***** Vol.2 Chap.12 Okay to be depressed *****

After leaving Chow’s Pharmacy, Haw-Ting headed straight home as depression set in. By the time he arrived home, he was in a full-blown depression and he lost all his appetite. He looked at the duck he bought. He remembered he was anticipating so much enjoying his BBQ duck earlier in the evening. Now, the duck was cold and somehow did not seem appetizing any more. He casually threw the duck, the mail, and the merchandise on the table, grabbed a chair, and moved it outside the front door. He did not feel like doing anything, so he just sat there feeling depressed.

People on the streets were hustling and buying things and spending money on superfluous things. He thought if many people had lots of money, why not him? Then he consoled himself.

That is OK. I have a noble profession. I am helping people. My work is my reward.

He tried to comfort himself as much as he could. He had these thoughts many times before. Tonight, his logic was not as convincing as before.

When May-Ling was around, she would infuse into him a sense of purpose and nobility in what they were doing. She always told him they were not there for the money, but to help people, to heal the sick, to help the wounded, to better society, and to eradicate the evil in humankind. Somehow whenever she spoke, she sounded so convincing that he got persuaded. Not that he did not agree, he actually agreed to everything that she said. That was the reason they both went to medical school. But most of the time, she was a lot more frugal than him. To him, he felt he was more practical than she was.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Hi, honey.” May-Ling came to him from the back and put her arms around him. He almost jumped and fell off the chair.

“I didn’t hear you come in.”

“I was waving at you from the street and you didn’t wave back.” She pouted.

“Oh, sorry, I was thinking about our finances again.”

“Oh, Haw-Ting, our finances are OK.”

“OK to you, but Mr. Chow would not extend any more credit to us.”

“Oh, you stopped by Mr. Chow’s pharmacy?”

“Yeah. I thought I would pick up a few supplies for next week. Our storeroom is completely empty.” He exaggerated a little.

“I know. I saw that right before I left. Did you pick up anything from Mr. Chow’s pharmacy?”

“I had to beg for these cotton pads and linings. We need some more herbal medicines too but he would not extend any more credit to us.”

“Really? We must be over the line of credit.”

“We are way over the line of credit. Mr. Chow made sure that I understood that I had to bring some money with me next time.”

“I see, Haw-Ting, thanks.” She stroked his hair gently. Her gentle touch had melted his anxiety. “Have you eaten yet? I am starving.”

“No, I haven’t. I … wanted to wait for you.”

“Well, thank you, my dear husband.”

“You are welcomed, my dear wife.”

“I thought I smelled something delicious when I walked into the house. Did you splurge and buy something delicious?” She feigned an angry look at him.

“Oh, the evening started off so beautifully that I thought we would celebrate your lecture.”

“Ha, ha. Did you buy something? Let me see. Let me see.” May-Ling started to rummage around the stuff on the table. “Oh! A BBQ duck! A whole one! Wow, Haw-Ting!”

“Before you say anything, I got a good deal on this duck.” He was ready for a little scolding.

“Really?”

“Yup! So don’t give me a lecture.” He was feeling proud.

“OK, no lecture today. Thank you, Haw-Ting.” She kissed him softly on the cheek. He was pleasantly surprised at his wife’s generosity. Usually, she would lecture him on frugality.

“I am starved. Let’s eat.”

“Yeah, let’s eat.”