The way Itaru figured it, the real symbol of the Yamana family was the dining table he and his mother shared. He knew his brother was neither able nor willing to be that symbol. The only reason his brother got married and moved out was to get away from this house and the memories of their father associated with it. Itaru tried explaining this to his mother, but to no avail. She wanted a more palatable explanation. Not getting one from Itaru, she proceeded to give her version of events.

     "I had hoped that marriage would make Mitsuru a little less high-strung, but it only made him worse. The thing is that Misuzu doesn't give a hoot about his feelings. You'd think she could show him some kindness and compassion when he's upset. Instead she turns her back on him. She may be intelligent, but she's such a sourpuss. Now Mitsuru ups and takes off. Misuzu's going to just go about her business as if nothing has happened. She's going to wait until he's had enough and comes whimpering home. I hope they don't end up getting divorced."

     In her eyes Mitsuru could do no wrong, so naturally she blamed Misuzu for her son's shortcomings. She was one of the last survivors of a dying breed of women who lived in a world where everything revolved around their husbands. She was aware that her concept of the family was outdated, but she was also convinced that it could survive one more generation. She would not let go of the past: how it felt to have her husband sitting in the living room; the sweet sights and smells of her young sons.

     "You never have anything to do, Itaru. Why don't you go over and talk with Misuzu tomorrow and sound her out?"

     "What for? I don't think we should be poking our noses into other people's affairs."

     "Mitsuru's your brother, isn't he?"

     "Misuzu's not family."

     "That may be so, but she's married to your brother. She knows more than she's letting on about why Mitsuru went to Osaka. Maybe she's playing possum just to irritate me."

     Her interpretation of the situation was way off base. She was apparently trying to convince herself that marital trouble alone was responsible for her son's totally incomprehensible behavior, while ignoring other possible causes.

Copyright (C) 1998-2010 Jeffrey G. Stocker