Micah and Hattie’s grave had been bought a long time ago. It was a good place, and the two of them had always thought that when they died, they would be buried together and stay together in the afterlife.
The thought was to grow old together slowly, but when it came time to die, it wasn’t slow at all. It was like a drop of ink disappearing in the water without a trace.
There was no funeral for Micah when he was laid to rest. On that day, Hattie cut a lock of his white hair and placed it in the palm of his hand. She touched the ring on his ring finger, unwilling to let go of his hand and even more unwilling to close the coffin. Once the soil was placed over him, their goodbye became just a tombstone and a black and white photograph.
How could she bear not to be heartbroken? This was the man who had grown old with her and loved her until old age, and he had left.
Hattie lay on top of the coffin, touching Micah’s face. “Old man, goodnight.”
Good morning, good afternoon, goodnight, the passage of time, from spring to summer, to autumn and winter. A lifetime’s journey is a lifetime.
Hattie remembered a sentence from Micah that had touched her: “You were born in this world to experience its beauty.”
She had been with Micah for decades, and he had truly lived up to his words. Together, they had witnessed the warmth of spring, the cool breeze of summer, the bountiful harvest of autumn, and the cold plum blossoms of winter. The sun rose and the moon remained, with only a faint hint of smoke rising every day. They watched the flowers bloom and fade.
“Master, it’s time.”
Someone helped her up, and with dry and teary eyes, she watched the coffin lid slowly close and the soil being piled on. Amidst the cries around her, the most sorrowful Hattie did not shed a tear; it was as if all her tears had dried up the moment Micah died.
However, at 68 years old, Hattie now looked like she was 80. Her hair had turned completely white overnight, and even her back was bent. She was weak and could barely stand, needing the support of others to do so.
Many people came that day, some she remembered, some she didn’t, some she knew, and some she didn’t. They all mourned the death of Micah.
Hattie planted a bougainvillea next to Micah’s grave. She waited for the warm spring for the bougainvillea to sprout, and she waited for next year when it would bloom in a dazzling red color that Micah would surely see.
Jiang Wen accompanied Hattie back home. She had wanted to stay with her, but Hattie didn’t want to be disturbed by anyone at this time. She had to process her grief by herself.
Knowing that Jiang Wen was worried, Hattie said, “I will be fine. I will live on well. I still have Coco and I can’t just abandon Coco. It was tough for you all at the hospital, taking care of Coco.”
“He’s very well-behaved.”
Hattie knew that Coco was indeed well-behaved. He didn’t make a mess, didn’t run around, and didn’t destroy the house. He even had his own toilet, using it for his business and flushing it himself. All she needed to do every day was to change his water and feed him.
“Master, I’ll come see you again tomorrow.”
Hattie was now old, with no children and only a few of Micah’s students who referred to her as “Master” as a sign of genuine respect. Even without Micah’s instructions, they would take good care of Hattie. However, it seemed that Hattie was now recoiling from human contact, and they didn’t know what to do. They could only obediently follow her wishes, but at least her health didn’t seem to be an issue.
“You really don’t need to come every day. You have your own work to be busy with. Go back, Jiang Wen.” Hattie pushed Jiang Wen’s shoulder, and as she watched her get into the car, she turned back and slowly walked home.
Yes, she couldn’t leave. If she left, what would happen to Coco? He would be a dog without parents.
When Hattie opened the door to her home, Coco was sitting obediently at the entrance. She didn’t know if he had been sitting there the entire time or if he only came when he heard her.
Sticking out his tongue, his golden tail wagged back and forth on the ground. When Hattie entered, Coco stood up and circled around her, rubbing his head against her hand, seemingly sensing her unhappiness. He retracted his tongue, his eyes filled with worry, and as he stood at the doorway, he looked outside.
His mom couldn’t bring his dad back, and he whimpered, letting out a few cries.
Hattie seemed to understand what he was trying to say. She crouched down and petted Coco’s head. “He’s not coming back.”
Hattie closed the door, and Coco let out a few more cries, as if crying.
Hattie felt completely drained. She had been supporting herself all the way back from the graveyard, and now she had to lean on the wall to make it inside.
Coco didn’t follow her in, still sitting by the doorway. It was then that Hattie realized Coco had been waiting there, waiting for her, waiting for Micah, waiting for five days.
Hattie checked the dog bowl and saw that there was only a little water left. There was plenty of dog food. Coco had barely eaten while waiting for his master.
Hattie continued to walk and saw the orange tree on the balcony. The oranges were ripe and ready to be eaten, but Micah was no longer there.
The fist-sized oranges hung heavily on the branches, weighing them down. The evening light poured in, making each orange look like an orange-yellow lamp.
Hattie walked over, plucked one, and despite its thin peel, it looked very sweet. After squeezing a slice and tasting it, it was sour and astringent, not enjoyable at all.
Her teeth ached from the sourness, and she called for Coco.
When Coco heard her voice, he hurried over. Hattie held the orange out to him, but after sniffing it twice, he took a few steps back.
Even the dog wouldn’t eat the orange.
Hattie sat on the sofa near the window. Even though she disliked sour things the most, she still ate the entire orange, feeling the sourness make her mouth water and her teeth ache.
Hattie looked down at the orange peel in her hand and said, “Micah, the orange is so sour. It’s hurting my teeth and throat…”