“Well, you decided to wander in today at the perfect time. I run the club, so I can get you all registered.”
Her real estate agent was right, Sumi reflected as she followed the ogre woman into the office across the hall, registering with the recreation department and signing up for the Nippon Club, paying her full years’ worth of dues on the spot. Shewasuncommonly lucky. Everything was falling right into her lap, and she might have felt guilty if she hadn’t felt as if she were struggling for so long previously.
“I’m Yuriko, by the way.”
“I’m Sumi, nice to meet you.”
“Oh! We had a Sumiko in the club. She taught our ikebana class.”
Electricity thrummed in her veins. “Oh, I’ve taken ikebana before! Just a short workshop, but I really loved it. Is that something that will be offered again?
The ogress, Yuriko, sighed heavily. “Unfortunately, she passed away recently. It’s such a shame, she was the nicest lady.Veryefficient. But once you get comfortable in the club, maybe you’ll feel comfortable leading us through a class.”
Sumi felt frozen, piecing together the other woman’s words.
Someone in the community who practically shared her name, who passed away recently, who taught a class in the Japanese club. Heat flooded her face, the tears that lived so close to the surface of her composure these days rushing forward.
“Um, was-was she Sylvan? Did she live over on Poplar?” The other woman didn’t need to answer, her eyebrows shooting up all the confirmation Sumi needed. “That was my great aunt. She’s the reason I’m even here. She left me her house after she died.” The tears overflowed, but before she could feel any mortification, she was wrapped in a too-tight hug, Yuriko practically able to lift her over the desk.
“There, there. I’m sorry for your loss. Like I said, she was a nice lady. It’s kind of amazing, you just wandering in today. Almost like she was leading you here.”
Sumi nodded, embarrassed that she was blubbering in front of the stranger.Not a stranger. Your new community.
“Will you be teaching at the school?”
It took her a moment to realize what the ogress meant. “Oh! Oh, no, I won’t be. I’m not teaching anymore.” She shook her head, wiping her eyes and snapping herself back.Come on, get it together. You are being HIGH KEY cringe.“No, I’m actually opening a flower shop. Just around the corner, off Main Street.”
“Oh! That’s perfect! Okay, forget what I said about getting comfortable. You’re definitely teaching ikebana.”
She sucked in a deep lungful of air once they were standing at the doorway of the community center.Everything is falling into place here for a reason. This is where you belong. It’s a gift from your mom.
“If there’s anything I can do to help you settle in, please just let me know. My cell number is at the front of the folder there.” Yuriko nodded to the paper folder Sumi now carried. “I’ll tell you now, this town fucking loves gossip and partying. In that order. Any excuse they can come up with to throw a festival, they do.”
“Yeah, actually there is something.” She thought of the dark haired man’s words again.Get involved and get involved quickly. When she repeated the conversation for Yuriko, the ogress snorted in laughter once more.
“Oh, you came to the right person. I’ll get you in good with the right crowd. Like I said, this town loves throwing festivals and street fairs. You’re opening a new business, right? If you do a little table outside your doors and either give something away or donate all your proceeds to a local charity, you can basically write your own ticket. Don’t worry, I’ll get you there.”
She left the community center with a bounce in her step. Everything was coming up roses. Her shop was going to open without a hitch. She had already been told by her Bloomerang partner that construction would move very quickly, and that the corporate goal for her shop was to be open as soon as possible. She was going to become a part of the fabric of this community, she was going to get in touch with her Japanese roots, she was going to learn more about Sylvan culture.
And you’ve already met someone!She would call Ranar that week, Sumi decided, make plans with him as soon as she was fully moved in.
Who knows? By this time next month, you might be in a relationship. New life, new love, a whole new you.
The Imminent Menty B
Ranar
ChaoticConcertina:Today, my younger sister came over
to have lunch with our parents.
I need to apologize in advance —
this is far and away my most self-pitying vent.
Please don’t report my inability to take it on the chin
to the eldest sibling commission.
