Journey of the Heart
by Judith Bronte
Chapter Three
The Dishonored
Son
"Bloody
and deceitful men shall not live out half their days."
~
Psalm 55:23 ~
When
Anna woke up that morning, she noticed that Yoichi hadn't come home. This was a
common habit with him, and she learned early on not to question his
whereabouts. So Anna ate her breakfast, without giving her absent husband one
thought. If she had known why he was absent this morning though, she might not
have had any appetite for the rice Izumi made.
Yoichi
Mizukiyo, (the "ichi" at the end of his name means "firstborn
son"), would usually spend his nights and mornings in a smoke filled room
in Yokohama,
gambling his inheritance away.
Sometimes
Yoichi won, but mostly he lost. In fact, he had lost more money than he
realized, playing the addicting games of Mahjong, and Pachinko. (Popular games
of chance in Japan.)
For several years, Yoichi led a life of gambling excesses, causing him to sink
deep in debt. His creditors had allowed Yoichi to borrow money hand over fist,
knowing his father was wealthy.
Someday
the old man would die, and leave his great fortune to his eldest son. This is
what they were counting on, and so was Yoichi.
Today
would be different, however. After spending three hours in front of a Pachinko
machine's hypnotizing lights, Yoichi felt someone tugging at his shoulder.
"What
do you want?" he asked impatiently.
"Your
father is dying. Come quickly." Yoichi obeyed immediately.
Toshikazu
Mizukiyo had led a long life. Now he wanted to die peacefully, confident in the
knowledge that the honorable family name would continue for several more
generations. He had disapproved of his son's choice of wife, for he had hoped
that Yoichi would choose a woman of his own country. The blonde, blue - eyed
Anna, (with a Dutch heritage), was not what he had hoped for. But Mr. Mizukiyo
knew how hard his son was trying to be worldly, and thought it
was
somewhat humorous. Yoichi had a lot to learn before he would be as wise as his
ancestors.
Years
would add wisdom to his son.
However,
several hours ago, Mr. Mizukiyo received word of his eldest son's gambling
fever and large debts. Many of Yoichi's excesses were told him in great detail.
The longer he listened, the angrier he became. This was no longer a laughing
matter. His eldest and most honored son had disgraced the ancient family name,
exposing it to ridicule. He must save face, (save honor), and do it quickly,
for Mr. Mizukiyo knew that soon, he would die.
Yoichi
bowed and knelt beside his dying father.
"Weariness
fills my heart, for your disgrace has come to the doors of my house. The
inheritance that you have so long taken for granted is given to Shunji
("ji" meaning "second son"). From this hour on, I have no
firstborn son." A stunned Yoichi stared disbelievingly at his father.
"Father,
if I do not pay the creditors their money, they will kill me ... or
worse!" Yoichi was visibly shaken. Beads of sweat ran down in rivulets on
his face. The "or worse", was in Yoichi's mind, more terrifying than
death.
"I
have no firstborn son," his father repeated. Mr. Mizukiyo would not even
look at his dishonored offspring. Yoichi opened his mouth to protest, but the
words would not come. He knew his father would never reverse the death sentence
he had just given. This was how Mr. Mizukiyo was going to punish his son.
Silently, Yoichi left his father's house for the last time.
"The
curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked."
~
Proverbs 3:33 ~
"Oh
let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end."
~
Psalm 7:9 ~
*source: Judithbronte.com
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