Chapter 37Arranged three tiers high and hundreds wide on rows of crumbling stone, the round-headed, child-monk statues looked calmly over the temple grounds of Zojoji Temple. Green and gray moss speckled the older, weather-worn statues, but the newer ones sported neatly knit bibs and bright caps, accenting their cherubic features. Reiko had paid for two and Michiko for four. They had to stoop over to tie the red bibs and caps on the small, stone Jizo statues.
“Why four, Michiko? You were always so careful.”
“It’s not for that,” Michiko answered, arranging flowers they had bought nearby. “The priests will do a mizuko memorial service for anyone. If you pay.”
“What do you mean?” Reiko asked. “You never explain anything anymore.”
Michiko hugged her best friend tight with both arms and kis
