Page 35 of Heir to a Curse

“Everything was stripped during the internment. Sofia’s father was considered a Japanese official. Which meant nothing good for the family. America has always had issues with making entire races its enemies,” Hitori said. “I even have a new course coming this semester specific to just that. Some of the school administration didn’t want it, but a lot of students requested it. I’m actually surprised the family got their land back at all, or any of their stuff.”

“But you found the doors, maybe I could find some of the other stuff? Restore the shrine?”

“The cabinet in the photo is in a museum. I think it was filled with artifacts, combs, hair pins, even daggers. Personal items the dead valued.”

I sighed. Hating how often we stripped the dead of their rest to pretend it was education rather than sheer entertainment. “Let me help get the doors unloaded. Do you think I should cover them in a varnish to protect them from the elements?”

Hitori led me out to his truck. The doors were even more beautiful in person. “I think there is already some sort of stain on there.” He pointed to a corner which seemed to have some layers of it removed. “You could probably strip it and recover it, but I don’t know what it would do to wood this old. Fair warning, these things weigh a ton.”

We heaved up the first one, and yeah, this was going to take two trips as neither of us could carry a door a piece. Each door was huge and heavy. “Well at least no one can complain the doors just blew open,” I laughed, thinking of the many ghost stories I’d heard in the past week.

“Right? But maybe bringing some of the old stuff back will help calm down the spirits.”

“Perhaps the true loves were originally separated when the shrine was stripped.”

“I don’t think there has ever been much for actual remains here. Mostly it was the artifacts in the cabinet left to represent their family in this new world they came to. Sofia’s family had a lot of wealth and power. A lot of connections high up in China and Japan. It’s surprising that they didn’t escape back to China and instead fought to get the house back.”

“What about all the artifacts? Does the family have most of them back?”

“Some,” Hitori stated. “Most given to museums to make the family money.”

We took the first door to the shrine, leaning it up against the wall, and then returning for the second. Funny enough the hinges on the edge of the door looked pretty standard, though the new frame would have to go. Was the outer wall strong enough to hold up the doors after all these years? I hoped so, but had ideas to reinforce it if necessary.

On our way back with the second door we ran into Montana with a little wagon full of food. “Wow,” I told him. “I thought you grabbed only a few things.”

“Just basics, I promise,” Montana said as I passed him the key to the cabin. “Meat and veg, some basic paper plates and utensils. Wasn’t sure if you had any.”

I didn’t really have any pots or pans either, but that was a problem to tackle another day. “I appreciate it. Can you drop everything off in the cabin? Cold stuff in the fridge and all that?”

He nodded. “Of course.” He waved as we passed with the second door and I watched him head into the cabin.

Hitori helped me lean the second door up. “You’ll have to pull out that sliding frame, but these should be a better fit.”

“Thank you. Wow. Did Madison work up an invoice for me?”

“She did. Said to tell you not to freak out over the big discount, since the doors have been in the shop for years. They were too big to ever work for anything else.”

We walked back to his truck where he pulled a piece of paper out of his briefcase in the cab and handed it over, then pulled out a box. “She found these too. They go with some of the furniture you bought. She said they would fit into your new kitchen space.”

I took the box, setting it on the ground to look through it. Plates, dishes, cups, utensils. “But none of this is on the invoice.” The doors were apparently costing me around six hundred dollars, which was nothing. Highway robbery. And now free dishes. “Hitori…”

“We’re fine. I promise. Thrilled you’re taking such pride in the property. Sofia would have been overjoyed. If we’d known the doors were there, we’d have brought them up sooner. And Madison said Addy was the one who chose the dishes. They want them to be a housewarming gift. I brought you a pretty picture book for that.”

I sighed. “Thank you, and thank Madison. I’ll call Addy later and thank her too.” My eyes misted up a bit with all the people treating me like family. “You guys have been great. I was worried that no one would want me here. I mean I’m just some punk kid that Sofia once hired.”

“And adopted as her own,” Hitori stated. “We all know very well how much she adored you. And I grew up with you around enough that you really are family.”

Now I was tearing up. Fuck. I sniffled and took a step back to keep safe distance. “Stupid pandemic. Not letting me hug people.” It was always in the back of my mind that I could be sick and spreading illness even while I felt fine. And watching Sofia decline slowly over three years, it was the last thing I ever wanted, to make others sick. “Sorry,” I said. “Not trying to be a crybaby.”

Hitori patted my shoulder. “We all lost her, so I understand. You still have family here. Anyway, I need to head back down. You let us know if you need anything else.”

I gave him a little head bow and picked up the box, almost wanting to call it a night and go inside to lick my wounds. Mike and Jerry appeared from the main door of the house.

“Doors?” Mike asked.

“For the shrine,” I said. “We think they are original. I have to remove the newer framing, maybe reinforce the wall since the doors weigh a ton. I’m just going to put this stuff in my place and see if I can start pulling off the track.” I glanced up. “There’s a bit of light left for the day.”

“We’ll help. Will go faster with the three of us.”