Laurels Literary Magazine Fall 2014 | Page 39

vived on the pity of men and their desires until I ended up like a dead fish washed ashore. Nothing stinks more than that. Why don’t you come over tomorrow. I can teach you how to sew kimonos. It will occupy your mind. You need that. It’s how I’ve been able to mend the pain from my past; that, and going as far away from Chiba as I could—though some days it feels like I can’t travel far enough. The past is something that you carry on your shoulders, Keiko. It’s a weight that can keep you down if you let it. So what do you say? KEIKO: Sounds like a good idea. You’re such a good friend to me, Yuna. YUNA : Oh, don’t mention it. How’s tomorrow afternoon? KEIKO: I’ll go purchase some fabrics tomorrow afternoon, so let’s plan to meet after supper. YUNA: I have fabrics you can use. KEIKO: No, no. I insist to at least bring my own fabric. YUNA: Fine. Tomorrow after supper it is then. KEIKO: More tea? YUNA: I should get going now. I have a hundred things that won’t do themselves alone. Thanks for the tea, Keiko. (YUNA rises and heads for the door. KEIKO follows.) KEIKO:Thank you for coming, Yuna. I’ll see you tomorrow. YUNA: For sure. Have a good night. KEIKO: Good night. (KEIKO returns to the tea room and continues to observe the ritualized movement and esthetics of the Way of Tea.) 37