If Only Chapter 53 Summary

Aiko

  • Aiko, the Ishibashis' daughter, calls the hotel that night. She speaks better English.
  • Her parents, she says, are worried about Sophie; Corinna explains that her mom died of cancer.
  • Aiko invites the Burdettes to meet her in Kyoto. They take the bullet train and Aiko meets them at the station, and then takes them to the Uemura Guest House, their Kyoto hotel.
  • After trying to understand yet another foreign bathroom, Corinna and her dad go with Aiko to Ryoanji Garden, a Zen temple.
  • Corinna asks why it's so crowded, and Aiko explains that it's Obon, the festival of dead ancestors.
  • She explains the traditions: People sprinkle water on their loved ones' graves, leave animal sculptures made out of vegetables and chopsticks, and burn incense. They believe these things will help the dead come back to visit, travel home quickly, and return feeling relaxed.
  • Most people, she says, also have shrines to their dead loved ones in their apartments. When they want to summon their ancestors, they light incense and clap their hands.
  • Corinna asks Aiko to tell her a story about when Sophie lived with her family and Aiko tells her that they talked a lot about school and their future children.
  • Sophie wanted to have lots of children, but she was very happy with the one she had. In the holiday cards she sent each year, she always said she was glad Corinna was her daughter.