I crept up the hillside quietly. My grandfather’s gravestone was just ahead. From a distance, I could see my parents kneeling before the grave while continuously scattering the flowers in their hands.
“Dad, rest easy. You asked me to be kind, to be patient, to take care of my sister and I did.”
“Now, her son, Mateo, has returned from studying abroad. He got a great job at a good company and even found himself a rich wife. They’re such a perfect match! Mateo’s enjoying the happiness in his life.”
My father assisted my mother in arranging the offerings and food for the death and then paid respect to my grandfather’s tombstone, then said, “Dad, as your son-in-law, I asked you to please pray for our family and Santiago.”
My mother scoffed in annoyance. “Enough. Don’t mention that useless one.” She waved a dismissive hand, sneering. “Look at Mateo, then look at him. What a disgrace. He couldn’t even pass the civil service exam and couldn’t get into grad school. Thank God Mateo had the guts to study abroad and marry rich people. Then look at him, acting all bitter just because we didn’t bring him here. So unlucky …”