Tuesday July 17, 1990
I am fretful and pacing, as the details of our trip to Austin fall into place. Tonai-sensei offers me a ride to the airport; the last detail of the journey is complete.
Sunday July 22, 1990
At last, there is nothing left to do. Two large suitcases stand by the door, packed, checked, check again and locked, too heavy to be lifted. "God, what do you have in these bags? Bricks?"
"Well, not brick, but the tile cornice of the old house that once graced the vacant lot next to my apartment. And books. And two lacquer bowls that I received as New Year's gifts. And two teapots. And 5 pink frosted glass bowls for spring. And reams of handmade paper. And yukata. And hanten. And wooden toys. And uchiwa. And? Well, no clothes. Nothing practical. In short, only a year of my life."
I have sprayed the bath and toilet with bleach to prevent mildew. I have opened the fusuma so that the closets will air. I have cleaned out the refrigerator. I've washed and swept and dusted and thrown away and crossed everything off my mental lists. Now it's 10:51PM and less than twelve hours until Tonai-sensei will pick us up and we begin the journey back. But we cannot go back in time or place. All has moved forward in our absence.
Who will meet us at the airport? Where will I stay? How will I get around town? I cannot begin to ask myself these questions. Has a year away taught me not to fret. No. It is just that the distance between here and there is unbreachable. Here is no urgency for the worries of that world.
Posted by M Sinclair Stevens
July 22, 2005
Share Your Thoughts
JQS and I return to Austin over summer break.