When I was a kid, there was a rather strange woman who lived nearby.

She sat on the veranda all day, muttering to herself about something.

I had to pass her house on my way to school,

and every time I went past, she was always there. One day, I passed her house again on my way

home from school. Normally I would just walk right past, but on this particular day, I was curious

about what she was saying.

It sounded like she was actually talking to someone.

Putting my hands on the fence, I stuck my head over and looked at the veranda.

She was sitting there alone, as always.

I thought I must just be imagining things, but then she started talking again.

It's getting late, so let's go inside. I thought she was talking to me, so I jumped, but she didn't

seem to have actually noticed me. I decided to stay a little longer to watch her.

You're all sweaty. Make sure you take a bath. Hold on, I'll go get a towel for you.

The woman was speaking to an empty space. She wiped something in front of her with the towel she grabbed, and then disappeared into the

house.

I guess she was going to get a bath ready.

Even though I was just a child, I thought maybe she wasn't well.

I didn't want to keep prying, so I went to leave, but then I heard a voice coming from inside

the house.

"'The bath's ready, so come on.

Ah, make sure you close the window, too.'

A few seconds after that, I heard the window on the veranda close.

...