rolling carry-on bag. “Where’s the rest of your luggage?”
“This is it. That carry-on and this backpack.”
“You travel light!”
“Don’t need much,” he said.
She looked down at his alligator boots. “Well, hopefully you don’t need new shoes while you’re here, because they won’t have your size—or style!”
“What exotic place are you flying to today?”
“Guam. It’s a popular vacation destination for the Japanese. Anyway, let’s get you fed. I don’t want Mom hearing you were hungry and I didn’t do anything for her favorite son.”
Cain laughed. “You and I both know Baby Seth is her favorite.”
She smiled. “You mean the one who still lives at home?”
“I’m kind of glad he’s home,” Cain said. “He helps take care of Mom and Pops.”
“You give him too much credit,” she said. “Mom and Pops take care of him! But enough about home for now. You are finally in Japan. I can’t believe it!” She reached an arm out and wrapped it around Cain’s waist as they walked through the airport. “I’m so excited for you, being here. Give it a little time. You’re going to fall in love with this place, just like I have.”
“I can’t promise I’ll fall in love, but I promise to keep an open mind.”
“Good, because you’ll need it here.”
They exited the arrivals lobby and took the elevator to the airport mall. The Starbucks was busy, but they were able to find a small table after waiting a few minutes. Bonnie placed her purse on the table, put Cain’s suitcase next to her chair, and got in line.
“You’re kidding, right? You’re leaving your purse on the table?” Cain said, shocked.
“It’s completely safe here. This is how the Japanese reserve tables at Starbucks,” Bonnie told him. “They put their things down, then they get in line.”
Cain chose a grilled chicken wrap, a bottle of water, and a tall black coffee. He reached for his wallet, but Bonnie was faster. She gave the barista some yen.
“You’re not gonna pay for your first meal in Japan,” she said. “It’s on me.”
Cain smiled. “Okay. The next one’s on me.”
She smiled big. “I’ll make sure to pick an expensive sushi restaurant with great reviews.”
Cain laughed. “I’m sure this place is full of great sushi restaurants.”
He noticed that his sister had upped her lifestyle here in Japan: expensive watch, designer purse, and styled hair. “I just can’t get over how great you look,” he said.
Bonnie’s face turned red. “You’re giving me a complex. Did I look that bad in the States?”
Cain laughed. “Not at all.”
“What can I say? Japan’s been good to me. It’ll be good to you, too.”
“You even lightened your hair. Do Japanese men prefer blondes?”
“Life is certainly easier here as a blonde.” Bonnie grinned. “Most men don’t notice such things, but you’ve always been very observant.”
“The blond hair must help you get noticed around here—with all the dark clothing and brown hair I see, I feel like I’m attending a funeral.”
Bonnie laughed. “Japan is changing. A little bit at a time. It’s a very slow change, but they are letting more and more outside influences in.”
They enjoyed catching up in person, but he was jet-lagged and exhausted from the travel. At one point Bonnie looked at her phone. “Tanaka just texted me. He’s getting off the train and will be here in just a minute. He’s a security guard at the company, and he’s going to be your point of contact at your new job. I can’t wait to introduce you.”
“How’s his English?”
“Really good. He studied aviation at Embry-Riddle in Florida for years.”
“If he’s a pilot, why’s he working as a security guard at this automotive company?”
“He never finished his degree. He had to come back to Japan. He wasn’t a pilot, but he knew enough about commercial aviation that he was able to get a job at United Airlines. That’s how we met.”
“What did he do for the airline?”
“He worked various jobs—mainly checking in passengers and sorting baggage issues. Anyway, his dad, who works for the Tokyo National Police, thought he could do better and helped him get the security job at the automotive company. You’re going to like him; he’s really cool. He’s Japanese, but he’s not, if you know what I mean.”
Cain chuckled. “Nah, I don’t really know what that means. At least not yet.”
“Well,” Bonnie said, “you’ll see, the longer you’re here.”
“So why didn’t they just hire a retired Japanese cop to protect this CEO? Somebody who knows the language, customs, and already has police training? Why did they go searching