One Umbrella | Not Alone ⑥

"I'm late." Taking that call right before I was about to leave the office was a mistake. It was a complaint from a client. I couldn't hang up, and the conversation went on for over 30 minutes. When I finally put the sweaty receiver back, I quickly sent a short email to the relevant parties.

I sent a text message to my daughter, Mariko, before leaving the office.

"Sorry, I'm leaving the office now."

I leaned against the train door, looking outside, and tried to remember what was in the fridge.

Mariko, who is at a growing age, must be waiting for me, hungry. I told myself it couldn't be helped as long as I was working, but I still resented that phone call.

When I realized it, it had started to rain. I didn't have an umbrella today. I thought about buying a plastic one, but then I thought about the groceries I could buy for that same amount. I hesitated, wondering if I should wait for it to stop, while picturing Mariko's face.

Just as I was about to arrive at my station, a text message arrived. It was from Mariko. "You'll be here soon, right? I'm at the station."

Had something happened?

Outside the ticket gate, Mariko was standing all alone, holding my umbrella.

"What's wrong? Did something happen? Where's your umbrella?"

To my rapid-fire questions, Mariko explained. She had come to pick me up because I didn't have an umbrella, and her own umbrella was broken.

I felt pathetic for not even noticing such things.

"Thank you. What should we have for dinner?"
"Curry!"
"Curry again? It's okay to have something else, you know."
"But I love it!"

That's what Mariko says. But I know better.

She actually loves my homemade hamburger steaks. But she's considerate of our family's financial situation and the time it takes to prepare dinner.

The sound of rain hitting our umbrella echoed as we started walking.

"You'll get wet, come closer to me."

"It's okay, I'm not as fat as you, Mom."

Saying that, Mariko leaned against me. Through our damp clothes, I could feel her body heat.

Walking together, huddled under one umbrella in the rain, I thought to myself.

At the very least, I'll make hamburger steak for her on my next day off.

The only thing I could say out loud was a whisper of "thank you." Even that might not have reached Mariko over the sound of the rain.

Not alone――――――――――
A single mother's daily life
☔Picking her up on a rainy day 🪑30 minutes in the waiting room 😌Welcome home
📆A special day ☂One Umbrella

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