Если я останусь

           Konnichiwa.Arigatou.Itneverpannedout,though.

           AfterMomannouncedshewaspregnantwithTeddy,thefirstsignthatchangeswereafootwaswhenDadwentandgothimselfalearner’spermit.Atagethirty-three.HetriedlettingMomteachhimtodrive,butshewastooimpatient,hesaid.Dadwastoosensitivetocriticism,Momsaid.SoGrampstookDadoutalongtheemptycountrylanesinhispickuptruck,justlikehe’ddonewiththerestofDad’ssiblings—exceptthey’dalllearnedtodrivewhentheyweresixteen.

           Nextupwasthewardrobechange,butitwasn’tsomethinganyofusnoticedrightaway.Itwasn’tlikeonedayhestrippedoffthetightblackjeansandbandteesinexchangeforsuits.Itwasmoresubtle.Firstthebandteeswentoutinthewindowinfavorofbutton-up1950srayonnumbers,whichhedugupattheGoodwilluntiltheystartedgettingtrendyandhehadtobuythemfromthefancyvintage-clothingshop.Thenthejeanswentinthebin,exceptforonepairofimpeccable,darkblueLevi’s,whichDadironedandworeonweekends.Mostdaysheworeneat,flat-frontcuffedtrousers.Butwhen,afewweeksafterTeddywasborn,Dadgaveawayhisleatherjacket—hisprizedbeat-upmotorcyclejacketwiththefuzzyleopardbelt—wefinallyrealizedthatamajortransformationwasunderway.

           "Dude,youcannotbeserious,"HenrysaidwhenDadhandedhimthejacket."You’vebeenwearingthisthingsinceyouwereakid.Itevensmellslikeyou."

           Dadshrugged,endingtheconversation.