Last Meal Before Home:

Tonight was the last night before departure. The volunteers held a barbeque for all of the travelers that helped out. The people stood around talking and eating as the sun went down. I sat with Sappoto-san on the dock as we ate roasted meat. I had never seen her look so happy before in my life.

�I rarely see you smile,� I said to her. Sappoto-san glanced up at me, confused.

�Oh�� she mumbled. �Is that bad?�

�No, no, no!� I said. �It�s really good. In fact, you should smile more often!� She blinked at me for a moment and then she smiled again.

�There you are,� I said. I picked up some roast chicken with my chopsticks. Sappoto-san looked over at me.

�So when do we leave?� she asked.

�In the morning,� I told her. Sappoto-san nodded.

�Ah,� she said. I turned my eyes to her.

�So, what do you want to do when you get back to Tokyo?� I asked. My friend took a moment to think about that one.

�Find my family,� she said.

�Do you have any idea where they are?� I asked. �Or are you still clueless about that one?� She frowned at me. I pressed my lips together.

�I take it that means no�� I mumbled. Sappoto-san nodded. I took another bite of my sesame roast chicken.

�Okay then�� I mumbled.

�What about you?� she asked. I eyed her blankly.

�Huh? Oh,� I said. I sat back for a moment to think about that. �Well�� I said. �Give my girlfriend a big hug and kiss.�

�Uh-huh,� she said. I smiled as I thought about what would happen next. I chuckled to myself. �Let her yell at me for leaving her,� I added. �Kiss her again and� well, you know what follows behind.� Sappoto-san nodded at me.

�Yeah,� she said. I was tempted to ask, �Do you now?�, but I left it at that. I lied back and looked at the dimming sky. It�s going to be so weird to be back on land in Japan. I hope that Umiko�s found her own place to live by now. I can stand living with her any longer. Feeling myself getting pissed off again, I tried to think about something else.

�What do you want to do when you find your family?� I asked. Sappoto-san looked at me in silence.

�I haven�t thought about that,� she said. I pouted at her.

�Oh, come on!� I said. �There must be something do can give them. I mean, when was the last time you saw them?�

�I don�t really know,� she said. �It was so long ago.� I frowned as I took a moment to think.

�Give me a moment, I�ll get more food to help me think,� I said. I rose to my feet and walked over to the main party.

�Don�t eat too much!� Sappoto-san called out to me as I walked away. I just waved her over before turning right. I got right into line for more food. I gave the cooking volunteers kind of frowned at me when I showed up in front of them.

�Hi�� I mumbled with a small chuckle. The younger man at the table just served me my fourth helping of meat and vegetables.

�Pig!� his eyes hissed at me. I just shrugged and walked back over to Sappoto-san. I took my seat next to her and ate my first bite. My friend watched me the whole time. I turned to her with a smile on my face.

�Now, as I was suggesting,� I said. �You�ve got to do something nice for your husband and children when you first them.� Sappoto-san took a sip of her soda.

�Like what?� she asked.

�I don�t know,� I said. �Maybe get them a gift.� Sappoto-san looked at me in a funny way.

�A gift?� she asked.

�That�s right. For the kids, some nice toys or a coloring book. For your husband, you just need you.� Sappoto-san blinked at first.

�Me?� she asked. It took her a moment to grasp what I was saying. �Oh� That�� she said softly. I sat up, smirking.

�Oh, you are just so innocent!� I said aloud. �I�ll have to teach you some new things.� I noticed her staring at me with big eyes. I held out my hand at her.

�Don�t worry, not that kind of teaching,� I said. �I might tell you some little secrets in the morning.� Sappoto-san gave me another blank look.

�Why tomorrow?� she asked. I gave her a goofy smile.

�We have to go home tomorrow!� I said. �So, eat and get back on our boat so that we can set sail.� I patted her on the arm as she looked rather puzzled. I rose to my feet to go throw away my plate. Goodbye vacation, you and I have been with each other for too long. We need a break from each other. I�m starting to turn soft.