Rie

I watched her come home and quietly put the medal in the trophy case. And I thought, she is finished with skiing, now. I have a marathon medal just like that. It says marathon on it, but I know it was only 5ks.

She said, "thanks for all your help with the trip. Everyone had a great experience." She looked at the case and then closed the glass door. "Uh," she started.

I've started biting my cheek, I thought. And wondered when the habit started.

I asked her to help me make a flyer for some new classes. She agreed and said she would come back a little later. I agreed that was best.

Later, her mother said she would send the flyers from Tokyo. I thought as much.

That evening my student said to me, "Why can you speak Japanese?" I said, because I like to tell stories. He didn't understand. But thinking about it now, I do like to tell stories.