Dywysoges Dŵr. Ti'n cofio!"

"Of course I haven't forgotten," she smiles, returning with Kurt's order. "And yes you can call me when we get to school next week and my brothers are out of the way."

Kurt looks chagrined. "You're gonna make me wait 'til we're back at school to remind me why I've been pretending we haven't met?"

"Well, I appreciate it, anyway." Brianna winks at Kurt.

"Wait," Bruce guesses, "Last summer, I let my twin sister go to Wales without me for a little family history research with Mom and Dad, because I have basketball camp. And she comes home with the coolest boyfriend that she refuses to tell us about. But I have to re-introduce you two a year later?"

"Not exactly." Kurt hedges.

"Close enough." Brianna smiles.


JMR201808181041]

Paid Date (Yamato Version third try)

[No great change from the original Yamato version, and lots of style problems that I'm not seeing natural solutions to. This approach really didn't help, compared to the original version. So I'll try a better solution, elsewhere.]

Paid Date (Yamato Version take 3)
Joel Matthew Rees, August 2018
Copyright 2018

The door of the sandwich and sushi shop jangled shut.

"Yo, Kaz!" Stuart raised his hand in a mock Vulcan salute from his seat in a booth.

"Stu," Kazu returned the salute. "Who're your friends?"

"M' bros. Sit?"

"Stu's bros." Kazu nodded to the two young men seated across from Stuart as he slid in and sat down, setting the soccer ball he was carrying on the seat at his side.  "Kazu. Stu's pretty good on the pitch, one of the better players in the incoming freshman camp."

"Nice to hear. Name's Greg." The older of the two raised his fist for a bump, and Kazu met it with his.

"Mike. Yoroshiku." The younger of the two nodded his greeting, almost bowing.

"Mike just got back from Japan," Stuart interjected.

"Uis. Dendō ya."

"Eh. Fukuoka."

"I'm from Sapporo. Stu tells me your mom is from there, too."

"Didn't get to go there to see my grandparents, but they came to see me in Fukuoka before I finished my mission."

The four talked about missionary work, family, sports, school and other things for a few minutes.

Mike looked past Stuart toward the kitchen area and leaned forward conspiratorially. "Stu says you keep pretty busy, weekends."

Kazu looked at Stuart doubtfully.

Stuart looked down in embarrassment. "Guys, I really don't know if this is a good idea."

Kazu looked back to Mike and Greg.

"Get around," Greg elucidated. "You know, date a lot of girls."

Stuart's discomfort visibly increased.

Kazu frowned. "Wouldn't say ‘a lot', but I'm not sure that my dating habits are particularly public information."

"Not every week?" Mike seemed disappointed.

Kazu shook his head.

Greg cocked his head. "But from what Stu says you do go out several times a month, don't you?"

"Yeah. Bishop's idea."

"Huh?"

"He thinks waiting should be active. Well, so does the girl I'm waiting for."

"Waiting?" Greg raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. I met a very wonderful young woman last summer, but she wanted to graduate from high school and go on a mission before dating me seriously. And she didn't want me to feel tied down while she does so. She's going to call my sister when she's ready to see me again."

"Huh?" Mike looked confused.

“And you don't think she was giving you the brush-off?" Greg smirked.

"Could be. I don't even know her real name."

Greg burst out laughing. "What do you call her?"

Kazu tilted his head. "None of your business."

Greg sobered up. "Sorry."

"It's a chance I'm willing to take. So I date kind of randomly. A couple of times a month."

"Popular girls?"

Kazu laughed ironically. "Sometimes I seem to help guys around me see girls they hadn't been noticing."

Mike was enthusiastic. "Do you kiss them all good night?"

"Stu, brothers or tennis team, this is a breach of protocol." Kazu started to get up.

"Sorry."

"Uhm, guys." A girl's voice broke in from behind Stu and Kazu. "I don't own this place. You have to order something."

Kazu looked out the window and blinked, then sat back down. "Got anything fresh from the tree?" he asked without turning around.

"Reconstituted mango or guava okay?"

"Mango sounds great. How about you guys?" Now Kazu turned around to look at the girl.

She studied the order pad without looking up.

The three brothers stalled a bit longer, then each ordered something to drink.

"Thanks, guys. That was a little quicker than usual."

"Sure, Steph." Stuart grinned.

The four boys returned to talking as the girl headed back to the service counter.

"You have a twin, Stu."

Stuart nodded.

"Stephanie, you say?"

"Yeah."

"She looks a bit like you."

"Well, yeah."

"That's what we want to talk with you about." Greg kept his voice low.

Kazu gave him a blank look.

"Could make it worth your while."

"I don't think I like the direction this is taking."

"This was not my idea." Stuart hedged.

"Fifty." Mike held up five fingers.

Kazu's frown deepened.

"She doesn't go out enough." Mike explained.

"Six different guys in one year is not enough?" Stuart complained.

"That was last fall. When's she been out since?"

Kazu closed his eyes and shook his head.

Stephanie came back. "Your drinks, guys." She set their orders on the table for them.

"Thanks, Stephanie." Kazu said.

"Sure." She turned around quickly.

He watched her retreating form for a moment before turning back to the brothers. "Tell you what." He lifted his soccer ball with one hand. "You guys beat me," he indicated the park across the street with the ball, "and I refrain from punishing you."

Greg cocked his head. "For what?"

"For trying to bribe me to date your sister."

"Huh? Two-on-two?" Mike smirked.

"One-on-three."

Greg shook his head, chuckling. "Stu said you could be cocky. If you win?"

"I choose your penance."

Mike laughed. "Deal."

Stuart just rolled his eyes.

They finished their drinks and filed out the door, waving to Stephanie and her boss as they left.

An hour later, laughing, talking, and sweating, they filed back in and sat down again.

"So what's our punishment?" Mike shook his head, still laughing.

"Incoming." Stuart warned.

Stephanie approached. "The boss says you have to order something if you're going to be here."

Kazu grinned. "I could use some California rolls after that workout."

The three brothers looked at each other doubtfully.

"I understand there are funds from a canceled project that have been freed?" Kazu prompted, pointedly.

Persuaded, the brothers each ordered a sandwich.

"So what's our penance?" Greg asked, as they watched Stephanie return to the kitchen.

"Give your sister a little room to breathe. Let her choose when and whom she dates."

"Mmmm?"

"Doesn't your sister deserve a little respect?"

Two older brothers muttered complaints as Stephanie returned with sandwiches.

"I'll be right back with your California rolls."

Stu watched Kazu as Kazu watched Stephanie's retreating form again. "You like Steph."

"Well, yeah. She's a pretty likeable person."

"What's all the whispering about?" Stephanie called from the kitchen.

Mike called out, "Kaz says he has a crush on you. Ouch. Now he's kicking me."

"Kick him another for me, Kaze-no-kimi."

Three brothers chorused, "Kaze-no-what"?

Kazu stood, gazing openly at her. "Hi-no-hime! Wasurete nakatta."

"Of course I haven't forgotten."

Mike muttered to himself. "Hi-no-hime. Is that ‘Sun Princess' or ‘Fire Princess'?"

"Wait!" Stuart exclaimed, thinking aloud as his sister returned, "My twin sister goes with Mom and Dad to Sapporo last summer to research Mom's family history, and I stay behind for soccer camp, and she comes home with the coolest boyfriend she calls Wind Prince, but now it's a year later and I have to re-introduce you two?"

"Not exactly," Kazu hedged.

"Close enough." Stephanie grinned.

2018-08-07

Paid Date, Yamato version

[This is a re-write of the earlier Paid Date flash fiction piece, hopefully with a bit less experimental stuff and a bit more focus.]

[There is a marginally improved version of this version here, and a hopefully less cryptic version of the original, which may be almost the final version, here. JMR201808132024]

Paid Date (Yamato Version)
Joel Matthew Rees, August 2018
Copyright 2018

The door of the sandwich and sushi shop jangled shut.

"Yo, Kaz!" Stuart raised his hand in a mock Vulcan salute from his seat in a booth.

"Stu," Kazu returned the salute. "Who're your friends?"

"M' bros. Sit?"

"Stu's bros." Kazu nodded to the two young men seated across from Stuart as he slid in and sat down, setting the soccer ball he was carrying on the seat at his side.  "Kazu."

"Name's Greg." The older of the two raised his fist for a bump, and Kazu met it with his.

"Mike. Yoroshiku." The younger of the two nodded, almost bowing.

"Mike just got back from Japan," Stuart interjected.

"Uis. Dendō ya?"

"Fukuoka."

The four talked about missionary work and school and other things for a few minutes.

Mike looked past Stuart toward the kitchen area and leaned forward conspiratorially. "Stu says you keep pretty busy, weekends."

Kazu looked at Stuart doubtfully.

Stuart looked down in embarrassment. "Guys, I don't know if this is a good idea."

Kazu looked back to Mike and Greg.

"Get around," Greg elucidated. "You know, date a lot of girls."

Stuart's discomfort visibly increased.

Kazu frowned. "Wouldn't say ‘a lot', but I'm not sure that my dating habits are particularly public information."

"Not every week?" Mike seemed disappointed.

Kazu shook his head.

Greg cocked his head. "But you do go out several times a month?"

"Bishop's idea. He thinks waiting should be active."

"Waiting?" Greg raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, kind-of. A very wonderful young woman wanted to graduate from high school and go on a mission, and doesn't want me to feel tied down."

“And you don't think she was giving you the brush-off?" Greg smirked.

"It's a chance I'm willing to take. So I date kind of randomly. A couple of times a month."

"Popular girls?"

Kazu laughed. "Sometimes I seem to help guys around me notice girls they hadn't been noticing."

Mike was enthusiastic. "Do you kiss them all good night?"

"Stu, brothers or tennis team, this is a breach of protocol." Kazu started to get up.

"Sorry."

"Uhm, guys." A girl's voice broke in from behind Stu and Kazu. "I don't own this place. You have to order something."

Kazu looked out the window and blinked, then sat back down. "Got anything fresh from the tree?" he asked without turning around.

"Reconstituted mango or guava okay?"

"Mango sounds great. How about you guys?" Now Kazu turned around to look at the girl.

She studied the order pad without looking up.

The three brothers stalled a bit longer, then each ordered something to drink.

"Thanks, guys. That was a little quicker than usual."

"Sure, Steph." Stuart grinned.

The four boys turned back to their conversation as the girl returned to the service counter.

"Your twin, Stu."

Stuart nodded.

"Stephanie."

"Yeah."

"She looks a bit like you."

"Well, yeah."

"That's what we want to talk with you about." Greg kept his voice low.

Kazu gave him a blank look.

"Could make it worth your while."

"I don't think I like the direction this is taking."

"This was not my idea." Stuart hedged.

"Fifty." Mike held up five fingers.

Kazu's frown deepened.

"She doesn't go out enough." Mike explained.

"Six different guys in one year is not enough?" Stuart complained.

"That was last fall. When's she been out since?"

Kazu closed his eyes and shook his head.

Stephanie came back. "Your drinks, guys." She set their orders on the table for them.

"Thanks, Stephanie." Kazu said.

"Sure." She turned around quickly.

He watched her retreating form for a moment before turning back to the brothers. "Tell you what." He lifted his soccer ball with one hand. "You guys beat me," he indicated the park across the street with the ball, "and I refrain from punishing you."

Greg cocked his head. "For what?"

"For trying to bribe me to date your sister."

"Huh? Two-on-two?" Mike smirked.

"One-on-three."

Greg shook his head, chuckling. "Stu said you could be cocky. If you win?"

"I choose your penance."

Mike laughed. "Deal."

Stuart just rolled his eyes.

They finished their drinks and filed out the door, waving to Stephanie and her boss as they left.

An hour later, laughing, talking, and sweating, they filed back in and sat down again.

"So what's our punishment?" Mike shook his head, still laughing.

"Incoming." Stuart warned.

Stephanie approached. "The boss says you have to order something if you're going to be here."

Kazu grinned. "I could use some California rolls after that workout."

The three brothers looked at each other doubtfully.

"I understand there are funds from a canceled project that have been freed?" Kazu prompted, pointedly.

Persuaded, the brothers each ordered a sandwich.

"So what's our penance?" Greg asked, as they watched Stephanie return to the kitchen.

"Give your sister a little room to breath. Let her choose when and whom she dates."

"Mmmm?"

"Doesn't your sister deserve a little respect?"

Two older brothers muttered complaints as Stephanie returned with sandwiches.

"I'll be right back with your California rolls."

Stu watched Kazu as Kazu watched Stephanie's retreating form again. "You like Steph."

"Well, yeah. She's a pretty likeable person."

"What's all the whispering about?" Stephanie called from the kitchen.

Mike called out, "Kaz says he has a crush on you. Ouch. Now he's kicking me."

"Kick him another for me, Kaze-no-kimi."

Three brothers chorused, "Kaze-no-what?"

"Hi-no-hime." Kazu stood and gazed openly at her. "Wasurete nakatta."

"Of course I haven't forgotten."

"Wait," Stuart exclaimed, thinking aloud as his sister returned, "My twin sister goes with Mom and Dad to Sapporo to research Mom's family history, and I stay behind for soccer camp, and she comes home with the coolest boyfriend, but I have to re-introduce you two a year later?"

"Not exactly," Kazu hedged.

"Close enough." Stephanie grinned.

2018-05-15

Salt and Flour Clay Crafts (日本語注釈付き)

Making salt-and-flour clay in English for the arts/crafts in English classes this week. Here's the recipe I'm using this time:

Here is how you make salt-and-flour clay:
salt: 塩、食塩
flour: 小麦粉
clay: 粘土

(1) Put two heaping tablespoons of salt in a bowl.
heaping: 盛るほど、盛り上がる
tablespoon: テーブルスプーン、大さじ

(2) Add two heaping tablespoons of flour, and stir. Mix the salt and flour well.
add: 加える
stir: かき回す
mix: 混ぜる

(3) Add food coloring, if you want.
food coloring: 食べ物用の着色料
if you want: 好みに合わせて

(4) Stir in water until the salt and flour mixture becomes a paste. If you add too much water, you can add more salt and flour. If the color is not bright enough, you can add more food coloring.
paste: ペースト、糊状の物
if you add too much: 多すぎに加えたら
bright: 明るい(色)
if ... not enough: 十分ではない場合

(5) Set the mixture aside for at least an hour to improve the consistency.
set aside: 取っておく、置いておく
at least: 少なくとも
for ...: (時間)(にわたって・にかけて)
improve: よくする、改良する
consistency: 堅さ、密度、粘度

(6) Before shaping the clay with your hands, powder your hands with flour.
before: 前に
shape: 形作る
powder: 粉を付ける

Here are more links for salt-and-flour clay:
https://www.google.com/search?q=塩と小麦粉の粘土



2018-05-01

Eyelashes

My significant other blinked at me with a wide grin.

"You're doing that again."

"Doing what?" she asked innocently.

"Why do you insist on caking on so much mascara that it makes me think you've been attacked by spiders or centipedes?"

"It gets a rise out of you, doesn't it?"

"But, once or twice a week for twenty years, honey. Surely the weight and discomfort aren't worth getting me to complain are they?"

"It's not that bad. I use hypo-allergenic makeup, and I'm used to it. I kind of feel naked without it. But, much though you're the most important person for me to get a rise out of, it isn't really for you."

"No?"

"Every day, I face men and women who judge women on their use of makeup."

"I know about how judging people by their clothes is a no-no, but I guess I'd never realized that people judge people by their makeup."

"Other than skirts too short and necklines too deep, what do people judge beauty by?"

"Uhm, I guess all that's left is the face."

"And what is to the face as the hemline is to the hips?"

I had to think about that a moment.

"Since we don't usually wear masks in modern society, I guess it's hairstyle and ... makeup."

"And do people prefer to work with beautiful women or ugly women?"

"Uhm, I plead the fifth."

"Getting the point?"

"You're doing this to get into people's faces."

"Exactly." And she blinked, long and slowly for me.

So I kissed her eyelids.

"Hey. Don't mess up my mascara."

2018-04-30

[Backup] Pink Heels and Rusty

[JMR201804301148 -- backup of original from 16 Oct 2017, with minor edits.]

(Copyright 2017, 2018 Joel Matthew Rees, all rights reserved.)

Rusty's electric blue eyes bored into me, his expression a total cipher.

"You're mad at me."

"Mmm-mmm," he shook his head without taking his eyes from mine or changing his expression. I couldn't look away. The grass under my feet scratched.

"Then what?" Yeah, I was asking the obvious.

"You said your shoes would match my hair." His voice was matter-of-fact, just a shade cool, revealing no hint of what he was really thinking. "I just want you to know that my hair is not hot pink."

My ears burned. I held up my heels, pleading with my eyes.

"And my hair is not fuzzy. Curly, sure. Not fuzzy."

The fake fur ankle straps. Mom had called them excessive. Did the corners of his mouth twitch?

"But they're cute, aren't they?"

"Sure. But nothing on my head is as sharp as those stilts, not even my nose."

Relief flooded me. "Oh my gosh. You had me going."

He tilted his auburn head. "You wear those tonight and your ankles'll be killing you before you leave." I couldn't tell if he was warning or joking.

Maybe both. Then he bent down without changing his expression.

"Uh, what should I do?" I asked as I watched him. I didn't know whether to squat down with him or remain standing. Either way was awkward.

He pulled one shoe off. "Well, you could go barefoot. Myself, I never pass up a chance to go barefoot." Then he pulled his sock off and wiggled his toes. I know it sounds stupid, but his feet were as perfect as his face.

I think I would have died if he had let his focus drift even for a moment to my thighs.

When I was choosing my outfit, my thoughts had been different. I chose the tight cutoff denim hot pants and loose, light blue v-neck tee-shirt specifically to keep his attention on me. But when I arrived at his house for the party, I could see I was out of place.

He had met me on the front sidewalk before I could quite decide whether to say I must be at the wrong house, and had stared, just for a moment, at my high-heeled shoes before saying, "Nice heels! Wanna take a look at the back yard? It's where we'll be dancing later."

Not knowing quite what to do, I had removed the shoes as I followed him around the corner of the house, before both of us came to stand in the soft but scratchy grass.

And now he had removed his shoes.

I do not know how he managed it, but he straightened up without looking once at my legs.

"Let's put our shoes on the porch."

"Rusty!" A girl's voice called through the back door. "What ..." The door swung open and Rusty's sister stepped out. "Ah, you must be Cheryl. Rusty said you would be coming."

"Hi." I didn't know what else to say. I was planning on seducing your little brother? Right. That joke would not fly in this house, not in this group.

"Cheryl, this is Reba, my big sister."

"So nice to meet you. Lovely outfit. Where did you find it? Could you come with me? I could use some help. Mom wants to talk with you, Rusty."

"Thanks, Reeb."

"Uh, ..." I looked back to Rusty.

He just grinned, and my awkward feelings seemed to vanish like mist. "Reeb's a good friend. I'll go see what my mom wants."

Reba came down the steps and hugged me. "Bring your heels. Wouldn't want'em walking off without you."

I followed her up the back stairs, carrying my shoes.

"I'm gonna change to jeans, and I want your opinion," Reba said as she led me into her room.

"Uhm, ..."

"Mmm?"

"I'm dressed wrong."

She started pulling pairs of jeans out of her closet. "Whattaya think o' this pair?"

"I guess I misunderstood when Rusty said casual. Those look nice."

"Think so? I have an old pair that matches these. Not your kind of casual?
Here. Do you think they'd fit you?"

"Maybe. Not my ... usual casual, I guess. Fit me? May I?"

Ten minutes later, we descended the front stairs in matching jeans and tees. She had found me a pink camisole to go under my tee-shirt, and picked a tee of her own that matched the blue of mine. And we were both barefoot. And friends.

I don't quite know how Rusty's family made me feel so at ease so quickly, but I had even forgotten to worry what Mrs. Ellison would say.

"Ah, Reeba, Cheryl, there you are. Come help me with the finger food."

Of course Rusty was right. I would have broken my heels or my ankles or both, dancing in the grass.

The music was loud enough to dance to, but not loud enough to bother the neighbors. In fact, some of the neighbors joined the party at different times.

And it was fun. Reeba and her date led a bit of formation street, and some of their church friends showed us how to dance ballroom style. And there were parlour games, which are kind of like drinking games without the drinking. And nobody paired off to go submarine racing in the bushes or anything.

I got to help clean up, and I found myself driving home thinking that she who had come to conquer was the vanquished. And I didn't exactly hate the idea.

[JMR201804301148 -- backup of original from 16 Oct 2017, with minor edits.]

2018-04-24

A Missing Sketchbook, (More Scenes Inspired by the Regency House Party)

This imagined ending is inspired by the missing sketchbook in The Stable Master's Daughter arc of the Regency House Party. I hope it is not too sacharine:



Mr. Noyce stood in the door, cap in hand. "It still seems me uncomf'table, Mahlord, to call mah master mah son. And ah am right glad, an muckle shy, that mah concerns, eight weeks sence, were proved so unfounded."

"I am right pleased to call you father, sir. And I am just as pleased that your concerns have been so well answered." Furl, Lord Mellencamp bowed to his father-in-law.

"Mah dear daughter." Words failed the rough gentleman, and he embraced his daughter one last time before turning to leave.

"Thank you Father Noyce, and good night. We'll see you on the morrow."

He turned his head and smiled slyly, "Or the day after, perhaps."

"Good night Father!" Tears of joy welled in Lady Mellencamp's eyes yet again.

As her father walked down the path, Lady Mellencamp reached up and placed her hand on Lord Mellencamp's shoulder. "Shall we retire, Milord?"

Lord Mellencamp turned, and swept his bride into his arms, carrying her again across the threshold. "How have I survived, Milady," he asked, rhetorically, eyes only for his wife's eyes, "one house party that turned my world upside down, your father's doubts, and the need to aswage his wrath, six weeks of the banns, and the friendly sharivari that lasted far longer than I had considered possible?"

The warmth of her smile, and of her hands clasped behind his head, brought that heat into his soul, from the fires which he had kept carefully banked.

"Your brother and his own new Lady, the former Miss Autumn, seemed most determined to outlast us in the sharivari -- had it not been for her father's intervention. Have you and your brother always been so competitive?"

"I'm afraid so."

"You could put me down."

"Not yet." He carried her through the halls to the bedchamber, and set her gently on the bed. She would have pulled him down, but he stood back, his brow wrinkled in some mysterious concern.

"I have a confession to make."

Her brow knit in amused consternation as she sat up. "Well, then, please do so."

He stepped back, leaving her a view of her bureau, with it's large vanity mirror reflecting the glow from the candlestick in front of it, showing the contents of the top spread under the unreliable light of the candle. Something on it seemed out of place.

"I had in my possession ... an item that belonged to one of the young ladies at the house party, and I have procrastinated its return until I am afraid I shall never be able to return it to the young miss."

"You speak in riddles, but if you have something that belongs to one of my friends, I can return it."

She would have turned to look at her husband, but something on the bureau top was drawing her attention. With a small cry, she stood and gathered up the sketchbook. "I thought I had lost this! I so feared that it had fallen into the wrong hands."

"I must apologize. I hope you can find a way to return it to its rightful owner."

She turned and raised her face to his for a kiss, and he responed willingly.

"It is done, and she tells me that you shall be forgiven."

"I fear for the tense of that verb."

She opened the sketchbook, and together they looked at her sketches, recalling their friends, and some of the events of the party.

"We owe a bit of a debt to the Duchess."

"She seems to have her own wisdom." She set the sketchbook open to a sketch of Furl, from when she had not yet begun to believe he would have found interest in her.

"My dear, sweet Margarette, you have no idea how much pain that likeness of myself caused me. So stern. So unflattering."

Smiling, she opened the middle drawer and removed a package which she had placed there that morning. "I had the presence of mind," she said as she unwrapped it, "to remove some pages which might have been the cause of embarrassment. Mr. Arachnit, for instance." She spread a page out for him.

"His shadow shows something of your impressions of his character. I see horns there."

"Thank you for being there when he tried to force his attentions on me. I am afraid I owe my honor to you."

"I do not wish to think of it now, but I am grateful I was able to prevent needing to prove that I would have loved you no less had he succeeded."

She reached around his back and they gazed into each others eyes for an interminable moment before she allowed her attention to return to the papers in her lap.

"What do you think of this?" she asked, spreading out another of the removed pages.

"Your opinions of me were not nearly as strict as I had imagined!"

She smiled, and he kissed the back of her neck.

"My Lord, may I have one last request before we retire?"

"What is that, my love?"

She opened another drawer and found charcoal, and took her husband by the hand, leading him back to the bed. Sitting down, she patted the bed beside her.

Puzzled, he sat.

She indicated the mirror.

"No."

"Yes, my love." She opened the sketchbook to a blank page.

"Well, one more hour wouldn't hurt."

"It won't take that long, I promise." And she began roughing out a sketch of their reflection in the mirror.

Fifteen minutes later, she held up her work.

"I think I shall treasure this one forever," he said.

She set the sketchpad on the bureau, and we are not privy to the rest of their evening.