ec01.html

Hydroponic Love

Filename: ec01.html
© 1999 Ern Carne
Length: 3300 words

Genre: Fiction
Description: Any suggestions for better title gladly accepted.
An Australian female student in the US become romantically involved with her Tutor, a Japanese academic. She wants him to join her in Australia but is worried about the anti-Japanese racism he will face in a country town.

Hydroponic Love

Kim had a big problem. How was she going to tell her family she was in love with a Japanese man. Her father still detested anything to do with Japan all these years after the war. ‘I can’t forget so easily,’ he often told her. He will come unglued, she mused. I’ll have to break the news very slowly. Just talk about Taka a lot in my letters and watch for fireworks. Mum might not be happy about it but she’ll be on my side ... I hope
She met Takahashi Kaneko on her second day at Iowa University while having
lunch in the campus cafeteria. He sidled past her table twice with his tray
before he stopped.
‘May I sit here?’ His broad smile showed firm white teeth and Kim noticed
his deep brown eyes lit up and crinkled at the edges to complement the
smile. Altogether it was an attractive face and she felt relaxed enough to
quickly agree.
‘Sure! I love to talk to someone while I have lunch.’
‘I’m Japanese...’ Takahashi began.
‘I can see that but you certainly sound like an American,’ Kim broke in
with a smile.
‘I’ve been here for many years. I guess the accent has grown on me.’
‘What are you doing here?’
‘I’m a Lecturer. My speciality is water evaporation reduction.’
‘We could do with a few of your kind in Australia,’ she said. ‘By the way
my name is.....’
‘Your name is Kim Elliott. You're here to complete a PhD in Hydroponics.
You see, I’ve already done some research.’
Kim could feel the rush of colour to her cheeks. ‘You’re certainly quick off
the mark.’ she said

‘We’ll be in the same faculty,’ Takahashi continued as he pulled out a
chair. ‘I hope we see a lot of each other during your course.’ Again the
flashing smile. Kim, twenty-three years old, was from the New England
district of NSW. Her parents operated Dailyfresh, the largest hydroponic
farm in Australia. Her studies were to ensure it remained the market leader
in fresh vegetables.
Takahashi, thirty years old, was a Japanese national who had a curious
longing for everything Western. He had attended school, college and
University in the US and had the accent of a native born American. He chose
his academic discipline of Water Evaporation to be sure he could work in
either Australia or the USA. He was well on his way to success. He had
developed an inert chemical that dissolved and left a fine, colourless film
over large areas of water. Experiments showed evaporation reduced by 23%.
.
Lunch time meetings became a regular feature of their days. Kim found
Takahashi Kaneko quite unlike other men she had known. Although it was
difficult to get him talking about anything other than his research, Kim
discovered it was worth the effort. He could be deeply serious about
politics, the environment and even American football. He liked singing and
had a pleasant crooning voice. They had been having lunch together for three
weeks before he invited her back to his off-campus apartment. It was a
cluttered, untidy place and she set about cleaning it.
‘I think we should get an Environmental Impact Statement on this place,’
Kim said with a laugh.
‘I wish you were here all the time to help me with my housekeeping chores.
Would you move in and share with me?’
‘You’re up with the local culture aren’t you? Don’t you think you should
coax me a little before making such a bid?’
‘With my help you’ll save a year of study. How’s that for starters?’

‘That’s a pretty good offer. You’ve got a room-mate.’ Kim didn’t really
need much enticement. Her feelings for this man were different to anything
she had previously experienced and she felt confident they would be happy
together. She only returned to her room on campus to pack her clothes and
books.

In her letters home Kim wrote in a chatty way about her Japanese Lecturer
and his expertise in water evaporation. Dad replied in a way she feared. ‘I
’m so pleased we managed to get you into that world class course. Learn all
you can. Don’t just listen to Japanese. What would they know about water
evaporation? What do your American lectures say? Don’t forget we have to
keep the edge.’

Taka and Kim lived together for the next two years and Kim found it a
serene experience. Her studies progressed wonderfully with his constant
help. He gave her many new ideas and made certain her PhD thesis would be
successful.. The only mist over her future was the nagging thought that
after her successful graduation next week she would have to leave the US and
the man she now loved deeply. She knew he loved her, too, and he spoke of
their future together as if there were no bumps to shake their present
happiness. He had no idea of the resentment he could face from some
Australians, particularly her father.

The night before her departure, they had a quiet dinner together. Kim did
not eat much. She just pushed the food around on her plate. The thought of
leaving Taka and breaking the news to her father made her feel seedy. They
retired and talked and talked long into the night. To reassure his upset
partner, Takahashi whispered, ‘I’ll be in Australia almost as soon as you. I
’m already applying for positions advertised. I want to be an Aussie.’ He
kissed her again with obvious enjoyment and Kim felt a little more
confident. Finally, clinging tightly to her, he fell asleep exhausted. She
was exhausted, too.

The big 747 Qantas jet, ‘City of Townsville’, touched down at Sydney with
the scream of tyres on the tarmac. Kim felt a stirring of exhilaration to be
back in her own country. Quickly through Customs, she headed for the
passenger lounge with a spring in her step. ‘It’ll be great to meet mum and
dad again for the long drive home. I’ll be able to tell them all about Taka
face to face,’ she told herself. Scanning the crowd for the familiar faces
she did not notice the young man at the back of the lounge with the bouquet
of flowers. On seeing Kim his face broke into a broad grin and he pushed
towards her. Still searching the crowd for her family Kim was startled when
a voice at her shoulder said, ‘Welcome home, Kim. I’m glad your back.’ She
turned quickly and looked into the tanned face of Chris Sorbone. She flashed
a bright smile at the sight of a friendly face.
‘Hullo Chris, what are you doing here? Did you drive mum or dad down?’
‘No. I persuaded your parents to let me come and get you. They’re eager to
see you but knew we would want some time together.’
Kim’s smile faded quickly. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, they knew a bloke would want to see his girlfriend alone after two
years.’
‘Chris, you're not starting that again, are you? I told you before I left
for the States I was happy to be a friend but I’m not your girlfriend.’
‘I thought you might have changed your mind after two years’ Chris Sorbone
drawled. ‘I brought these for you,’ he said remembering the flowers.
‘Thank you’, Kim said, a tinge of bad-temper in her voice. ‘Nothing has
changed, Chris. You’ve got to get that clear. I said I’ll be your friend
but any other relationship is out of the question. Do you understand? Our
futures won’t even come close. We’re headed in different directions. I hate
pig farms and I think Councillors are a lot of busybodies making life
difficult for anyone with vision. I’m going to make Dailyfresh the biggest
hydroponic farm in the world.’

Chris did not have the ability to put his feelings into words like Kim. He
could bore Councillors until some nodded off, about water rights or
municipal rates and holes in the highway, but with those close to him he
became tongue-tied. He’d known Kim most of his life but right now she seemed
a stranger to him. He found it difficult to face the fact Kim no longer
wanted a relationship.
‘Let’s go, eh? I came down in the ute so I could handle all your luggage.’
‘Thanks’ said Kim flatly
.The journey home was uncomfortably silent. Conversation was stilted and
sporadic. The car radio filled in the long gaps in conversation with chatter
from a trainee announcer at some country station. Kim looked out at the dry
paddocks with mixed emotions. Happy to be home again but her mind was a
turmoil of memories of Takahashi. How she longed for him to be with her
again. Chris broke into her reverie.
‘Your mum said you were on with a Yank. Is that true?’ His tone of voice
indicated he thought such a relationship unthinkable.
‘If my mother told you that, she was wrong. She probably wanted me to tell
you.’
‘It's not true then?’ A half smile played around the corner of his mouth.
‘In your words, Chris, I’m on with a Japanese.’
‘You’re on with a Jap?’ Chris spun to look at her so fast he dragged the
ute over on to the gravel verge.
‘Watch where you're driving’ an alarmed Kim yelled.
‘Did you sleep with him?’ he demanded.
‘Look Chris, that’s my business. I’ve only known the man for two years. Did
I sleep with you after we’d been dating for two years?’
‘No.’
‘Well there you are. Work it out for yourself.’ I can only go so far with
the unvarnished truth, Kim thought. He wouldn’t be able to hack it. Chris
kept his brooding eyes on the white line zipping under the ute until he
stopped at a small petrol station, filled the tank, bought four sandwiches
and a bottle of sarsaparilla. Another five kilometres down the road, taking
a bite from his egg and lettuce sandwich, he grunted, ‘I would have worked
my butt off for you. This news will kill your father.’
‘My father already knows. I’ve written often enough about Takahashi’ At the
mention of the Japanese name Chris again got uptight. He became agitated
‘You must have been brainwashed over there,’ he snarled.

It was a relief for Kim when he pulled up at Dailyfresh farm. She curtly
thanked him for the ride and hurried to meet her parents who had dashed out
when they heard the ute crunching on the gravel drive. Without acknowledging
the older Elliotts, Chris, in his dirty mood, dumped the luggage on the
grass and clambered back into the ute. He spun the wheels in the loose
stones and left the trio waving dust from their faces.

Kim embraced both her parents, then bluntly asked, ‘How could you let him
come alone to meet me? I told you before I left there was no chance of
anything ever developing between us. Besides, I’ve written often telling you
about Takahashi.’ As they headed for the kitchen door Kim caught the
delicious smell of her favourite meal, roast lamb and mint sauce. Mum knew
how to make her feel at home!
Holding the door open her father said with a voice full of accusation,
‘You said he was Japanese.’
‘So what’s your problem?’ Kim stared at her father.
‘Well, he won’t be able to come here will he? You wouldn’t go and live in
Japan would you?’ Her father was displaying the ignorant attitude Kim knew
was widespread in the country town. What an ugly, racist community Takahashi
is going to join, she reflected.
‘Dad, don’t be so bigoted. You hate a nation-I love a man. Takahashi wasn’t
even born during the war. His father was a Professor of Economics teaching
in the US when war broke out. He was interned for four years then deported
to Japan. He didn’t have much part in the war either. Why can’t you look at
people as individuals? The research of Takahashi is going to save millions
of dollars for Australia.’
‘He won’t be welcome around this town,’ he warned.
Kim was concerned because it was unusual for her father to speak
vindictively of anyone.
‘I think you’ll change your mind when you see what he can do for everyone
in this district.’ She felt irritable that she had to defend Takahashi to
her parents.

The shrill ring of the telephone interrupted the conversation. ‘It’s for
you Kim,’ mother smiled as she handed her the receiver.
‘Takahashi?’ Kim was thrilled to hear the voice of her lover. ‘You didn’t
take long. I’ve only been home a few hours. Are you missing me already?’
"I couldn’t wait to tell you. A country University in Australia has
accepted me. I will finish here at the end of term. We’ll soon be together
again, honey. I miss you.’
Kim whispered a private message into the phone then hung up and announced
with a broad smile, ‘Takahashi will be here in a few weeks.’ Her father
buried his face in the newspaper he was reading. Mother hurried across and
gave Kim a hug. ‘Everything will be fine, dear. Don’t worry’ she whispered.

Kim spent a restless night. The thought that Takahashi would soon be close
to her again brought back wonderful memories of their last night together. A
nagging worry that the atmosphere of prejudice and intolerance he was coming
to might destroy his enthusiasm for her country kept her awake. Remembering
he would live at University and only visit this district occasionally
eventually let her get some sleep.

The early morning sun forced itself through the cream lace curtains of her
bedroom. She pattered to the window in her bare feet and looked out on the
familiar scene she had missed so much while away. The rickety garden fence,
saved from falling over only by the pale blue wisteria that completely
covered it. A flock of multi-coloured parrots turned the old apricot tree
into a squawking bazaar. Takahashi will love this place, she thought.

For the next few days Kim spent her time in the farm sheds renewing old
friendships and meeting new staff. She was yarning with the foreman, when
her mother called, ‘Takahashi is on the phone.’ Kim ran to the office and
grabbed the phone from the desk. ‘Hullo darling. You’re becoming a regular
caller. Are you coming earlier?’
‘Honey, what’s going on in your country? I’m disgusted. Because I’m
Japanese the University Council has cancelled my appointment. Do they always
link science and nationality down under? It’s unbelievable.’
Tears were stinging Kim’s eyes. Her lips went dry and her hands began
trembling. She had never heard Takahashi so upset. ‘Darling, you’ve been
dealing with a University Council made up of country small businessmen and
farmers. They’re not typical of the people who make up the Councils of the
large city Universities. Scholarship is all that interests them. I’Il write
to my old professor at Bromly tonight and ask his advice. Don’t lose hope.’
‘I never expected anything like this.’ Takahashi was bewildered. ‘I hope
you’re right about the bigger places.’
‘We’ll be O.K. darling, don’t worry. I’ll ring you soon, I miss you.’ Kim
tried to comfort him before ending the call. The prejudice of the
small-minded people who had done this gave her gooseflesh.
Early next day Kim contacted Professor Kazler, head of Department of Water
Management at Bromly University. She was overjoyed with his advice.
‘If he’s got the research prospects you’ve mentioned we could find a place
for him within three months. Tell him to send us his C.V. immediately.’ The
professor confirmed that scholarship would be the essential requirement for
appointment. Nationality will certainly play no part in our selection, he
assured Kim. Within a month Takahashi was interviewed in the US by a
representative of Bromly University. In another month he was offered a three
year contract and arrived in Australia soon after.
The next two years were happy and exciting for the inseparable couple. His
research had progressed to the stage where he now needed tests outside the
laboratory. Kim’s father was beginning to look on Takahashi more
pragmatically.

‘Our local reservoir should suit you,’ Mr Elliott volunteered. ‘You’ll have
to get permission from the local Council but I don’t reckon you’d have any
trouble seeing what the benefits are likely to be.’ It wasn’t so easy. The
Council divided equally for and against the proposal to allow the
experiments. The President of the Council, Cr. Chris Sorbone, rose and
spoke. ‘We don’t know enough about this. We’re responsible to our ratepayers
to ensure pure water. It’s alright for the University to say there are no
risks but they’ve been wrong before. Remember the cabbage bug that wouldn’t
eat anything other than white fly? Ask George Brown what happened to his
bean crop! I’m voting no.’
Kim was furious. She felt Chris’s vote had more to do with her relationship
with the researcher than any real fear of side effects.
‘Why don’t you use the dam at Dailyfresh?’ she suggested to Takahashi.
‘I know it’s not as big as the reservoir but it is a large sheet of water.’
‘That’s a good idea.. There might be some other farmers that would allow
the use of their dams.’ After a month, those farmers who agreed to help
became his most enthusiastic supporters. All still had water while Chris
Sorbone was starting to worry about water for his pigs. Successful testing
around the district convinced Takahashi his methods worked in the field as
well as in the laboratory. ‘I’ll write a paper with the results and publish
it before the hot summer arrives.’ The future excited Takahashi. ‘A 23%
saving in water should make a big splash,’ he joked. He was right! Media
spread the news around the country and resulted in Takahashi being hounded
for television appearances, radio and newspaper interviews. Many came from
as far away as the USA.
‘The greatest break-through in water management in fifty years,’ the Prime
Minister commented. ‘Our interest, in this dry land, is any development that
will help conserve our limited water resources.’
The interest in Takahashi surprised Kim’s dad. When he could, he arranged
to have some time alone with the young man. When Kim entered the lounge room
both men glanced towards her. For a moment she was apprehensive, then her
father smiled and said, ‘Come in and sit down, Kim. We’ve been having a good
talk. You told me Taka’s father was a teacher or something. You got that
wrong. His father had a hydroponic farm in America.’
Kim opened her mouth to protest and then saw the almost imperceptible wink
from Takahashi. She got the message and decided a small deception wouldn’t
hurt anyone.
‘This young man has intrigued me with his exciting plans for the future’
her father said. ‘I have to admit it’s all very exciting.’
Kim looked from her father to Takahashi, hardly daring to believe she’d
heard correctly.
‘I don’t know how he’s changed you Dad, but I’m glad he has’. She turned
and looked at her smiling boyfriend.
Takahashi paced up and down the room. ‘I’ve got some more good news for
both of you.’ He couldn’t contain his excitement. ‘You remember, Kim, when
I arrived here I applied to become a citizen. Well, they’ve accepted me. I’
ll soon be an Aussie. I got the letter yesterday. I am going to attend the
naturalisation ceremony at the Council on Australia day.’

Kim laughed heartily. ‘What’s so funny?’ her father asked. Takahashi, too,
had a bewildered look.
‘Don’t you know who’ll be handing out the citizenship certificates and
making the welcome speech? Chris Sorbone,’ she told the two perplexed men.
‘I think that’s a lovely irony.’ Kim couldn’t conceal her joy at the
embarrassment in store for the man who’d made life in Australia
so difficult for Takahashi.