“I want to go out and walk in the snow, to feel it one last time. I’m afraid I won’t have another chance,” Elisa said.
“The beauty of this snowscape is truly rare,” she added, gazing up at the man beside her, her eyes shining brighter than the light above, filled with anticipation. When Louis didn’t answer, she tugged at his sleeve, waiting for his response.
Finally, Louis agreed, “Alright, we’ll take a walk and then come back.”
“Mom, Dad, are you going out for a walk?” the siblings who had just returned from buying New Year goods heard their conversation.
“Yes, your mom wants to go for a walk.”
“Then let’s go together.” Winnie put on the jacket she had just taken off and stood at the door with her brother.
Louis helped Elisa put on her oversized down jacket and wrapped a scarf around her neck until it was snug. Elisa didn’t complain about feeling uncomfortable with so many layers on, letting the man carefully dress her.
Finally, with woolen socks, gloves, and shoes on, Louis knelt down to help her with the footwear. He seemed accustomed to doing these tasks.
“Let’s go.” The couple walked hand in hand outside, while the siblings followed with an umbrella.
Once outside, Elisa realized how weak her body was. She quickly grew tired, struggling to catch her breath. The cold air stung her nose, sending a dull pain to her heart. Despite wearing layers, she still felt the chill, and her knees ached from the cold.
Unable to walk any further, Elisa stopped in her tracks.
Louis stopped beside her, knowing her legs were ailing. Seeing Elisa look at her knees, he understood that her old injury was acting up again.
“Can’t move anymore, can you?” Louis asked nonchalantly, though he felt a sharp pain in his heart. He walked up to Elisa, crouched down, and patted her shoulder. “Come, let me carry you on my back.”
“I don’t want to go back yet,” Elisa replied.
“Then we won’t. Wherever you want to go, I’ll carry you there.”
“Can you carry me? You’re almost seventy, after all. Even if I’m light, all these clothes add weight,” Elisa looked worriedly at his back.
“I can carry you. I’ve carried you all my life, why would I suddenly be unable to? Besides… you’re so light,” Louis chuckled.
Elisa gently placed her hand on Louis’ shoulder and then wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her face on his reassuring shoulder.
“Louis, how long do you think the snow will last this year?”
“It might still be falling on New Year’s.”
“I wonder if the New Year’s Eve party will be good this year.”
“Wouldn’t it be best to see it for yourself at the time?”
“But I… it feels like I won’t be able to see it.” Elisa looked sad as she glanced at Louis’s slightly reddened ears, reminiscing about their encounter at the airport.
As Louis spoke, Elisa heard a hint of self-consciousness in his words, his blushing ears betraying his shyness. He avoided direct eye contact with her.
“Spring Festival is coming soon.” Elisa lifted her head, wanting to look at the sky, but all she saw was the umbrella. She turned and saw Eli holding the umbrella.
“Put the umbrella away. I don’t want it,” Elisa said.
“But…”
A low voice interrupted, “Put it away. Your mom said no umbrella.”
Winnie also put away the umbrella and ran to her brother, walking side by side as they used to, talking incessantly, as if there were endless words to say.
“Mom, we bought a lot of New Year decorations with my brother. We got couplets and lanterns. Let’s stick them up later. Christmas should have a house full of colors.”
Elisa just smiled and remained silent.
Noticing something, Eli held Winnie’s hand and walked behind them, giving their parents some space.
Snowflakes landed on Louis’s hair, and Elisa gently brushed them off.
“The first time we met, you carried me like this and brought me home,” she recollected fondly.
Louis’s eyes welled up, “Yes, I wanted to carry you like this for a lifetime, and it turned out to be true.”
“Louis, could you call me ‘little crybaby’ once more?”
“Little crybaby.”
In a choked voice, Elisa whispered, “Big brother…” because of you, my life on earth is so beautiful.
-“Big brother, you were the first to buy me candy, no one has been as kind to me. The TV said to marry someone who treats you well, so it’s decided. When I grow up, I’ll find you and marry you.”
“It’s snowing, how wonderful. I’ve always loved the snow and enjoying it with the person I love.”
If we can spend this moment together in the snow, then it would truly be a shared lifetime.
If white hair can replace snow, then why worry about worldly troubles?
If you were here with me now, there would be no need to face the snow to grow old together.
“I’m so cold… but my heart is warm,” Elisa said, reaching out her hand. A snowflake landed on her palm, making her fingertips tremble slightly before gently sliding off Louis’s shoulder.
Louis paused for a moment, then continued walking with Elisa on his back.
“Little crybaby, don’t cry. When we reach further, and if we see someone selling candied haws, I’ll buy you some, how about that?”
“But the candied haws are too hard and sour. What if they ruin your teeth?” Louis said with a hint of laughter, trying to appear lighthearted despite his eyes turning red, and his whole body trembling. He had no choice but to carry her tightly… so tightly.
“Elisa, today is our wedding anniversary. Have you thought about what gift you’d like? If you don’t tell me, you won’t get one.”
“I’ll cook whatever you want for dinner…”
“Did you hear Winnie talking about buying couplets earlier? We’ll put them up when we get home, and decorate with window flowers and lanterns. We’ve celebrated every year like this.”
“Don’t stay silent,” Louis gasped for breath, a tinge of pain evident. He tried to keep his eyes wide open, fighting back tears. But the more he tried to hold on, the harder it became, and tears streamed down his face, more chilling than the ice.
“Elisa, sleeping outside in the cold is bad for your health. Shall we go home? It’s warm there, and I’ll warm your hands. How does that sound?” The searing pain in his heart spread throughout his body, even his hands, trembling with the burden of carrying her.
Eli and Winnie followed silently behind, realizing something when Elisa’s grip loosened and her eyes shut.
Winnie cried softly, her voice choked with tears, and even Eli, a grown man, shed silent tears.
It was the first time they heard their father speak so humbly, carefully asking their mother if she could wake up.
But their mother would never awaken.