- We totally have seen this gray cardboard folder with a red string.
- Actually, Obasan was reading it this afternoon. She reads it over and over again, but she doesn't tell Naomi what's written. Then the doorbell rings. It's the farmer that owned the sugar beet farm, Mr. Barker. He comes in with his new wife (Vivian) to say his condolences, but the whole thing is just really awkward.
- Vivian is obviously uncomfortable. Her husband asks about Stephen, like everyone else does, but Naomi doesn't have much news to give him. The last time he was home, he came with a French divorcée and split. He obviously couldn't wait to get the heck out of there. Just like Vivian.
- Naomi is walking on eggshells, trying not to offend her. Maybe it works. Maybe not.
- The farmer talks about Uncle Sam and how he was a fisherman. He says that there are lots of fishermen buried in the prairies. "Our Japanese," he says. Naomi notices this micro-aggression and pisses her off. It reminds her of how despite all arguments to the contrary, she is Canadian.
- While Naomi is having an identity crisis, Obasan is calm. She just serves tea.