Theme 12 – Shelter

There was more than one way to need shelter and more than one kind of storm. It was Mother's Day and Wakashi was out with his mother and Keigo was supposed to be coming over later for the afternoon. That was the plan. It had been three years without his mother. Three years and he was a grown adult. He should have perspective. He should have known that Wakashi's mother would know him.

She was sitting there on his patio, when he came back from his mother's grave, sipping tea and looking serene. Then she smiled at him and patted the seat next to her, "I left the boys setting up for dinner. I thought you might want some company. Come and have some tea."

He sat next to her silently and held her hand when it slipped into his and they sat there silently watching the birds and the clouds dance in the sky. Then she moved closer and wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek, "It's okay Keigo…"

And he wondered in that moment if all the Hiyoshi family members were able to read him like this. If he had some sort of inability to hide from them. And in that moment he didn't care. Because Hiyoshi-san seemed to know that was all he needed to hear and didn't say a word when he dashed a few tears from his cheeks. She just held his hand and sipped her tea – and he found shelter in her presence.

"Wakashi is grilling out today…."

"So he and his brother are hitting each other with spatula's arguing over whether or not it's done?"

"Yes, I think we may need more tea don't you?"

"…Thank you…."

"You are family Keigo, you are my son's heart. For you there is no need to thank me." Her eyes held a twinkle to them, "Besides, I love you too – and when you hurt I am here."