When the Cherry Blossoms Fell. Jennifer Maruno

missing teeth and black gums. With a crooked finger, she stroked Hiro’s cheek. Then she gazed directly into the carpetbag.

      “O-bento?” the old woman asked, looking at the small packet of sunflower seeds and the orange.

      Michiko shook her head. It was only a snack. She shut the bag with a thud. Then, she turned her shoulders and stared out the window until the woman moved away.

      The rest of the people on the train were silent. She listened to the rhythmic pounding of the wheels on the track. Her eyes closed as she felt the train speed up and slow down many times over. Finally, Michiko rested her head on her mother’s shoulder.

      When she awoke, a large, shining lake filled the window beside her. There was a sandy beach along the edge. She dipped her head down to look at the high blue-topped mountains across the water. The pearl buttons of her mother’s suit jacket were once again in a perfect row. Michiko glanced around. Geechan was gone, and so was Auntie Sadie. The railway car was completely empty, except for the three of them.

      “Are they here?” came a woman’s loud voice, followed by heavy stomps up the wooden steps. “Are they here?”

      Down the aisle stomped a large red-faced woman in a bright print dress. She wore a yellow straw hat brimmed with cherries on top of a pile of curls the colour of carrots. Several of the cherries had chunks missing. Their insides looked like mothballs.

      The woman’s cheeks were bright pink from exertion. Her lips, painted with heavy lipstick, were the same color as the cherries. She put her hand on the back of a seat to steady herself and catch her breath. “Mrs. Minagawa?” she asked, blinking behind round gold spectacles.

      Michiko’s mother nodded and stood up, holding Hiro. Michiko waited.

      “I’m Edna Morrison,” the woman announced. Her voice was loud and strong. It made Michiko think she was angry, but her face was smiling. “What a sweet little boy,” she exclaimed. She put out her arms to take him. “He looks just like a little doll,” she said.

      Hiro whimpered. His lower lip protruded, his mouth opened wide, and he wailed.

      “Oh my,” the woman said in surprise and moved back. “Oh my, my,” she repeated. “I guess everyone is a little out of sorts.”