seated herself again, my father reached forward and lifted the lid. A cloud of

steam rose up and curled towards the lantern. He pushed the pot a little towards

me.

 

'You must be hungry,' he said. One side of his face had fallen into shadow.

 

'Thank you.' I reached forward with my chopsticks. The steam was almost

scalding.

 

'What is it?'

 

'Fish.'

 

'It smells very good.'

 

In amidst soup were strips of fish that had curled almost into balls. I picked

one out and brought it to my bowl.

 

'Help yourself. There's plenty.'

 

'Thank you.' I took a little more, then pushed the pot towards my father. I

watched him take several pieces to his bowl. Then we both watched as Kikuko

served herself.

 

My father bowed slightly. 'You must be hungry,' he said again. He took some fish