Long Distance (Masterplots II: Short Story Series, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Jane Smiley
- First Published: 1987
- Type of Plot: Domestic realism
- Time of Work: The 1980's
- Setting: Iowa and Minnesota
- Principal Characters: Kirby Christianson, Mieko, Harold, Leanne, Eric
- Genres: Short fiction, Domestic realism
- Subjects: Family or family life, United States or Americans, Love or romance, Midwest, 1980’s, Brothers, Holidays, Japan or Japanese people, Christmas
- Locales: Iowa, Minnesota
The Story
Kirby Christianson's Japanese lover, Mieko, calls from Japan to tell him that her visit to him, which was to take place in a few days, has been canceled. Her father has been diagnosed with lung cancer, and she must stay with the family. Kirby's first reaction is a feeling of relief, because he has been unsure of what to do about Mieko and does not think she will fit in with his American family and associates. Feeling guilty about his feelings of relief, he affects sympathy. She breaks down on the telephone and weeps. Wanting to be there for her in an American sense,...
[The entire page is 1330 words long]
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