Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Sun and Sea 01 A James Gang Story by Mike C

   Foreword

   This is my first attempt after almost six years to get back to writing
fiction.  I'm starting a new story with my favorite group of people: the
James Gang.  Let's see how it works out...

   For those who are unfamiliar with the James Gang, they are the
characters introduced in the (as yet unfinished) novel, 'James'.

   The REAL purpose here of course is to get 'James' finished...  although
I sense it'll be a while before I can get the skills, and confidence I need
to continue that story!

   Of course, feedback is welcome - but please keep it constructive. 
Address: mikec (at) nspace.net

   = = = = =

   Sherri and her family came off the people mover, already dizzy with the
endless images of Disney characters.  It seemed that half the country had
decided to visit Orlando, and were now packed into the large baggage-claim
area, where huge carousels spat out little pieces of their lives.  Outside,
huge jumbo-jets continued to jockey so that they can unload their human
cargo bound for the world's busiest theme park.

   Sherri, used now to the hectic pace of travel, had kept all her
belongings in her backpack, which she had stashed under her seat.  She had
no time to search for luggage - she was busy searching for a certain face.

   "Hey," She answered her phone, which was playing Dvorak's Cello piece.
Amanda's call.

   "Where ARE you guys?"

   "Still getting our luggage." Sherri answered.

   "Geez, I've been waiting for you out here at the fountain for like
forever!"

   "Yeah, you know how many people have suddenly decided to visit Orlando?"

   "Tell me about it!  I've been almost trampled by at least 5 people
here!"

   "Not their fault they could not see you!"

   "Are you calling me short?  Ha!  Just you wait...  OK, stay there, I'll
see you in fifteen."

   Sherri thought of telling Amanda that it was a restricted area, but the
phone had already gone dead.  Nearby, Sammi, her brother, was deep in
conversation with another pimply-faced adolescent about the latest Nintendo
add-ons.

   "I tried to get my sister to get me the R4 when she was in Tokyo last
month, and she totally stimped out on me!" Sammi gave her a look of disdain
that was reserved between siblings.

   "I know..." The other punk looked at her and stopped.  He stared some
more.  "She...  you're that model chick?  Er, model...  girl, right?"

   "Yeah, yeah," Sammi nodded impatiently, "She does these ads for Polo and
the other guy, Benetton.  C'mon, show me your games."

   The other kid was busy staring at her.  Inside Sherri felt a bit
pleased. She had darkened her hair and worn these oversized shades, but...
that's fame for you!  She gave the kid a small smile and the tiniest wave
of her hand.

   "Can I...  You think I could get a picture of her?  And me?"

   "Yeah, no sweat," Sammi shrugged, and held out his hand, "Gimme your
phone."

   Sherri dutifully slapped on her $5 smile and posed with the kid, who had
the biggest grin, and the biggest pimple on his face.

   "Wow, I can't believe it...  Thanks man!" Mr Zit burbled, "Are you
staying in Orlando?"

   "Yeah, Polynesian Village." Sammi replied.

   "Ok, maybe we can hook up later.  We're staying at the Delta."

   "Cool, you can text me..." Sammi suddenly stopped talking and stared
over Sherri's s shoulder.

   "Hey girlfriend!" Amanda swarmed up and gave her friend a big hug, then
shook hands with Sherri's parents.  "Dr Prevan, Mrs Prevan."

   "Amanda, how are you?  You look...  good!" Sherri's Mom smiled warmly.

   "No kidding...  and what, 3 inches taller?" Sherri was amazed at her
friend's new look.  Amanda had always been pretty, but now, with another
growth spurt which added more than just height, she was a tanned, toned,
sex-bomb.

   "Er...  hi Amanda." Sammi murmured.

   After a suitable pause to make Sammi squirm, "Hi Armpit." A term which
harkened back to when Sammi first sprouted hair there and decided to show
it to everyone, expecially to his sister's friends.

   "Hi..." Sammi repeated.

   "That's all you can say?" Sherri chided, "All the time you wanted me to
get her photos for you, here's your chance!"

   "Who me?" Amanda laughed, "I thought you want someone with MEAT on
them!"

   "Not anymore, I guess!" Sherri said with a glint, "He's been after me to
get the new Intercoastal catalog with you in the little bikini!"

   "Are you a model too?" The new kid asked.

   "No, not really," Amanda said.

   "Only for the boats she designs." Sherri added

   "Hardly..." Amanda shrugged, "Not like Miss Ralph Lauren here, or our
Miss Sara - she's the real star!"

   "Y'know...  the detective's daughter on 'Miami Blues'." Sammi informed
his new friend.

   "Oh yeah...  Oh Wow!"

   "OK, gotta hustle," Amanda tugged on Sherri's arm, "Bye, Doc, we'll have
her back in SC in a week."

   "You're not going with us?" Zit-boy looked crestfallen.

   "We've got a boat to work on." Amanda explained, and emphatically to
Sherri, "And THE BOSS is waiting, outside."

   Even without a name, Sherri knew who Amanda meant.  She went numb.  She
had waited all this time see him, and...  he's ALMOST there!

   "You coming?" Amanda urged.

   Sherri said her goodbyes, kissed her Mom and hurried after her friend,
who was heading towards a small side door.  "Here, put this on." Amanda had
a big plastic airport ID hanging from her neck and now gave its twin to
Sherri.  It said "ARFF Cargo Security" on a Red-and-Green background.  A
quick flash of it allowed them past the Security Guard there.

   Sherri found herself walking along a long corridor with but a couple of
other people, airport workers all.  She stopped, riveted by the unimpeded
view of the hustle on the tarmac, and Amanda joined her at the ceiling-high
glass wall.

   "Sure beats fighting the crowds outside huh?" At Sherri quizzical looks,
she continued, "This part used to be the Airforce's McCoy Airbase, and when
it was mothballed, Orlando Airport took over most, and Regan Boats leased
parts of it to warehouse stuff coming in or going out by air.  Chuck uses
it to sneak VIPs out.  Handy, or what?"

   "No kidding!  You can come and go as you please!"

   "No way...  those guys loitering around when we came in?  They're part
of the Reaction Team.  If we looked the least bit suspicious, or if the
gate guard had buzzed them, we'd likely be in 'cuffs now!  Homeland
Security has also got a platoon of marines in this part of the airport...
But I get along fine with them!" She gave the overhead camera a small nod
and a small wave of her hand.  "This section is called the mouse trap -
makes the bad guys think they got a secret way out but all it does is let
security deal with them away from the crowds."

   "So having a make out session with you here isn't such a great idea
then?" Sherri laughed, then quieter, "I've got an admission...  Your yummy
bod is getting me seriously hot!"

   Amanda leaned in, "No, now's not a good time, but this is a promise for
later..." And gave her friend a quick kiss with a tiny bit of tongue. 
"And, talking about admissions, I've got one too...  Loverboy is not
exactly outside-outsde, he's a couple of hours away, with the boat."

   Sherri could only stare back.

   "Well, how else can I get you all to myself?  And, besides, he won't let
me drive if he's around.  The spoilsport..."

   "Ah well," Sherri sighed, "I guess I'll have to settle with you.  I hope
you've got what it takes to keep me satisfied!"

   "Baby, you know you got nothing to worry about - I'd do anything for
you!"

   "Really?  I had this vision just now, of you, and me, and handcuffs..."

   "God, you're getting to be just my kind of pervert!  Have no fear -
nothing's too kinky for my sweetheart!"

   "Yeah, right.  Bet you say that to at least six other people!"

   "EXACTLY six others, honeybunch.  Well, maybe Chuck...  but we all love
him to pieces, don't we?"

   "Yeah - you can include Anna, and Deanna on that list too...  And maybe
do without the 'cuffs."

   The corridor ended with a door, and Sherri thought she could hear a tiny
'snick' of a lock before Amanda pushed through.  They found themselves
inside a small room, with additional doors to two sides.

   "Follow me - turn slowly." Amanda admonished.  "Magnetometer and
sniffers.  I hope you don't have anything stronger than soap in there!" She
pointed at the backpack.

   "Nope, nothing more than lip-gloss...  and...  oops...  KY-gel?"

   "I think that's safe...  Ahh..." Again, the tiniest 'snick' allowed
Amanda to open and step through another door.

   "Don't we want 'Main Concourse and Parking?' " Sherri asked.

   "Not unless we want to get arrested.  That's a misdirection.  They
figured no self-respecting terrorist would want to blow up 'Lost and
Found.' "

   "Ah, yes, that explains the handy signs for the English-illiterate!"

   "And, missy, maybe you want to explain the KY-gel?  Huh?"

   "Well, someone suggested I try it..." Sherri fidgeted, "It's supposed to
make it even hotter!"

   "For whom?  You or Him?"

   "Well...  for both us I guess...  Besides," Sherri smiled, "You're gonna
be trying it out with me!"

   "No way.  Do I look like I want weird chemicals shoved in me?"

   "No problem, it's for massaging too, we can test it out that way..."
Sherri leaned in close, "and, in case I wasn't clear enough before - I am
SO looking forward to getting my hands on that bod of yours!"

   "And you SO got yourself a date, honey!  In case *I* haven't been
crystal about it - your bod is what I fantasize about!"

   Amanda stopped them and waited in front of a one-way mirror, until a
green light flashed overhead.  The last set of doors opened into an
underground garage.

   "Whew.  Each time I get the feeling they are taking pictures of me
through my clothes."

   "Yeah, I felt that too - I bet there's a good collection on their
lockers!" Sherri laughed.

   "Along with that picture of you - tell me, how ever did Todd get that
shot of you and the parrot, and you looking like some Amazon Queen, with
nipples sticking a mile out your shirt?"

   "Yeah, well, that was the picture that landed me as Polo's teen rep!"
Sherri smiled, "It was the Puerto Rico Rain Forest, and they had these
trained macaws to pose with us.  Middle of May and it was hot and muggy and
our makeup lasted like ten minutes.  I was waiting my turn to be made up,
sorta day-dreaming, when one of the birds flew from its handler right for
me.  I held out my hand and it just landed there!  Good thing Todd got off
4 or 5 good shots before I remembered to be scared."

   "From the nipples, I bet I know who the day-dreamee was too!"

   "Yeah," Sherri recalled, with a faraway look on her face, "I get that
way quite a bit.  Because I have this rep as being kinda nerdy, they all
think I must be thinking about homework."

   "Instead of having sex on your mind all the time?"

   "Yeah - but with just the ONE boy.  The guys on the circuit has the
world's biggest egos, and they just wouldn't understand why I don't want to
get 'cozy' with them.  At first they thought I was trying to be 'cool,'
then 'cos I was chicken, and finally a nerd, cos I want to go to university
and stuff...  And they do this shunning thing too - they look right through
you, as if you don't exist in their eyes.  So if I don't play their game,
they have no time for me..." Sherri paused, "Wow, is that 'Jackie?' "

   They had stopped at Amanda's Hunter-Green convertible which was a
present to her from Chuck.  The vintage Jaguar XK-E stood low and menacing,
ready to pounce, or do the smallest bidding of her mistress.  Who at the
moment was removing and folding the tonneau cover.

   "Gosh, she is just BEAUTIFUL!  Wait, she looks different, or is it the
lighting in here?"

   "Yeah, she's different all right - took a month, sent it off to have the
V-12 blueprinted, of course all new hoses, belts and replaced everything
electric or said 'Lucas' on it, finishing off with a new metallic
paint-job, but she's ready to run for another 40 years."

   "Chuck likes it?"

   "Yeah, especially the Borsch aircon, which actually works!"

   "I can understand why you came alone," Sherri commented, as she stowed
her pack in the miniscule shelf of a rear seat, "No room to make out in the
back at all!"

   "Good thing you don't need to stow stuff in the, er, boot either.  It's
not much more than just a cover for the spare tire.  Well, and a few little
goodies." With that, Amanda opened up the trunk, slipped the folded cover
in and pulled out a large bag.  "Lookit!  Florida's favorite snack, the
Palatka Cow-chip!  Well, at least it's mine!"

   "Like really from cows?" Sherri asked.

   "Nah, just the most amazing potato chips, cooked just right, thick cut
to LOOK like cow chips, I suppose.  They actually have an annual cow-chip
tossing contest there, in Palatka, not on the potato farm; but I've never
been."

   "And Palatka...  is where?"

   "That's the town nearest Regan's, about 20 minutes...  Remember the
bridge you sailed under, just before the lake?"

   "Yeah...  vaguely.  And how on earth did you discover their cow chips?"

   "The other industry in Palatka is an oval dirt racing track, and Chuck
got me some lessons and extra laps there.  So I can learn to fully
appreciate our Jackie-girl..." Amanda patted her affectionately.

   Amanda started the car and drove it up the ramps.  She gestured at the
glove compartment, "I have a scarf or two in there.  And some sunblock
too." Sherri found a scrunchie which she quickly tied around her dark
shoulder length hair, then started putting spf 35 on herself, before
reaching to apply some on Amanda as well.

   "Man, this stuff IS good!" Sherri said, after tearing open the bag and
crunching down on the lightly salted chips.

   "What did I tell ya?  They have the jalapeno too - which Sara adores. 
These chips is the new staple food at Regan's.  Brenda could make a killing
if she started selling them in the commisary."

   "Bren was at the lake just before I came.  She's busy like a one-armed
paperhanger."

   "Yeah, poor thing, with Sara away so much, Bren has had to run both
Regan and Max.  And she and Jules are planning on getting their GMAT too so
they can get into into business school."

   "Yeah, when did they get to be such overachievers?  Good thing Nicole
put her foot down and told them to take a couple of days off.  So we had a
big BBQ at the marina to welcome me home, and M&M and most of the town
came. But the next morning they'd flown the coop.  Literally - I think
Nicole regrets letting them get their pilot licenses."

   "Jules feels that she has to look after everyone, and of course Bren is
already doing it." Amanda sighed, "She and Nicole took turns to drive me to
USC - when I got so discouraged by the way they were treating me there."

   "I'm sorry you had such a hard time baby.  You know I was pulling for
you, right?"

   "I know, and getting your mail and seeing you on IM really cheers me
up."

   "Me too - there are times when your mail is all that's keeping me sane."

   "Well, you're here, and I don't have to worry about campus talk for a
few months."

   "And a certain someone's waiting for us..."

   "Maybe not quite - Sara's heading off for the big second-season
celebration of 'Miami Blues', and, knowing her, they'll be saying their
fond farewells."

   "Since last night."

   "Or last week." They laughed.

   "You know," Amanda smiled, as she maneuvered them out of the noontime
traffic and onto the freeway ramp, "I thought at first you were gonna
suggest that since we'll being going around with Jackie's top down, that we
should do the same thing!"

   "Hush, child!  Such an ungracious and untoward suggestion from a young
lady of standing!  I am shocked, dumbfounded and discombobulated to say the
least!" Sherri exclaimed.

   "Ha!  You do Sister Margaret so well!  So, how are things at old St
Mary's?"

   "Same old, same old, I guess.  I haven't been back since they told my
parents that 'aspiring to something as base as modelling is a crass and
wanton display of worldliness and a particularly persniculous defilement
which the good Lord would not have condoned.' " Sherri said.

   "She didn't say that, did she?  Even sister Margaret can't be as bad as
that!  Especially the 'persnickity' - or whatever, part!"

   "No, but she'd just WISH she did - it's from the Internet!" Sherri
giggled, "The up-side to the episode with our most esteemed sister of
course is that my folks quickly agreed with Nicole's home-study program. 
Which gives me time to go on gigs and still get my high school diploma.  In
fact I did my SAT last month and I'll be heading to Oberlin soonest to see
if they'll let me join Celeste!"

   "How'd the SATs go?"

   "12-percentile..." Sherri said, "I think I screwed up most of my Maths
questions."

   "Hell, that's better than all but 12% of kids.  Plus, if they know who
you studied with, they'll let you in pronto!"

   "Well, Nicole and Celeste sure helped, and YOU didn't hurt - the
youngest Freshman at SC for, what, a decade?"

   "Seven years - but the youngest girl ever!" Amanda said with a smile,
then added, "Good thing I started with the distance-learning program - I
didn't have to go regular classes till the second semester, AFTER I started
filling out some - but then I still find some calling me pipsqueak, or
worse!"

   "I bet.  But I can't NOT go to classes - Music is not like Engineering
where you can do courses over the 'Net!"

   "Well, getting Celeste to watch over you is better than having an army
of bodyguards.  She's somewhat of a celebrity there - I don't mean just the
double major in Architecture and Music, but she's also heading up the
project to catalogue Frank Lloyd Wright's USnian home they have on campus."

   "We'll find out soon enough...  Ah, this is so much nicer," Sherri
sighed, as Amanda finally got them out of the snarl of traffic onto a
divided highway.  Sherri kicked her shoes off and leaned back, her feet on
the dash.

   "Good thing it's me and not Chuck driving!  He'll be pulling his 'Whoa,
that's not acceptable' look on you now!"

   "But my babykins won't be mean to her sweetie, will she?"

   "Just don't get us TOO noticed, hon.  I still cannot afford to be pulled
over!"

   "Ah yes, so our underaged delinquent is finally showing respect for the
law!"

   "Almost...  Some cop pulled me over cos he wanted a better look at the
car...  I think, I doubt he wanted to look at ME!"

   "So, he frisk you, or something?"

   "No, he was nice - just told me not to drive on his stretch of the road
until I'm licensed."

   "Does that have anything to do with you avoiding the freeway?" Sherri
gestured backwards.

   "What?  Oh...  The Bee-Line is toll, and there's ALWAYS a handful of
Florida's finest there.  Like I said, just being careful."

   "Hey, pull over then, let ME drive!"

   "What?!!  We're the same age, duh!"

   "Well, I AM eight months older than you!"

   "Still, you're not sixteen.  Besides, when did you learn stick?"

   "Jules has been kind enough to give me lessons...  and Nicole..." Sherri
said dreamily, "Half the time on the road, and the other half in the back
seat..."

   "You mean the backseat of Jules' Mini?" Amanda laughed, "It's the same
size as the Jag's back seat!"

   "Ah yes, you've had the experience, I can see." Sherri said with a fond
smile, "They certainly know how to take advantage of a willing soul!"

   "Me too, lover, me too!" Amanda commented with a pat of Sherri's thigh.

   "We going somewhere specific, or are we just cruisin'?  We must be
outside the State, I haven't seen a motel for two whole blocks!  "

   "Oh, we'll be there soon, my eager friend."

   "Move you hand 4 inches and you'll KNOW how eager!"

   "Stop trying to get me in trouble!"

   "I've been trying to keeping my adolescent yearnings in check, dearie.
But I have my limits you know?"

   "Just behave yourself, slut!"

   "Oooh, I just love it when you talk dirty!"

   "Thank god we're there.  I have to have a talk with your Dad - this
modeling stuff has obviously hopelessly corrupted you!"

   "Babe, who's calling the kettle black?" Sherri laughed, "If weren't for
your tender mercies, I'd still be lily-pure!"

   "And missing out on all the fun!" Amanda joined her in laughter, as she
cut around the back of a Goodyear tire shop, and stopped in front of a low
stucco building.  She waved Sherri out, collected the tonneau, and started
snapping the cover in place.

   Sherri stood from getting her shoes back on and gave her friend a warm
kiss, "I can't tell you how good it is to be back...  I missed you..."

   "Lordy, I'm shaking just being this close to you!" Amanda murmured.

   "And I wasn't lying about being a mess down there!" Sherri said.

   "Babe, save it for later, we'll have lots of time to catch up!" Amanda
took her friend's arm and ushered them inside a brightly lit, if mostly
empty restaurant.

   "A sushi shop?" Sherri laughed, "Of all the places to eat in Florida,
you brought me to a Sushi shop?"

   "Yeah, you've got to try this - then tell me if it isn't as good as you
had in Japan." Amanda waved at the Japanese man behind the counter who had
just finished bowing a welcome, then sat herself and Sherri on raised
stools, "Hey, konichiwa, dude.  Listen, my friend here's just come back
from Japan, so don't give me any of your usual shit."

   "What shit is that?" The man said with a straight face, obviously
already familiar with Amanda.

   "Hi," Sherri nodded to him sympathetically, "Forgive her, she was
dropped as a child.  Quite often!" She added as Amanda pinched her.

   "OK, Gary Ozawa, this is my friend Sherri.  Yeah, before you get all
star-struck, she's the famous international model.  Who's just come back
from Japan, did I mention that?"

   "I have exactly three shoots to my credit, Mandie, so..."

   "Ah but we have already been graced by your beauty!" Gary interrupted,
"Your lovely face is all over Marshall's at the mall!"

   "Well, then, now that you know who she is, maybe we can get a free meal?

   "Well..."

   "An autographed picture?"

   "Er..."

   "Naked?"

   "Amanda!  You know full well there's no such thing!" Sherri said.

   "Just give me an hour with Photoshop, honey!"

   "In any case I must regretfully decline." Gary said, interrupting his
careful arrangment of utensils and hot tea in front of them, with another
impeccable bow.

   "You know," Amanda continued to Sherri, "He keeps hiding the good stuff
from me."

   "And I keep reassuring you it is not so..." Gary protested.

   "OK, then, let's start with a double order of fugu, then we'll get to
the really nifty stuff."

   "Ah, I must again regretfully admit I cannot comply with your wishes."

   "Look at this!  A simple request, and all this crap!  OK Sherri, tell
him!"

   "I did try the fugu sashimi last month, in Shinjuku-ku." Sherri said,
"Sliced paper-thin and expensive.  It was quite bland and not very fatal."

   "You see?" Gary agreed, "And I would never serve one such as yourself
what is denied even the Heavenly Prince of Japan!"

   "You guys are so useless!  Bunch a' wooses!" Amanda exclaimed, "OK, what
else's good today?"

   "The tuna, of course, toro is available, also hamachi..."

   "OK, just bring 2 sashimi of each for each of us."

   "And uni?  Do you have nama uni?" Sherri asked.

   "Ah, sea-urchin, of course, fresh today." Gary answered as he started
selecting the fish, and slicing them with a surgeon's skills, wielding his
long curved knife with flair and precision.

   "I learned to love the stuff," Sherri told Amanda, "and it's supposed to
be an aphrodisiac.  Oh and Gary, please don't gut the thing in front of us
- much as I understand it's the culture, I'm not partial to watching open
heart surgery with a spoon."

   "I quite understand." Gary smiled, "It's already done." He paused and
pointed at the sparkling golden flesh in the counter fridge, "I have my
wife do it!"

   "But it's too rich on its own - we should have it with sushi rice."
Amanda said, as Gary transferred their order in front of them: rectangular
pieces of transluscent fish, accompanied with green washabi mustard and
light Soy sauce.

   "Shall I prepare the Uni nigiri?" He asked.

   "No, let's do handrolls, nothing like a big slab of slimey yellow
sea-urchin on that special Kinky rice of yours."

   "That would be Koshihikari rice, I believe." Gary corrected gently.

   "What I said..." Amanda started dribbling soy sauce to her small ball of
green paste, "His wasabi's fresh made too - none of that canned stuff
here...  Mmmm..." Her eyes rolled heavenward as she savored her meal. 
"See? Only real wasabi makes you wanna go 'Woowoowoo' right after tasting
it."

   "It IS good," Sherri agreed, after a few bites, "My congratulations on
going to such lengths to bring us authentic Japanese sushi!"

   "Thank you," Gary inclined his head.

   "Wait, Gary, after this, I want you to do the lobster thing."

   "You know, Mandie, coming from you, that sounds somewhat obscene!"

   "But it is!  Obscenely good!"

   "Ah, yes, well, then you must excuse me and allow me to prepare!"

   "Now THAT sounds obscene too!"

   With uncharacteristic haste, the man ushered them through sliding doors
into a private room, saying, "Please make yourself comfortable," before
disappearing.

   The center of the room was taken up with a low sunken table, with
floor-level seats on three sides.  The wall opposite the door was filled
with a large picture window which opened into a rock garden, complete with
a bubbling brook.

   "Wow, this is too amazing - soooo nice!"

   "It's his sanctuary I think, count yourself privileged - we weren't
allowed in here until the third visit." Amanda joined Sherri at the window.
The brook followed a path made of flat, grey stones, and aside from three
low spruce shrubs, the ground was evenly covered with a pale gravel with a
pink glow that glistened in the noon-day sun.  The far edges of the
rock-garden were enclosed with a thick stand of tall bamboo plants.  Soft
music drifted from ceiling speakers to further enhance the sense of
tranquility and contentment.

   Gary now returned with fresh settings and their order on a boat-shaped
tray.  He also brought in a small carafe of sake wine, "Compliments of the
house," he smiled as he poured them each a serving in the thimble-sized
ceramic cups.  "I will be but a few minutes." He disappeared again.

   "Now you know why I had to bring you here!" Amanda waved her hand,
"We've been driving by here going from Regan to the coast, and we kept
asking ourselves, 'Why a Sushi bar HERE?' Then one time Sara took a whiff
outside and said, 'That is GOOD wasabi!' and that's how we discovered Gary.
This is sort of his hobby - his family's rich y'know - you heard of 'Chiku
Constructions?' That's the Ozawa family.  They do some small housing
projects but their big seller is bamboo flooring, which they started in the
US.  They have like a 200 acre farm upstate."

   "I'm surprised Jules hadn't snapped them up!"

   "Oh we made some inquiries, but it's all privately held.  Still and all,
just finding Gary here is enough of a treat..." Amanda picked up her sen
cup, "And who better to share it with but my best gal?  To you babe, I am
so freaking happy to see you." They shared a toast and leaned forward to
share a kiss.

   "Put down your cup," Sherri said, bright-eye, as she suited action to
her own words.  She reached forward and cupped Amanda's face in her hands,
"It's been a long time..." and touched lips again, her eyes deep pools of
care and affection.

   Their kiss deepened, lips and tongues, while their hands traced exposed
skin, to slide under clothing, touching, warming and loving.  There was
need, and urgency, but no haste - all their focus was on the giving of
pleasure, as they were receiving it.

   "God, my killer kisser," Sherri sighed happily from where she was laying
on Amanda's lap, "What I've been dreaming of...  And live for!" She sighed
again as Amanda fed her a piece of sashimi fish.  "And this is what I call
being spoiled..."

   "You deserve it my precious," Amanda said with a caress and continued
feeding them until the pieces of fish were all finished.  They had finished
the hand-rolls and were draining the sake when a discrete knock announced
Gary Ozawa again.

   This time he entered with a trolley, which held a heavy tray on which
sat two lobsters on a block of ice, "I believe you will enjoy these.  The
darker one is an Atlantic lobster, from Massachusetts.  The red spiny one
is a clawless lobster, the one we call langoustine here - it's found around
the Florida-Cuba Channel.  Their flesh is very different, both in taste and
texture.  Very difficult to find in Japan..." He paused, "If that is
acceptable, I will prepared your first course." With a smile for Sherri, he
added, "This is frozen sea-water which gets their body temperature to below
freezing, where they go into a state of suspended animation, so there is no
trauma for them, and, incidentally, firms up the flesh even more."

   "I appreciate that, but I would still rather not participate - I have
not watched Amanda butcher fish for a while and I may have lost some of my
bloodlust!"

   "Certainly.  I shall finish the preparations outside while my wife Naomi
stay to make sure everything is comfortable."

   "But I am not going to miss out on watching a master at work...  Shall
we?" Saying that, Amanda followed him out.

   Gary's departure had been replace by a young woman who now handed out a
warm towel to Sherri.

   "Thank you, Naomi, my name is Sherri."

   "I'm glad to meet you, Sherri," Naomi answered in accentless English,
"And how are you enjoying yourself?"

   "It's great!  I'm SO glad Amanda brought me today - I would never have
found this lovely place on my own!"

   "Thank you, my husband works hard to make this place special - but only
to those who can appreciate it.  He'd rather go hungry than to sell food to
ones who do not appreciate the art!"

   "Not that he would ever go hungry, Amanda has told me sometimes the
waiting line flows out and around the corner!"

   "Still, he's really into his food - he's not adverse to refusing service
to some."

   "And we are sure glad he is so dedicated - the decor, and the setting is
absolutely out-of-this-word!" Sherri enthused, "Not at all what one would
expect next to an auto-center and a strip mall!"

   "We had been looking for a house after we married and visited the
development here.  No-one wanted to buy so close to the main street, so we
got a bargain.  And when this property became available, my husband decided
to join the two lots and start his restaurant here."

   "So your house is over there?"

   "Yes, the other side of the Chiku...  bamboos."

   "Chiku, isn't that the family business?"

   "Ah you know about that, the Ozawa family has been in the building
business for many generations - and in Japansese, chiku means construction,
as well as bamboo.  So over the years, my husband's family has branched out
- mostly in fields with similar sounding names.  Along with the
construction companies and bamboo plantations, there's a Savings and Loans
Bank, a Chiku-chiku boat company on Lake Ashi.  And the family calls this
retaurant the Chiku-chaku" Naomi laughed, a hand over her mouth, "Meaning
the Bamboo-chopsticks...  I suppose the wife COULD be called a Chiku-chaku
too!  Chaku also means primary wife..."

   "And what do you call the second wife?"

   "A Chiku-shou - it doesn't fit the pattern, so I hope it 'll never
happen!"

   "Wow, that's handy, a name for wives and concubine!" Sherri laughed,
then added, "And Naomi, can you tell me about this music?  I have listened
to a bit of traditional music, but I've never heard anything played with
two different-pitched Shakuhachi flutes."

   "You impress me!" Naomi said, with a surprised smile, "That's something
my husband and I did in our spare time the first few years we moved here."
She pointed at the rock-garden.  "We would enjoy the sunrises or sunsets
there, and put them to music, just for ourselves.  I had training on the
Shakuhachi, but only had the two, in differently pitches.  And, because
nobody told us it should not be done, my husband learned to play with me.
We made CDs for ourselves and family members." She paused, "And in twelve
years, you are the ONLY person who identified that!  How is that possible?"

   "It''s due to a freaky form of tonal pitch recognition that I can tell
that one pipe is pitched at A3, and that means it can reach a lower
registry than the regularly D4-pitched instruments.  I guess you have a 2-4
shakuhachi as well as the 1-8?"

   "I think I'm in shock, it's something I thought was so obscure..." Naomi
paused to refill Sherri's drink, "Your skills are quite amazing!"

   With a knock, Gary and a grinning Amanda came in with another
boat-shaped tray on the trolley, with about 20 pieces of almost transparent
meat arranged in two rows inside, "The Ryou sashimi." He waited until
Amanda seated herself, then set it down on the table between the girls and
continued, "This sauce is soyu with a light mirren - rice-wine vinegar,
should you find the taste too strong.  And there's the pickled ginger too,
of course." He gestured expansively and waited for the girls to begin.

   "Mmmm, this one..." Amanda gestured with her chopsticks to Sherri,
"Whiter but more veiny, that's Langoustine - you should try it first..."

   "Tender, very tender.  Different," Sherri nodded, "and tasty."

   "Now the Atlantic...?" Gary prompted.

   "Yeah, this is more textured, firmer, but good too!"

   As they tasted the sashimi, the Ozawas busied themselves with the table.
With small wires, they lifted the center portion to reveal a cooking
griddle that took up the entire center of the table, leaving about a
10-inch eating surface around it.

   As the cooking surface heated up, Gary, kneeling across from the girls,
drizzled oil, and added a slab of butter and diced shallots.  "The sashimi
you are eating is the tail meat from the lobsters, but the meat from the
rest of the shell, as well as the claws and legs, will be cooked on the
teppan - steel griddle.  Normally, we fry it with rice, but Amanda had
asked for sushi rice, which will be served at room temperature.  So we will
make a thicker bisque for that."

   From a metal bowl, Gary spooned the remainder of the lobster meat on to
the sizzling surface.  The room was suddenly filled with the most delicious
aroma, although powerful vents around the metal surface removed all the
smoke and splatter.

   After a light dusting of salt and spices, Gary produced the lobster
shells that had been halved-lengthwise and covered the food with them. 
"The shells trap and steam-cook the meat, while its fats and flavors drip
down and enhance the meal." As he spoke, he was fine slicing chinese napa
cabbage, bean sprouts and preserved turnip with his razor-sharp knife on
the griddle, held down with his flexible steel spatula.

   Gary flipped over the shells, filling the room with more of the
appetizing smell.  He added the vegetable to the meat and gently mixed them
together.  With the spatula, he scooped the delicious mix back into two
lobster shells and placed them in front of the girls, as Naomi served them
each a bowl of sushi rice, garnished with preserved vegetables and seaweed
strips.  "Please, meshi agare, bon appetit!" Gary invited, and refilled
their cups.

   Naomi was quietly talking to her husband while the girls enjoyed their
hot meal, and now Gary spoke up, "Pardon us for this intrusion, but Naomi
would like you to accept a gift of the CDs of our music."

   "Oh, that would be so lovely, I will cherish it!" Sherri exclaimed, then
to Amanda, "This music we've been listening to was written and played by
our hosts!"

   "And your friend knew right away what instruments we used, and how we
played." Naomi said proudly.

   "Yeah, she's a real smart cookie." Amanda hugged Sherri, "that is why
she's gonna be studying music!"

   "I hope - I haven't heard from them yet!"

   "Are you planning to go to University of Florida?  That's where Naomi
and I studied."

   "Ah the good ol' Gators!" Amanda waved her arms, "'Stand up and
HOLLER!'" as Sherri did the opening bits of 'Jaws', then added a low
grunting, 'Rowrfff!'

   Naomi was laughing, giggling into her hand, "You obviously know the
fraternities very well!"

   "Did you take Music at UF?" Sherry asked.

   "Oh no, I took Agronomy." Naomi answered.  "Plants as Renewable
Resources."

   "Then where did you learn the Shakuhachi?"

   "After my degree, I went back to Japan to 'complete' my education."

   "Her family sent her to attend Geisha school." Gary laughed, "From Gator
to Geisha!"

   "It's not really Geisha school, Ozawa-san is too generous.  I was
learning to be a Maiko, an apprentice to the apprentice, so to speak."

   "After we graduated and decided to marry, our families sent us back to
Japan for the cultural experience.  Naomi had no choice - she had to learn
the finer arts of being a Japanese wife and hostess."

   "My Japanese was atrocious - so had to spend my days with a language
tutor, while learning the arts of a Maiko in the evenings."

   "I was given my choice, and I chose Itamae - sushi-making." Gary wave
included the whole establishment, "and this is the result!  Also, Naomi
does consulting work for the...  er..."

   "Chiku?"

   "Yes, exactly, she was most eagerly awaited for by the family, let me
tell you!" Gary smiled proudly, "I think my parents would've adopted her if
I hadn't proposed!"

   "Well, Naomi, you see you have nothing to worry about - there will never
be a Chiku-Shou!"

   At Garys look, Naomi said, "Sherri-san and I were talking about the
family's habit of associating with terms that sound similar to Chiku.  And,
Chiku-shou does not work."

   "Oh, but chiku is an antiquated term for a mistress!" Gary laughed, "In
fact one of my great-great-great-great-grand-uncles had several ladies
secluded away at a mountain resort, and to support them, he built the
Chiku-chiku Boat company there in Hakone!"

   "Oh no!" Naomi said in shock, "I KNOW about Chiku-chiku!  I just didn't
know it had that extra meaning!  I always thought they made bamboo boats!"

   "No!" Gary was almost choking, "It was meant to mean Chiku's Harem! 
But," He hugged his wife, "There is no risk of THIS Ozawa getting any ideas
like that." He looked at her with great fondness, "You are my 'samhou'! 
Wealth, Beauty and Obedience - perfect qualities in a wife!"

   "I think we'd better substitute 'protective' and 'lawful' for 2 of those
three 'hou's!" Naomi laughed, joining in her husband's mirth.

   "I am sorry that we got carried away," Gary apologised, "We should let
you finish your meal in peace!"

   "No, no!  We are thoroughly enjoying your company!  I'm feel bad that we
are taking you away from your other customers!"

   "Not to worry!" Gary explained, "I left the 'closed' sign on the door.
If they want my food, they can always come back later!"

   "Now I am really, really sorry to have taken your time, AND your
customers away!" Sherri said.

   "This is how I've done business all these years.  Those who know me,
they will understand.  Those who don't..." Gary gave an elegant shrug.  "In
this world, it is difficult to find a kyoukyou - a kinship of the mind and
spirit.  And we should treasure it."

   "I know exactly what you mean..." Sherri said quietly.

   "And just so you know," Amanda announced, "We are on our way to meet up
our OWN cuckoos - the ones who were here last time!"

   "I trust they are well?"

   "Oh yes, and Sara has been trying to filet fish like you showed her, and
practice the kappa slicing.  She's gone through maybe a bushel of cucumbers
but she's determined to get it right!"

   "That young woman is quite something - does she ever sleep?"

   "She sleeps alright," Sherri laughed, "but probably not in any restful
way!" She leaned back and rubbed her stomach, "But I bet I can sleep for 10
hours straight after that fabulous meal."

   "Then if you are finished with the lobster, can I interest you in
anything else?  More sashimi, or sushi?"

   "If I eat any more, I will need to run behind the car to work it off!"
Sherri paused, "Maybe we should just get something for Sara, and...  the
other person?"

   "Yes, if we can have two chirashi's to go, they'll be happy."

   "Then I will get everything ready - would they want an all fish chirashi
like before?"

   "Yes, if you don't mind - but they like the salmon and flying fish roe
too."

   "Excuse me too," Naomi added, "I would go and fetch your CDs."

   "Gary, please put the bill on my credit card." Sherri offered.  "I'm a
working girl now, so I should be good for it!"

   "Not a problem." With more bows, they were gone.

   "Damn, I forget to tell him to use your card to pay off the tab too!"

   "Heck, it's all coming out of the same pot anyways!  Mom's putting 25%
of my pay in a GIC and Jules is investing what's left after taxes with
JamPC."

   "Well, you never know when I may need another Jag!"

   "You are cut off, Missy.  I probably have to ride a bike to finance your
expensive habit!"

   "You just have to work harder!  Damn, three gigs in four months is
pretty lean pickings!"

   "Yeah, you should invent a few more of your structural doodads - brains
not working well anymore?  It must be early senility setting in!" Sherri
chided her friend, "Now, let me be, I want to do something for Gary and
Naomi." She started scribbling madly on the flipside of the napkin.

   Naomi returned, with a green-tea ice cream for each of them, then
replenished their cups.  She now handed a package to Sherri, tied up in a
colorful fabric cord.  "Please accept a sample of our minimal musical
efforts."

   "I will always treasure it, thank you, Naomi." Sherri replied, "By the
way, do you read western music notation?"

   "I learned the smallest amount, enough to transcribe the notes. 
Japanese music is written in full, in kanji.  And I did not have the five
years to learn it." Naomi smiled.

   "I'd like to give you this," Sherri handed her the busily filled-in
napkin.  "It's from Brahm's Double Concerto.  I've done about a quarter of
the 7 minutes of the second movement.  It's quite peaceful, but majestic,
just like you were telling me about the sunrises and sunsets here.  And I
believe it'll work well even after transposing to your instruments and the
Pentatonic scale.  I would like you to to try it, and If you like it, I
will work on the rest for you."

   "I will gladly accept on behalf of my husband and myself.  We will try
our utmost to apply our small talents to it." Naomi said, "But you should
not expect results too soon.  Our skills are meager..."

   "Don't worry - we're just doing it for fun..." Sherri smiled, "I think I
can think of a few pieces that will work well for you too!"

   "I think it's time we get moving.  Or are you going to eat the spoon
too?" Amanda urged.

   "OK, moving!  I'm only fifteen pounds heavier than when I came in!"

   Gary was packaging two Bento boxes in a plastic bag when Naomi brought
them out.

   "Listen, Gary, let me pay for the meal and whatever we have on tab.  The
poor girl's just got back - we should give her a day's grace before taking
advantage of her."

   "Of course," Said a grinning Gary.

   Sherri accepted her card and the food package from Gary with a grin,
then turn to Amanda, "You are so kind, but what will happened to your new
car now?"

   "Ah, I'll take it out of YOUR card!"

   "I did not know one could buy a car with a credit card?" Gary inquired.

   "Oh yes, I've seen it." Sherri said, "This girl once bought a brand new
sports car with her credit card.  Even before she was old enough to drive
it...  Which, I believe, would still be the case."

   "Hush, little one, I have some kind of dispensation...  somewhere."

   "Ahh, yes - the one allowing you to transport the cattle to the back
pasture and to take old uncle Theodore to his dialysis."

   "Exactly, what you said."

   "See, my friend here is such a humanitarian!  It's amazing the State
doesn't buy her next car for her!"

   "I detect a trace of insincerity there!" Amanda sniffed, "Just so you
know, I was going to buy the car for YOU!" She shook her head sadly, "But
I'm afraid your harsh unfeeling critcisms have quite taken my generosity
away."

   "Oh, gosh, no!  I'm sorry - I didn't mean it!"

   "That's better, so at the right moment, I will buy a car with your
credit card and you will thank me forever?"

   "Oh yes, forever and ever!" Sherri rested her head on Amanda's shoulder,
"You're my HERO!"

   "Just don't forget it!"

   Naomi was giggling weakly against her husband.

   Gary shook his head, "You have such an...  intriguing approach to
life... I envy you, but it scares me too."

   "Oh?  In what way?"

   "That even knowing what I DO know about your accomplishments, it's still
tempting to dismiss you as frivolous and inconsequential.  So I ask myself,
what else can you do that no one will know about?"

   "Like we're serial killers and stuff?"

   "No, no, not at all like that - you have a saying, 'Still water runs
deep', but even without the grave countenances, I KNOW your abilites go far
beyond what is visible."

   Sherri nodded, and began, "Perhaps the answer lies in what we did not
have to go through.  Most people spend a good part of their life learning
to develop 'walls' - psychological defences, as a protection from being
hurt.  And when you are forced to hide your vulnerabilities, your
weaknesses, part of who you are also becomes submerged - a certain 'loss of
innocence'.  But right from the start we, I mean the eight of us, have
shared a strong mutual support and understanding.  Human relationships can
takes years to mature, yet we seem to get it instinctively.  This means we
can choose which parts the real us to expose to the world, and privately,
we can be exactly what we are, without fear of ridicule or scorn."

   "That's exactly what I mean," Gary said, "You have such insight into
matters, yet you remain free of the, shall we say, 'side effects' of
gaining such wisdom."

   "I thank you," Sherri shook Gary's hand, "for what you just said and for
everything you have done for us today."

   "We have been honored by your presence.  Please make sure you visit us
again." Gary accompanied them to the door and the car.

   "I didn't know you're such a smart honey!" Amanda said to her friend as
they were working on the tonneau cover, "That was some very nice
observations on the 'Gang!"

   "Brenda explained it to Kelly when we were at the Regan shoot, and it
made a lot of sense to me.  And in the last 3 months, I've had a lot of
time to think it out, and I could compare it to the people I was working
with."

   "And...?"

   "Professional models base their careers on what others want them to be -
they eat, dress, colorize, accessorize, behave, all according to what their
agent and sponsors want.  And the danger is that they lose the essense of
themselves - their basic mores and values are discarded along the way.  I
was lucky, I had Kelly and Todd to help me stay out of harm's way.  Most of
all, it's because I know I have the love and support of all of you." Sherri
hugged Amanda, "I love you so much babe."

   "I love you too hon."

   Sherri looked at Amanda, and smiled "So, you'll let me drive your car
then?"

   "Hell, no!  I don't love you THAT much!" Then, with her own mischievous
mile, "JK, Dude, let me get out to city limits and then you can show me
what you learned from Nicole and Jules."

   "What I want to show you, we can do at the boat..." Sherri said with a
half-lidded look, "When we have some privacy.  So put the pedal to the
metal, sista!"

   = = = = =



   (C) Copyright 2001-2008.  MikeC. All Rights Reserved. All Reproduction
for fee or profit forbidden.

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