Running Away to Home

By: Rebecca A. “Sinead” Fahey-Leigh

Chapter Four

How do I do this? was the first thought that Faith woke up to that next morning. How do I tell him everything that I can about my faith? I don’t know what to say.

Sighing, she sat up on the futon, pulling her knees to her chest and sighing. The shoji slid open, showing another of the maids, Takanami Akizu-san. The slightly-older woman didn’t know much English, but was always kind, and always willing to learn. She smiled, bowing slightly. “Kagami-san.”

Nodding to indicate that she understood Takanami-san, the woman smiled and closed the door to the small room again. Faith put all the bedding away in the closet, then dressed, wearing a thin white yukata under her kimono of birds-among-the-flowering-branches. Today was a day that she was going to run errands to various places, and she had to look traditional. Only two of the other maids would be staying while the other five were off getting things done. Sure they got stares, but it was well-worth the effort of being presentable when they got to their destinations and delivered either invitations for Kagami-san, or even for other patrons whose function was hosted at the Bashomizu Tatemono.

Faith was being teamed up with Takanami-san for the day, in hope that the slightly-older native would begin to acquire more English, while at the same time Faith would start to speak more Japanese.

As soon as she was dressed and the obi tied securely around her, she picked out the lesser-ornate of her two pairs of geta and put on a pair of the cheap tabi. Placing most of her money just inside the left flap of the kimono crossing her chest, into the small, secret pocket there, she picked out a ribbon matching the crimson birds of her kimono. She pulled back the hair on the sides of her face, securing it with a small elastic behind her head, then tied the ribbon around it in a bow with long, trailing ends. With a sigh, she looked left and right into the small mirror, then, satisfied, picked up her small black bag with a dark-red dragon twining around it, and left the room with her geta in hand.

She knelt before the door leading into Kagami-san’s suite of rooms by the back of the ryokan, asking, “May I enter?”

“Shinrei-chan! Come, come!”

Smiling, Faith opened the door and then knelt again to close it behind her. She turned back towards Kagami-san, seeing her in her kimono, but without the wide obi, instead using a thinner one for the moment. “I was told that you wished to see me.”

“You’re going to Yokohama today, to give this to an old friend of mine.” She held out an envelope. “Takanami-san knows the way.”

“What time to you expect us to return?”

“Before five. I understand that you wish to make a dinner for Eishin.”

“Yes.”

“You know that there will be much peeking and giggling from behind the screens?” Kagami-san smiled almost deviously.

Smiling in reply, Faith nodded. “Yes. I understand that. But we will be talking about deep things.”

“Ah, such as the fact that I know both of you watch each other when one isn’t looking?”

“Well . . . spiritual things. Religion.”

Kagami-san nodded. “Yes, I figured that you weren’t like most of the other Americans that have come and visited the ryokan. You have a faith, a belief, that I trust.”

She looked towards a wall to her left, Faith’s right. There, the younger woman saw a low table with a bible upon it. She looked back at Kagami-san, her face showing her excitement. “You believe?”

Kagami nodded, smiling. “‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son . . .’”

“‘That anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ John 3:16. I didn’t know that it had been translated.”

“Ah, but I also read fluent English. I had studied abroad for my college years.” She stood, Faith standing as she did. The older woman looked over the girl with an appraising eye. “Very well done. You dressed precisely. And the obi is secure? Yes, yes, good. Ah, and Ujio-san will be here for a little while longer. He plans to live in one of the apartments around this area, and will be moving in soon.”

Faith’s face lit up again. “He was really nice yesterday. I really do enjoy his company.”

“Wonderful! Now, off you go, Shinrei-chan! Errands call for you to complete them!”

The American smiled, bowed and left the room, walking down the hall to the reception area that was called the “front desk,” seeing two other foreigners waiting there with luggage. They blinked at her with wide eyes, clearly shocked, and Faith bowed once, seeing Takanami struggling with trying to speak English. “Welcome to Bashomizu Tatemono ryokan. How may I assist you?”

“You really are American,” the man said.

The woman glared at him in play before saying, “We have a reservation here for the next week. Is your manager here?”

“She is. Might I assist you with anything while you wait for her?”

“In a moment.”

Remembering the phrase she had learned, she turned to Takanami-san and asked in her Japanese, “Can you please get Kagami-san?”

Takanami-san nodded and walked back towards the owner’s room. Faith returned her gaze to the two Americans. “Might I ask what brings you here?”

“Oh, just the sights of spring. We heard that there is a cherry-blossom-viewing festival?” the man said imperiously.

“There was. I’m sorry to tell you, but it ended yesterday.”

“But the blossoms are still there?”

“Yes, they are.”

“Then that should be fine.” He looked at her outfit. “So do you work here?”

“Yes.” Why else would I be wearing this and asking someone to fetch Kagami-san? she thought.

“Oh.”

The woman shook her head, asking, “Is there anywhere that we could get something like that?”

“There’s actually a small shop three blocks down the street in that direction where you can buy them cheap.”

Ohisa walked in, smiling and walking over, calling loudly, “Shinrei-chan, o-genki desu ka?”

Laughing, Faith bowed in return. “Genki desu.” She switched back to English. “They were wondering about the kimono shop.”

“Very good! Ah, what are you doing tonight, might I ask, little sister?”

“Making your brother dinner and answering questions. Why?”

“Because I wanted to make sure that he wasn’t lying. And if he was, then I would have invited both of you out to dinner with Tama and myself.”

“You just like to keep busy, don’t you.”

“Horribly so. TÇkyÇ-jin, neh?”

“Hah. So desu ne.”

She turned back to the couple just as Takanami-san rushed back over, talking in Japanese. “We have to get to the train! We’ll miss it!”

Catching a few words, namely “ressha” and “nogasu,” or train and miss, she looked to Ohisa. “Can you talk with them until Kagami-san comes? I would hate to have them feel unwelcome here.”

Ohisa nodded. “I was actually on my way to come here and give something to Kagami-san, so you get moving!”

Bowing, Faith put her geta on at the door and followed Takanami-san down the street.

They entered the plain-looking building, seeing as soon as they entered that a cross was standing in the atrium, and the inside was as lush-looking as the outside was drab. Takanami-san hurried past the cross, and over to where there were signs in both English and Japanese indicating the way to the office. Faith followed at a slower pace, taking the scene in. Hearing her name whispered, she looked to see Takanami-san gesturing wildly for her to follow.

Upon entering the office, they heard a traditional welcome, which was soon followed by the woman at the desk standing and saying, “Well! A foreign newcomer, and in their dress, too!” She held her hand out. “My name is Pastor Jocelyn Redford. I’m the wife of the senior pastor here at this church.”

“What denomination is it?” Faith asked, taking the outstretched hand and gripping it firmly.

“Hah! You’re looking for a church, is it?” a booming, warm voice asked. The man revealed himself a moment later from the inner office, his kind face smiling with a fatherly feeling around it. “I’m Pastor Uriel Redford. Welcome! And might I ask why you’re looking for a church and where you’re from?”

Faith smiled, nodding her head and accepting the welcome. “I’m actually working with Takanami-san, here, at the Bashomizu Tatemono ryokan under Kagami-san.”

“Hah! That old bookworm sends us more people looking for a church of Christ . . .” Pastor Uriel said with no malice, smiling kindly.

“And I’m Pentecostal. From Dorchester, south of Boston.”

“Ah, from the Athens of America and the Hub of the Universe, are you?” Pastor Jocelyn asked, her youthful face nostalgic. “I grew up in the western part of the state.” She smiled. “And you’re in the right church. This is a church planted by a subsidiary of Christ For the Nations International.”

“No!”

“Yes! And since I can see that you’re under a work contract and in Kagami-san’s care, then that means that you’re not all that far from here!”

“What time are services?”

“Ten-AM on Sunday.”

“I’ll be there.”

Takanami-san watched this all in a mute state of mind, unable to translate what they were saying. Fortunately, however, ârieru-sama looked at her, his kind voice asking in the native language, “I really appreciate you coming all the way out here to deliver a mere piece of paper. Thank you very much.”

“Ah, ârieru-sama, it is nothing, I assure you. Kagami-san wished us to deliver the invitations in person.”

“Therefore please pass my gratitude on to her.”

“I will, ârieru-sama. I thank you for receiving us.”

“Always a pleasure, Takanami-san. Always a pleasure.”

She bowed, then asked, “Might you tell Shinrei-san that we have to move on?”

Pastor Uriel looked at the young woman, who was deep in conversation with his wife. He entered into the conversing voices gently, asking, “Would you be willing to move on with Takanami-san at this point?”

She looked at the Pastor, then at his wife, replying softly, “I wish that I could stay and talk, if I’m not bothering you.”

“Ah, no worries. You aren’t,” Pastor Jocelyn replied, laughing. “I have many questions to ask you, Shinrei-san.”

Pastor looked back at Takanami-san. “I regret to tell you that my wife wishes to ask Shinrei-san a great many questions.”

“Ah, then I understand. I can complete the rounds upon my own. I have only three more stops.” She bowed to the Pastors, then to Faith, who returned the bow, and left.

Faith sat carefully in a chair, loosening her feet in her geta. Pastor Jocelyn chuckled. “Are you used to those yet?”

“Nearly.”

“All right, then, what’s your name?”

“Faith Delphina Rosebreyer.”

“Ouch. Tough name to grow up with.”

“Yeah.”

The woman pastor laughed. “Aah, so be it, then. You’re called Shinrei, then? For what reason?”

“It’s a name that has many interpretations, and once I’m able to find the true meaning that I’m comfortable with, I’ll be able to tell you.” She sighed. “It’s been so hard here.”

“How so? I figured that upon seeing you.”

And so Faith told them, the time she spent with them lasting long past lunch and into the mid-afternoon. And many questions were answered, strengthening her for her twilight meeting with Eishin.

A knock sounded upon the door just as she finished arranging the dinner-plates upon the table. Smiling, she bid them to enter. And saw her step-father behind a harassed-looking Eishin. Standing easily in the relaxed fit of her cargo pants, Faith stared at the man silently, forcing him to say the first words. “You’re coming back with me, Faith, whether or not you’re conscious for the trip or not.”

“You can’t touch me. I’m an adult, and I am currently fulfilling a work-contract here. If you take me, that’s a direct violation of the law.”

“Oh?” he snarled, his grip upon Eishin’s upper arm tightening, the fabric of the yukata showing the stress.

Sirens wailed, and an angry voice pointed at the man, shouting instruction in Japanese to the people behind him. Faith’s step-father released Eishin with a swear, lunging towards Faith, his fist connecting with the left side of her jaw.

Ignoring the alternating bursts of stars and black waves that tried to overtake her vision, she retaliated instinctively, catching his nose, his solar plexus, one instep and then ripping her knee upwards into his groin in one fluid movement. Once she saw him being pinned by the authorities, however, she gave into the faint, feeling warm arms catch her and lower her carefully.

“Oi. Wakai-josei.”

Faith opened her eyes to see a medic’s face above hers. He rattled something off in Japanese, holding up three fingers. She blinked, trying to clear her blurry vision, and the medic repeated the question, gesturing to his fingers. She counted to three in Japanese, knowing that it would reassure him to hear that she remembered not just her birth-language. “Ichi, ni, san.”

“Hai. Yoi.” He and another slowly helped her sit up, then held a cold-pack to the left side of her face, briefly shining a flashlight into each of her pupils then away, testing the reflexes before nodding and saying something to the person supporting her and holding the cold-pack. A familiar voice spoke in English by her right ear.

“He says that you’re fine, and that your jaw will be bruised and sore for about two weeks.”

“Eishin.”

“Un.”

She looked up at the medic again, seeing him smile reassuringly. Her voice was sounding strange to herself. “DÇmo arigatÇ gozaimasu.”

The man smiled, resting his hand upon her right shoulder, saying something before inclining his head that slightest bit, smiling that even though she couldn’t understand, she did the same, and left. Eishin sighed.

“How is your arm?”

“Bruised, but fine. Thank you for asking.”

“What did he say?”

“That you don’t need to thank him, and that he was proud and honored to help you in a time of need. He knows who you are, and what your story is.”

“How?” Her head still felt fuzzy . . .

“Ah . . . his name is Yamada Jomei-san. He is my mother’s younger sister’s eldest son, and has heard from Ohisa, who is closer to him than I am, all about you and your situation.” He smiled kindly, brushing hair away from her eyes. “He’s a good cousin to us.”

Faith sighed, feeling Eishin shift her slightly so that she was leaning a bit more onto his lap and the cold-pack secure against her left jaw, before carefully gripping a small cup and holding it to her lips. “Green tea. I put a small amount of sugar in there for you.”

She sipped at it, feeling the warmth spread and start to rejuvenate her body. “You wanted the answers for questions . . .”

“They can wait.”

“Can they?”

Smiling, Eishin continued to hold her gently. “That man is being deported with an escort and will be facing some serious charges when he returns back to America.” His face frowned slightly. “Did you not say that your sister would be trying to meet up with you here?”

“Yes,” Faith replied.

“When?”

“I don’t know. We agreed not to get in touch with each other until she got here to Japan. I had switched my mobile service to its Japanese counterpart, and since I changed mine and she didn’t change hers, I send her a text with my new number . . .”

“Ssshh, stop trying to think,” he whispered, hugging her shoulders tighter to his side and chest.

She struggled to sit upon her own, but Eishin didn’t allow her to, giving his utmost effort to speak her English name correctly, and getting it, too. “Faith-san, please, lay still. You’re in pain, yes, I know, but please, the best thing to do right now is for you to stay where you are.”

Tears dripped silently down Faith’s cheeks. “But the dinner . . .”

“Can be warmed,” Kagami-san’s rich voice said kindly. “I shall take care of it myself. Now, since you are my employee, you will do as I say, and lay still while Eishin takes care of the room. And since I know you, you won’t listen to that line, therefore I implore you as your friend to listen to sound advice and keep yourself as still as possible until you are feeling better.”

Faith looked slowly at the portly, smiling mother hen of the ryokan, and promptly burst into fresh tears. The other maids all fussed around the room, picking the trays up and re-arranging things so that they looked as they most likely had before Faith’s step-father had burst into the room. Then, with a soft wood-on-wood sliding, the shoji clicked shut quietly, leaving Eishin alone with Faith. Carefully he reached over and picked up the soft-covered book, then rested it closer to them while he stroked Faith’s hair. “Why do you cry?”

“B-because nobody’s done stuff like this for me before . . .”

“No? Nn. Then it is time you were spoiled. You deserve it.”

“Ei-Eishin! You can’t!”

“I can.”

“But your university exams . . .”

“You are not attending college. As of now, neither am I, and I’m not planning to until you are settled in all areas. I can work and save up more.” He smiled at her face, and then whispered, “Don’t worry. DaijÇbu desu, Ara-chan, daijÇbu, ne? No more worries for now.”

“Eishin . . .”

He silenced her with another embrace. “No, no more protests. Rest.”

“But . . . the food . . .”

“It will be all right. Don’t worry. DaijÇbu.”

Faith sighed, leaning back against his chest again, nodded slowly, carefully. “DaijÇbu desu.”

“You never got to talk to her about her religion, did you?” Ohisa said.

“No. She fell asleep right after her food. Kagami-san is paying her while she’s still there, so it’s not as if she has to be forced awake.” Eishin sighed, rolling to his back upon his sister’s floor. “I’m so confused at times, but somehow . . . I know that something about her religion makes her think the way she does. It’s odd.”

“What do you mean?”

“Most other girls, if I had expressed as much affection to them as I have to Shinrei-chan, would have asked for a bedding around this time. They would have all but forced me to be with them.”

“Hah. And something about her is different in that respect, ne? She’s not after sex.”

“Not in the least.”

“Almost too different, because of all the stuff and gossip we hear about the Americans being so liberal and free, but I guess that they’re allowed and encouraged to be more diverse.”

Eishin looked at his sister. “Ohisa, what’s been going on with Takayama-san?”

“What’s wrong with Kiri-chi? What do you mean?”

“She’s acting differently. Almost strangely. I saw her watching Shinrei-chan oddly.”

“Describe ‘oddly.’”

“As if she was angry at her. But Faith wouldn’t do anything to anger any of us.”

Ohisa blinked, then shook her head slightly. “I really haven’t noticed anything other than she’s been cranky these last seven weeks, but that’s because of work and cram school, she said.”

Eishin nodded, then turned back to the door leading into the room where Faith lay deep asleep, peaceful in her slumber. And he vowed to himself that he would always try to help her keep that peace, no matter what he would have to give up for it.

Even if it meant the faith his family abided by.