I reminded myself that I was only sixty-three, still young enough to start anew. I resolved to live each day well and to be kind to myself.
Without hesitation, I signed up for a senior tour group. The chosen route was to the Great Northwind.
The Silkrana Road and the vast Loessara Plateau had long captivated me since I was young. But every time I brought up the idea in the past, Wanda dismissed it. She had no interest in barren places, let alone deserts.
Now, with her gone, I could finally go by myself.
Just as I was about to embark on this long-awaited journey, my phone rang. Lucas’s voice came through from the phone.
He spoke tearfully, "Dad, Mom is in the hospital!"
"Dad, Mom is in the hospital! She’s been diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer. The doctor said she has maybe half a month left. Please, come quickly!"
For days, I had convinced myself that I had let go of everything. However, upon hearing the news about Wanda Larson, I felt a pang of helplessness.
Without hesitation, I canceled my trip and booked the earliest flight to Estoria.
When I rushed into the hospital ward, what I saw left me frozen in place.
Lying on the hospital bed, hooked up to an oxygen tube, was Luigi.