Mei stood mute, almost greeted the woman How are you as a commonplace. But, when observing her tearful look that felt more like a farewell, Mei quickly changed to ask, “Have you eaten lunch yet?”
At this very moment, her auntie came out to welcome them with a piercing voice. “There you are! Lunch is ready! Come to eat!”
That voice immediately shut the woman off. She soon turned away with a lingering smile that deepened the awareness of nearing death. Mei silently walked away from the gloom. But the gloom had already walked into her soul.