Chapter 6 HOME
Mom ran the bath. While I waited for Mom, I looked around. I already knew that Mom would try to keep me home. I honestly wanted to stay home. I did not want to leave Mom and Yuki for a second time and make them upset even worse. Mom had finished running the bath water. She made it like she usually does. She usually makes it hot enough where we can see the steam. "There you go, Ame."Mom said.
"Thank you, Mom."I said. Mom smiled. "Take as long as you need. There is no rush. I promise,"Mom said. Why would she say that?, I asked myself. I was still thinking that as I washed myself. Mom must be planning something, I tell myself. I have a feeling that something is up. What would she be planning? I sneezed. I get out of the bath.
I am shivering. I walk in the living space and quietly sit down. Where are Mom and Yuki? I look toward the kitchen. In there, maybe? I get up to go to the kitchen. My ears are out. I slide open the door. I see Mom sitting in a chair and Yuki getting plates. "You're done, Ame?"Mom asked.
"Yes."I say as Yuki looks back at me. Mom smiles.
"Sit down, baby,"Mom says. I sat down. Yuki comes toward the table with 3 plates. Yuki sat down. Mom got up.
"What are we eating?"I ask. Mom smiled.
"Yakitori. I made it for your father. He loved it. I want you guys to try it. If you don't like it, that's okay."Mom said.
"Okay."I said.
"How many do you want, Ame?"Mom asked.
"U…um let-"I stopped because I had to sneeze. Yuki had a worried look on her face. Mom turned around.
"What was it, Ame?"Mom asked.
"Let Yuki go first,"I said.
"Okay."Mom said.
"Um, hey Mom? I don't want to ask this,"I said.
"It's okay, Ame. You can ask something. Do you want a blanket?"Mom asked.
"Y…yeah."I said. Mom put the plate down and went to go get me a blanket. Yuki looked to the ground with a sad look. I heard Mom come back into the kitchen.
"Here you go, Ame."I said. I gently took the blanket from Mom.
"Thank you."I said.
"You're welcome, Ame,"Mom said. "
Hey Mom?"I asked.
"Yes?"Mom asked. "Can I talk to you?"I asked.
"Wait until after we eat,"Mom said.
"Okay."I said. So, I did as I was told. When we finished eating, Mom cleared the food and dishes away.
"Come here, Ame,"Mom said.
"Okay."I said as I walked towards Mom. Mom shut the door.
"What is it, Ame?,"Mom asked.
"Well, it's Yuki.,"I said.
"What about Yuki?,"Mom asked.
"She looked down the whole time we had dinner and had a sad look. Also, the Yakitori was good. I liked it.,"I said.
"Yuki has been like that for some time now.,"Mom said.
"Wait, what?,"I asked, confused.
"Yeah. She's been like that.,"Mom said.
"Oh, is it because of me leaving?,"I asked.
"If I had to guess. But I truly do not know.,"Mom said.
"I'm so-,"I sneezed again.
"What is it, Ame?,"Mom asked.
"I meant to say that I am sorry. I didn't mean to cause all this trouble,"I said.
"It's okay. I know you didn't, Ame.,"Mom said. "
Are you mad at me?,"I asked.
"No. Me and Yuki know to give you your own space, sometimes.,"Mom said.
"Thank you."I said. I layed down. Yuki came into the room. Mom went to get me a cool rag.
"There you go, Ame.,"Mom said.
"Thank you, Mom."I said.
"You're welcome,"Mom said. Later that night, I fell asleep.
When I woke up, Mom was making breakfast. Yuki was smiling. That made me smile. I wonder what made her smile, though. I should ask Yuki. "Hey, Yuki?"I asked.
"Yes?"Yuki asked.
"Are you…okay?"I asked.
"Yes. Why wouldn't I be?"Yuki said as she walked toward me.
"U..uh…"I lost balance. I fell.
"Ame!"Yuki screamed as she grabbed my wrist. Yuki pulled me up.
"U..uh…"I said. Mom turned around. She wasn't worried. Did she know it was going to happen? Yuki felt my forehead. My face was light red.
"Ame, you still have a slight fever."Yuki said. Mom finished making breakfast.
"Yuki, go lay Ame down. He still needs rest,"Mom said.
"Okay."Yuki said. I laid there in Yuki's arms as she took me to lay down. I yawned. I guess I'm still tired. I guess I never noticed it because I was so worried about Yuki. Mom got 2 plates.
"I'm sorry, Yuki,"I said.
"It's not your fault, Ame,"Yuki said.
"But, if I hadn't fallen, this wouldn't have happened.!"I exclaimed. I could feel tears burning my eyes. I was trying not to cry. Mom walked toward me.
"What's wrong, Ame?,"Mom asked.
"I…I…"I said. I didn't finish what I was going to say. I was overwhelmed with sadness and I just couldn't stay awake.
"Good night Ame."I heard Mom say as I felt Mom kiss me on the head.