The Kimono Tattoo by Rebecca Copeland

Author:Rebecca Copeland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brother Mockingbird
Published: 2022-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

PHOENIXES

“Why don’t you take a bath,” Hiro suggested when we got back to his house. He was eager to get to the kitchen where he had plans for a special dinner. They were both trying hard to help me take my mind off Daté’s death. I followed the corridor to the room I slept in the night before, put my bag down, and pulled out a change of clothes. The tip of the package caught my eye, and I set it on top of the tatami next to my bag. After my bath, I would see if I was able to face it.

I headed to the bathroom, enjoying the wave of cedar scent that met me as soon as I slid open the door. I removed the cover from the tub. A cloud of steam rose up and wafted across the room. I undressed and returned to the bathing room, hoping that by lifting off the cover earlier the heat had dissipated somewhat. It hadn’t. I stirred the water with the long wooden ladle and then dipped some out in a bucket. I added cool water to the bucket as well and began washing up with that. Gradually, I dipped out more and more buckets full of hotter and hotter water until by the time I had washed completely, my skin was conditioned to the heat, and I was ready to step into the cauldron. I eased myself in, displacing the water over the edge of the tub as I sank to the bottom. The water stung where it lapped at my shoulders and chest. The heat began to seep into my back and knees, and I could feel my tension ease. I was lucky to know so many kind people. I was lucky to be alive. I closed my eyes and drifted along a wave of happy sadness.

“Ruth, feel free to add cold water to the tub. I’m sure it’s really hot! No need for you to boil yourself alive!”

Mrs. Shibasaki called from the doorway. I opened one eye and thought about turning on the cold tap, but I was too comfortable to move. I was also beginning to perspire. I pulled myself up and sat on the edge of the tub, enjoying the whoosh of cool air that greeted me when I did. My skin was salmon pink.

What had I been thinking about last night that kept me so long in the tub? That’s right, my dance lessons. My next class was scheduled for tomorrow. I would need to attend, even though I wouldn’t be able to participate. My teacher would expect me to come in person to explain my situation.

I pulled the lid back over the tub to keep the water hot, opened the sliding wooden door to the sink area, grabbed a towel off the shelf beside the sink and dabbed at my skin. Even so, my skin remained damp, making it difficult to pull my clean clothes on.

“How about a glass of wine, Ruth?” Hiro called from the kitchen.

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