Chapter Seven: Lunch with Michael:

We made it to the Anna Miller. Despite the stop, I still didn’t let go of Sappoto-san’s arm. (I still didn’t think she would stay put if I did. But then again, she never wandered off in strange places. So innocent like a little child. That’s what childhood damage can do to you.) I looked through the glass doors as I caught my breath.

“See him yet?” I asked my traveling buddy.

“No,” she said.

“Are you even looking?”

“Yes. They just all look the same to me.”

“Sappoto-san! That is prejudice!”

“But it’s true!”

“Just keep looking.” She said nothing and looked inside the restaurant. I saw Michael sitting at the bar near the counter.

“I see him! Let’s go!” I said. I pushed open the door and dragged Sappoto-san inside. Michael looked up and saw us. A smile came onto his face.

“Hello ladies,” he said. “Have you changed your mind?”

“Yes we have,” I said in English. He turned to Sappoto-san. She kept looking down at the floor. Michael looked at me oddly.

“What’s with her?” he asked.

“Oh,” I brushed off. “She’s just really shy.” Michael only nodded.

“Are you hungry?” he asked. “They have really good food here.” I shrugged.

“Well…” I said. “We haven’t eaten since breakfast… okay.” The marine smiled at us as he patted a stool next to him.

“Come take a seat. Lunch is on me,” he offered. I dragged Sappoto-san with me as I did so. The waitress came out to counter. She looked at us for a moment; then she turned to our marine.

“Are these the new friends that were joining you?” she asked.

“Yes ma’am,” he answered. “Stick whatever they order on my tab.” The waitress looked over at Sappoto-san and I. I gave her a little wave as Sappoto-san looked down at her feet.

“Right,” the waitress said. “I’ll be with you a second.” She disappeared to the back. When the waitress returned, she had two new menus in her hand. We took them with smiles on our faces. (Or, at least I had a smile on my face.) I opened up the menu and began looking at the contents. I’m not in a mood for a big meal. Maybe I’ll get something small instead. Let’s see… I began to over the appetizers and side deals. This place doesn’t have anything interesting at the moment. I turned to my co-traveler.

“What are you getting?” I asked her. Sappoto-san looked at me, confused.

“It’s all confusing to me,” she whispered. I was about to ask how when I realized that most of the menu was in English with Katakana in tiny print under it. Sappoto-san spoke again.

“I just wish I had my glasses with me,” she said. I looked around for a moment for a substitute. I found an empty glass near the napkin holder. I held it over the menu.

“Better?” I asked. Sappoto-san looked at the Katakana in joy.

“Thank so much,” she said. I smiled at her.

“Sure,” I said. We both red the menu until the waitress came back around to us.

“You ready to order?” she asked. I sat up in a snap.

“Yes ma’am!” I replied. She pulled out a notebook and began writing them down.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Green tea,” we both said. Our waitress wrote it all down.

“Hot or cold?”

“Hot.”

“Sweet or bitter?”

“Sweet,” I said.

“Bitter,” Sappoto-san answered. I looked at her oddly. Why does that woman always want her tea bitter? The waitress finished writing our drink orders.

“Good, I’ll be with you in just a moment.” She disappeared into the back again. I tried to watch and see what she was doing back there, but a grass-style curtain obsecured my view. So, I turned back to our new Marine friend.

“So, is Okinawa nice here in the summer?” I asked.

“Absolutely!” he said as he was finishing up his pie. “It’s so beautiful here. My girlfriend has even taken up gardening recently because of it. I’ll show you her garden later tonight.”

“Cool,” I said. The waitress came back with teas.

“Here you are,” she said. We gracefully took our teas. I blew on mine before taking a sip. The waitress smiled at us.

“Good?” she asked.

“Yes ma’am!” I chirped. “And I think we’re ready to order.” The waitress smiled.

“Great,” she said. “What would you ladies want?”

“I’ll have an order fries,” I said.

“Just fries?” she asked.

“Just fries.” The waitress wrote down my order. Then, she turned to Sappoto-san.

“And you?”

“I’ll have a mushroom burger with fries.” I sat there in surprise as the waitress wrote down her order. Whoa! Sappoto-san is finally loosening up. This is a good thing now. Maybe this trip will go so much easier. The waitress finished writing down Sappoto-san’s order.

“No problem,” she said. “I will be back with your orders shortly.” Then, she disappeared into the back once more. I patted my traveling buddy on the shoulder.

“You’re finally opening up!” I said. “I’m so proud of you.” Sappoto-san blushed at my compliment.

“I’m sorry,” she said as she bowed her head.

“No, no,” I said. “This is good.” Sappoto-san looked up at me slightly surprised.

“Really?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I said, nodding. For once on this whole trip, she actually smiled. I saw my good friend, Obuchi Sappoto-san, smiling. Now that I think about it, she looks rather cute, smiling. She should smile more often! I felt myself blushing all of a sudden. Oh crap, I’m starting to feel my old attractions flaring up again. Quick, think about something unattractive. Think about T.J. and Tony making out. Yeah, that works! I shut my eyes tightly and shook my head.

“Is there a problem?” someone asked me. I quickly opened my eyes. Michael stared at me oddly. I sat back nervously. Suddenly, I felt so stupid.

“Oh, no!” I said quickly. “Nothing’s wrong! Everything is just fine!” *Big ol’ sweat drop on my head as I try and laugh it all off* Damn, I wish the food would get here. I got my wish soon enough when the waitress came back with my fries and Sappoto-san’s burger and fries.

“Yay! Food!” I cheered in relief. I grabbed a couple of fries and stuffed them into my mouth. Michael just smiled and laughed before he took a sip of his root beer. Sappoto-san began to eat her own fries. Good, crisis adverted. Now, Michael won’t think I’m some fucking psycho. I hope…