I watch Neighbor Song and Hae-in as they pass down the steps. Neighbor Song’s arthritic fingers grip Hae-in’s arm. As soon as they are out of earshot. I whisper, “What is wrong with Neighbor Song?”
“Its her heart. She declined the bi pass.”
Sadness fills me. I ask, “Why?”
“She’s seventy-eight years old and she doesn’t want anything keeping her on the planet longer than she wants be here. She also didn’t want to spend what’s left of her life on a bunch of medicine and going to the doctor all the time. In her condition, at her age the success for that that surgery is low. Also, the chance of her dying on the operating table was more than she wanted to risk.”
I struggle to process this information. I know Neighbor Song would not make such a deciesion lightly. I ask, “How long does she have?”
“Hospice doesn’t know for sure. It could be months, or a year, or more.”
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
The commitment Hae-in is willing to make for his granny is not a short term one and it will be a tough one to keep. A tear slides down Auntie Ji An’s cheek. I take her in my arms. I now know what has been weighing on Hae-in since I first saw him at the airport and it hurts.
*
It’s been a week and a half since the storm and we still haven’t been able to replace the windows. They are on back order, so it will be awhile. After breakfast I go outside. I look across the side yard and see Neighbor Song in her garden. She sees me and waves me over. Reluctantly, I go to her. I haven’t spent anytime alone with her since I learned she is ill. How do I talk to her now that I know she is ill? When I reach her she looks up at me. The wide brimmed straw hat she wears frames her face. She waves a hand toward a small tray of new plants. “Hae-in found these hidden in a dark corner at the market. Aren’t they beautiful?”
“They are. What are they?”
“Tomatoes plants.” For a moment she grows serious and says, “Ji An told me she told you about me.” I start to say something but she shakes her head and says, “I’m okay. I am having one of my good days.” I am glad she is having one of her good days. She asks, “So, how are you doing?”
I tell her, “Honestly, I can’t say I’m good, but I can say I’m better.”
Neighbor Song breaths in a deeply and exhales slowly. “I’m am glad. I am hoping Hae-in will be better soon. He’s had a tough year. At least helping set the market to rights is keeping him busy. He can’t be out running all the time.”
No, he can’t. I look at the devastated garden. I admire Neighbor Song’s tenacity. There is a pile of ruined vegetables at my feet and yet she has the courage to begin again.