It is an hour and a half train ride from the house I live in now. From there, a 15-minute bus ride. I arrived at my destination.
I——Taeko Kitami, had returned to my late husband’s family home.
“It’s been a long time. Mother-in-law, father-in-law.”
“Welcome, Taeko. Come in, come in.”
My mother-in-law and father-in-law welcomed me generously.
For both of them, I was one of the few links they had left with my husband. Of course, Shuya and Sachi are one of them.
The last time I saw them was a little over a year ago. We have kept in touch, but it has been a long time since we last saw each other.
There is a reason. Shuya started to live alone and lost contact with me.
Until then, the three of us used to visit every year. And I played the role of a fake mother.
And Shuya didn’t say anything to me for acting like that. He must have realized it. To my foolish intentions.
Both of them have been very good to our family.
Their son, a treasure to them both, will be cherished as the person they loved before he died.
They have helped us a lot, especially financially. After my husband’s death, the insurance money came through, but combined with my earnings, it was not enough to send them both to college.
They were very supportive and came up with the money. I didn’t borrow money. They provided it.
It was as if it was a matter of course.
We were taken to the living room and drank tea.
For a while, we talked about nothing else. The main topic of conversation was about their two grandchildren.
Sachi and Shuya are doing well, I said. They asked if they had found something they wanted to do.
In the past, I would have told them that everything was fine.
Your grandchildren are growing up without any problems.
My legs, my knees, my hands, my whole body is shaking.
I know. From now on I will be judged.
One purpose of my visit is to talk about the money for Sachi’s higher education.
To put it simply, I came to ask for the missing amount.