Time has passed too quickly. Tomorrow Mom and I have to fly home. I am not looking forward to it. Hae-in is at work. Auntie Ji An, Mom, Gong Yoo and I are seated on the front room sofa. Mom takes my hand and tells me, “I decided to change my return flight. I talked to your dad this morning and I’m going to stay a few weeks before I go home.” She reaches across me and takes Auntie Ji An’s hand. I watch their fingers interlock. Softly she says, “I want to spend some more time with my sister.”

I don’t have a sister and I have envied the bond that Mom and Auntie Ji An share. I tell her, “That sounds good” I wish with all my heart I could stay too.

*

It is late. My phone makes a swooshing noise as it receives a text. Its from Hae-in. It says, “I am on the porch.”

I creep out of bed and pick up my slippers. I slip through the door. I hear tiny toe nails clicking. Gong Yoo marches into the hall. I whisper, “Please don’t bark.” He wags his tail. He wants to come outside too. I don’t want him to come but I also don’t want him to wake up my mother or Auntie Ji An. I pick him up.

Hae-in is in the swing. His shoulders are slumped. He straightens them and and says, “Looks like you brought a friend.”

“Unfortunately.” I sit down beside him and Gong Yoo jumps into his lap. He strokes Gong Yoo’s head.

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The front door opens and Auntie Ji An steps onto the porch. She reaches out her arms and says, “I will take the little party pooper.”

Hae-in hands Gong Yoo over to Auntie Ji An. Once she is back inside, Hae-in reaches for my hand. Silently, we walk to Neighbor Song’s house. We go to Hae-in’s room. He kisses me. I feel myself become liquid in his arms.

*

The morning of leaving has come too soon. Everything is moving at such a pace I feel like I can’t catch my breath. As I say goodbye to my mom, there are tears in her eyes. She kisses my cheek and releases me. Next I hug Auntie Ji An. She whispers in my ear, “Pray my baby sis doesn’t make me crazy.”

“I will.” Honestly, I am so thankful I am not traveling back to the states with my mom. I wave good bye to them. Hae-in and I head out the door. He is taking me to the airport. The time is sliding away fast. We get in Auntie Ji An’s VW bug and head out. The weather doesn’t look too good, and I am honestly praying my flight is delayed.

Hae-in clears his throat before he speaks. His voice cracks as he says, “I am going to miss you so much.”

I grasp his hand. “I miss you already.” And I do. Every mile that passes is taking me away from here, away from him. This lurking sadness inside of me is another aspect of love. To find love, to make love and then to be torn apart…feels like more than I can bear. I glance out at the rolling waves. They are high this morning and loud. The water is all churned up. I can hear them thrashing and crashing beyond the window.

Hae-in says, “I feel like this day looks.”

I turn my attention back to him.

Tears hover his lashes but they don’t fall. His gaze is on the road. Bravely I say, “We will get through this.” I stop myself short of saying that it will be over before we know it. Time is slow when the heart is longing.

He nods his head. A single tear slides down his cheek. That is all he can manage. I long to take him in my arms, hold him, tell him I won’t leave but I can’t do any of that now. I have a flight to catch, a job to do, a home that is waiting for me.