Chapter One: "Life is what happens when you are making other plans."
Outside the window, the grey sky copied K's mood very well, probably the only thing that rung true for her in recent times. Her packing never seemed to be finished, as she found one thing or another that she wanted to keep, necessitating her to wonder if it was ever going to be done. She looked around the room, with drawers half opened, the bed made for the first time on a very long time, and the ironing board ready for yet another item she had to press, making sure that there was going to be an orderly retreat when the moment came.
She laughed to herself. I never did learn how to be a light packer, she thought, and this was not going to be her first trip that was going to require anything less than a bulldozer to move her belongings.
She sat down on the edge of the bed, sighing deeply. How do you pack for a year? How do you anticipate your needs, your wants, or even your longing? She closed her eyes and saw pictures of Michael, tears forming in them. You promised me, Michael, we would be together forever! You broke your promise! I can never forgive you for leaving me alone!
Doctors had finally convinced K that Michael was brain dead, and it was time to remove the respirator which had been keeping him alive. Even K's mom begged her to let him go. His own parents were both deceased, and he had no other close relatives, so K's mom felt compelled to advocate for him, even if she had to hurt her daughter in the process.
K was devastated. She and Michael had been married for seven years, and living without him was something she thought impossible. Even now, the ache and emptiness inside her was inconsolable.
Outside the window, the grey sky copied K's mood very well, probably the only thing that rung true for her in recent times. Her packing never seemed to be finished, as she found one thing or another that she wanted to keep, necessitating her to wonder if it was ever going to be done. She looked around the room, with drawers half opened, the bed made for the first time on a very long time, and the ironing board ready for yet another item she had to press, making sure that there was going to be an orderly retreat when the moment came.
She laughed to herself. I never did learn how to be a light packer, she thought, and this was not going to be her first trip that was going to require anything less than a bulldozer to move her belongings.
She sat down on the edge of the bed, sighing deeply. How do you pack for a year? How do you anticipate your needs, your wants, or even your longing? She closed her eyes and saw pictures of Michael, tears forming in them. You promised me, Michael, we would be together forever! You broke your promise! I can never forgive you for leaving me alone!
Doctors had finally convinced K that Michael was brain dead, and it was time to remove the respirator which had been keeping him alive. Even K's mom begged her to let him go. His own parents were both deceased, and he had no other close relatives, so K's mom felt compelled to advocate for him, even if she had to hurt her daughter in the process.
K was devastated. She and Michael had been married for seven years, and living without him was something she thought impossible. Even now, the ache and emptiness inside her was inconsolable.
