Life With You

Part 36: Changes

The Spring Festival at Gyu-Mao's castle was different from previous years. Citizens from the village set up booths for food, games, arts and crafts as always but the popular Tilt-A-Whirl, Ferris Wheel and carousels weren't available this year. Gyu-Mao told ChiChi he hadn't put in the requests in time for the suppliers to deliver them for the festival. ChiChi thought that was odd. Festivals were always important to the kingdom and her father worked hard to make it a success.

ChiChi wondered if the tension between them had something to do with her father's misstep. Gyu-Mao came by for his weekly visits but ChiChi spoke when she had to. She didn't ask about the festival except for the date and if he needed Gohan's help. Goku always helped set up the big equipment. Since Goku's passing, Gohan helped. ChiChi thought it was strange her father declined Gohan's help but now she understood why.

Despite that, the villagers, Gohan and Goten still enjoyed themselves. The brothers were visiting the food and game booths. ChiChi knew Goten was getting spoiled with free samples of everything he wanted. The villagers adopted Goten as their son to honor Goku. While the brothers played together, ChiChi spent her time talking to the villagers. One of them was Mr. Lupp's widow. Mr. Lupp died over the winter. ChiChi remembered the kind man as one who helped Goku build their home. Mrs. Lupp was sad about her husband's passing but not lonely as her children always checked on her. She also kept herself active with her friends and though there was a considerable age difference, Mrs. Lupp saw ChiChi as a friend.

"I thought being wives and mothers were what we would have in common, ChiChi. I never thought we would be widows together, too. You're much too young to be a widow."

"Fate has a weird sense of humor, Mrs. Lupp."

"Humor is not the way I would describe it," the older woman said. "Malcolm's passing isn't a surprise. He was almost seventy and spent his life working sunup to sundown on a farm. I expected a little more time but it's a lot more than what you got with Goku. It breaks my heart he died so young saving us."

ChiChi fingered her and Goku's wedding rings on her necklace. "Not everyone is blessed to have a lifetime together."

"That's true. I... uh... heard rumors you had a companion. I thought there would be another wedding."

ChiChi inwardly groaned. She wished her father hadn't spoken about Kenji. "Dad embellished."

"If you don't mind my asking, what happened?" Mrs. Lupp inquired. "You are still a young and beautiful woman with many years left. I think you two would've been a fine match."

"How can you say that?" ChiChi asked. "You didn't know him."

"No, but from what your father described, he sounds like a fine man. He's younger but age doesn't matter these days and after so many older men getting with a young woman, it's about time an older woman gets a younger man."

ChiChi wasn't sure if she should be flattered or insulted. "I'm not that old, Mrs. Lupp. The age difference was only five years."

Mrs. Lupp smiled kindly. She hadn't meant to insult. "I know, dear, but your father was so happy about him. He loved Goku. We all did but a few of us did think you were too young to be faithful forever to Goku. Me, I'm old. I'm barren. My children are grown and have children of their own. I may have another ten years or so left before I can be with Malcolm. You have another forty or fifty years. That's a very long time to be alone."

It was the same argument her father and Bulma said. "I won't be alone," ChiChi tried to assure Mrs. Lupp. "I have my sons."

Mrs. Lupp made a sucking sound through her teeth. "It's not the same, dear, and you know it. But," she patted ChiChi's knee thoughtfully, "at least you put yourself out there. It didn't work with this Kenji fella but there's still time to find someone else."