“You have a stunning home,” Grandma Esme said as they sat on the veranda, watching the waves roll onto the beach.
“Thank you,” Yoko said. “It’s been in the family for generations. My husband’s family, anyway.”
“Is your husband joining us?” Aunt Bethany asked.
Yoko flinched. “He’s out of town on business, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, it must be sad when he travels.” Rebecca’s eyes clouded over.
“He’s important.” Yoko gave a slight shrug. “He’s always taken his career very seriously. Of course, so did I, before it was over.”
Lily felt a tightening in her chest. She thought of the hundreds upon hundreds of photos taken of Yoko through the years: the tennis skirt, the slender arms and legs, the determined smile. It was sometimes hard to believe that this Yoko and that Yoko were one and the same. Did Liam fully know how his mother had transformed into the woman he called Mom?
Soon, dinner was ready, and they gathered around the table for traditional “izakaya,” which Lily learned meant “small plates” or Japanese tapas. There were all sorts of dishes to try: yakitori, gyoza, tsukune, and agedashi tofu, all of which were divine. Lily was grateful that her family was made up of foodies. Nobody questioned the different flavors. Everyone gushed about how tasty it was. Even Lily’s mother thought out loud, “I think I’ll incorporate something similar into the restaurant menu. It’s time that I experiment in an Asian direction! What have I been waiting for?”
Yoko seemed pleased that they liked the food, but she spoke very little and only when spoken to. This led to Esme, Aunt Bethany, Aunt Valerie, and Rebecca peppering her withquestions about her reasons for moving to the United States and what she missed most about Japan.
“I haven’t been back to Japan in many years,” Yoko admitted. “It’s difficult, because I no longer understand if I fit in there. I’ve been gone too long to feel like I belong anywhere.”
Everyone was quiet for a moment. Lily had the impression that they were overcome with emotion, thinking about their own lives and their departures from their home.
“We were gone for many years,” Rebecca said finally, gesturing toward her two sisters. “We returned, what? A year and a half ago now?”
“It’s hard to believe it’s been that long,” Bethany breathed.
“And you felt it was still your home?” Yoko asked, furrowing her brow.
“We did,” Bethany said. “It took some time to adjust, but we found a way.”
“I’m sure Lily and Liam would love to go to Japan with you,” Aunt Valerie said, glancing Lily’s way. “It’s half of Liam’s culture.”
“Wouldn’t that be an incredible honeymoon destination!” Grandma Esme said.
Lily smiled too large and for too long and felt her cheeks ache. For some reason, she couldn’t fully picture herself and Liam in Japan, just as she couldn’t picture herself in a wedding dress, celebrating her forever love. Maybe she had an imagination problem.
“We’ve missed having Liam around,” Rebecca said to Yoko. There was a looseness to her shoulders, proof that she’d begun to warm up to Yoko. “It’s sad that he’s so far away.”
“Yes,” Yoko said softly.
“Do you talk to him often?” Aunt Valerie asked.
Yoko touched her ear and let her eyes flutter to Lily. “He calls every week or so. I can’t blame him.”
“He’s busy,” Rebecca affirmed. “But our Lily’s busy here, too. Wedding planning. Working at the restaurant. And, of course, matchmaking! You met with a client today, didn’t you, Lily?”
Lily’s mind’s eye filled with Mick Hamilton, his sea-blue eyes, his face as it burst into an outrageous laugh. “I did. The artist. I have to send him a list of potential matches this week.”
Yoko looked intrigued, her eyes churning. “You are a matchmaker? I did not know those sorts of roles still existed.”
“It’s an old concept, isn’t it?” Esme said.
“But people are tired of dating apps,” Aunt Valerie chimed in. “People want to be seen and understood. If anyone ‘sees and understands’ people, it’s Lily. You’ve paired up many couples at this point, haven’t you?”
Lily nodded, feeling a blush crawl up her neck. “It happened by accident. I never knew I was good at it until I suddenly had a reputation.”
“And now you want to bring that reputation out to Nantucket!” Rebecca said.
“And Los Angeles, apparently,” Lily said. “Liam already recommended a friend of his out there, someone who wants a partner. I have a few contacts out there.”
