We will introduce some works from the collection of works in past Oyako Day Essay contest.
LAYING POSSUM
The little girls’ batteries begin to run down after eight at night. You can measure the younger one’s fatigue by how much she cries. As for her full of energy older sister, she survived today’s kindergarten, but now she’s run out of juice and is sleeping on the sofa. Mom’s the one who’s supposed to get them both upstairs to bed. After a 10 kilo and then a 17 kilo freight transfer to the second floor, Mom’s ready to give it up, but when she comes back to the living room, there’s another child who’s hurriedly taken over the couch and is now lying on it with his eyes shut. “Go to bed !” No surprise there: another 24 kilo load would put quite a strain on Mom’s chassis.
Mama knows how hard you’ve been trying to be a good older brother to your two little sisters.
She knows how hot it was today from the sweat marks when you took off your backpack.
She knows how you let go of my hand and turned away when your younger sister started to cry. And that you were trying to be patient but unintentionally hit your sister when you swung your arm in frustration.
Your mother knows that her right and left arms were commandeered as pillows for your sisters and that’s why you’re sleeping alone with your back turned towards her. And she suspects you’ve got your eyes narrowed to slits to keep track of what Mama is doing.
It’s only when I get busy that it’s difficult to give you the attention you want. With only two arms, Mom can’t hug three kids at the same time. The son on the couch knows this full well.
Of course if he’s “sleeping”, then he has to get carried upstairs, and there’s no way not to hug him in the process… and maybe that’s what he needs.
She’s picked him up. “You’re always trying hard to do your best, aren’t you…”
“No,” he whispers in a small voice.
So, he is awake after all.
Quietly by his ear, “And what face are you making now? I think I know !!”
Halfway up the stairs the 24 kilo boy’s body suddenly goes limp and gets even heavier.
Famale | Fukuoka Prefecture
