With my hand on his arm, I feel connected to something greater than myself that I can’t define. For the first time in months, the pain in my heart has ebbed. A future of hopes and dreams comes barreling out of my imagination. I stop them. I am not thirteen, and I don’t have to survive on dreams and wishes.I will not tempt any future. I don’t know what comes next or if anything comes next. I choose to be here now. I choose not to let the fear of getting hurt or disappointed ruin the minute I am living. This minute is good. A strong man stands beside me. I feel his strength travel from his skin into mine. A peace settles over me. My heart is not racing, I am not giddy or even excited. I am content. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt content before.

For a long while we stand watching the waves, the stars, the clouds. I feel like we are in a kaleidoscope of water and sky. Hae-in tells me, “This is my favorite view. Back home, when I am restless or sad I think of this place and I am comforted.”

His words are unifying. I tell him, “I do too.” To think all these years our source of comfort is the same. What else do we share?

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On the horizon we see a flash of lightening in the distance. The waves are becoming rougher. A storm is brewing. A cold gust of air hits us. Hae-in says, “We best get back.”

With my hand still on his arm, we make our way home. The wind is picking up. Soon it will be howling. One by one we pass through the lights. Too soon we can see Auntie Ji An’s house. Sooner still, we are in the drive. Soon, I will have to release his arm and I don’t want to. We stop at Auntie Ji An’s porch. I let go of his arm. I feel a ridiculous sense of desolation. He smiles at me and says, “Night.”

“Night.” I watch him go down the steps. I watch him until he disappears inside Neighbor Song’s house. I remain on the porch. The lightening is getting closer and I hear the distant rumble of thunder. I sit down on the porch swing to watch the storm come in. I have never feared storms, but I have always respected them. A sheet of rain races across the yard. The drops are big and splash loudly on the roof. Inside Gong Yoo begins to howl. He must not like storms. The scent of rain has always calmed me. I take in a deep breath and close my eyes.

The front door bangs open. Auntie Ji An says, “Get in this house now!” I open my eyes and I see her fear and I remember why she is afraid of storms.