The light from the window shone through her long hair as she munched her egg sandwich, giving her an angelic glow. I explained to Skank-san what I had told to Miss Bobtail earlier. She listened, nodding along silently, until I said “I had a good idea, but nothing to back it up with.”
She laughed loudly. “I’m sure no one thinks that you’re crazy.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because you’re smart. When you’re smart, even if you act a little strange, people just assume you’re thinking about something. That’s why you were called to the faculty room, right?”
“That’s true. In that case, next time I’ll try to make an even stranger face.”
I stuck out my tongue and she laughed loudly again.
“Sounds like you have a good teacher.”
“That’s true, she’s a really good teacher. Even if she’s kind of off the mark sometimes.”
“All adults tend to be off the mark,” she said, standing to take a can out from the fridge.
“Is that sweet?” I asked.
“It’s sweet, but bitter, too.”
“But why would you wanna drink something that’s bitter? You drink coffee too, don’t you? That’s even more bitter. Are you punishing yourself?”
“No, I’m drinking it because I like it. I drink both alcohol and coffee. I didn’t drink coffee when I was a child, though. Adults are the only ones who enjoy bitter things.”
“I see. Then I wonder if I’ll think bitter things are tasty someday, too.”
“You just might. But, there’s no reason to force yourself to drink them. I think it’s wonderful to only be able to enjoy sweet things,” she said with a glimmering smile.
There was a wonderful smell around her. Not like perfume, and not like other adults. When I told her that once, she laughed and said: “That’s because I’m not a proper adult.”
If that was true, then I never wanted to be a proper adult, either.
“Life is like a crème brûlée,” I said.
“How do you mean?”
“The sweet parts are the only good parts, but there are people who enjoy the bitter parts, too.”
“Aha ha, that’s very true.” Skank-san gulped her drink with a smile. “You really are smart, little lady.”
I was thrilled to hear such praise.
“Skank-san, has anything interesting happened at your work?”
“There’s nothing interesting at my work.”
“Really? But my mother and father love their jobs. They’re never at home.”
“Just because they’re always working doesn’t mean their jobs are fun, though it is wonderful if they do something interesting.”
“I’m sure it’s fun for them. Even more fun than playing with me.”
“If you’re lonely, then you should speak up and tell them.”
I shook my head. “That’s not a very clever thing to say.” Then I asked something that had been bothering me. “If you don’t like your job, then does that mean you aren’t happy?”
She did not answer. Instead, she laughed thinly. “I think what makes me happiest right now is seeing you.”
I was thrilled about that. It wasn’t the sort of lie that adults told to disguise the truth.
“Happiness won’t cooome wandering my way sooo, thaaat’s why I set ooout to find it todaaay!”
“I love that song, too. ‘Take one step a day and you’ll keep going on your way!’”
“It’s three steps forwaaard, and two steps back!” we sang together.
“I’m supposed to be thinking about what happiness is,” I told her. “We’ll be talking about it in class.”
“Huh, we did something like that when I was little, too. That really takes me back. What do you think happiness is for you, little miss?”
“I still don’t know. I’ve just started thinking about it.”
“That’s a difficult problem. How about some ice cream, to give you just a little hint?”
“I’ll have some!”
We played a game of Othello together, as we always did—each of us munching on a soda-flavored ice lolly. Skank-san had owned the Othello set since childhood. My father had bought me a set too, but there was no one at home for me to play with. Still, it comforted me to know that when Skank-san stopped by my house, we would be able to play there, too. As to which of us was the stronger player, well, one day I would be able to show her it was me.
When I finally took a victory, after she had already won twice, she looked to the clock on the wall.
“Oh, it’s already four o’clock.”
As I thought about how quickly the time had passed, we cleaned up the Othello set.
“Thank you for the Yakult and the ice cream, Skank-san.”
“No, thank you for coming.”
I always left Skank-san’s home around four. I would have loved to stay longer, to talk and play some more Othello, but I had other destinations to visit.
I donned my pink shoes, which fitted my little feet perfectly, gave my thanks again to Skank-san, and opened the door. Outside, the Miss Bobtail sat politely, having finished her milk. Skank-san picked up the empty dish.
“I’ll see you next time,” I said.
“Of course, come by anytime you like,” she replied.
“What are your plans for the rest of the day, Skank-san?”
“I think I might sleep a bit. To get ready for work.”
“Good luck with your work. Take care of yourself.”
“Will do. And good luck with finding your happiness. If you find it along your walk, make sure you come back and tell me.”
“Okay. Good night, then.”
Skank-san waved, and I shut the door. She had a strange job, one that started after I went to bed and finished before I woke up. I did not know the details, but I could not work like she did, staying up all night and sleeping all day, so for that alone she had my utmost respect.
I thought about her job as Miss Bobtail and I descended the stairs. In the past, when I’d asked about her job, she laughed and said: “I attend a midnight court.”
I was sure that must be the most wonderful job.