Gaia Girls Way of Water by Lee Welles

Author:Lee Welles
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781603581370
Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing
Published: 2011-01-26T16:00:00+00:00

28

Gaijin Green

Part of her wanted to sit in the marvelous stone chair, watch the tide pull out, and relive all the amazing events of that day. But Sensei would be coming. Sensei AND Tomiko! The last thing Miho wanted to do was give that woman another reason to frown at her. After all, she did provide Miho with a meal the day before. This was the polite way to return a kindness.

Miho ran all the way back to Ojisan’s house. She showered off the salt water, changed into clean clothes, and hit the kitchen. The rice cooker was humming and the wok was popping with bits of ginger and shrimp when her guests arrived.

Surprisingly, they both complimented her cooking! Miho felt her cheeks grow hot. She also thought of the pod of dolphins that did their leaping, sporting dance in celebration of her ability to talk to them. It was turning out to be a pretty good day.

When they were done, Tomiko even said, “Gochisosama,” something her father used to say to her mother. It means “it was a feast,” and is a compliment to the cook! Tomiko said she had to return to stock the shelves. It was the first time Miho had considered the hard work that was involved in keeping a store like that. She thanked Tomiko for coming and then had an idea.

From her pocket, Miho pulled the single pearl she had found that day. She handed it to the open-mouthed woman. “I am grateful for all the kindness you have shown me,” Miho said, her eyes respectfully downcast. “You are generous to share your father’s time with me. I am in your debt.”

Tomiko shut her mouth, shook her head and swallowed. She closed the pearl in her fist and said, “You are always welcome in my home.” Then she blushed, bowed quickly, and left.

Sensei smirked in that small, still way of his. Miho began to clear the table and wondered if he would leave too. “So, what adventure did you dive into today?” the old man asked.

Miho was taken aback. How did he know she had dived anywhere? “Na wakarimasen,” she said, her old, familiar, “I don’t understand.” He just shook his head and left, humming a little tune. Miho really didn’t understand him sometimes.

That evening, as she washed her face, Miho discovered something strange. When she lifted her dripping face up and looked into the mirror over the sink, her eyes were dark brown!

Miho leaned in closer and saw the brown-ness fade, returning her eyes to their old gaijin-green. She did this again and again, wondering why her eyes would look different after being in the water. It must mean they’re different in the water! she thought.

Miho filled the sink, made sure the cap of the toothpaste was on tight, and then pushed the tube to the bottom. She then put her face in the water, eyes open. She could read every word! It was as if she were wearing a diving mask.

Now that

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