I dressed as fast as I could, then we headed out. On our way out of the hotel we picked up a quick breakfast, then boarded a bus to Arashiyama. It was a long enough journey that I had time to think about our days left in Japan.
Max wound his hand around mine and gave it a squeeze. “You seem far away.”
“I’m right here.” I smiled at him. “Just trying to treasure every moment we have left.”
“That’s good. Just remember, we’ll have plenty more to treasure. They may be different, but I’m going to try hard to make sure that they’re just as good for you.”
“Me too, Max.” I kissed his cheek.
When we arrived at Arashiyama, I was excited to see the bamboo forest. I’d seen pictures of it that looked gorgeous. As soon as I stepped off the bus, however, my stomach gurgled. It wasn’t a terrible gurgle, but it warned of unpleasant things to come. I did my best to ignore it as Max and I walked around the temple, then took a stroll through the forest.
As we emerged from the trees, my stomach gurgled again, this time more urgently. Yet again I wondered whether I’d eaten something I shouldn’t have. Maybe whatever was in the muffin we’d picked up earlier was a bit too much for my system. Whatever the case, I had to go—and fast.
“Max, are there bathrooms?” I looked around the area but all I saw were vendor stalls.
“Over there, I think.” Max pointed in one direction.
I started off in that direction. Max followed after me. When we reached what he thought was a bathroom we discovered that it was just a larger vendor stall.
“Bathroom?” I asked the vendor, but he only shrugged.
I looked around again and spotted what I thought might be the bathroom. I hurried over, only to be disappointed again as it was a storage shed.
“Max, do you see the bathroom anywhere?” My voice rose with urgency.
“Maybe over there?” Max pointed to another building.
“Oh, thank God. It is a restroom.” I sighed with relief and headed straight for it.
“I’ll wait out here for you ,Sammy.”
“No, go look around—uh, it might—well—take me a little while.” I blushed.
“Ah, I see. Too many noodles?” He winked at me.
I glared back.
He laughed and tilted his head toward the vendor stalls. “I’ll shop around. Take your time.”
“Thanks, Max.” I rolled my eyes and opened the door to the bathroom.
As soon as I was inside, I looked around for the toilet. Now, normally this wouldn’t have been a problem. But on this occasion I really had to look for it. It wasn’t in its customary position. Instead it was flat on the floor, not elevated in any way. At least, it looked a bit like a toilet.
“I must have gone in the mens.”
I groaned and opened the door to the bathroom. On the front it clearly stated that it was the women’s facilities. Confused, I pushed open the door of the other bathroom to find the same toilet.
“What in the world?”
“Haven’t you ever used a squat toilet before?” A man pushed past me into the men’s room. “If you have to go, you have to go.”
I realized he was right, and I really had to go.
I hurried back into the women’s bathroom and eyed the toilet. With everything I’d been through, I was pretty sure I could handle going to the bathroom even if it was different from what I was used to. Luckily there were enough hints for me to figure out positioning.
As I pulled down my jeans, however, I realized that there was a very good chance I would fall in. So, thinking ahead, I took off my jeans and even my underpants. I folded them neatly out of the way just in case the toilet decided to spray me and everything else in the bathroom.
Then with the urgency that biology demanded I lowered myself into position. I thought it was the most awkward thing I’d ever done.
“At least I’ll be prepared if Max and I decide to go camping.”
I hugged my knees to help keep my balance and let nature take its course.
Chapter 24
By the time I was done, a few muscles in my legs were aching. I was eager to stand back up and get out of the bathroom. I reached to the customary place for toilet paper and found nothing. Well, nothing but a ladle in a bowl of water. I could think of no good reason to have a ladle and a bowl of water in a bathroom. I could think of no good reason that not only was there no toilet paper, there was no sign of where it might have been if there were some.
I carefully moved forward just a bit to peek out through the crack in the stall door. I looked to see if there were paper towels or a stray napkin, but there was nothing. My muscles ached more.
I fumbled for my phone and sent Max a text.
I have a problem.
I bit into my bottom lip and waited for his text.
You can’t find me?
I cringed and texted him back.
No, I’m still in the bathroom.
I had no idea how to word what I needed to say.
You have a bathroom problem? Do you need my help?
I sighed with relief and started to text that I was in desperate need of toilet paper, but my hand slipped and my phone landed in the bowl of water beside the toilet. I was relieved that it didn’t land in the toilet, but when I retrieved it, I could no longer text on it.
I groaned and looked at the door. “Hello? Is there anyone out there?” After getting no response, I raised my voice. “Hello! Does anyone out there have some toilet paper?” By this time, I could hear voices, so I was sure that plenty of people had to hear me. But no one answered.
“Please! Please! I just need a napkin, toilet paper, a cloth—anything!”
“How much?” The voice came back through the door.
“How much what?”
“How much will you pay for it?”
“Whatever—just give me some toilet paper!”
The doorknob rattled and I gasped. “No! Never mind, I don’t need any! Please stay out!” I was glad that I’d locked the door. Whoever was outside seemed to be gone.
I looked over at my clothes and considered my options. Maybe I could sacrifice my underpants. I started to waddle over to them when there was another knock on the door.
“I said go away! I’m not buying toilet paper from you!”
“Sammy?” Max’s voice rippled with laughter. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, Max, thank God. There’s no toilet paper in here.”
“I put a pack of tissues in your purse this morning. My allergies have been acting up.”
“Seriously?” I grabbed my purse and searched through it. Sure enough, there was a pack of tissues tucked at the very bottom. I was too relieved to be upset that it had been there the entire time.
Once I was cleaned up I started to toss the toilet paper into the toilet. Just before I did, I realized that maybe there was no paper because of the pipes. I noticed a trash can not far from the toilet that had pieces of paper in it. As repulsed as I was by it, I tossed the toilet paper into the trash can. Then I washed my hands for at least two solid minutes.
After I put my underpants and pants back on I opened the door to find Max just outside.
“Do I want to know?” He looked away to hide a grin.
“It’s not funny!”
“I’m absolutely certain that it’s funny. But if you don’t want to talk about it we don’t have to.”
“Did you know about these toilets?” I scowled.
“No, but why didn’t you answer my text?”
“Oh. Right.” I frowned and held up my phone. “I got it wet.”
“You dropped it in the toilet?” He recoiled.
“No, not in the toilet. In some water. But I don’t think it’s working.”
“Good thing we’re in a great place to get some rice.” He gave me a quick hug. “Don’t stress.”
We walked up to one of the stalls and Max asked for a bag of rice.
“We can just toss the phone in there. The rice s
hould pull the water out.”
“Oh, did you drop it in a puddle?” The vendor asked with a smile.
“No, in the bathroom.” Max laughed.
“Ugh, terrible.” The vendor shook his head.
“It wasn’t in the toilet. It was in this weird bowl of water next to the toilet.”
“Oh?” He smiled. “You don’t know what that’s for?”
“No. What?” I stared at him.
“That water is there to splash on your—uh—areas—after using the facilities. You just splash a bit with your hand to clean up.”
“What?” I stared at him with absolute horror. “You’re supposed to use your hand?”
“What else are you going to use?” He chuckled. “Your underwear?”
“Well—I—no, I guess not.” I sputtered my words, then looked over at Max. “I’m going to need a new phone.”
“Yes. Yes, you are.” He laughed so loud that I had to swat him on the shoulder to get him to let up.
“It’s not funny.”
“It’s probably the funniest thing ever.” He wiped tears from his eyes. “We’ll pick a new phone up on the way to the hotel.”
“Good.”
I was relieved that I hadn’t made any calls since dropping it. Sure, the water was likely clean, but just the thought…I shuddered.
“Let’s go. The bus is waiting and I wouldn’t want to have to use one of those bathrooms.” He grinned.
“Evil, Max, pure evil.”
“But you still love me.” He batted his eyes at me.
“Always.” I hugged him.
Chapter 25
After we returned to our hotel room I remembered that I hadn’t gotten Max an anniversary present yet. I used the excuse that I needed to pick up some personal items at a nearby shop to get out of the hotel without him.
Once I was outside I began to peruse what the shops had to offer. I discovered a ring with the same emblem on it as my bracelet and purchased it. It was nice enough and would go with what Max had given me, but it wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.
Max was a very passionate person and I wanted to show him that I knew that. I also wanted to get a little friendly revenge on him for the jokes about the squat potty.
I placed a call to Yuki and sat down on a bench while the phone rang. A few rings later she answered.
“Hi, Yuki, it’s Samantha. Do you have a minute to talk?”
“Yes, but just a minute. My mother needs my help with inventory.”
“Okay, I won’t keep you.”
“No, it’s fine, what can I help you with?”
“I was wondering if you could find out if the outfit on the animated cut-out of me could be made?”
“Oh?” She laughed. “I see. I think I can arrange that. A friend of mine is a seamstress.”
“Do you think she would be able to make it in my size? I know that sounds a little silly, but I want to surprise Max.”
“Sure, no problem. I still have your sizes from the outfit you wore to karaoke. It will be ready by the time you get back.”
“Great. How is everything there?”
“Okay. A little hectic as we get ready for the next book signing. But good. Are you enjoying Kyoto?”
“Yes, very much.”
“Don’t forget Mom wants to have dinner with you after the book signing.”
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Good, we’ll see you then. Bye, Samantha.”
“Bye, Yuki.” As soon as I hung up the phone I wondered what I was thinking.
Would Max really like me in that outfit or had he just been kidding around? Was that enough for our first anniversary? I wished I could think of something that would really wow him. But I had no idea what might do that.
When I returned to the hotel Max was already sound asleep. I crawled into bed beside him and fell asleep as well.
The next morning I woke up still feeling sluggish. I assumed it was from the previous day’s squat toilet fiasco. Max stirred next to me and I leaned over to kiss him good morning. “I’m going to jump in the shower.”
I took off my bracelet and laid it on the dresser to make sure that I would remember to wear it. Even though it would be fine in the water, I preferred not to get it wet.
“I’m going to pack up while you’re in there. We leave tonight for Tokyo and this way we won’t have to rush around at the last minute.”
“Thank you, Max!” I ducked into the shower and let the hot water run over me as I took a quick shower. Then I stepped out and dressed.
Max was by the door knocking when I opened it.
“We’ve got to go if we’re going to make breakfast.”
“Okay, no problem—let me just grab a few things.”
“Great, I’ve got everything ready for tonight.”
“You’re my hero, Max.”
“Just remember that when I buy that cardboard cut-out of you for our new house.”
“Max, you wouldn’t!”
“Of course I would. It’s a piece of art.”
“Ugh.” I laughed.
When I was ready, Max and I went to the hotel dining room for breakfast. We shared a leisurely breakfast of fruit and oatmeal.
“So, are you ready for one more adventure today?” Max asked as we finished eating.
“Yes. What do you have planned?”
“I’m going to take you somewhere—where a person like you belongs.”
“Uh. I don’t want to visit a jail.”
“Ha! Not jail, Sammy.”
“Not a mental asylum either.”
“Not that either.” He rolled his eyes. “When are you going to get it through your head that I adore you?”
“I know, I know. I just find it hard to believe sometimes.”
“Well, believe it, because it’s never going to change.” He kissed me hard, then tugged me toward the door. “Let’s go. Our adventure awaits.”
I pestered him for the entire ride on the bus.
“So where are we going?”
“Somewhere nearby.”
“Is it a temple?”
“Aren’t they all?” He laughed.
“Please tell me. I want to know. Please. Please, Max.”
“Okay, okay.” He shook his head. “I’ll give you a hint. It’s a place where royalty might live.”
“Oh, I know! Our last stop is Nijo Castle. I was hoping we’d get a chance to see it.”
“Last stop for Kyoto—not for us.” He smiled. “I think a castle is the perfect way to end this little side trip.”
“Me too.”
Chapter 26
We left the bus and entered the castle. It seemed more like a fortress to me, but the most intricately designed fortress I’d ever seen. From the style of the roofs, to the hand-stacked stone, it looked like something out of a fairy tale.
As we crossed a small footbridge I noticed a group of fish swimming beneath.
“Max, can we go look at the fish?”
“Sure. I bring you to a castle and you want to watch the fish. That’s what I love about you.”
“They’re so pretty and the castle isn’t going anywhere. Besides, I think it’s good luck to make a wish and toss a coin in.”
He pointed to a sign beside the water. “I think you’re right. Are you going to make a wish?”
“It would seem a little greedy to, wouldn’t it?” I glanced over at him. “When I already have everything I could dream of wanting?”
“Aw, you’re really buttering me up. What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing at all.” I kissed his cheek, then fished a coin out of my purse. “Still, it can’t hurt.”
“Maybe you could wish not to run into any more squat toilets.”
“Uh, good idea! Do you want a coin too?”
“Sure.” He took the coin I offered. “To our future, though I know we won’t need any luck for it to be wonderful.” He tossed the coin into the water.
Some of the fish swirl
ed close to it, then swam away.
I kissed my coin. But instead of making a wish, I offered gratitude for everything I’d experienced.
When I tossed it into the water I flicked my wrist hard and threw it as far as I could. The fish swarmed after it, then swam away.
“Sammy, look at this.” Max pulled me over to a plaque on the wall. The design on it was several phoenixes—just like the ones on my bracelet.
I reached to touch it and in doing so, noticed my bare wrist. My heart lurched. I knew I’d put the bracelet on that morning. I had set it down on the dresser to make sure that I wouldn’t forget. So where was it? It had been on the same arm that I’d used to throw the coin into the water.
All at once I knew what had happened. It must have come loose when I’d tossed my coin into the pond!
“Ready to explore?” Max smiled—that perfect, slow smile—at me that still made my heart flutter, and I almost burst into tears.
How was I going to tell him that I’d lost our first wedding anniversary gift? Sure, he’d forgive me, but I didn’t want to tell him that.
“Actually, do you mind if I look around a little by myself?”
“Sure, if that’s what you want to do. Everything okay?”
“Yes, I guess the calmness of the water is just making me want a little quiet time.”
“Okay, but no dropping your new phone in any toilets.”
“I promise.”
He kissed me, then walked away.
I was relieved that Max trusted me enough not to question why I would need time to myself.
As soon as he was gone I stared down into the pond. Maybe, if I was lucky, the bracelet would be wedged on some rocks. When I looked into the water, though, I didn’t see anything but coins and fish.
Then I noticed a flash near one of the fish. Something caught the sunlight and reflected it right back at me. I was so stunned that I stayed still for a moment. Was that fish wearing my bracelet?
Without another thought I pulled up my skirt and trudged right into the pond. The fish swam away, of course, but I had my eye on the bracelet thief.
As I chased the fish around the pond I didn’t notice that I seemed to have drawn an audience.
Sammy in Japan (Single Wide Female Travels #8) Page 8