I make no apologies nor explanations. Accept this which I give you with a free, open heart.
Shadaharu Hasegawa
"You have finished, Mr. Tanner?"
"Yes, but.. . Now, wait, this has to be a mistake. Riley is his grandson. I think it's Riley you want. Perhaps he made a mistake. Sometimes Mr. Hasegawa didn't think clearly. ..."
The second man spoke. "I am Mr. Hasegawa's personal physician. He said you would say exactly what you just said. There are his medical reports. On the date he wrote the letter to you and drafted his will, he was as sane as you and I are at this very moment."
"I can't accept all of this, even if what you say is true. I've heard about the Hasegawa empire from the time I was a kid. It's worth at least a billion dollars. They wrote checks and let other people fill in the amounts," Cole said inanely.
The third man spoke. "Your estimate of the Hasegawa empire is short of the mark. I am the head of the legal firm that handles Hasegawa Enterprises. At the close of business yesterday, we were worth over ninety billion dollars. This is the report."
'That's. . . Only the government has that much," Cole blustered.
"The government deals on paper. You have liquidity. Ninety billion dollars of liquidity."
"I don't believe this. This is all a dream," Cole said desperately.
The fourth man laid a sheaf of papers in front of Cole. "Mr. Hasegawa owned all these companies?"
"He used the names of family members for the companies. Every electronic item you own is manufactured by Hasegawa Enterprises."
"And I thought Sony and Mitsubishi.. ."
The men smiled. Cole felt faint.
The fifth man spoke softly. "There is one condition."
"I knew it. Thank God. Whatever it is, I can't do it. You can all leave now. Tell whoever it is that I thank them, but—"
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The fifth man went on talking as though Cole hadn't spoken. 'You are to live in Mr. Hasegawa s bouse and take care of his fami/
"That's it 1 Live in his noose and care for his family ?~ Cole ran his hands through his hair.
"It is a tremendous responsibility. You must look after his family as well as your own. The children must be educated. As I said, a tremendous responsibility. One. 1 might add. that Mr. Hasegawa said you were up to
Cole never did figure out who the sixth and seventh men were. The carriers oi the contracts, he supposed.
Once his desk was heaped, the men stood back in a precision line. They bowed formally and said in unison. "Good-bye, Mr Tanner "
The first man turned at the door and spoke. ~One month from today you are expected to take Mr. Hasegawa s seat. The meeting is scheduled for ten a.m. Japanese time. You understand, you must come to Japan."
Well. I... Now. listen .. . This is just.. "
"One month from today. Mr. Tannz
.e sat in his office all afternoon reading the letter from Riley's grandfather over and over. Soon he knew it by bean. H:> naebvy came into his office and <**"ianA*H to know what it was that was piled on his desk and why she hadn't been called to file it.
"Go home. Nancy, and don't fret. I'm not sure what r. A dream. I think."
"Looks like a nightmare lo me. If you're sure. Mr. Tanner, then I'll say good night "
"When you get here in the morning. Nancy, don't touch these papers till I figure out what they are.*"
"I thought you said they were a dream." Nancy said testily.
~Go home. Nanc
He wanted to call even one in the world, but he didn't.
It seemed to Riley that he'd waited all his life for this moment—the moment when Coleman Enterprises wc turned over to him in its entirety He stood before the mirror
Was he ready 1 Could he handle all the sponsibiiir> ? He felt he was capable, and obviousl> the rest of the family felt so. too The> i taken a family vote and agreed to turn it all over to him. no strings attached. This
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today was to formally hand over the reins to him. They'd all be there. His family.
Sawyer had flown over, to spend a week with her two favorite men—Adam was joining her at Sunbridge for a long weekend. She had appointed herself in charge of the luncheon and entertainment, something she said she did well. Riley's heart had fluttered a little when he heard the word entertainment, but Sawyer wouldn't ... or would she? Sawyer could be a real jokester when she wanted to. Her way of paying him back for all the jokes he'd played on her over the years. And right now she was in a real giddy mood—about to give up her work in Japan and settle down to married life.
Nothing was going to dampen his spirits today, not even Sawyer. Whatever she had planned for him, he would smile and behave the way she expected. He wouldn't ruin her fun. His heart swelled with love for his family. Heart and soul, he now believed he was one of them.
Riley peered into the mirror. As happy as he was, he knew there was something missing in his countenance. Eyes, they said, were the mirror of one's soul. Instead of mirroring his happiness, his eyes were mirroring his sadness and sorrow. He hadn't grieved yet for his grandfather. Perhaps he would never truly grieve, but one morning he would wake and realize the depth of his loss. The old one had made him promise not to grieve but to go on with life. He had to do his best to honor his promise.
He'd planned it all out the past few days. Tomorrow he was flying to Japan. He wanted to walk up to the cherry blossom hill. He wanted to light the joss sticks. He wanted to walk back down the hill. He needed the memory of the cherry blossom hill. There would be other pilgrimages to the fragrant hill, but none as important as this one. He would lay to rest all his ghosts and start clean and fresh as head of Coleman Enterprises.
Riley's hand slicked a stray lock of hair into place. He could have come out of this an emotional cripple, but thanks to his grandfather's love and wisdom, he was now stronger than he'd ever been. He peered again at his reflection. The sadness and sorrow were still there, and would remain until he returned from his grandfather's favorite spot on earth.
Riley winked at his reflection. He was on track.
The Colemans gathered in one of the larger meeting rooms at Assante Towers. Sawyer was in charge, bustling here and there
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with little cue cards for what she called Riley's entertainment. She cast a critical eye around the room. The tables were perfect, the centerpieces rich with color. Balloons wafted upward in gay bunches tied with gold ribbon. She'd hired a deejay to play what she called triumphant music and to read from the cue cards she'd typed up. The family was sequestered in the small service room off the meeting room, waiting to be called by the deejay. Only Sawyer would be in the meeting room when Riley arrived. She hated the thought that Riley would have a few moments of discomfort when he walked into an empty room with only herself to greet him, but she consoled herself with the thought that the end justified the means.
"Okay, is everybody ready? You all know what to do and say, right?" There was a chorus of yeas. "I think I hear him. Shhhh."
Riley's expression was comical at best. Sawyer felt a pang of regret for what she was doing. Riley didn't deserve even a second of anxiety. "I guess everyone's a little late. They did say they'd be here. Sit down. Relax, cousin. Can I get you a glass of wine? I insist. Sit right there and don't move. I'm going to wait on you hand and foot." She was back in seconds with two glasses of bubbly wine. "Let's not make a toast; that's too corny. This is purely business." She raised her glass to her lips, the signal for the deejay to activate the sound system.
A few bars of music bounced off the walls. The deejay cleared his throat, as though he were testing his equipment. "Riley Coleman, this is your life!" Sawyer burst out laughing at Riley's shocked look. When he recovered, he doubled over with laughter.
"I'll get you for this!"
"You'll never top this; besides, Adam won't let you. I'm getting married, remember. Sit back and enjoy... your life. It's just the highlights," Sawyer added hastily. "Nothing long and drawn out.
"
Behind the makeshift stage, Sumi's voice rang out loud and clear. "I can't personally attest to this, because I was a mere toddler at the time, but my sisters tell me you came into this world feet first, screaming your head off, with your hair standing on end. They said you were rosy-cheeked, bright-eyed, and.. . very, very plump. They also said you turned into a male chauvinist at the age of four. You were the apple of our family's eye ... and you're still the apple of my eye ... after Cole. I love you, Riley." Riley stood with his arms outstretched as Sumi ran
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to him. Riley could feel his eyes smart as he hugged his cousin.
"On with your life, Riley." Sawyer grinned.
Thad's booming baritone came over the sound system. "I take full credit for seeing you first, before any of the Colemans did. You were a rambunctious young fellow. . . outside the walls of your home. You were kind, respectful, and definitely not a male chauvinist. We took long walks, you and I, and I told you stories about your new family by the hour. You always wanted more and more. When I write my memories, you will be included because you are part of my life." Riley was halfway across the room when Thad came out from behind the curtain. They hugged and then slapped each other on the back.
"C'mon, let's not get maudlin; we have a ways to go yet," Sawyer chided.
Billie's sweet voice sounded next. "The minute I laid eyes on you, I loved you, Riley. I thought my heart would burst with happiness. Knowing I had a grandson made my life complete. The day you came to the States to stay with us was one of the happiest days of my life. I will treasure all our times and talks, and I hope you feel the same. I love you, Riley, with all my heart." Once again Riley was off the chair and sprinting across the room. He hugged his grandmother till she squealed for Thad. Tears streamed down Riley's cheeks. He shook his head at Thad's offer of a handkerchief.
"Enough already!" Sawyer shouted. "Next!"
Rand's voice boomed. "I decided I wanted to know you better the night you and I sobered up your cousin Cole. I saw something in your eyes then, compassion, love, integrity, and a spirit that has never let any of us down. I feel privileged to know you, Riley." Maggie's voice came directly after her husband's. "You were the shyest, sweetest young man, after my own son, of course, that I ever met. I remember the time I made grits for you, and rather than tell me you didn't like them, you forced them down. Later Cole told me you said it was like eating warm snot." Maggie laughed, a delighted sound that made Riley smile from ear to ear. "I cannot imagine what our lives would have been without you. You made our family complete, Riley."
They were hugging and kissing him, laughing and crying. Riley didn't care. A guy could do anything when his family was behind him.
"Now it's my turn," Sawyer said in a serious tone. "Adam joins me here because we're almost married. Riley, if it hadn't
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been for you and Cole pushing and prodding me, I never would have gone for my operation. How do I ever thank you for giving me my life? If you ever need me . .. for anything . . . I'll be here for you." Sawyer's voice ended on a choked sob.
Adam's voice was subdued when he spoke. "You've been a hell of a friend, Riley, the kind of friend a guy wants to keep for the whole of his life. If I had a brother, I'd want him to be just like you. You're okay, Riley."
Sawyer's eyes were flooded with tears as she embraced her cousin. "I love you almost as much as I love Adam." Riley grinned, not trusting his voice.
Cary's voice sounded gruff, but it was filled with love and emotion. "Riley, you're a hell of a guy, and if the chips were down and they were counting time, I'd want you on my side. We have a wonderful family here. If ... if your Aunt Amelia were here, she'd know exactly what to say and how to say it. She used to tell me not to be afraid to show what I feel. Guys like us think we're macho and tough and all that crap. I know now I'm none of those things; I'm a human being with feelings, and my feeling right now is one of love for you and our family."
"I thought ... I thought you wouldn't be here," Riley said quietly. "Aunt Amelia ... I'd give anything if she .. . You know what I mean. ..."
"Don't kid yourself, Riley," Cary said. "Her spirit is here somewhere. Amelia never missed a family bash." He did something then that made the family draw in their breath in unison. "Hey, babe, this is the kid's moment, right?" The crystals in the light fixture overhead tinkled. "See? I told you." Cary laughed delightedly.
"Thad. . . ?" Billie whispered "Thad . . . ?"
"Shhhh, honey. Let's all believe what we want to believe."
Cole's voice rang in Riley's ears. "If I need an introduction, something's wrong. We've had our moments, some of them good and some not so good. You're one guy I want in my corner for all time. You had my life in your hands on more than one occasion. You're more than a cousin, Riley. You're the brother I never had." They met in the middle of the room, eyes level with one another, hands on each other's shoulders. East and West, joined together not for the first time and certainly not the last.
"Am I supposed to give a speech or something?" Riley asked of no one in particular.
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"Not yet, Riley. There's one more testimonial. Sit down next to your grandmother," Thad said gently.
The room grew quiet. Riley waited. Riley reached for his grandmother's hand when his grandfather's voice came gently over the sound system. "My heart is bursting with love as I prepare this message for you. I regret that it was not my own idea, but the idea of Billie and Thaddeus. Your American family's love only exceeds my own. In this world of turmoil that we all live in, a man has the inalienable right to seek happiness. For a short while I forgot... how do you say in America?.. .To practice what I have preached for so long. Forgive me, Riley. My love for you has no boundaries and no restrictions. Soon my spirit will soar, and always I will watch over you. You are blessed, my grandson. My last wish to you is to live, love, and above all, be happy."
There was silence in the room. Thad broke it when he said, "We must obey my old friend's order, his direct order! We have the love, we're living, and now we're going to be happy! I propose a toast to Riley, the head of Coleman Enterprises!"
"Hear! Hear!" Adam cried, jumping up. "Now you can make a speech, as long as it only takes one minute. You Cole-mans are so damn long-winded."
Riley stood up, his hand outstretched to accept the heavy ring of keys Sawyer was holding out to him. "There are no words to tell you how I feel right now, so I won't even try. I love all of you, and I'll do my best to run our company the way you want. If I come up short along the way, I hope you'll come down on me . . . but not too hard. I think my minute's up. Oh, I enjoyed the entertainment. Your day is coming soon, Sawyer!"
It was four o'clock when the party broke up. The Cole-mans went their separate ways once more.
"Cole, can I talk to you for a minute?" Riley asked.
"A minute, no more. I know what you're going to say, and Riley, it isn't necessary. You belong here. You are one of them now. Just like I'm one of your family. All we did was switch places. I know I have you to thank for all I have, and will have in the future. Listen, if you ever change—"
"Never!" Riley said softly. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I'll never regret it and I'll never change my mind. It's as you said, we changed lives. I'm so grateful to you for. . . for just being you. Go along, now, before Sumi sends out a squad to look for you. I'll see you in a day or so. I
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have... I have to go to the cherry blossom hill. See you around, old buddy."
"Any time. Take care, Riley, and be happy!"
Adam executed a wide, flourishing bow and almost tripped over his own feet as he held the door of the low-slung sports car. "Your servant, Mam."
"Mam?" Sawyer chuckled as she swung her legs over the seat the way she'd seen Princess Di do on television. She was still chuckling when Adam maneuvered his lanky body into the seat alongside her.
"Yes. Don't you Colemans call your mothers Mam? Hell, I know you aren'
t my mother, but you are going to be Jeff's new mother, so I kind of thought... what I mean is ... he has to call you something ..."
"I love it, Adam. Would you mind terribly if we just sat here for a minute?"
Adam's face registered panic. "Are you ... are you having second thoughts about giving all... all this up?"
Sawyer's touch was gentle on Adam's arm. "Not even a little bit. However, it was all a part of my life for so long, I do feel a little sad. My work at Coleman Aviation helped me through the roughest time of my life. It's Riley's baby now."
"Do you think you can adjust to living in New York?"
"The Big Apple! Lord, yes. I'm looking forward to being Jeff's mam and going to his school and picking out his clothes, like Grand did for me. I'm sorry he couldn't be here today."
"I'm grateful to you, Sawyer. For so long I thought you and I would never get together. I've loved you since I was a kid. You were always in my dreams. What do you see in me? I'm skinny, my ears are too big, my hair stands on end most of the time, I'm sloppy..."
Sawyer's face was serious, more serious than he'd ever seen it. "I don't see those things; I never did. What I see is a person who loves other people, and me and Jeff in particular. Looks, my darling," Sawyer said softly, "are in the eyes of the beholder, and I think you are the most beautiful person I've ever met. I'm just sorry we didn't get to this point sooner. I do love you, Adam, with all my heart."
Adam's voice was full of awe when he reached for Sawyer's hand. "And we never even had sex," he blurted.
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Sawyer threw back her head and laughed, a deep, throaty sound that sent shivers up Adam's arms. "There are a number of ways to rectify that. We can go back to Sunbridge, or we can drive to a motel, or we could decide to stay over for one extra day and go to the family's apartment upstairs. We could oil each other up and hop in the sunken Jacuzzi and do wild, wonderful things after which I will make you breakfast. It's a king-size bed. ... I know for a fact there are some silk sheets in the linen closet, and there are thick yellow blankets that are warm and fuzzy and sort of cling to one's oiled body. The towels have satin borders and drink up moisture. I have a stash of the sweetest-smelling perfume ... guaranteed to drive men over the brink. It's your ball, Jarvis."
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