Chapter 12
Every year during Christmas, Elbert always had business engagements abroad.
Same old story every year–I knew it by heart.
There were many business partners abroad who chose to stay and celebrate Christmas there instead of returning home.
So, this was the perfect opportunity to strengthen ties with our business partners.
In previous years, Elbert always took me along on his overseas trips.
But this year, I wouldn’t be going.
Early the next morning, Elbert took me to the hospital.
It was rare for him to make time, but this time he actually took me for a full–body checkup.
The comprehensive checkup required numerous blood tests, with multiple vials drawn.
After the blood draw, I joked with Elbert, “A few more vials and I’ll pass from blood loss.”
Honestly, I was not eyen joking–I really couldn’t handle this anymore.
Acute leukemia, with a whole bunch of complications to boot.
Coagulation dysfunction, and now this worsening anemia.
Elbert carefully helped me over to a seat in the hallway. “Let’s take a short break first,” he said.
I turned to him and asked, “Where’s Elaine? She hasn’t come yet?”
He replied casually, “She’s sleeping in at home. I’ll go pick her up later.”
I just said, “Okay,” and dropped the subject.
The test results wouldn’t be ready for a few days.
I excused myself to the restroom, slipping away from Elbert so I could see the doctor alone.
I even considered slipping the doctor some money, hoping he’d keep the truth from Elbert once the
results came out.
But the doctor seemed to see right through me and said sternly, “If the results are critical, we’re obligated There was nothing I could do–I just had to give up.
After the checkup, Elbert was driving me home when his phone rang.
It was a call from overseas–one of his business
After our parents passed away, both Elbert
Ociates,
o inform your next of kin
grew uckling as he asked when he’d be coming–over.
distant from our relatives.
Yet he was actually quite close with some of his business associates.
Every year, instead of celebrating Christmas with our relatives, Elbert and I would spend it with his business associates
After a bit more conversation, the caller asked warmly, “Is your sis coming along too?”
Elbert switched the call to speakerphone and glanced at me, as if waiting for my response.
I sat in the back seat, dramatically feigning a look of pain.
“I’m sick–dizzy and lightheaded.
“Still waiting for the hospital test results, so maybe I’ll skip the trip this time.”
Elbert frowned, clearly fed up with my theatrics.
“Then I won’t go either,” he said quietly.
{J°NESE ན་ཞིག་ཅོད་པད་བར
I immediately said anxiously, “No way! Ella just promised me a ragdoll kitten for Christmas. I’ve already seen the photos and been dreaming about it for ages–you have to bring it back for me!”
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Chapter 12
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Marlon laughed heartily and said, “My girl’s taking good care of her for you–just waiting for you to come pick her up. You’re really missing out not coming to get her yourself!”
I immediately coaxed Elbert, “Big bro, please go get it for me. I’ve been dreaming about a
cat
for so
long.”
The moment the words left my mouth, I froze.
Elbert froze, too, his expression turning visibly awkward.
I realized it had been so long since he’d last heard me call him “bro.”
After a long pause, Elbert averted his gaze and murmured, “Alright.”
After we got home, I started packing Elbert’s suitcase for his trip abroad.
Honestly, all these years, he’d r never really been particular about his daily life.
When traveling for business, he would usually just pack a couple of outfits and call it a
day.
As for his luggage, he had always packed it himself–just another thing he was used to handling on his own.
So when I walked into his room, pulled his suitcase out of the walk–in closet, and started packing his things for him, Elbert looked visibly taken aback, even a bit shocked.
“Since you’re helping me with the cat,” I said, pretending to be casual, “I’m feeling generous. I’ll help you pack.”
“Alright then,” Elbert responded bluntly, accepting my help without
ceremony.
He grabbed his laptop and walked over to the floor–to–ceiling window to get some work done.
As I packed his clothes, I thought traveling abroad made one
So, I opened the medicine cabinet again and picked out some
prone to falling ill.
Mold medicine and digestive aids to pack for him, just in case.
I knew how he was when he was busy–he never ate properly.ler Toner
Whenever I was not around, he never knew when
what
those business dinners.
I grabbed an extra box of stomach medicine for him.
Looking back on these past two years since our parents passed, Elbert and I had
With no one to look after him, his stomach had just been getting worse.
grown increasingly distant.
After packing him the medicine, I looked at him and said, “You need to eat on time, and drink in moderation.
“Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because Mom and Dad aren’t around to keep you in check.
Elbert’d never been a fan of being nagged.
But when I was gone, probably no one else would
ver say these things to him again.
કુલ સ્કોર કરી, રોજ
He kept typing away at his laptop, shot me a quick glance at my words, then went right back to his work without another word.
As I came across our family portrait while
e packing. I paused for a
While Elbert was distracted, I quietly tucked the
il moment, memories and mixed feelings flooding back.
photo away
the very
bottom of his nightstand drawer, hoping he wouldn’t notice.
Along with our family portrait, I tucked all the other family photos away at the very bottom of the drawer.
Perhaps it would be best if he didn’t see these photos too much from now on.
After I finished packing his luggage, Elbert shot me a sideways glance and quipped, “Packing so much, are you trying to keep me from coming back?”
I glanced at the bursting suitcase and said sheepishly, “Can’t
hurt to
Back then, when he went on business trips, he’d just toss a co. Pack a little extra, right? Just in case.”
But now I found myself worrying about all sorts of things.
of outfits into his bag, and I never really worried about him.
I was worried that if he fell ill while traveling abroad, he might not be abl
to
get
medicine.
I was worried he’d pack clothes that were too warm and end 2/3
up overheating,
too light and catch a chill.
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Chapter 12
I was worried he’d skip meals, or he’d drink too much.
Before our parents passed away, they left their last words on the phone. “Elbert, take good care of your little sister.”
Now, it was my turn to leave my parting words for him. “Brother, take good care of yourself.”
