Running
Away to Home
By:
Rebecca A. “Sinead” Fahey-Leigh
Chapter Three
“Are
you all right in there?”
“I
can’t tie this blasted obi.”
Eishin’s
laugh was warm.“May I be permitted to assist?”
“Yes.
Get in here. And bring your sister. I heard her giggle.”
Laughing,
he and Ohisa walked in, seeing Faith holding the bamboo-print yukata shut,
the simple off-white obi in her hand matching the under-kimono.
Eishin took that from her hand, and ended up tying it correctly around her,
already in his own yukata. He smiled, and said, “Tonight, I’ll help
you bring your things to the ryokan, all right?”
“Thank
you.”
Five
days passed rather uneventfully. On the sixth, however . . . disaster.
“Shinrei-san!
Shinrei-san, denwa desu! Amerika!”
Faith
bowed to the old man who had arrived that day, excusing herself politely. He was
in for the cherry-blossom-viewing on the next day, as were most of the patrons
who were registered in. Walking to the closest phone, she picked it up and was
connected with the calling customer. “Thank you for calling the Bashomizu
Tatemono ryokan at Hongo in Bunkyo prefecture in TÇkyÇ.
My name is Faith, called Shinrei, and how may I help you?”
The
voice that answered was cold. “It’s your mother. And you can help by coming
home.”
Faith’s
breath hissed in between her teeth. This wasn’t good. “Mom, you know why
I left.”
“You
selfish brat! Why did you run off? You know that you were the only
one running this house!”
Stay
calm. Remember that showing harsh emotions in Japan is a great insult and is
demoralizing. I need this job. Reply calmly. It took her a moment to
remember those cultural differences, and she replied, “Clara’s seventeen,
and she’s been helping me halfway on everything for a year.”
“Because
you were lazy!”
Calm,
Faith, stay calm. “No, because I was working.”
“And
what of your little brother, Thomas?! You’re supposed to be watching him! Your
sister is in school!”
“So
was I, but I got out and got to his school to pick him up in time. And Clara’s
going to the same school I had been going to. She can pick him up easily.”
“I
can’t believe you! You think that you’re getting away with this?
Your father’s on his way over. You’re coming home with him. He’ll be there
in a day. Pack up.”
Hands
placed themselves gently upon her shoulders. Faith glanced over her shoulder to
see Eishin there, watching her silently, respectfully, telling her though his
gaze alone that he knew she could deal with this. The old man she had been
helping was watching as well, his face concerned. She looked away, replying,
“I’m not coming home. He beats me and he nearly raped me twice. You know
that. You ignored that.”
“He’ll
beat you within an inch of your pathetic life when he gets to you,
you little whore!”
“He
can’t touch me here. And I’m not a whore.”
Eishin
could hear the enraged voice. Finally, he had enough, and rested his hand upon
the receiver, but Faith shook her head, apologizing to him though her eyes. She
replied to the latest threat, “I’m not leaving here, Mom. I can’t. I have
a work contract.”
“Look,
you little–”
“I’m
sorry. I have to get back to work. One of the patrons here needs me to bring him
his dinner.”
“If
you hang up, you’ll never–”
“Never
what, Mom? I swear, the moment you met that man, your mind went off of me and
Clara. You never paid us any attention. Do we truly mean nothing to
you?”
“Clara
took off two days after you.”
“Good.”
“She’s
in Europe.”
“I
know.”
“Where.”
“Exactly
where you can’t get at her. And I haven’t the slightest idea, either,”
Faith replied. “I have to go.”
She
hung up, shaking. The old man held out a handkerchief, smiling kindly. She
bowed, taking it and pressing it to her eyes. Eishin wrapped his arms around
her, then whispered, “You never told me what your life was like before you
came to us.”
Gutter
Japanese erupted behind the three, and the owner of the ryokan came over,
kimono quaking along with her formidable girth with her suppressed
anger. After calming herself down enough to speak in another language than her
native tongue, she said in perfect English, “You want to be protected here,
Shinrei-san? You will be. This place is hard to find if you are not familiar
with the terrain. And you were right. I sent your foreigner’s work contract
in, and you will get your official certificate with your paycheck.”
“I’m
sorry. I didn’t think that they could find me.”
“You’re
a runaway?”
“No.
I’m nineteen; an adult. I chose to leave a dangerous situation.”
“You
sister is a runaway, then.”
“She
has to wait less than one week. She’ll be in the southern part of Japan in two
weeks. Were you listening in?”
“That
woman sounded abusive when I picked the phone up downstairs. I do not envy your
life before coming here.” Her glare returned. “Of course I listened.
I’m not letting one of my maids get upset over some woman’s childish
tantrum.”
Faith
sighed, then bowed to the old man. “Gomen-nasai.”
“It
isn’t needed. And I speak eigo as well. I have to.”
“So
sorry for asking, but may I ask why?” Faith replied, shoving the immediate
distress back down and all but gulping in the comfort, peace and concern the
three Japanese were radiating towards her. Others were able to do the same when
she was back in America, but it wasn’t as clearly defined as it seemed to be
at this moment.
“I
travel between Japan and America often as a mediator between two parts of one
company,” he explained, holding his hand up to forestall the movement Faith
was about to make so that she could hand the handkerchief back. “So I have had
a long time in speaking with Americans and those who speak English. Forgive me
for not speaking it earlier. At first, I was not . . . pleased that a gaijin
was working in a ryokan. You see, this is a highly ritualized place.”
“I
understand. About both, sir,” Faith said softly. “Do itashimashite.”
The
owner made a neutral noise, then spoke to the old man in Japanese, “This girl
shows more grace and balance than many of those who have been working here for
seven years. And as for that woman that she was birthed from . . . neeeehhhh.
I will not release her back into danger.”
He
nodded, acknowledging it, then said in English, “I wish to ask you if you
would possibly consider joining me in watching the blossoms tomorrow, Shinrei-san.”
“Gomen-nasai,
but I have already been asked to accompany someone. Sumimasen.”
“Aa,
that so? And who would that lucky person be, if I am allowed to ask?”
Eishin
cleared his throat, causing a chuckle from the old man. “I see, I see. Wakarimasu.
Apparently youth and youthful love is more attractive than simple knowledge and
understanding!”
Faith
laughed behind her hand. “Forgive me, sire! I had not known that I might touch
a particularly painful nerve!”
He
laughed along with her, smiling widely, crinkles at the corner of his eyes. “Hai,
your wits are certainly sharp, Shinrei-san!”
The
owner saw the old man’s smile and laughter. Never in the years since he had
started coming to the Bashomizu Tatemono ryokan had he ever smiled. He
came, watched the sakura under the stars, always alone and
melancholy in a crowd of individual groups laughing and having the time of their
lives.
To
be purely factual, he hadn’t smiled since the day his family was killed in
1987 Great TÇkyÇ
Earthquake.
She
smiled. “Shinrei-san, might I ask you something?”
“Of
course.”
“Might
you consider meeting with him? Bring Eishin, Ohisa and Tama and whoever else you
might run into!” She winked conspiratorially. “You never know what may
happen!”
Laughing,
Faith bowed formally to the old man. “Then shall we meet you at a place of
your choosing?”
“Which
park are you used to attending?” Eishin asked kindly.
The
old man’s smile dimmed. “Meiji Shrine, and the Yoyogi Park. Shall we meet at
the main gate?”
Eishin
nodded once, smiling, using an old-fashioned term of affection. “And at what
time would you suggest, grandfather?”
“Ruffian!”
he exploded comically, finding himself oddly completely at ease with these two.
The girl was around how old his youngest daughter would have been. He took
command of his thoughts, and replied, “Shall I have the honor of escorting the
young lady at noon?”
“Promptly,”
Faith replied, spirits restored to where they had been in the past five days.
“Then
the matter is settled,” the owner said, nodding her head to the three.
“Eishin-san, Shinrei-san, please see to it that the bathing room is ready for
the last expected guest of the night.”
The
two bowed, then left the two older people. The owner sighed, turning to face the
older man. “Oshie Ujio-sama, I have not seen your smile in many years. And I
have never heard laughter pass by your lips.”
His
sigh was mournful, and his eyes softened as he watched Shinrei-san turn the
corner with the young man Eishin-san. His gaze returned to the owner. “Kagami
Taka-sama, your observation is correct. I have not smiled in many years. I have
often felt that my soul has been lacking happiness, laughter, everything that
should cause a smile or a kind word. And today I found something that could
finally help me change that.” He rubbed at his face. “Seventeen years of
mourning my beloved wife and children is too long. It’s been taking its toll
upon my life. And I don’t want any more of the sadness. I don’t want to be
this person that I’ve become over the years.”
“I
know that.”
“How?”
“Because
I’ve been waiting for the day that you would say that . . . for the day when
you would confide in me that you wanted to start life up again.”
Oshie-san
looked at the woman before him. “What are you saying, Kagami-san?”
“That
I’d like to prepare a special dinner for you, and if you would allow it . .
.”
His
eyes lit up with understanding, and he let another smile drift over rejuvenated
features. “I would be honored if you joined me. Thank you.” He bowed
formally. “And if you are able, would you please join me in the
blossom-viewing?”
She
bowed in return. “I would be honored.”
“Did
you see the way that those two looked at each other?” Faith asked Eishin later
that night, over a bowl of soba.
He
nodded, smiling. “They must have known each other for years. I don’t know
what’s drawn them together, but they look as if they’re really old friends.
And I never thought that I’d see the day when Kagami-san would blush at the
smallest complement!”
“Are
you sure that peeking in on their was all right?”
“Didn’t
you notice all the other maids and cooks watching?”
“Yeah
. . .”
“Then
it was all right. She knew that we’d peek. Whenever she eats with a guest, she
knows that we’ll watch. It’s kind of one of those things that just
happens.”
“So
she’s all right about it.”
“Just
remember not to mention anything about it.”
“Right.
Will do.”
“So
are you going to eat those mushrooms?”
“These?
Ugh, no. Please take them.”
“I
do not understand how you do not like these.”
Faith
made a face at the offending piece of food. “It’s a fungus. I just don’t
find that eating a fungus is . . . well . . . ew. Whatever. You can have all the
mushrooms you like, but I’m not touching them.”
“More
for me!”
“Ick.”
The
kimono looked simply astounding upon the American, Ohisa thought, smiling and
fingering the hem around the sleeve of her own. Tama tugged on the same sleeve.
“Come on, let’s go to the stands and get a drink for those two. They want to
talk about something.”
Ohisa
nodded, and they told the pair what they were doing, and where they would meet.
They were in the Former Imperial Garden, and in half an hour would meet in the
Iris Garden. A half-hour after that, they were to meet Ujio-san at the Main
Gate. Eishin and Faith started slowly towards the garden, the trees in bloom
gently waving overhead in a warm breeze. Eishin smiled down at his companion.
“You’ve never really told me what your religion is. And with a name like
yours, there has to be some sort of religion in your life.”
Faith
smiled. “I’m Christian. Pentecostal.”
“I
do not know that one.”
“That’s
all right.”
“Tell
me about it,” he insisted gently.
“Once
you tell me what your religion is,” she shot back kindly.
Eishin
smiled. “I’m trying to decide. My family believes in a combination of
Buddhism and our native Shinto. I don’t want a ‘combination’ belief. I
want something concrete.” He looked her in the eye. “Tell me about your God.”
“My?
Why only mine? He can be yours, too,” was the quick reply. She bit her lip,
aware that she had spoken almost too quickly.
Eishin
laughed. “Possibly, Ara-chan, possibly.”
She
looked up at the petals of a tree they had stopped by, reaching to touch the
double-blossom, feeling the soft silkiness of the petals slide over her
fingertips. “My God loves everyone. He has a place for each and every person
on this earth in His heart. His grace and beauty is beyond what words can say,
but can be felt.” Her eyes drifted over the people admiring the trees. “What
else would you want to know?”
“How
is he real? Was he real?”
“So
you don’t believe that this world was created by a supernatural hand?”
“Ah,
what I was saying was that I know that you believe in Jesus. Was he real?”
“And
continues to be,” Faith replied as they started walking again.
“How
is that? He died. He was a merely prophet, some say.”
“But
a prophet that rose on the third day. He conquered death so that we could have
eternal life.”
“Life
beyond a death?”
“Yeah.”
“Heaven,
then. Nirvana?”
“Heaven,
yes. Not nirvana. That’s Buddhism.”
“Would
it be similar?”
Faith
shrugged slightly. “I’d want to say both yes and no, but to tell you the
truth, Tora-chan, I don’t know.”
“How
do you know that Jesus did what He did, then?”
“Because
I feel His love. And love never dies.”
Eishin
took that in for a long moment. They passed another couple, who were completely
enraptured with each other. “As if He were a lover, then?”
“More.
Father, friend, purest confidant, everything. One of the scriptures says that he
is a father to the fatherless, and a husband to the widowed.”
The
Japanese teenager nodded slowly, then looked at Faith again, finding out that
she was watching him already. He blinked. “So what is it like? Being . . .
loved by your God.”
She
smiled, and her eyes lit up brightly. “It’s like a never-ending embrace that
you can always retreat farther into when things aren’t right. It’s like
getting the warmest welcome from a friend that you haven’t seen in years.”
Her eyes brimmed with tears. “It’s like learning that you are loved
after all, and you don’t need anyone else’s approval, no matter
what.”
“You
really believe.”
She
nodded, blinking the joyful tears back. “I do.”
Eishin
caught her eyes. “All right. Teach me.”
“Teach
you?”
“Yes.
Convince me of this belief.”
“Why
do I have to convince you?”
He
shrugged. “Because I need to have hard facts.”
Nodding,
she understood. “All right. You’ll get it, then.” And she smiled kindly.
“Tomorrow. After work.”
The
teenager sighed. “I’m not working tomorrow.”
“I
know. I am. I’ll make dinner. What time can you come over?”
“Not
too late. About seven.”
“Then
I’ll be ready by then.”
As
he chuckled, Eishin’s elbow brushed Faith’s. She tentatively reached
over and touched his hand, not looking, but felt his warm fingers wrap around
hers, pulling her slightly closer to him, leaning his head towards her to
whisper, “I look forward to getting to know you better, Ara-chan.”
Blushing,
Faith looked up into his dark eyes to reply, “And I’m looking forward to
figuring you out, Ei-chan.”
And by that time, they were in the Iris Garden, seeing the blossoming trees shape lines and boundaries around the pathways.