CHAPTER 9
I was sleeping like a log when I hear my phone at exactly 9 a.m.
“Hello.” I say.
“Good morning, Caleb. This is Rachel. Sorry for taking a bit longer than expected to get back with you but I have news regarding the rental.”
“OK.”
“Congratulations. You got it!” She says.
My head was still spinning from waking up in the middle of REM sleep so I stopped and pinched myself to make sure I was awake. Affirmative.
“Great news. What’s the next step?”
“We can meet today to sign the papers and collect the first month, last months payment, and the security deposit. And of course give you the keys.”
“OK.”
“What time’s good for you?”
“How about 10:30?”
“Perfect. There’s a great spot downtown we can meet and grab a coffee.”
“Shoot.”
“Feisty Fido’s. Do you know it?” She says.
I laugh to myself. I guess a little louder than I thought.
“Yeah, I’ve heard of it.”
“Great. See you there at 10:30.”
“See you there.”
I roll over and sit on the bed. Jeremiah had left a note on the counter last night that he’d be out running errands all morning. I look over at the corner of my room. Yep, my boots were still there. They were about to take me back from where I had just come.
After a quick shower I reached into my backpack and pull out the necessary cash. I put it in my front pocket and am out the door and on my way.
I arrive early, but go inside anyways.
Takumi greets me with an “Oh!” and a bow. I return the bow.
“You really like here?”
“I do.”
“Please. Choose any seat.”
“Thank you.”
I try a different part of the teahouse. Partly out of curiosity and partly to avoid the weirdness of Takumi seeing me with a different girl barely 12 hours later in the same spot. I’m not that guy and I definitely don’t need to cultivate that type of reputation.
He could see from my body language I was waiting on someone and left me to myself. About 10 minutes later Rachel arrives. She spots me immediately.
“Congratulations, Caleb.”
“Thanks, Rachel.”
“Have you ordered?”
“Not yet.”
“Ok, great. It works a little differently here.”
“So I’ve heard.”
Takumi comes by and gives a big bow to Rachel, which she returns. They both smile and began speaking in Japanese. I could tell from the pacing and intonation of their conversation they were very familiar with each other. After a minute Rachel turns to me.
“Coffee?”
“Perfect.”
She says a few more things to Takumi and he quickly leaves to begin preparations.
“You speak Japanese?”
“English teacher in Tokyo for three years. Loved it.”
“And also the culture?”
“Everything. Culture, food, formality and informality, style…I love it all.”
“And it seems like you’ve been here before.”
“Definitely. I met Takumi in Tokyo. He told me his dream was to come to a small town in American and open a place like this. I asked him why not L.A. or New York or somewhere like that. He said coming from Tokyo the last thing he wanted to do was live in another huge city. He was also very fascinated with Americana. Diners, drive-ins, little league games…those kinds of things. We kept in touch over the years and when I became a real estate broker he asked if I could keep an eye out for him. I knew he was serious. I kept an eye open for over a year and then I saw this place. I knew it could convert to something that would work for him so I sent him some pictures and details. Three days later he was on a plane.”
“Wow. Now that’s a story about friendship.”
“Definitely. He’s the most loyal and kind friend anyone could ever have.”
“And he was able to get set up over here?”
“Yes, he got the green card for this place. Obviously you need a Japanese guy to make this place work. They determined he wasn’t going to take a job from an American so they awarded it to him. He’s been here ever since.”
“Those are the kind of foreigners I really like. Positive about America. Interested in the history and culture and then when they come here they make positive contributions and really become a part of a community.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself.”
And then, right on cue, Takumi approaches our table with two cups of coffee. We thank him and he scurries off.
“Are you ready for this?”
“What do you mean?” I say.
“This is going to be unlike any coffee you’ve ever had.”
“You’re really building this up.”
“You know how there were musicians, bands, and so forth and then Jimmy Hendrix came along with The Jimmy Hendrix Experience.”
“Of course.”
“Well this is an experience.”
“Well let’s get experienced.” I say. And with that I bring the coffee to my lips. The smell was incredible. I felt like I was on a Colombian hillside lying in a bag of fresh coffee beans. It smelled deep and warm. It reminded me of my grandmother’s chocolate milk on a cold winter’s day, but different. More adult. More masculine. I take a sip. It was like an explosion in my mouth. I sloshed it around and it felt like the inside of my mouth was fighting for possession of this liquid perfection. I swallowed and it warmed my throat. I could feel a tingle all the way down.
“Heavenly?”
“I don’t even have words. Experience was right.”
Rachel smiles.
“So. Ready to sign the contract?”
“Sure. Let’s take a look.”
Rachel hands me the contract. It was a very simple one pager. Very straight forward and just a few don’ts.
“I like the way this guy operates.”
“How so?”
“No legal gibberish. One page. Straight to the point. It feels about a close as you can get to a handshake on paper.”
Rachel smiles.
“Yeah, he’s very no nonsense.”
“Perfect.” I take Rachel’s pen and sign the contract. Then I reach into my pocket and remove the cash.
“Let me prepare you a receipt.” Rachel opens her purse and pulls out a receipt book. Less than 30 seconds later she’s tearing out the sheet and handing it my way.
“Here are your keys. You’re all set.”
“Thanks. That was easy.”
“How I like it.”
“Me too.”
“Caleb, I’m sorry but I must run. A day full of appointments.”
“No problem.”
Rachel reaches into her purse and pulls out some small bills?
“What are you doing?”
“Paying for the drinks.”
“What is up with women in this town?”
“Um, excuse me?”
“Always trying to pay.”
“Oh.” Rachel smiles. “Just a habit of my business I guess.” She says.
“Well, please. Allow me.”
“Thank you. You’re a real gentleman”
“And you’re a real lady. You deserve to be treated like one.”
Rachel blushes.
“Wow. No one’s said anything like that to me in a long time. Simple, yet beautiful.”
“Well more people should.”
Rachel holds my eye contact. “Thank you, Caleb. I wish there were more real men like you in this world.”
“Don’t thank me. There are no rewards necessary for doing what you’re supposed to do.”
“You’re a throwback. Old school. I like that. I have a feeling you’re going to be very well liked in this town. And very successful.”
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure. OK, I really must be going. Thank you for the coffee and good luck with the gym. I’ll be sure to keep an eye on its progress and swing by once it’s up and running.”
“That would be great.”
“See you.”
“See you.”
And Rachel was off. I noticed she took her coffee with her. Takumi prepared it in a to go cup and Rachel was quickly out the door. Smart girl. It would be a crime to waste that cup o’ Joe.
I enjoy the last of my coffee, pay, and take off. I wanted to go straight to the gym and see what I was in for.