Rearview Mirror

I left my wife's parents' house a little ahead of the others.

"I'll get a ride with my son and come home later."
He had gone fishing at a nearby dam, so he would be back once the sun went down.
My wife and I had arrived in the same car, but our son had joined us later and spent time at her parents' house.

We were treated to osechi for lunch. I was stuffed. On top of that, I even took a nap under the kotatsu. Ah, bliss.
"When do you start back at the gym?"
Two more days to go. I really want to work up a good sweat to make up for all that I ate.

Around sunset, I received some "souvenirs" and got into the car. I had to drive slowly. After all, there was chawanmushi sitting in the passenger seat.

"I'll come again," I said as I departed from the house. It's the usual routine.

I glanced at the rearview mirror. My mother-in-law was waving. Since I couldn't wave back from inside the car, I gave a slight nod.

Feeling a bit curious, I looked up at the rearview mirror once more.
"Could it be that she's been waving the whole time?"
As the sun set, in the cold wind.

Eventually, I could no longer see her waving. It was because I had driven away.
"She had been waving the entire time, hadn't she?"
The warmth I felt wasn't just because the heater had kicked in.

Before long, my wife and son returned home together.
"Mom always sees us off until we're out of sight."

This is a scene from this year's New Year's holiday.

☆ This is a story that warmed my heart. Please take a look if you'd like.