The Crossroads Lie (part 3)

Hiroo was angry with me for the next 20 or 30 minutes. Then suddenly an old lady by the name of Miyamoto walked up to us.

"ひろうちゃん、お久しぶりですね！ [Hiroo, it's been a long time!]" said Mrs. Miyamoto. "元気ですか [How are you?]"

"宮本さん。絶対久しぶりです！　元気！これはアメリカ友達ジョンさんです。 [Mrs. Miyamoto, it really has been a long time. I'm good. This is my friend from the US, Mr. John" replied Hiroo.

"宮本さん、初めまして、よろしくお願いします! [Mrs. Miyamoto. It's nice to meet you]" I replied while bowing.

The lady was probably in her 70s, and it was immediately obvious that she lived a very privileged life. She carried herself with the air high society. She was dressed in a bright kimono that looked brand new. The only thing that I thought was a bit strange was her hat. The hat was something that one find at a K-mart (a US 100-yen type shop) from the 60s. It sort of clashed with the rest of her Japanese attire.

Mrs. Miyamoto explained that the last few months have been a bit difficult, as her husband passed away, and that she had to take care of all the arrangements in Osaka. She just got done and moved back to Tokyo a couple of weeks ago.

"大変です。。。やっぱり今年会わなかったんです [I am sorry... That explains why we haven't met this year.]" replied Hiroo.

"でも生活な段々普通になりました。[But gradually things are getting back to normal.]" replied Mrs. Miyamoto. "今日この素敵な帽子を見て買いました。どうですか？[This morning I bought this nice hat. What do you think?]"

Hiroo and I looked at each other briefly.

"いいですね！[it's good]" replied Hiroo.

We chatted a bit more before saying goodbye.

As she left, you probably already know what I asked Hiroo.

"OK Hiroo, so why did you lie to that woman?" I asked. "That hat was hideous."

"It really WAS pretty awful, Uncle, John." replied Hiroo while shaking his head.

"And yet you lied." I said.

"Yeah, but that was a white lie." replied Hiroo. "That lie didn't really cost me anything, but it made the old lady feel better."

"So how's that different from a crossroads lie?" I asked.

"Your lie is for personal gain." replied Hiroo.

"It is, but did it really hurt the other person?" I asked back. "You could say it's a white lie where the sender and recepient are reversed."

Hiroo thought long and hard about that last statement.

"Uncle John, my mom's lie did hurt that other girl. That lie prevented the girl from meeting my stepdad."

"Yes. You are correct." I replied. "But that girl was probably sad for like only a day or two. Your mom made your stepdad happy longer than that. Overall, I would say there was a net gain of happiness with that lie." I replied.

Hiroo was quiet for the next hour or so. Eventually he held his hand out.

"Uncle John. I take back what I said. I'm not ashamed you bought me that drink." said Hiroo.

I reached out and shook his hand.

"No. I didn't want to shake your hand. I want my 1000 yen back!"

We hung out for the next few hours until Hiroo's mom, Yuko returned....

Hiroo ran to his mom.

"Hey mom, question for you."

"はい。どうぞーー[sure, go ahead]." replied Yuko.

"So Uncle John explained to me a few things to me this afternoon. It seems your crossroads lie leads to my upcoming stepbrother." said Hiroo.

Yuko and looked at each other.

"Yes. I suppose that's correct." replied Yuko.

"Well, in that case can you keep telling dad more crossroads lies?" asked Hiroo.

"WHAT??" said Yuko and I almost simultaneously.

"Well, mom that last lie will give me a brother ... I sort of want a sister also!"