Peter Wodarz writes

The Sun Set, And Then, in the Morning, It Rose, Book I, Chapter 1: The Bitch, the Bastard, and the Housewife

Section 3

When he entered, Mariko bounced up from the living room couch and darted to the entryway to greet him. “You`re late, as usual,” she teased as she helped him remove his overcoat and suit jacket. She folded them neatly. When he slipped off his shoes, she gathered them and placed them in their space on the shoe rack by the door.  

“Things took a little longer than expected.”

“What things? You mean drinking and talking with bar girls?”

“Yes, that`s what I mean.”

“Was Father there?”

“Not this week.”

“Your dinner will be ready in a minute.” She slid into the kitchen and started opening various containers and removed food from them. The small table was already set for one.

Makoto walked into the living room where the TV was playing. He sat down, took off his glasses, and rubbed his temples. Mariko brought him an oshibori, a small, warm, damp towel.

“I`m not hungry.”

She was already back in the kitchen.

He called out to her, “I said I`m not hungry.”

She didn`t respond.

When he finished wiping his face and neck with the towel, he put on his glasses and looked at his wife as she busily set out the various dishes. She had gained some weight since they married. He just noticed; he smiled. He turned off the TV and walked into the kitchen. She was spooning some rice from the cooker on the counter, so she had her back to him; from behind, he slid his hands around her waist and held her.

“What are you doing? Your rice is going to get cold.”

“You know what this is?” He had his hands on her abdomen. “Do you know what they call this in English?”

“You`ve had too much to drink. And you need a bath.” She squirmed to free herself, but he held her. He pulled up her blouse and slid his hands under the fabric so they touched her tummy.

“They call this a pot belly.” He repeated the expression in English and then translated it into Japanese. “You`re going to have to start going to the gym with me.”

“I don`t think so.”

He buried his face into her hair and kissed the back of her neck. “Why not?”

“This pot belly is not going away. At least not for a while.”

“It`s the kind that`s going to grow, huh?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

The phone rang. He kissed the back of her neck again and then released her. The phone rang a second time. “That`s going to be for you,” he said.

“How do you know?”

“Just answer it.”

Mariko set down the bowl of rice and the spoon she had been holding and dashed into the living room. She picked up the handset. “Moshi moshi,” she said. “Hai, so desu,” he heard her say. Slowly, Makoto walked into the living room. He sat down on the couch and waited.

Mariko had her back to him and was listening intently. Then she whirled around and faced him. In her left hand she held the body of the phone; in her right was the handset. The cord stretched between them. After a half minute, Mariko dropped her right hand to her waist. From the handset, Makoto could hear Yumiko`s animated voice.

“You had better hang up.”

Mariko didn`t move. Yumiko said more and then silence prevailed.

“Why don`t you hang up now?”

Before him, Mariko stood stunned. She looked down at the body of the phone and then at the handset as if she had just realized she was holding them. She looked back at him and squinted.

The blow surprised him completely. The body of the phone came down on his forehead and knocked his glasses to his lap. There was one more strike before he tried to cover his face and head with his hands.

At first, Mariko used only the body. Then she used both the body and the handset. However, one was too heavy and awkward to hold; the other was too light. Still she swung at him with both. Somehow, the two separated. The body banged to the floor, but Mariko held the handset firmly in her right hand. She tired momentarily, but every time her husband brought down his hands, she struck some more. Finally, she ran out of energy; she collapsed to the floor, covered her face, and began sobbing. Her body was shaking uncontrollably.

Makoto brought down his hands from his face and examined them. The knuckles were badly bruised and bloodied; he touched his nose and felt that it too was bleeding. He wiped it on the sleeve of his white dress shirt. He picked up his glasses and examined them; the metal frame was badly bent, and one of the lenses was cracked. He would need a new pair. He leaned forward slowly. He spoke in English. “She`s the bitch, I`m the bastard, and you`re the…”

Mariko jumped to her feet. “Goddamn you! Why do you speak in English? You know I don`t understand.” She towered over him; she still gripped the handset, now cordless, in her right hand.

“I`m sorry.”

“No you`re not!” She struck him again with the handset. When he didn`t put up his hands to protect himself, she hit him again.

“Aren`t you going to protect yourself?”

“No.”

This response angered her, and with renewed energy she began again. Her intensity was brief yet furious. When she was spent this second time, she stood over her husband and looked at him with intense hatred.

He looked up at her; blood ran from his nose and from several cuts on his forehead.

“Are you finished?”

“No.” She was panting.

“I`m waiting.”

“What are you waiting for?”

“I`m waiting for you to finish.”

“Finish what?”

“Finish beating me.”

“I`m not beating you.”

“What are you doing?”

“I`m standing.”

“Why are you holding the phone?”

“I don`t know.”

“Why don`t you give it to me?” As he reached out, she gave the handset to him.

“Look. Someone broke the phone.” He pointed to the handset being cordless. “It looks like I`ll have to buy a new one tomorrow. It`s a good thing I am getting my bonus this month.” He examined the handset with feigned concern. She knocked it to the floor. Quickly, he reached up and grabbed her wrists. She resisted, but he was much stronger. He twisted and pulled her so she sat on his lap. “Stop it,” he said when she continued to struggle. He hugged her and held her arms pinned against her breasts. “I said stop it,” he whispered. Her struggle slowly ebbed. She began to sob again. “It`s over,” he said. “I did something stupid. I can`t tell you how sorry I am.”