Chapter 22
Japanese Friends
Sammy
“You’re going to love Grandma’s cooking,” Jordan says as we all get out of the car to head into the Matsumara-Nash home.
“I will let you have what I don’t like,” I reply.
“Oh no. You’re not going to do my mom like that, Sammy,” Carmen says.
It takes a second, but I realize she’s teasing, so I don’t bother to reply. When Uncle Ryan mentioned having dinner with Kiyoshi Matsumara-Nash, I began to see things about what is to come. Kiyoshi and Ne will play a part in my future. I will know my way around Japan and will be welcomed when I go.
Kiyoshi still has many years left in his life. Although there will be more attempts to cut his time short. He and his wife will have the world believing they have found the fountain of youth.
They already do. Their wisdom and skills will come into play in both my and Jordan’s lives. Blake will be close to his grandfather and uncle.
“Dad, it’s so good to see you,” Uncle Ry croons as we enter the Matsumara-Nash home.
Kiyoshi pulls a face as he glares at Uncle Ry, but he still allows him to pull him into a hug as Ryan towers over him.
When Uncle Ry releases him and reaches to mess with his tie, Kiyoshi slaps at Ryan’s hands and throws a punch at his abdomen that he clearly misses on purpose even though Ryan jumps out of the way.
“Ojīchan,” Jordan sings and rushes into her grandfather’s arms.
“Ah, Watashi no magomusume. How are you, Jordan?”
“I’m good. We brought Sammy with us for dinner. He’s leaving us soon. I’m going to miss him.”
“Ah-ah, wuh is dis? Wuh gine on? Whappning? Yuh come in here singing Grandpa. Yuh don’t sih me, eh?” Paloma Matsumara-Nash sings in her Bajan accent as she places her hands on her hips.
Jordan giggles. “Hi, Grandma.”
“Hi, baby. Weh ma lil’ mon?”
Carmen comes in with Blake at her side. He’s two, so they are moving slower than us as he walks on his own little legs. He sees his grandparents and his eyes light up.
“Eh, there’s ma big mon. Come to Grandma, handsome.”
Blake tugs from Carmen’s hold and rushes forward to his grandmother. She picks him up while cooing at him. Ne Matsumara-Nash walks in at this very moment.
I stumble back as I’m shoved into a vision. Ne is lying in a pool of blood as Carmen and Yui, Ne’s assistant, stand around him with swords drawn and their chests heaving. Carmen is heavily pregnant, but her blades are still dripping in blood.
This will happen within this year. I change the channel and find the moments before Ne’s death. I nod my head, good, I can prevent this from happening.
“We need to talk. I am here to save your life, Ne. I will also prevent your sister from watching you die as she tries to defend you while pregnant with Reign.”
“Wait, how do you know that name?” Uncle Ry says.
I look at him and purse my lips as I tilt my head to the side. “Really? Come on, bro.”
“Yo, kid. That would have been fucking hilarious in any other situation. You nailed it, but now isn’t the time,” he says.
“We haven’t told anyone that we’re having a girl or that her name will be Reign,” Auntie Carmen says.
“I will work on my timing and reading the room. For now, please allow me to tell you how to avoid this. It is not your time. I can tell you how to prevent this.”
“You come with me, young Sammy-san. Ne and I will listen.”
I follow Kiyoshi and Ne from the foyer. While walking, I’m in the past. Kiyoshi is a young man training with swords. I am also in the future. Jordan has her own swords moving as fluidly as her grandfather’s while in battle.
I am with her. She will not lose. In the future, she is still small, but she’s fierce. She has learned well.
“I would like to learn to use swords in the samurai style you have taught your family,” I say to Kiyoshi.
“I will honor your request. Anything you ask of me is yours,” he replies.
“Ow, what did y’all hit me for?” Uncle Ryan says behind us.
“Yuh goat head. Read the room?” Mrs. Paloma growls at him as her accent thickens.
“You have some nerve. Not only do you never read the room, but he has also learned to mimic you to a T,” Auntie Carmen hisses.
“Yuh always playing de fool. I thought I was listening ta yuh mon not de sweet pickney Tasha has raised,” Mrs. Paloma grumbles.
“It’s not my fault he’s a fast learner. That shit was dead on too. I’m proud of him,” Ry croons.
I grin to myself. It was the wrong time, but I did good. I will keep this in mind.
Ryan
“I would like to do something for the boy. It will be an honor to teach him to be samurai, but it isn’t enough. He has saved my son’s life. I will not forget this,” my father-in-law says.
“Good luck with that. No one could figure out what to get him for his birthday.” I snort as I remember what he asked Wyatt to do for him.
“What is so funny, Ryan?”
“He actually did ask my brother for something for his birthday. That kid is something else.”
“What did he ask for?”
“He wanted my brother to take him house hunting and then purchase the property he chose through a trust.”
My father-in-law nods. “I will do.”
“What?”
“I will purchase him property in Japan. It will be in trust in my name that I will transfer.”
“Wow, I give you three grandkids, and I got a watch for my birthday.”
“Shut up, Ryan-san. My will gives you twenty-five percent of everything.”
I frown. “Too much talk of death. Besides, I want gifts while you’re living.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Get out. Go home.”