Vintage Rob

Chapter 12 - Forty-Nine Days after Katsutoshi's Death

If you read QUIET and make some connections, please don't write any spoilers in the comments.

The next day, Rob took a train to Saitama, Katsutoshi's hometown. A few minutes after disembarking, two beautiful young women urged him into the front passenger seat of a small blue car. In accordance with current funeral traditions in Japan, Rob's suit was black, like his mood. "I'm Naoko," the driver said, slipping a key into the ignition.

A Buddhist priest had contacted Rob on Katsutoshi's widow's behalf. He promised to meet Rob at the station, but sent Naoko, his niece, instead. Rob had hoped for the priest's help with Makiko's grandparents, so his absence was disappointing, despite the pretty young women.

The car's tiny engine shook to life.

"I'm Fumiko," the one in back said. "If you need legroom, you can move the seat."

"Thanks." He felt around for the mechanism, then crossed his arms and stared straight ahead. Fumiko pushed her head between the two front seats, just like a kid. He wanted to smile at her, but his facial muscles refused. Forty-nine days ago, Katsutoshi died in an explosion that spared Rob.

As Naoko guided the car around a rotary in front of the train station, rotational forces pulled Rob into her. He jumped from the glowing skin over her clavicles with such force that he banged his shoulder against his side of the car.

She laughed. "Seatbelt please."

Fumiko piped up too. "Buckle up, Mr. Pirone."

Rob yanked it across his chest.

Katsutoshi died forty-nine days ago, thanks to him.

***

When they arrived at the temple parking lot, Rob thanked the two women and got out of the car.

So did they.

"You're going too?" Rob said.

Fumiko buttoned her blue suede coat and shook her legs one at a time. Tight black jeans covered them. "No, we're going to the main house to visit Nobu's mother. Maybe we'll see you later."

A large, traditional house with a tiled roof straddled one side of the parking lot. Fumiko pointed to a gate in a white wall. Beyond it, the roof of a wooden building stuck out from a large chunk of wooded land in front of a hill. "That's the temple. We could show you the way."

"I'll manage, thanks." The parking lot was full of cars. Once he entered the temple grounds, he'd be immersed in the Japanese language, a lonely but meditative prospect, and the thought of being interrogated about Katsutoshi's death made his stomach queasy, so he did not step away from the car, and neither did Naoko and Fumiko. "Thanks for the ride," he said.

They hugged their handbags and watched him. "You're welcome."

Gravestones rose up the hill beyond the left side of the temple's roof. "The priest's family operates the temple, don't they?"

"Yes. I'm a poor relative." Naoko laughed.

"Nobu's father is the chief priest," Fumiko said.

Another car pulled into the parking lot. An older couple dressed in black, glanced at them before passing under the gate. "I should go," Rob said.

Naoko waved. "Okay, see you."

He headed under the gate into a pebbled courtyard. A few dozen adults stood in front of the temple. A man with wavy black locks approached. "I just heard you're here." He shook Rob's hand. "I worked with Katsutoshi in Tokyo. Is it okay if I mind you?"