Page 59 of Something Like Forever

“It was fun hanging outwith you that night,” Tim said, wanting to spare his feelings.“That’s what I remember. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with beingdirect.”

“Yeah, well, it didn’t getme anywhere.”

“You weretwelve!”

“I was not! I must havebeen… Wait, let me think. How old are you?”

They compared notes untiltheir food arrived. As it turned out, Tim was only a couple yearsolder. Corey had been fourteen, Tim sixteen, when they last saweach other, although that age gap had seemed like a big differenceback then. While they ate, Tim quizzed Corey about Kansas, askingabout places and people he hadn’t seen in ages. The food was good,some sort of veggies and meat on skewers. By the time his belly wasfull and he had polished off two beers, Tim felt so content that hewas tempted to sleep right there in the booth.

“I always thought it wouldbe cool to see you again,” Corey said. “I just never thought itwould be here, of all places.”

Tim laughed. “I neverhonestly considered the possibility. What started your love affairwith Japan, anyway?”

“It’sembarrassing.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s such aWesterner answer. Back home we think of Japan and our minds leap toGodzilla, karaoke, manga, and anime. Yes, those things are part ofJapanese culture, but there’s so much more.”

“So which was it?” Timasked. “Godzilla?”

“Manga,” Corey said,shaking his head. “It’s all I would read growing up.”

“Those are like comics,right?”

Corey sat up straight.“Are you kidding me? You’ve never read manga?”

Tim shrugged. “I take itI’m missing out.”

“Yes! At least, I thinkso. Especially yaoi. Boys’ love!”

“Huh?”

“It’s popular with girls.Picture a normal comic except make it all about two guys falling inlove.”

“And this is what inspiredyou to learn Japanese and move here?”

Corey smirked. “I guessI’ve always been boy-crazy. I’ll loan you a few books while you’rehere. Then you’ll see.”

Tim yawned, but he didn’tmean to be rude. “Sounds good.”

“You need to crash,” Coreyobserved. “I need to get back to Kioshi. He’s a worrier, even whenI call to say where I’ll be.”

“He sounds nice. I want tomeet him.”

Corey nodded eagerly. “Forsure!” Then he straightened his tie and his tone became formalagain. “I hope it’s acceptable, Wyman-sama, that I arranged anumber of appointments for you tomorrow with a real estateagent.”

Tim laughed. “You’rereally good at that.”

Corey let himself slumpagain. “It’s crazy formal here. Think you can be ready bynine?”

He nodded. “This is forthe gallery space?”

“Right.”

“And you’ll be there totranslate?”

Corey nodded. “That’s whatthey pay me for!”