9.(15-17) Grandma Has a Lover

Slim Novel 9 - http://adventuresofkimi.blogspot.com - See Homepage

15. Ancient Tanaka

Grandma’s closest friend is Ancient Tanaka, in his late 90's, he is the oldest man in Village. A master fisherman he taught the art to Kimi’s father. Despite age Tanaka goes fishing in a small boat assisted by grandson Jun who had been deferred but now with war worsening got drafted off to army camp. Seeing Kimi, the Ancient Tanaka gets an idea. He recalls how well she helped her father, long ago; now, why not Tanaka? He speaks to Grandma and next morning bright and early she takes Kimi over.

   He lives alone and Grandma goes frequently to do chores. With laugh she confides “I give wife service too? Were we fifty years younger it would be a scandal; as it is, no one believes two oldsters like he and I are interested in that.”

   Tanaka is in his garden, weeding the vegetables. He runs to pull his gate open. 
   He certainly is full of energy. muses Kimi.
   “Oh, oh! What a big strapping wench is your girl! Better watch out, Madam, or I shall take her on as second wife!” He has a habit of shouting, typical of an oldster going deaf.

   “Listen to him, now,” says Grandma with a chuckle as they follow him into house.

16. In Tanaka’s House

Tanaka is an animated ancient. His head is shaved and only the shaggy eyebrows suggest white hair. His skin is weather-beaten brown and so tautly applied without fat to underlying bone that no wrinkle shows. Ears stand away from head and are long-lobed a sign, the people say, of incipient Buddha-hood. Stooped but lean and wiry he walks with sureness and jauntily, his bony feet in wood clogs. He wears faded denim pants and Grandma’s knitted pullover.

   Grandma, bidding Kimi sit and talk with Tanaka, prepares some manju, the sweet bean paste-centered dough cakes she has brought as a gift and serves them with tea. Tanaka un-stoppers a bottle of potato whiskey and Kimi expertly pours it into his glass.

   His house as seen from the outside is constructed of old, browned, curling horizontal wood strips as seen and a grass-matted, angled roof.  It is 2 rooms: a back one for sleeping and the front where they sit on tattered cushions around a low table beside a sand-filled charcoal heating jar. The room is cluttered with bits and pieces of his trade – torn netting up for repair, hand lines stretched to dry with hook and sinker, many jars & fish traps, fishing poles and double-prong spears used to catch big surface fish like the occasional sword fish strayed from warmer southern waters.

   Tanaka lifts his glass in a toast and tips the edge on his lips while Grandma sips tea and Kimi hungrily bites into a manju cake.

17. Back on the Ocean

It is decided that Kimi will help Tanaka and get a share of the catch and also Village social benefits. Best of all is to be back on the ocean again.
   Each morning as light brightens the east, Kimi in Grandma’s old black dress and high rubber boots steers Tanaka’s small motorized boat around a breakwater jetty with Tanaka by her side, cigarette dangling from lips, and indicating by hand where she should swerve to miss a dangerous shallow. Once on the open sea with good breeze she stops the engine and they rely on sail.
   As top edge of Sun appears on horizon they reach the fishing ground.

   Fishing with the Ancient each day is a new adventure. His repertoire of tricks would have filled a book had he chosen to write. And one trick is not about fishing!
   To read on, click 9.(18-19) Sex with a Centenarian