Days of Remedy

Part 13

The flowers on my nightstand were replaced by sickness cards, most of them handmade by Aiko. The drawings of cute frogs holding dandelions make me smile whenever I see them. She must have tried really hard; I know what a perfectionist she can be when it comes to her crafts. Surprisingly, one of the cards, the one with a cat playing with a stethoscope, is signed by all my classmates. This must have been Fujino's idea, but even though the wishes for my fast recovery are likely shallow, the knowledge at least one of them is honest comforts me. However, today the cards won't distract me from the thing that preoccupies my mind—my family's visit.

Excited to see my sister this afternoon, I wait outside the hospital, leaning on the railing in my brown teddy coat. "They should have already been here," I mumble, looking at my watch.

Then, I spot the silver wheels and black matte hood of our car in the distance. Overfilled with joy, I jump up and down, waving like I haven't seen Aiko in a million years. The car doesn't even have time to stop, and I'm already pulling the door handle.

However, to my surprise, my dad is the only one who steps out.

"Where is Aiko?" I ask eagerly.

"She didn't feel well, so she stayed home with mom." He responds.

Hearing his nonchalant answer, I slam the car door and head back to the hospital. Fuming that the only person I was dying to see was most definitely left home on purpose, so my parents could shelter her from the crazy sister.

Dad calls out my name and grabs me by the shoulder, but I slip from his grip: "She was fine yesterday!"

"I know; she fell sick this morning." He says.

"Sure she did," I snap at him.

Pausing, he rubs his forehead in worry: "I am sorry, Kumiko, I know you wanted to see her. I thought that maybe we could take a walk. Just the two of us? What do you say?"

His begging eyes drill into my gut, pushing me to agree, and after informing the head nurse, I find myself walking beside him in embarrassing silence.

"So, anything new?" I try to start a conversation.

"We are planning a new project. Next week I am meeting with the Minister of Transport, so let's hope he likes our proposal." Why am I not surprised he chose the work as a topic? Listening patiently, I nod as he continues. However, after his banter about the state of Kushikis' railways, he notices my lack of interest and falls silent.

One. Four. Eleven. Twenty-one. Thirty-six...Just how many steps will we take till the walk is over?

Suddenly dad stops to point at the convenience store across the street, asking if I want something. I don't have to answer since my rumbling stomach does it for me.

Inside, everything is neatly stacked on the shelves, and the oh-so-ever-annoying flute music plays in the background. Dad heads straight to the food corner, where he grabs a piece of fried chicken. I have never really liked meat, so I reach for the steamed anman.

Before we leave the store, I help my dad choose a coffee since his spoiled tongue forgot what the regular ones taste like a long time ago. His indecisiveness and questions about the sugar percentage would surely irritate the shop assistant, but to me, it's one of his few pet peeves that I find charming.

"Oh, this is great! I haven't eaten from a convenience store since I married your mom. Do you want a bite?" He asks as he takes another bite.

"Ehm, no, I think I'm good," I smile, enjoying the sweet smell of the steamed anman. Hungry and impatient, I almost burn myself, biting into it. Waving my hand in front of my face, I try to cool down my mouth by breathing out the steam, but it only makes me choke up.

"You look like a dragon," dad says playfully, patting me on my back so I don't die an embarrassing death.

"Tha-nk y-ou," I cough out. The earthy taste of red bean paste melts in my mouth. I squeeze the soft and fluffy bun in my fingers and hungrily take another bite.

As we sit outside on the bench, looking at the cars driving by, the wind suddenly blows hard, messing up my hair, so I tie them in a low ponytail to get them away from my face. Dad smiles, saying I look like my mom, as he always does when I tie my hair back. I sigh, knowing how desperately he wants me to be like her.

******

I suggest going back as we finish our food, but dad stops me: "Wait, I wanted to tell you something."

While I sit back down, he cracks open his can of coffee: "The doctor said you can come home."

I prick up my ears, not sure if I heard him correctly.

"Well, if you are not ready, you can stay," he says, sipping his drink.

"No! Of course, I am ready!"

"Well, then I can pick you up tomorrow, but the deal is you will still visit therapy once a week," he continues.

My heart skips a beat in delight. Finally, I can return! The joy bubbling inside me brightens my face with a huge smile.

Dad notices the spark of happiness he kindled and uses the moment to make a heart-to-heart remark: "Kumiko, I know school is hard; I know it was for me, but please don't do anything silly like last time, okay?"

I nod, promising nothing like that will ever happen again.

"I am glad to hear that...So do you want to head back? Or do you want to see your old dad hit the trash with this can?" Brushes his fingers through his slicked-back hair and points at the crumbled coffee can he finished a few moments ago.

Before I have a chance to answer, he stretches back his arm and throws the can. "YES! I still got it!" He exclaims.

Surprised to see my dad act like that in public, I can't help but give him a small amazed clap.

"Impressive, right? Did I tell you I was a basketball captain in high school?" He strokes his ego.

I chuckle as I remind him he has already told me at least six hundred times, but that doesn't stop him from suggesting he could teach me to play one day.

As we walk back to the hospital, the wind gets stronger, pinching my cheeks red. I snuggle my chin into the coat, hiding my face from the cold; however, the weather can't ruin my happiness.

Grateful for my dad's effort to connect with me, I grab his arm and cuddle closer to him. Surprised by my sudden attack, he flinches a little, but he keeps quiet. Then, as the wind blows upon the empty street and scatters newly fallen leaves, we enjoy the coziness and comfort of the late fall afternoon, but even though we walk again in complete silence, my thoughts are far from quiet. I just can't wait to be back at home.

*************

Author's note:

Hi everyone! This chapter was posted on the 19th of March. I am taking a bit of a break, but don't worry! I am not abandoning the story! More information on why I will be on a break on my profile :)