| �2001 by Rebecca J. Burke & Hashbrown Casserole for the Matchbox Twenty Soul, Inc. |
| Downtown Tokyo |
| Prologue: Downtown Tokyo, Japan; Tokyo National Hospital, Maternity Ward; August 7, 1987 "Mrs. Francheska, would you like to see your daughter?" the young nurse said, as she rapped on the door. She didn't get an answer. "Mrs.....AAAAAH," the nurse screamed, "Guards, guards, come quick!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Downtown Tokyo, Japan; May 11, 2010 She remembered the story well. Too well. Kimsoto told it to her many times. Too many times. She could only remember the story. The only vivid memory of the past. But why? Why was it her only memory? Was it because of what she was now? She didn't know. "Hey Samoa! You gonna answer me, babe?" a voice asked, as it jerked her out of her thoughts. "Yeah, King," 23 year old Samoa Francheska shot back. "Cool it kid. Here, have a cup of rice," King Yentom mumbled. The Purple Ninja, King's gang, thought he had something for Samoa. Who knew, and who could blame him? Samoa's almond shaped eyes looked right through you, while her shiny jet black hair blinded you. Her monumental hight, and sweet voice could paralyze you. But the only thing the buzz cut punk had in common with the exotic "Cinderella" was their poor orphanisim. They depended on one another. He gave her food, she gave him companionship in return. They didn't exactly love each other, but they were almost always together. "You talk to Kimsoto today?" "No. I haven't been to the shelter yet. I like my corner better. Besides, Ernie here gives me money, and lets me hang around," Samoa said, while chomping down on rice. Ernie's Thrifty Dime Store was her favorite place to be, since Ernie was an orphan himself, "Besides, K is out buying me new clothes." "K? Who's K?" "Kimsoto. I call her K, she calls me Sam." "Oh," King replied leaning against the shop, "you love K don't you?" "Yeah, man. She raised me. Ya know? Ever since my parents died in the '87 plane crash." "What were your parents like?" "Well, they were rich ambassadors. After the accident, Kimsoto couldn't prove my identity, so I became homeless, and K took care of me." "My parents just left me somewhere, and I don't care," King said bitterly. "They were just jerks. Man I gotta go. K is likely waiting for me. See ya!" "Okay...Sam!" King shouted. Then to himself he whispered, "I love you, sister." Sam could barely afford the fare to the shelter. "Oh well, another day, another loss of yen," she thought as she boarded the subway home, "at least I'll see K soon." It wasn't very crowded. Only 6 people were in her car. A family of three, two Purple Ninjas, and herself. When Sam got off at Royal St., so did the Ninjas. Then they approached her. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Miss Samoa, King's new squeeze," said Khris, one of the guys, "Look Jenijer, what are we gonna do?" "I don't know Khris, maybe borrow some money? Hey sweetcakes?" replied Jenijer, the other thug. "Hey, I don't know what you want, but I'm not King's squeeze, and I don't have any money," Sam said. Then the boys started to approach menacingly, backing her up to a wall, "Could ya just let me go? I got to be somewhere." "I don't think so, babes," Khris snarled as his switchblade opened at her throat, "We need the money." "Is there a problem, miss?" stated the voice that echoed across the station. Then suddenly a police officer came into view. "No officer," Sam cried, leaving the punks to deal with the cop. "We'll get you Francheska. Next time, baby. Next time," one of the Ninjas' voices called. "Sure," Sam yelled back, "and I'll have King with me." "Hey, Kenten, where's Amona?" Sam asked the volunteer receptionist. "She's in the inner office, Samoa," Kenten replied, glancing up from the newspaper he was reading, "Go on in." Samoa ran across the room to the office,"Ms. Amona Kimsoto, may I have a word with you?" she jokingly called out to her favorite person. "Come on in, Sam," a calm and serene voice tinkled. Amona Kimsoto was a "young" old person. About 47, she was a sight to see. Short black hair framed her face, and laugh lines crossed it, too. Almond shaped eyes looked lovingly at any person, while her never-ending smile beamed. Oh, how Sam loved K! She would surely die if something happened to her. "I've been expecting you," K added. "How has your day been?" Sam asked as she planted a kiss upon K's forehead, and then sat down on the couch, next to K's chair. "Fine, but full of great worry," Kimsoto's broken language replied. "Worry about what?" "Sam, there is important thing I must tell you." "What? Is the shelter going to close down? Are you sick? Tell me, K. Tell me!" Sam cried. "You are now 23-" "What does my age have to do with it?" "Just listen. The story I tell you is true. It is time you knew it. For you must join them now." "Join who?" Sam interrupted for the third time. "I will tell. 24 years ago, before you born, your parents were in grave danger. Many terrorists stalked your family. They ask me, their friend, to help with the pregnancy. Mrs. Francheska, your mother, wanted me to help especially. You see, they got word your parents were going to die very soon. So they had to leave the country. They again asked me to help. They want me to take care of you for 23 years, then send you home. I come too. So on August 7, 1987 we stage great plan. Your dad make long letter saying they were kidnapped by people. Go on plane to America. Must rescue. Then a plane bound for America left with family, but there weren't any kidnappers. I earlier get job of nurse. I come into room, find your mother gone. I cry out, and guards find letter. Great plan over. Now I take care of you. I then make you meet your friend. King is not friend. He is brother. He made to protect you from other people. Do you understand? Now we must go back to mamma and poppy. King Francheska come with Samoa Francheska and Amona Kimsoto. We go home!" "You mean all my life is a lie? I was not an orphan? I have shed many tears for my parents, and now my wish has come true, K! When do we leave for home? I mean our real home?" Samoa replied with joy and sadness. "Soon. Plane leaves on 15th. We all go!" "Oh, I must tell King right away! He must know that I know!" Samoa shouted as she jumped up to leave, "I will be back," she said, and with that she left, not knowing the tragedy to come. "So you see! Isn't it wonderful, brother?" Samoa exclaimed pacing across the room with joyful anxiety. "Yes, but I already knew, and I couldn't tell you," King replied, just as excited. "Well, isn't it great? I'm glad I have a wonderful brother like..." "Hey, King, you in dere?" a voice called. "Yeah, Kenten, come on in," King called back. The receptionist spoke briefly, but what he had to say was devastating, "Hello Sam," he said noticing the sister was present, "This isn't pleasant news. You'd better sit down." "I'd rather not," Sam snapped, angry that her quality time with her newfound brother was interrupted. "Okay then, but either of you won't like the news." "Tell us Kenten," King impetuously asked. "Okay. Sam, after you left, K had to go out to get some supplies for the shelter. She was mugged and shot on her way there. The police caught the thugs. It was Khris and Jenijer. King, Sam, I'm sorry. If you would like to visit the morgue..." "What! The morgue! Do you mean Kimsoto is dead? Oh god why..." Sam cried as she prepared to leave, "I'm going to end my life with K." "Sam, Wait!" King cried, following Sam out the door, "wait!" "This is the police. Please enter the building. NOW," the police called up to her. She didn't care. She started her life here. Now she would end it here. She made a promise; she would die if K left her. Well, she was living it up. Couldn't anyone understand that? She wanted to go. So why should they bother? "NO!" Sam replied, just as loudly and firmly. Samoa was edging herself along the edge of the 37th floor of the Tokyo National Hospital. She was going to go in front of room 378. Her mother's room. (Speaking of her mother, Sam thought it didn't matter to her family if she went. They didn't want her anyway, she thought bitterly.) "Samoa?" a timid voice called out one of the windows, "Are you alright?" "King, it's my decision to go. Don't bother me." "Suicide by jumping off a building is not the way to go," King's voice said, "Listen, I'm coming out to join you. Don't move" "Ha! Where would I go?" "Down." "Very funny, King," Sam breathed as King cautiously joined her on the ledge. "Let's just go inside and talk this out. I don't want to sacrifice a sister, yet." "King, there's nothing to talk out. I've made my decision, now...oh!" Sam screamed as the ledge gave way, "King..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ New York City, New York, U.S.A. August 7, 2020; "...Happy Birthday to you! How was that?" a chorus of voices sang. "And it's a lovely one," the birthday queen praised. "We're all so glad to have you here, Samoa," Mrs. Francheska replied. "If it wasn't for King's strong grip on my wrist, I would have fallen." "Hey I'm a natural," King joked. "Let us all be forever happy, and remember our old home, where Kimsoto, and our true spirits rest," 33 year old Samoa Francheska said, as she blew out her candles on her cake. |