Summertime of the Dead by Gregory Hughes Page B

her rolled-up coat for a pillow and she slept with her arms around a glass jar filled with wild flowers. I couldn’t believe how shabbily she dressed. The soles of her sneakers were worn away and her faded T-shirt was ten times too smallfor her. It even had holes in it. I felt embarrassed that she was my cousin, but she didn’t care. She was so dead to the world that a greenfinch perched on her shoulder.
    Natsuko smiled when she saw her. ‘She sleeps so peacefully. Sign of a clear conscience.’
    The Lump’s eyes opened and the bird flew away. She looked a little startled, and sitting up she put on her coat. Then she played with her palm-tree. ‘Hungry,’ she said.
    â€˜Oh, she’s adorable!’ said Natsuko.
    The Lump liked this, and picking up the jar with the flowers she handed it to Natsuko.
    â€˜I made,’ said the Lump. ‘For you.’
    â€˜What a beautiful flower arrangement! Do you like ikebana?’
    The Lump just sat there looking happy.
    â€˜She doesn’t speak much,’ I said. ‘She’s a little backward.’
    The smile left the Lump’s face and her head dropped in shame. Natsuko looked surprised, like she couldn’t believe what I’d said. But I didn’t think the Lump would understand, I really didn’t.
    â€˜Nonsense, Yukio,’ said Natsuko, kneeling in front of her. ‘Appreciating beauty is the beginningof wisdom. And anyone who can create such a beautiful flower arrangement must be very wise.’
    The Lump was happy then and the joy returned to her face.
    â€˜What do you want to be when you grow up?’ asked Natsuko.
    â€˜A nun,’ said the Lump.
    Natsuko laughed. She had a nice laugh. ‘I’m sure you’ll make a wonderful nun.’
    â€˜Eight Fold Path,’ said the Lump. And then she frowned like she was trying to remember. ‘Do no harm!’ she said.
    Natsuko seemed touched by this. ‘Do no harm,’ she said in a soft voice. ‘You see, Yukio, she is wise.’
    But the Lump wasn’t wise. She didn’t even know what she was talking about. The Eight Fold Path was a set of eight Buddhist recommendations on how to live your life. There was something in there about harmlessness. But there was nothing that said ‘do no harm’. And the Lump was looking so pleased with herself.
    â€˜Natsuko.’ We turned to see the older nun by the temple.
    â€˜Coming,’ said Natsuko. ‘I have to help prepare the food for the homeless. But we’re going to thetemple next week to do the last of the repairs. The head priest here has been so kind, but I’m sure he’ll be glad to see the back of us. You can come and help if you like. It has a great view of Fuji.’
    â€˜I will,’ I said.
    â€˜When it’s repaired the first mass I say will be for the twins.’
    â€˜Twins,’ said the Lump in a serious way.
    â€˜Yes, the twins,’ said Natsuko. She smiled, but her eyes became teary. ‘I’ll see you soon.’
    Me and the Lump bowed to Natsuko as she walked away. And then I turned on her.
    â€˜Since when have you wanted to be a nun?’
    â€˜Always,’ said the Lump.
    â€˜Always? You’re only nine, you know!’
    But the Lump turned stubborn. ‘Always!’ she said.
    I just walked away. She didn’t know what she was talking about.
    The Lump followed on behind. ‘Hungry,’ she said.
    The street was dark and quiet. But it was hot and there was no breeze, and the black hat I was wearing was making it hotter. And so I thought about theancient samurai and what they had had to endure. And then I thought about Bokuden and his ‘decisive first strike’, which was important in battle when fighting more than one man. You aimed for the armpit, neck or wrist of the first opponent, slashing an artery or breaking a joint. You might not kill him immediately, but you finished him, meaning you could move