Page 89 of The Politics of Love

Dad sighs and pushes the ticket out farther towards me. “You can do this,Musuko. I wouldn’t have arranged this if I didn’t believe in you. Take the ticket.”

My hand lifts without my permission. My fingers brush the top of the ticket before I pluck it from his hands.

“When you're in Japan and someone gives you a gift, be sure to receive it with two hands and a slight bow of your head.”

My fingers loosen their grip on the ticket, but I clutch it tighter before it has the chance to fall like a feather to the ground. The slight wind in the air would carry it far away if I let it. All I have to do is let go…

But I don’t.

It’s as if something came over me, calmed my nerves, and boosted my confidence. I can only accredit the certain peace to God.

Only moments ago I questioned what my purpose was, and it seems God is giving me a nudging answer. I can do this, right? Japan is in my blood, after all. And becoming the U.S. ambassador to Japan is a career I know I could tackle, thanks to growing up under the Japanese ambassador to the U.S.

Who knows? Maybe this is my calling. I never thought I’d actually step into my dad’s footsteps, but this could be good. At the very least, I can have a worthy career that would make my parents proud.

I’ve been content in life, always the cheerful, happy-go-lucky guy. But seeing Darcy run for president, to strive for something more in his life than business as his father did, well, it’s inspiring and challenging to me.

I could have more in life; I could step out of my father’s shadow.

“Okay,Oto-san.I’ll give it a go.”

The End