Cajun Justice(37)

“In that case, I’ll skip dinner.”

“Skip dinner?” His American idiom confused the porcelain-skinned flight attendant, whose jet-black hair was pulled tight in a ponytail.

“Nothing for me. Thank you.”

“I’m worried you will be hungry. This is a long flight.”

It must be a cultural thing, Cain thought. She seemed genuinely concerned about him, but not enough to serve something palatable. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll survive, as long as you pour me a whiskey and turn the AC up. It’s hot as hell on board.”

She covered her mouth and giggled quietly. “Americans always complain about the temperature. But Japanese people get cold easily.”

“Well, tell ’em to bundle up, because I can’t disrobe.”

Cain’s remark fell flat on the charming flight attendant.

“I’m just joking with you. But I am serious about the whiskey.”

When the plane finally landed, Tokyo’s Narita International Airport was bustling with travelers, tour groups, and uniformed volunteers directing passengers to various immigration and customs checkpoints. Cain stood out from the Japanese population, and not only because he wasn’t Asian. He was taller than everyone else, and he wasn’t wearing a white mask over his mouth like so many other travelers he saw. He immediately spotted Bonnie near his gate. She was wearing her sleeveless blue-and-black fitted flight attendant uniform and had used her airline credentials to bypass security and meet him upon arrival.

He hugged his sister tightly, lifting her a foot into the air. Although they were twins, he was six inches taller.

“It’s so great to see you, brother! Welcome to Japan!”

“You look fantastic!” Cain was amazed at how Bonnie had flourished in Japan.

“Thank you. You look like shit!”

“Cut me some slack. I couldn’t sleep. It was so freaking hot on that plane, and I’m starving. They offered me snake on board.”

“You mean eel?” Bonnie laughed. “That’s a delicacy here. With all your worldly travels, I thought you would have known that.”

“If I wanted to eat snake—or eel, for that matter—I could have stayed back in Louisiana. I need a good ol’ cheeseburger.”

“Only place nearby for that is McDonald’s,” Bonnie said.

“How about a coffee shop, then? I can grab a sandwich.”

“That’ll work. There’s a Starbucks in Terminal One.” She grabbed the handle of his rolling carry-on bag. “Where’s the rest of your luggage?”

“This is it. That carry-on and this backpack.”

“You travel light!”

“Don’t need much,” he said.

She looked down at his alligator boots. “Well, hopefully you don’t need new shoes while you’re here, because they won’t have your size—or style!”

“What exotic place are you flying to today?”

“Guam. It’s a popular vacation destination for the Japanese. Anyway, let’s get you fed. I don’t want Mom hearing you were hungry and I didn’t do anything for her favorite son.”

Cain laughed. “You and I both know Baby Seth is her favorite.”

She smiled. “You mean the one who still lives at home?”

“I’m kind of glad he’s home,” Cain said. “He helps take care of Mom and Pops.”

“You give him too much credit,” she said. “Mom and Pops take care of him! But enough about home for now. You are finally in Japan. I can’t believe it!” She reached an arm out and wrapped it around Cain’s waist as they walked through the airport. “I’m so excited for you, being here. Give it a little time. You’re going to fall in love with this place, just like I have.”

“I can’t promise I’ll fall in love, but I promise to keep an open mind.”

“Good, because you’ll need it here.”

They exited the arrivals lobby and took the elevator to the airport mall. The Starbucks was busy, but they were able to find a small table after waiting a few minutes. Bonnie placed her purse on the table, put Cain’s suitcase next to her chair, and got in line.

“You’re kidding, right? You’re leaving your purse on the table?” Cain said, shocked.

“It’s completely safe here. This is how the Japanese reserve tables at Starbucks,” Bonnie told him. “They put their things down, then they get in line.”

Cain chose a grilled chicken wrap, a bottle of water, and a tall black coffee. He reached for his wallet, but Bonnie was faster. She gave the barista some yen.

“You’re not gonna pay for your first meal in Japan,” she said. “It’s on me.”

Cain smiled. “Okay. The next one’s on me.”

She smiled big. “I’ll make sure to pick an expensive sushi restaurant with great reviews.”

Cain laughed. “I’m sure this place is full of great sushi restaurants.”

He noticed that his sister had upped her lifestyle here in Japan: expensive watch, designer purse, and styled hair. “I just can’t get over how great you look,” he said.

Bonnie’s face turned red. “You’re giving me a complex. Did I look that bad in the States?”