Road to Recovery

Today was the day Misako and I were going to visit her father, Kenji. We boarded a taxi out into town, to head for the detention-center where he was being held. Misako’s mother sat in the front-passenger seat, with us behind. We held hands, I could feel her nervousness as we neared the detention-center. We had skipped attending the hearing from the judge, so we were going to visit him in the holding cells to tell us his judgement. As we disembarked the vehicle, we proceeded inside the visitor’s entrance. We went through waves of security guards, and they directed us to where Misako’s father was going to meet us. A guard stood beside us as we waited for him to walk in. I sat next to Misako, holding her hand. Nerves and anxiety were eating her alive. Her mother, however, was nonchalant, the opposite of her daughter.

“Be strong, Misa.” Her mother admitted.

“What if he hasn’t changed? What if he was granted parole?” Misako asked her.

“Don’t think about the ifs, just take them as they come.”

Misako nodded, taking a deep breather.

And the door opposite us opened. In walked an older, disheveled man with red-strike hair. He had forgone shaving his scabby beard. He walked in, chained at the hands and feet. He had a small-smile on his face as he saw Misako and her mother. A security guard closed the door behind him, seating him opposite us.

“Akari…and Misako…you both came.” He began.

“Hello, Kenji.” Misako’s mother greeted with a stale expression.

I knew from that, her mother was hiding her anger, sadness and grief. She was trying to be un-emotional for her daughter’s sake. She was a good mother.

“I don’t I’ve met you before…” Kenji started, staring at me, “Are you my daughter’s friend?”

“I’m her boyfriend, David.” I stated bluntly.

I did not know why, but I was seething with anger. I could feel Misako grip my hand tightly. Misako refrained from speaking to her father.

“David…”

“We aren’t here for chit-chat, Kenji.” Miss Ishihara interrupted.

“I know… It’s just been a few years… since you’ve come to visit.” Kenji stated.

“We never visited you once, not since that day.” Miss Ishihara retorted.

“That day…” Kenji trailed off.

“Tell us the verdict.” Misako finally spoke.

“You both never came to my hearing.” Kenji said with sadness.

“Be happy we are here for you now.” Her mother spoke.

“The.. judge… denied me.” Kenji placed his head on the table.

“Shame.” Misako said.

I could feel her grip loosen on my hand. She was relieved.

“I know. It’s my fault, it’s all my fault.”

“Glad you know that, Kenji.” Miss Ishihara replied.

“I’m trying…to get help. I’m sober, I haven’t had a drop of alcohol since.”

“You were in a prison, of course you didn’t have anything to drink.” Misako blurted.

“But I promise-“

“You killed my best friend. You left me in a wheelchair.”

Kenji sobbed on the table. I could feel Misako’s hands tremble, and her mother was trying her upmost to stay composed under pressure.

“How many years are left?” I asked him.

“The judge said a minimum of six years. If not…then I’ll be stuck in there for another thirteen years.”

“You won’t be stuck in there; you deserve to be in there!” Misako yelled.

“Misako…”

“You never apologized. Yes you’ve apologized in front of the court, but never to my mother, or me.”

Her father pleaded:

“Misako…Akari… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He begged.

“I loved you, Kenji! I kept on telling you, stop drinking, it was taking control of you!” Miss Ishihara screamed.

“Akari…”

“We got divorced because of your drinking, you destroyed our love.”

“And you went and got pregnant with another man, a month after our divorce.”

“I was hurting! I was hurting, Kenji.”

“Akari…I’m-I didn’t mean… What have I said…”

“I-I can’t. I’m sorry, Misa. I need to go.” Miss Ishihara said, getting up from her seat.

She left the room a disgruntled mess, leaving me and Misako to be by ourselves with Kenji.

“What can I do, to make things right?” Kenji asked.

“I don’t know. I don’t know.” Misako said.

There was some minutes of silence in the room. I refrained from speaking, I wanted Misako and her father to work things out without my input.

“Misako, I’m sorry.” Kenji finally said again.

“Dad, I don’t know if I can forgive you. I love you, but I can’t forgive you.”

“I understand, I truly do.” He conceded.

“One minute left for visitation.” A guard told us.

“Mister David, please take care of my daughter.” Kenji asked me.

“I am, and I will continue to do so for the rest of my life.” I replied with conviction in my heart.

“Goodbye, Misa. I will always love you.” Kenji added.

I stood up from my chair, and rolled Misako out of the room. Before we reached the door, she asked me to stop:

“Goodbye, Dad.” She finalized.

And we left.

Outside the detention-center, Miss Ishihara stood outside her car, smoking a cigarette. Seeing us, she walked up, with red eyes and smudged makeup. She hugged Misako, and her daughter returned it ten-fold.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, my daughter.” Her mother apologized.

“Mom, it’s okay. It’s not your fault. I should be sorry for not seeing you in years.” Misako replied.

“I love you, so, so, so much.” Her mother stated.

“I love you more, mommy.” Misako cried.

I could feel myself tearing in the eyes, it was a beautiful sight to see. I wanted Misako to be happy, and that was the first step to her recovery. Her recovery from pain, sadness, self-hate, and grief. She was healing, she was becoming a new person in front of my very eyes.

“Come here, you handsome boy!” Her mother yelled.

She grabbed my arm, pulling me into their embrace.

“Don’t get married, just yet. I want my daughter to myself for a few more years!” Her mother said to us as we embraced.

“Mommy! We aren’t going to be engaged!” Misako said with embarrassed emotions.

“Shut up, I already can tell.”

And she hugged us tighter. I could feel Miss Ishihara come close to my ear, whispering to me so that Misako could not hear:

“Thank you, David. Thank you for helping my precious daughter.”

“I love her too much, to see her hurting any more than she already has would destroy me.” I whispered back.

“What are you two talking about?” Misako asked.

“Our wedding plans.” I teased.

“David!”