Molly’s Reviews > While I Was Away > Status Update

This is a collection of what the author could remember from her time in Japan. It’s not perfect, and her relationship with her Grandma wasn’t perfect, but I understand why. It adds depth, character. Overall, I thought this STORY was perfect.

The story ends with her mom asking her to help fold the laundry. They talk about the ajisai she saw in Japan. Her mom explains how they change colors depending on where they plant and root. Waka is kinda like a hydrangea… Many colors: Japanese and American. “Ajisai daisuke!” She says.

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When she goes to American school, her friends ask her about her pretty necklace she got at Tokyo Disneyland. She’d rather hear her friends’s stories.

She tries to write to Obaasama but never does. She and Reiko stay in touch for four years. During that time, Reiko always lets her know Waka’s Grandma is doing alright.

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It’s finally time to say goodbye to Grandma. Waka says goodbye to Taro too. Grandma cries! She always cared. She cried too on the way home. We get a personal message from the author: an apology to her grandmother and a look into the present. Reiko and Waka’s relationship fades with time and Obaasama passes away when Waka is 18.

When Waka gets home, she is greeted by her mother, older & younger brother.

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During her farewell, students ask her questions, Mr. Adachi gives a speech, and she is handed a golden placard with cute messages on it.

Her dad comes to pick her up. Grandma seems down… When her dad arrives, they gift Obaasama a vegetable peeler. Waka recommended it.

They go over and thank Reiko and her family for all she’s done. Reiko was always a true friend…

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My bad, she was able to read! I was thinking of a different part of the book while reviewing.

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Waka’s reading gets better and better, but she still freezes up when it’s time for class reading. Her shuuji and 100 on her test makes her wanna tell her Grandma! But she holds back.

During a trip to her cousins, Waka helps her grandma navigate the complex train stations.

Reiko and Waka enjoyed ginko nuts/meat and went shopping for omiyage for her friends at home. This was her last time with Reiko.

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Waka wakes up to her grandmother peeling potatoes the old fashioned way. She joins. Obaasama tells the story of how her father treated her. After cooking the potatoes, they eat them together, the cultural way of apologizing: offering food.

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The next morning, she’s scolded AGAIN for stepping over her Grandmother’s legs. For the school’s field trip, they went to a potato farm. Waka was next to a girl who took her spot after she left the group. They chatted for a bit. A fleeting moment of kindness.

Waka decided she’d be perfect. When she came home, her Grandma tried to subtly attempt politeness. Waka just went to bed.

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When Waka heads home, everything’s dark. The doors are locked… SHE’S LOCKED out! She rushes back to Reiko’s house. They help her get back to Grandma.

Once she is safely returned and Reiko’s family has left, Grandma starts shouting at how much she was a burden as a house guest. How she was only supposed to stay just for dinner, not 10. This makes Waka question her memory…

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