Kyoto Sunset

Sharon Stanton is exhausted. And this time, it wasn't just the jetlag. Being a location scout for Athena Pictures had its perks: traveling, mingling with movie stars, and attending red-carpet premiers dressed to the nines.

At least, that is what she thought when she applied for the job.

Over the last two years, Sharon was flying all over the world for romcoms, action-packed blockbusters, and the occasional period drama. Living out of two duffel bags and drug store brand toiletries differed from what Sharon had in mind. Of course, there was all the typical nonsense any traveler faces: all-too-crowded terminals, children kicking the back of your seat, changes in the time zone, and the threat of catching the flu by just sitting on a plane.

'Hey, it still beats working in an office,' she always said to her partner. And the partner would inevitably roll her eyes.

But this time, it was more than hopping on a plane and dealing with all the nonsense with international airports. In the last 48 hours, Sharon had gone from aircraft to a crowded airport, to a bullet train, to a skyscraper, to another bullet train, to a city. All of that traveling would wipe out anyone. Yet, the rest of her team seemed to have all the energy of a wedding planner on caffeine.

For this particular job, Sharon's team was asked to look at downtown Kyoto for an upcoming drama. She read the script and was intrigued by the love story between a former World War II pilot from Japan and a nurse from America. It wasn't the setting that drew her in, but the fictional romance in the movie reminded her of her real life.

Going from the high-tech, always-bright Tokyo to Kyoto's lowkey, almost ancient look gave Sharon whiplash. Gone were the neon lights, sleek, modern buildings, and bustling young businessmen; in their place were pristine pagoda temples, falling Sakura petals, and quiet elderly ladies dressed in kimonos.

Sharon felt like she was on an already-made movie set, but it did look breathtaking. She kept getting lost in the city's history. At one point, Sharon wandered into an alleyway just to get a good shot of a pagoda. The sun was shining above it, and the wispy, vapor-like clouds served as an excellent background for a picture of medieval Japanese architecture.

After hours of scouting the city, the sun was beginning to fade. The team could report to their bosses in Hollywood and depart for the day. Still in awe of the city, Sharon told them she would stay behind.

She finally had some time to herself and just wanted to relax. A small tea house was calling her name. From the outside deck area, she could see the sky slowly fading into an orange hue.

Sharon ordered a simple cup of tea and sat down to admire the sunset.

But there was one problem.

She felt… lost.

Her expression morphs from calm and joyous to sad and introspective. Being alone, she knew what thoughts were about to bombard her mind.

She missed her old life as a film journalist, being able to sleep in on Saturdays, and, worst of all, her partner, Naomi—the one she was doing this for. She was in mid-thought of their last vacation together, hiking in New Hampshire, when she received a phone call.

           "Hello," Sharon says, yawning.

           "Sharon!?" a panicked voice replies. "Oh my goodness, I have been trying to reach you."

           "Naomi?" Sharon says.

           "Yeah, it's me," Naomi replies. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Did I catch you at a bad time?"

           "No, I was just thinking about you. Is everything okay, honey?"

           "Huh…honey?" Naomi replies. "Honey? That's making me uncomfortable…"

           "Naomi? I was just thinking about you, and I'm glad you called."

           "Sharon, seriously, this is making me very uncomfortable… you don't say things like that."

           Please tell me you're joking…"

           "I can tell you… that it's not a joke," Naomi replies with a hint of panic. "Please, I, I need to talk."

           Despite being on different continents and time zones, silence and confusion filled the air around them. The two women could see their puzzled expressions through the phone.

           Sharon realized who this mystery Naomi was ‑ it just so happened to be someone named Naomi. Not her Naomi.

And then it hit Sharon. This type of phone call has been common for her ever since she changed phones. The realization caused her to repeat a line that became an unofficial catchphrase.

           "… think you have the wrong number," Sharon says. Her polite voice contradicts her beyond-annoyed mindset and face. She squeezes the bridge of her nose and lets out an equally irked exhale. This was the fifth or sixth time this month someone mistook Sharon Stanton, the Hollywood grunt, for Sharon Stanley, a popular therapist who hosted a mental health podcast. At first, the calls were flattering. Sharon Stanton thought it was pretty cool that some folks were asking for her advice. But after a while, it got obnoxious.

           "I'm sorry, I just…" Naomi's voice cracks. "I really need someone to talk to."

           The sadness in Naomi's voice hit Sharon in the chest. She sounded awfully lonely, and even if she was a stranger to her, Sharon felt the same.

           Sharon sat there, looking over the city, and thought about herself and her situation. After all, she was feeling lonely, too, even in a city full of rich history and being around her colleagues nearly every hour.

           Sharon sighs and starts up a conversation.

           "Okay, what's going on, Naomi?"

           The would-be patient seems happy to have anyone hear her out. It turns out that Naomi was about to start college and was beyond anxious about it. Sharon hears the fear in her voice and how she is growing worried about being away and disappointing her family.

           "I just… I just… I don't want to come home a failure on Christmas break."

           Sharon chuckled. Not at this poor girl's expense, but it all feels familiar to her own college experience.

           "Just because I'm not a therapist, that doesn't mean I don't know what you're feeling," she sips her tea. "I felt the exact same way you did my first week. Hell, in my first semester, I was scared."

           "What do you mean?"

           "Well, I guess it's hard being away from someone you love, and when that happens, those thoughts creep in," Sharon replies. "The best thing you can do is, well, distract yourself."

           "Distract yourself?" This-Naomi replies, feeling insulted. "Come on, that's a little-"

           "Oh, no, I didn't mean it like that!" Sharon says. "I mean, distract yourself with something to work towards or distract yourself with something that makes you happy."

           "Well, I guess I could take a walk around campus… maybe find a new spot for coffee?"

           "There you go!" Sharon exclaims. "Do you like coffee?"

           "…no, but I do love a good pastry," This-Naomi says with a slight giggle. It was the first time Sharon heard her calm voice.

           "You know, for someone who isn't my therapist, you're awfully good at talking to people," Naomi replies, calming down. Sharon could sense a warm smile on the other end.

           "Why, why thank you, Naomi," Sharon smiled at the compliment. "I really needed to hear that."

           "Well then, I guess this is goodbye?" Naomi questioned with a light chuckle.

           Sharon hung up the phone and sighed. The sunset over the tower on the horizon was about to end. But there was just enough time for her to enjoy the sights.

           She wondered when was the last time I could look at something and not have to phone Athena Pictures about it?

           She took out her phone and texted the one person she couldn't stop thinking about.

           "Hey honey, I'm sure you're asleep, but I miss you. I thought you'd like the sunset."

     She sent a second message, this time attaching a picture of herself smiling, holding up her half-full cup of tea. Her dark brown sunglasses covered her hazel eyes. The color of the Sakura petals reminded her of the tips of her Naomi's hair.

           "I love you. you'd love it here." The text said below Sharon's selfie.

           Before Sharon could pay for the tea, her phone buzzed.

And this time, it's the correct Naomi.

           "Hey beautiful, I love you too!" the text displays. "I was just thinking about you coming home from the hospital."