The School at the Top of the Hill

Chapter 1 of The Family Business

Kobe, September 1965, a rainy, dreary day.

Photo by reza shayestehpour on Unsplash

I was late to class, which had already been in session for several days. And late for the morning session. Already two strikes against. I was seated somewhere in the third row of desks. I looked around to see about thirty-odd kids attentively listening to the teacher. The boy sitting…