Page 71 of Heir to a Curse
“Can the staff do that safely? What about cleaning his room and stuff?”
“It is my understanding that he is willing to do basic cleaning himself. Changing sheets and the like. We would take extra care with his towels and bedding during isolation. I’ve already spoken with Montana about the possibility of meals brought to him, and cleaning up the dishes. The girls believe if we bag and wash his things separately while wearing gloves and masks, we can make it work.” Mr Yamamoto looked thoughtful. “Mr. Zhao has offered a very handsome amount of money for the help.”
“Why come here during the pandemic?” The USA was out of control. No one following the rules like they had to. Montana had even witnessed someone at the grocery store a few days earlier having a fit about having to wear a mask. We had taken to calling in our grocery orders and paying extra to have them delivered. It meant Montana spent more time planning the meals than finding things that inspired him organically, but we would do what we had to in order to keep everyone safe.
“Mr. Zhao said he was family, so I didn’t ask. I assumed he was from here and finally returning home. Do you want me to inquire?”
“It’s not really my business. But I guess if you think we can do this. Have him isolating here and still keep the other guests and the staff safe?”
“I do,” Mr. Yamamoto said. “After seeing what this illness can do, we are all being very cautious.” He had recently lost a friend he’d played cards with regularly. Thankfully they had canceled their games shortly after it was clear the pandemic was out of control, but it sounded like his friend hadn’t taken it seriously, going so far as to travel to Florida for a fishing trip, but returning home sick, and never recovering.
“I’m sorry again for your loss. Seems we’ve had a lot of that lately.”
Mr. Yamamoto breathed out a long sigh. “Indeed. Let’s work not to add to it, yes?”
“Yes,” I agreed. “So when will this guy arrive?”
“I will call and get the details.”
“Thanks. You know where to find me.” Usually somewhere in the house, stripping wallpaper and painting.
Mr. Yamamoto smiled. Since I was keeping the rooms I worked in clear of others and he was in the doorway, while I was across the room, he wasn’t wearing a mask. “The house feels good. Alive,” he said. “Pride of ownership really means something.”
I nodded. “I’m trying. It’s mine now. Bringing it into this century is just a small part of that. Adding purpose is the rest.”
“And we are working on that as well.”
“Yep. I’m looking forward to my first official woodworking class.” Madison’s father was actually offering it. We had taken over part of the four-car garage to set up the space and tools. “Be sure you charge me for the classes.”
Mr. Yamamoto snorted out a laugh, “If you insist.”
“I do. Now go away. I have work to do, and so do you.”
He waved at me and left. I added more things to my list since we were going to be a quarantine hotel. Like making rules to keep everyone safe. Zhao had been by the house twice since the ceremony to visit the shrine and pay his respects. And I had ordered the kit for a reasonably sized greenhouse to go beside my cabin. Having flowers year-round appealed to me, even if I didn’t have the greenest thumb on the planet. Visits to the shrine were more about respecting the past and knowing our history, than simply paying tribute to someone who had gone before. It reminded me of how little I’d changed over several lifetimes, and how much further all of humanity needed to go.
* * *
The rest of the week passed much the same. The guest arrived that Friday, though I didn’t take the time to go meet him. Mr. Yamamoto informed me the man had been rushed in, fully gloved, masked, and shielded, carrying a small bag, and shown to his room. He’d been silent and absent ever since, sticking to his pledge of self-isolating. Though apparently he’d been giving Montana’s cooking a lot of praise, which had the young chef glowing with pride.
“He’s very polite,” Montana told me. “Beautiful. Like one of those actors in a Chinese drama.”
“Did Madison start you on those?” I teased while he insisted I eat the sandwich he’d brought me.
“Of course. Addy has a list for me too. It’s funny how formal the characters are in the dramas, but the sexual tension is off the chart.”
“I think that’s your interpretation.”
“Right. That bromance we binge watched the past few days wasn’t hot?” He was commenting onThe Untamed, which Addy, Madison, Hitori, Montana, and myself had watched over a streaming service, all from our different locations. “You didn’t think they were hot?”
The story had felt like a fist around my heart. Separated, reunited, fighting side by side. I had to admit I’d been riveted. “The story was good. Though I was a bit confused by the beginning.” Much like my own story. “Let me know when you pick the next drama, we’ll arrange another viewing.”
“Maybe we can add our guest in. Though I’m not sure he has a computer or anything. But maybe Mr. Yamamoto has a tablet he can borrow.” Montana glanced at the plate. “Eat, yeah? You’ve lost weight.”
I hadn’t really put back what I’d lost in Xiang’s world, but my irregular eating habits really made them unhappy, so I stuffed the sandwich in my mouth and took a bite. It was probably amazing, but tasted like sawdust to me. I ate it anyway.
The first woodworking class began, and I was surprised at the ease at which I took to some of the old-school tools. Technology had added a lot of speed to the work, but the precision of some of the older pieces had me gobsmacked at how some skills had been lost to the innovation of quantity over quality. A few hours of practice and I had a feel for it. I actually began playing with the idea of making a hairpiece like the little dragon again. Though I started with carving much larger things. Like the protection symbol I remember seeing often on Xiang’s wards, which I carved in a large piece of wood, stained and actually made to look like one of those coin talismans that still hung in the shrine. I’d been so pleased with the piece that I hung it in one of the classrooms.
Had it really been a month since I’d last seen Xiang?