Between Him and Her

Getting back on track

Ryuuhei met his friends, Yasuyuki, his wife Kumiko, Mitsuhiro and his wife, Ami, at the genkan or the entryway. The couples removed their shoes to slip into indoor slippers. While Yasuyuki and Kumiko were close in age, there was a significant age difference between Mitsuhiro and Ami. Mitsuhiro didn't marry until his mid-40's which was two years ago. Ami was in her mid-20's when they had met at their company and started dating. Their marriage took place very soon, and now they had a year old son. Tactfully neither couples brought their children. Although Ryuuhei would have enjoyed the sight of his home being filled with the laughter of children again, today wasn't a day for it.

Yasuyuki was watching Ryuuhei's stance as he went inside. He smiled slightly at Ryuuhei. Every year he made it a point to visit Ryuuhei never wanting to leave his best friend alone on a day of pain.

The two couples paid their respects as well to the family altar and sat around the low table.

Kumiko said, "Ryuuhei-san, you have worked so much for this day. Thank you for having us here today."

Ryuuhei bowed his head and gave a small thank you.

Mitsuhiro said, "We are a family, Ryuuhei. We will be here for you."

Ryuuhei nodded his head again. "I don't know what I will do without my friends."

Kumiko looked around and asked, "Has Yumiko visited?"

Ryuuhei shook his head in negative, and that was it. Yasuyuki took in charge of the conversation.

Yasuyuki looked at Ryuuhei and declared, "You should take a vacation. You have been working every day since. You haven't traveled, and you haven't played your guitar. You need to get back. Take back your life."

Ryuuhei smiled at him. They were so close that what he thought of Yasuyuki would sound out what was running through his mind. "I am. I decided to take a week off and had it signed off by the supervisor a month ago."

Yasuyuki looked relieved. "So any plans to go anywhere?"

"No, I have decided to stay home and work on some things here."

Mitsuhiro chimed, "That's great. My band is still looking for a bass guitarist. When you are up to it, come on over we can jam for a while."

"Thank you. I will let you know."

That was as much of admittance or agreement that they had received from Ryuuhei.

Ami, or Ami-chan as everyone referred to her, asked Ryuuhei, "Ryuuhei-san, what do you think of going for a blind date?"

Mitsuhiro slightly tapped Ami, "Ami, no."

Ryuuhei slightly laughed. Ami had been very adamant in getting Ryuuhei to get to date some of her single friends since his divorce.

"I am not ready yet, Ami-san. I don't think I want to date as much anymore. I am not young anymore. Who wants an old man like me?"

Both Yasuyuki and Mitsuhiro yelled, "Hey!"

Kumiko laughed and turned to her husband, "You are an old man, darling. You have two grown sons. If anyone is young here, it's Mitsuhiro-san."

Everyone laughed. The mood became lighter. Everyone continued with dinner. Then the ladies helped Ryuuhei clean up, but after much prodding from them, Ryuuhei left the kitchen and the living room to join Yasuyuki and Mitsuhiro sitting on the corridor that faced the garden. They had the side sliding doors leading outside and sat there sipping more beer. The night sky was so beautiful, and they could see stars twinkling. It was so great to live away from the cities.