Thank you for your help! ^_^
I awoke to the sound of running water.
Morning had come, dazzling. I arose drowsily and went into the kitchen. There was “Eriko-san,” her back turned to me. Her clothing was subdued compared to last night’s, but as she turned to me with a cheery “Good morning!” her face, even more brilliantly animated, brought me to my senses. “Good morning,” I answered. She opened the refrigerator, glanced inside, and looked at me with a troubled air.
“You know,” she said, “I’m always hungry in the morning, even though I’m still sleepy. But there’s nothing to eat in this house. Let’s call for take out. What would you like?”
I stood up. “Would you like me to make something?”
“Really?” she said, and then, doubtfully, “Do you think you can handle a knife, half-asleep?”
“No problem.”
The entire apartment was filled with light, like a sunroom. I looked out at the sweet, endless blue of sky; it was glorious.
In the joy of being in a kitchen I liked so well, my head cleared, and suddenly I remembered she was a man. I turned to look at her. Déjà vu overwhelmed me like a flash flood.
The house smelled of wood. I felt an immense nostalgia, in that downpour of morning light, watching her pull a cushion onto the floor in that dusty living room and curl up to watch TV.
