Wheels of Steel Book 4 (8 page)

“I was born with Cerebral Palsy,” Jason continued. “I was mostly home schooled so when I started college I knew that it would be a good way to meet others who faced the obstacles that I was sure to meet. I met Tramp Stamp.” He glanced over at where Amberly was standing next to Y. “She was my first friend at school.”

Amberly smiled.

Jason continued. “I became friends with Peppermint Pattie through her. Both worked in technology and were making amazing movies. When we all got together we realized that we could make some great sounds and images together. And then I met Sweetheart.”

Robin’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Sweetheart added the last touch; female vocals. And that’s Wheels of Steel.”

The interviewer leafed through her notes. “Sweetheart is your girlfriend, is that correct Top?”

Jason grinned. “Yes.”

“Well I’m sure that many of your fans will be disappointed to know that. Also Link is off the market as we understand that you are engaged to Peppermint Pattie,” she continued while looking at Peter.

“Yes, sorry ladies but I’m off the market. And Tramp Stamp is married so we are all taken.” He was grinning.

The interviewer looked at Jason. “Top, do you find that dating outside of your race has effected your popularity?”

Jason paused and gave the interviewer a long look and Robin was surprised by the blunt question.

“Uh, why would it?” Jason asked.

The pretty Asian woman leaned forward. “These are just questions to understand you and the other members of Wheels of Steel better.” She gave him a polite smile.

Robin was beginning to steam. The insulting question insinuated that a black woman was beneath Jason. They’d gone through a lot but Jason had never made her feel as if she was less than him. Robin saw that Belinda was frowning now.

“Well I would hope that people don’t care about that aspect of our relationship in this day and age. So no. It hasn’t.” He looked at her and Robin gave him an encouraging smile.

The interviewer continued, changing courses now. “Your popularity continues to grow. Now in the aftermath of Akita Tom’s death, what are your plans?”

Peter was the one to answer.

“We haven’t really thought that far into the future. Right now we are just focusing on the funeral of our friend.”

“Of course,” the interviewer stated. She turned her attention to Jason. “Top, some have said that the use of wheelchairs was just a prop to get attention. You have been seen walking with a cane. Were you just using the wheelchair to coincide with the name of the group?”

Robin gasped. Was this interviewer serious? People couldn’t really be wondering if he had faked the extinct of his disability. Amberly cocked her head in disbelief and Y placed an arm around her.

She saw Jason flinch before he answered. “No, the use of the wheelchairs wasn’t a gimmick. For years I used a wheelchair because of my Cerebral Palsy. Recently I’ve been working hard to walk and with the use of leg braces, crutches or a cane I’m able to stand and walk. I’ve never faked it. I mean, the journey that our fans follow us through musically also happens to coincide with the changes in our personal lives.”

“Your disabilities make you unique to the music world. Do you believe that you would have the same popularity if you were able bodied?”

A red flush began to creep up Peter’s neck. “Are you trying to insinuate that we aren’t as talented as … what you call ‘able-bodied’ musicians?”

The interviewer quickly shook her head. “No, please don’t misunderstand—these are questions that our readers are interested in.”

Jason made a face. “I thought you would ask questions about our favorite songs and what food we like to eat. Not this trash talk about us.”

The interviewer bowed respectfully. “My apologies. Top, what is your favorite food?”

Jason glared at her before answering. “Pizza.”

The interview didn’t last much longer and then Peter and Jason were led to a stage where there was a background image of a brick wall with fake graffiti spray painted on it.

Robin saw the pinched and displeased look on Jason’s face and when everyone else was ushered up onto the state she gripped his hand. He looked at her and sighed.

The workers positioned Pete’s wheelchair front and center and tried to get him to move one leg up over the other. He reminded them that he was a paraplegic and then they just moved his leg into an awkward position that would have been uncomfortable had he not been a paraplegic.

Jason stood next to him holding his cane with his legs parted and his head lowered until he looked like a demented Mr. Peanut minus the top hat.

Belinda was made to sit on the end of the chair with her fist pumped and Amberly was on the other side next to Jason. They posed her with her finger to her lips in an innocent manner with her eyes wide. Y stood behind her and he looked like the chauffer or butler.

The photographer first had Robin kneel at Jason’s feet, but then she was moved to sit on the other side of Peter’s wheelchair. Finally the photographer whispered to an attendant and Robin was taken by the arm and led her off the stage all together.

After she realized what had happened, that she was not wanted in the photo shoot, Robin tried to fight back her anger. The point that really pissed her off is that she hadn’t wanted to be involved in the first damn place. They had made her sit in a makeup chair for nearly forty minutes and then had dressed her like a reject from a Steam Punk book.

It further annoyed her that it was okay for Y to be a part of the photo shoot and he really didn’t have anything to do with Wheels of Steel. Didn’t it matter that her voice appeared in the album?

No. What mattered to them was that she was black. And that was pretty obvious. Robin turned to wait in the lobby so that her sour mood wouldn’t spoil the shoot for the rest of them, but then she heard someone behind her. Jason had caught up with her and was gripping her hand in the one not carrying his cane.

Peter had wheeled himself off the stage with his legs still crossed in that awkward manner.

“B! Uncross my legs!”

Belinda reached down and placed his legs in their proper position while the photography crew called after them.

“What are you guys doing?” Robin asked.

Jason was frowning. “If they don’t want you in the shoot, they don’t get the rest of us.”

She looked at them all for confirmation. Peter nodded and Y and Amberly were already out the door holding it open for Peter to wheel through.

“Wait!” The interviewer called. “Don’t leave. We haven’t finished-“

“Thanks for the costumes! Now we can go hang out in Takeshita Dori!” Belinda yelled.

“And next time get wheelchair accessible accommodations!” Peter stated.

The woman and her crew stared after them in shock. Y turned to the interviewer with a slight tip of his head as he gathered up their belongings.

“We will return your items.” Although his voice was even his expression was angry. No one else made a move to stop them.

Y showed them around Harajuku, an area comprised of Harajuku station, shopping in Omotesdando and the Orient Bazaar--among other well-known sights. Y said it was the center of Japan's teenage cultures and fashion styles, but it also had nice places for adults to shop and sightsee.

They ate at a restaurant called Yoshinoya, which Robin discovered was like the McDonalds of the western world. Robin liked the food but when she went to use the bathroom she was far from pleased. There was a urinal lying on the floor and she was not sure what to do with it.

Belinda laughed at her for a full minute before showing her how to use the traditional toilet by straddling her legs along either side.

“No, girl. You are facing the wrong direction.” Belinda said with an impassive expression that tried not to show how hilarious she thought this was.

“What? Do I have to take off my panties for this?”

“Nah, just lean forward like you’re riding a motorcycle. The rest comes natural.”

“Are you kidding me?” Robin griped. But she got it done while Belinda thanked her for the comic relief.

Before they re-entered the restaurant Belinda stopped Robin.

“Are you okay?”

“You mean with the interview?” Robin asked.

Belinda nodded.

“That was crazy,” Robin frowned. “I didn’t think people would care about those types of things.”

“I think that because we don’t,” Belinda stated, “we sometimes forget the world that we live in. Y told us last winter that Japan was very image conscious and he warned us that there are still some Japanese that wouldn’t understand why Wheels of Steel would want to showcase themselves. Japan still practices separate but equal for people with disabilities.”

“Oh my God, are you serious? We’re talking about segregation right?”

Belinda nodded. “In many ways yes. There aren’t laws that keep people separated but a different place to work and live where it’s possible that you will never see a disabled person.”

Robin went back to lunch and wondered exactly how the people viewed her here.

Jason didn’t stay with them much longer. He had the limo drop him off at the doctor’s office while Y continued to show them around Harajuku. Robin wanted to go with him but Jason insisted that she get some sight-seeing done. She preferred being with Jason but he promised to join them once he ‘re-upped’ on his meds so she finally agreed to stay with the group.

A few people recognized Peter and asked for his autograph but they weren’t mobbed. Belinda talked Robin into getting dye to color her hair and she agreed. Y looked amused as the girls, including his wife purchased cute little knick knacks from the vendors.

Jason called to tell her that some of Akita Tom’s protégés wanted to get together to discuss a tribute album and he wanted to know if it was okay if he bailed on the Harajuku tour. She assured him that she was being well taken care of and J came back and picked up Peter to join in the discussions.

As they rested at a shop that sold shaved ice, Robin noted that Y had rolled down his sleeves. It was hot and the sun beat down on them relentlessly but he didn’t seem inclined to cool off.

“Aren’t you burning hot, Y?” Robin asked.

“It is hot.”

Amberly looked back and forth from Robin to her husband. “It’s his tattoos,” she stated. “He doesn’t show them in public.”

She smiled. “Why? Do you think people are going to think you’re a part of that gang—what is it—the Yaka-something or other.”

“The Yakuza.” Y stated while his eyes settled on her with no emotion.

She blinked. “The Yakuza … they have the tattoos and …” Robin looked at Belinda who also watched Yagano in open interest.

“Dude are you in the Yakuza?” Belinda asked point blank.

“Something like that,” was his response. “But that’s not a topic to discuss here.”

Robin looked at Amberly. Did she know she was married to a member of the Yakuza? Amberly looked uncomfortable but not surprised. Robin then remembered that curious comment she had made about Y visiting his uncle and her fear that he would return shot or not at all.

Y took them to the Meiji Shrine and Robin watched him intently as he explained the purpose of the shrine. She tried to connect the kindly, mild mannered man with a crime syndicate known world-wide for their ruthlessness.

“The Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Emperor Meiji was a popular emperor who reigned from 1867 to 1912. You’ll enjoy walking the grounds. They are very artistically designed.”

When they separated, Y and Amberly going off arm and arm and Robin and Belinda going elsewhere Robin quickly whispered.

“Y is a made man? Did you know this?”

Belinda’s face was open in equal surprise. “No way, man. If I had known I wouldn’t have complained the first time around about the stupid toilets and lack of pot.” Her face brightened. “But on an up note I bet he could score us some good opium.”

“Belinda!” Robin chastised in a harsh whisper. “That shit will kill you.”

“Only if you live over here. You can’t get the good stuff over in the states.” When Belinda saw that Robin was not amused she nudged her lightly. “I’m only kidding. Look, Amberly told me that Y’s father has very little to do with him and his mother. It’s his uncle that has taken care of him. His uncle didn’t like that he married a white girl with a disability. Amberly told me that it created a lot of arguments and although in America you can tell your uncle to go to hell—over here that doesn’t work. Especially, I guess if your uncle is a mobster.”

“Wow,” Robin whispered. “We better go find them before they think we ran off because we’re scared of him.”

“We are scared of him, aren’t we?” Belinda asked only half joking.

“Well … I wish I hadn’t slapped his wife.”

“Oh my God, girl!” Belinda exclaimed while gripping her hand. “You better make nice with Amberly.”

Robin scowled. “No.” She allowed her face to relax. “But I won’t antagonize her.”

“If Y didn’t hurt you yet I think you’re safe, Sweetheart.” Robin gave her a brilliant smile before tossing her the bird.

When they returned to Y and Amberly he was telling her about the different types of shrines. He paused to greet them.

“Have you ladies had your fill of the shrine?” He gave them a knowing look, realizing that they had probably been doing more gossiping than sightseeing.

“I’m a little tired.” Robin admitted feeling her face warm up to match the rest of her. “This outfit is hot with this blouse buttoned all the way to my neck.” Plus she suspected that she looked more than a little bit like a prostitute.

“We can do more sightseeing in the evening hours when the temperature is cooler. We can take the train home, which makes for an interesting trip.” He seemed to suddenly take in their wilting appearance. “However that would take too long. I’ll call for a car and we’ll be home in half the time.”

Y turned away from them and retrieved his cellphone and then began speaking in soft but rapid Japanese.

He held out his arms for them to follow him. “Come, we will purchase refreshments for the ride home.”

Y drove the black Mercedes Benz, which was left for him by a young man who bowed respectfully to him before relinquishing the keys.

The ride was so pleasant and the air-conditioning cool that the ladies fell asleep before long. Robin woke up because Belinda’s hair was tickling her nose from where her friend had fallen asleep against her shoulder.

She looked up to the front seat and Y’s eyes met hers through the rear view mirror. Robin glanced at Amberly who was asleep against his shoulder. Robin sat up and stifled a yawn.

“There’s no better sleep than one that you get while riding in a car.” She said.

“I agree,” Y replied with a smile. “I’m happy you woke up. It’s hard to stay awake when everyone around you is snoring.”

Robin covered her mouth and chuckled.

His smile faded. “I’m sorry about your treatment earlier. I intend to have a stern word with Cut Hihou about the treatment of my friends.”

Robin found that she appreciated being counted among one of his friends. She also liked Yagano to consider him as one of her friends. “Thanks, but you don’t have to do that. Lord knows that America has its issues.”

“Japan is steeped in tradition. We might now have many Western influences but some beliefs are very stubborn to rid ourselves of. Matters of race and disability are just a few of them. I don’t just mean between blacks but even with Amberly and I marrying it was a huge deal.”

“Worse because of your connection to …” Robin trailed off suddenly embarrassed that she was about to bring up the subject of his connection to organized crime.

“The Yakuza. It’s fine, Robin. You don’t have to be afraid to talk about them. I’m not ashamed of my connection to the family. It’s just that its not appropriate to discuss them in the open.”

She digested that and then decided to ask. “Y, how did you get involved with them? They’re an organized crime family, right?”

“Not in the way that you are used to thinking. You probably think in terms of the American Mafia. We are a triad. But we are different. I’m associated with the Inagawa-kai.”

He met her eyes again through the rear view window. “And yes, we are a crime family.”

She wondered what his role in the family might be but didn’t dare ask. When she got back to the house she would do some research on it.

He gave her a half smile. “But we consider ourselves to be a chivalrous organization--
nink
yō
danta
. I’m associated with the Yakuza only—not actually a member, which is why I only have one arm inked.”

“What does that mean?” She asked when he didn’t continue.

He sighed. “Pass me a drink, Robin.” She found a lemon lime soda and passed it to him, careful not to waken Belinda.

He seemed to take those few moments to gather his thoughts. After taking a few drinks he continued. “My father is a
kumic
hō
or a family head—a father of sorts … which is somewhat inaccurate since he has never been a father to me.”

Robin could hear the pain in his voice although he tried to hide it.

“I was his bastard born outside of his legitimate marriage—outside of his legitimate family. My mother and I were well taken care of and my father’s brother made sure that all of our needs were met. My uncle is the only father figure that I know.” Y cleared his throat and paused. He met her eyes through the rearview window and began talking again.

“My father’s true son would not allow me to become a true member of the family, although I’m protected fully and have the same duties and allegiances.”

“Duties?” Robin asked.

His brow gathered. “You wouldn’t want to know that, Robin.”

Probably not
…

They were quiet for a while before he began talking again. “They described you as painfully shy. But you don’t seem that way to me,” he said.

She shook her head. “Not anymore. Painfully shy was exactly that--painful.” She looked at him. “It hurts too much to feel everything so clearly. So I closed part of that off. Killed it, I guess, so that I didn’t care about things so deeply.” Robin shrugged and looked out at the passing scenery.

“How is that working for you?” He asked softly, so softly in fact, that she barely heard him.

“Okay, but I miss …”

He waited. “What do you miss?”

“I guess I miss the innocence.”

“I believe you are far from jaded, Robin.”

Robin sighed. “I don’t know Y. It’s been a tough year.”

“Yes it has,” He concurred.

By the time they returned to Karuizawa, Robin had told Y all about the person she had been before meeting Jason. She was sure that she had painted a pretty desperate picture of herself but he found her stories endearing and even sometimes funny—like when she described the way Jason had blackmailed her into allowing him to use her voice on
Loves End
.