The second day with my father went much like the first. I followed him around the village as he met with others I knew. During his meetings with the shop owners, I notice that he is different. He asks about their families and how things are running. When he finds that everything is well then he moves onto business. He knows the names of the people and their spouses. He even knows some of their children. Either he pays attention to detail or he actual cares about the people of this village.
“Do you remember how to ride a horse, Draco” he asks me in a pause in conversation with a shop keeper. I nod my head and he goes back to his conversation.
When we exit the shop there are two horses waiting. They have already been saddled. He mounts the brown horse with a gesture for me to mount the black.
“Where are we going?” I ask as we start to ride.
“To visit some who live just outside the village who are in need of care” he answers.
The journey is brief and only takes a few moments. We approach a charming home that has a small garden and a few animals out front. When we arrive to the house a middle-aged woman waits for us. Her robing is made of patches. She wears an apron. She has a small warm smile and bows to my father. When she looks at me she seems a. It frightened and bowed but does not meet my gaze.
“Be at ease Haiti, this is my son Draco I have brought with me this day. He is learning what I do, and I saw no harm in bringing him here. He is kind and will not harm you.” He informs the woman.
Of course, I would not harm her. Why would someone think that of someone they had never met. Upon receiving my father’s information, a change comes over the woman. She straightens in her height and seems to relax tension in her body I had not noticed before.
“Come in please” she says. We walk into a home that looks bigger on the inside. It is filled with rooms to which most doors have been closed. She leads us to a kitchen with a large table and we take a seat.
“I am so happy you are here and received my message. They came in the night to try to take some of the girls. When I refused they announced they would back tonight and one way or another I would have to give them up” she cried out.
“I see. We can provide protection for if they are to return. I will send a few guards back on my return to the village. I will personally choose them, so you have nothing to fear. You will not lose any of the children” she swears.
The woman sighs with relief and visible calms. She has relaxed her hands and they no longer shake. I wonder why someone would want to take her children. I have never seen a house be guarded before. Why does she not just leave this place.
My father stands from the table and starts to make his way for the exit. I rush to follow him. As he mounts the horse again he turns back to talk to her. “More provisions will arrive with the guards I send. I have also sent some new toys and clothes for the children. Still keep me informed if you need any more items.”
“You are exceedingly kind to us Santo- San. I have no idea how we would survive without your aid. Thank you as always. The children will be sorry they missed you.
“No thanks necessary and I will return soon to visit them” he promises.
He turns his horse back toward the road and begins to gallop back towards town. I wonder why he sends things to her and her children. Have I just met one of the other partners of my father? Did I miss my siblings during this visit? They must have been at there studies. I decide to ask him.
“Which partner of yours is she”? I question him
“Partner?” He repeats. “Oh heavens, she is no partner of mine Draco. She is a kind woman I met years ago. She takes care of children she finds or is sent that are unwanted. She has been barren all her life and has made it her purpose. I simply offer her aid and provide the necessary materials they need to survive. I like her believe no child should be without.” He informs me.
“Oh, and what of the guards? Why are they needed?” I question.
He sighs heavily. “There are a group of men that are not, well not kind to women. They see them as property and take them at a youthful age to do what they want with. They target homes with a high number of orphans thinking that they will not be missed after being taken. I will not let that happen here” he vows aloud.
When we reach town my father tells the first guard he sees the names of the ones he wants stationed. He commands them with a deeper baritone than I have heard him speak in before. He also requests a messenger to be on standby to immediately notify him of how they fair this night.
As he goes to visit more shopkeepers and stands I find that today I am a bit surprised. I know my father has always taken care of me, but I never thought he showed others the kindness. I think he does genuinely care about the village and the people in it. Perhaps it would not be so bad to take his place.
Io
Today is one of the days that I would have seen Draco. I imagine that if I were to be meeting him today I would be walking faster. I have not rushed or done anything quickly today. I see no point when I will just go home to sit alone. I realize that in spending time with Draco I have enjoyed being out of the hut.
When the hut comes into view there is no one waiting. I enter the hut and go straight to my room to lie of my kang. I reach onto the shelf above it and grab the book Draco has given me. Father has returned it and I can read it again. I have the time. As I open the cover there is a knock at the door.
I go to answer the door and see that it is Huli once more.
“Hello Io, I am here to drop off another package for you on behalf of Draco” he hands me a slighting long but thin package. The note is tied under the strings. “Good day Io, I must return to my studies” he says leaving.
“Thank you” I call out to his back. I am my room I sit down to open the package. Inside the package are two beautiful sticks. As I bring them closer I see that cherry blossoms are painted on them and with the black background, they match my kimono perfectly. What would I need sticks for I wonder. I open the letter to read his words.
My dear Io,
I have not sent you an ordinary pair of sticks. These are kanzashi sticks. They are a tool for your hair. I am told that they make your hair stay up easily when it is woven around them. Women of my station wear them when they are being courted. They serve as a way to let all know she is taken. They are used to part the hair in two to show that soon she will be with another, always. I want all to see you are mine as I am yours. I am sure they will look beautiful on you. I cannot wait to see for myself.
Love Draco
I feel my body warm at his tone of possession in the letter. I am glad to be his. I will start to wear the sticks at once. In the bathing room I stand in front of the mirror. I take one of the sticks and use it to part my hair down the middle. I begin to wrap my hair around one end of the stick and when I get close to the top I stick the other end into the hair that has pulled tight of my scalp. I take the other stick and make the next side match as closely as I can to the first.
I give my head a small shake and am surprised to see that it does not move. I jump to try to shift it, but it still remains still. I smile at his thoughtfulness. The amount of hair I have has always been hard to pin up and when I do pin it, it never stays. This is a first and the styles looks quite good on me. This gift has caused me to blush, and he is not even here. I wonder if I am to receive something each day that he is gone. It alarmist makes things feel as if he is here with me.