Lanterns... was she talking about a Bon Festival's toro nagashi, the lighting of lanterns to send out to sea in honor of the dead? It was a sobering thought to think of it so early in the year- he and his mother would go every summer to light one for Dad.

"She wouldn't letcha attend?" She never mentioned a father, herself. He guessed being forced to acknowledge a loss could be rough on some people, but everything about it bugged him.

"Some're less traditional than others, I guess."