Plum Wine: A Novel

Chapter 20

20 M ichi’s garden, behind Sango-kan, had been untended all spring. Barbara noticed the tangle of plants and weeds one morning when she was taking out her trash. Along one edge of the garden, beside the stones, were hyacinths, pendulous stalks of blossom, blue and some white, dense with fragrance . A large patch of daisies occupied one corner. A leafy shrub was covered with round fat buds. The garden was divided by a curving line of rocks. The other side was dominated by weeds, except for a row of feathery stalks— carrots, maybe—and another row of dark green plants she didn’t recognize . Kneeling on the dirt, she worked a carrot loose from the soil. It was tiny, as long as her little finger. She laid it on one of the stones and began pulling weeds. As she was tugging at a clump of grass she looked up, surprised to see Miss Ota standing beside her. “I am glad to find you caring for Nakamoto-san’s garden,” Miss Ota said. “She would be very pleased—and you look to be quite at home.” 4 178 4 4 179 4 “I feel at home—in many ways.” Barbara stood up. “I wish I could stay on at Kodaira,” she said, with a rush of feeling that brought tears to her eyes. “Is this so?” There was a pause, then Miss Ota said, “Perhaps I could speak to Miss Fujizawa on your behalf.” “Oh, could you? I would be so grateful.” “I suggest you speak to Mrs. Nakano—meanwhile, I will work behind the screen.” A few days later Barbara was summoned to Miss Fujizawa’s office. She took an artfully arranged small vase of hyacinths and daisies and set it on the president’s desk. “From Nakamoto sensei’s garden,” she said, with a little bow. “Very pretty.” Miss Fujizawa gave the flowers a brief glance. “Thank you. Miss Jefferson, I understand that you are getting on rather more agreeably now. As it happens, our foreign candidate for the next session has fallen through. Would you be willing to remain with us for another term?” “I’d be thrilled, and honored. I love Japan and the students and the college—everything. Everyone has been so generous to me. Thank you so much, Miss Fujizawa.” “You’re quite welcome, I’m sure.” She allowed herself a little smile. “Your youthful enthusiasm is infectious. And how are you coming with your study of Japanese?” “I’ve found an excellent teacher, Mr. Wada, in Higashi Koganei. I’ll be going there several times a week,” she added, though she had yet to make an appointment. From her office she called Mr. Wada and scheduled a lesson. Eventually she would talk to Seiji in his language , no translations necessary. For now, though, she’d keep it as a surprise. In the late afternoon as she was leaving the library, Mr. Doi fell into step with her. “Mistress mine, where art thou roaming? Perhaps to some place in Takanodai?” “What . . . ?” “You have been spied, with a certain gentleman.” “What’s wrong with that?” she managed to say. “I mention this only for your sake. As a female professor of Kodaira College you must be discreet.” He bowed and walked away. “I am discreet,” she called after him. Two passing students glanced at her and ducked their heads. He had a nerve. Mr. Doi would never warn a male member of the faculty to be discreet. She wouldn’t let him spoil this. Seiji could find another place for them to meet. But while she was fixing supper she began to worry that Mr. Doi might speak to other faculty members, even Miss Fujizawa. Miss Fujizawa might change her mind about continuing her appointment. The next day she dropped by the president’s office to ask what courses she’d be teaching the next semester. As she was leaving, she added that her Japanese had progressed so well that she was helping someone translate some material into English, an article on haniwa. That should explain the Takanodai rumor, should Miss Fujizawa get wind of it. During Barbara’s American literature class, her gaze kept falling on Rie. Maybe she should talk to her, to make sure she wouldn’t break her confidence. Rie looked steadily back at her, her expression unreadable. A conversation with her might only complicate things. That night she went to the public bath with Junko...