I found Ashton’s reaction rather bizarre and asked, “Why go to the hospital? It’s not that big of a deal.”
Ashton sauntered over to my side and looked fondly down at me. “Everyone should go for an annual medical checkup. I think it’s been about a year since you last went for one.”
I nodded absently, then lay back down on the bed. Since Ashton had left the bed to me, I sprawled happily across its entire width while sighing in satisfaction and comfort.
It was the beginning of winter, and the temperature in K City had plummeted sharply. Ashton was insistent on sending me to the hospital and was up and about early in the morning. I’d been disturbed from my sleep by his bustling about and sat in the living room still yawning, half-awake.
That morning, Ashton had poured out some cereal for both of us. “Would you like some chopped nuts?” he asked, popping his head out of the kitchen.
I nodded, my eyes teary from the multiple yawns I’d just unleashed. “Sure.”
It was a cold, misty morning. I couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of stepping out into the frigid air and made a mental note to myself to don a few more layers before leaving.
Ashton emerged from the kitchen with the two bowls of cereal in hand. He placed them on the table, then added, “Would you like some pancakes as well?”
I sneezed, then sniffed at Ashton, “No need. I’ll just have the cereal. Since we’re going to the hospital, why don’t we drop by my Mom’s place and bring Summer along? We can get her checked out at the same time.”
Ashton agreed. “Let’s eat, then!”
Without another word, I slurped the cereal noisily. Ashton gave me a look, then chided, “Can’t you eat a little more gracefully?”
I felt thoroughly humbled, like a child who had just received a smack on the wrist.
Just then, I recalled that Nora was back in K City, so I reminded Ashton. “Nora’s back in K City. We should bring her out for a meal to catch up and play the host. Besides, I don’t feel too safe leaving her to Armond.”
Ashton nodded, then replied, “All right. Ask her over to stay, then, or arrange for her to stay in a hotel. It isn’t safe anyway for a woman to be wandering around K City alone.”
“Armond won’t hurt her, will he?” I asked anxiously. Ever since the incident at the warehouse, my opinion of Armond had been totally turned on its head. I was thus a little wary of whether Nora could be entrusted to him.
Noting that I had finished my cereal, Ashton nudged his bowl of cereal over to me. “You’re hungry, aren’t you? Eat up!” he encouraged.
I felt a sense of warmth within me. Actually, I wasn’t that hungry, but I ate the rest of the cereal with pleasure anyway.
I’d actually wanted to probe more into the matter, but Ashton forbade me. “We can talk later. Finish your breakfast first.”
Ashton had always been rather traditional this way. He firmly believed we should be focused on gaining nutrients rather than information during meals between the two of us.
With that, I nodded docilely, then finished the rest of the cereal before me.
After breakfast, I dawdled a little all the way to the door, putting on my shoes slowly in the hallway. Ashton had gone ahead to start the car. Just then, my phone rang shrilly in my bag. I fished it out only to see Mrs. Brooks’ name flashing across the screen. I answered, “Mrs. Brooks!”
Before she could even speak, I felt a rush of woe over the phone. Mrs. Brooks gave a long sigh, then said, “Mrs. Fuller, Renee passed away last night. She said she wanted to be buried with her mother. I brought her back to K City with me today. I don’t have any close friends or family, and you were probably the one who showed her the most affection in this life. If you have time to spare, Renee’s grandfather and I would like to invite you to her funeral.”
My mind went blank. Ashton had already driven the car out to the front. However, I remained in my seat, staring ahead blankly as my head throbbed.
Ashton leaped out of the car and ran up to me, puzzled. “What’s wrong?”
I hadn’t hung up the phone, so Mrs. Brooks’ voice drifted over the line, fearfully asking, “Mrs. Fuller, are you there?”
“I’m here,” I snapped. I was choking up and struggled to get the words out of my throat. With a frown, Ashton eyed me as he placed an arm around my shoulders.
“Renee will be buried at Woodhills. She said she wanted to lie next to her mother,” Mrs. Brooks declared through her tears, her voice hoarse. She’d evidently spent the past few days mourning.
I made a small sound of acknowledgment. Heartbroken, I drew in a deep breath and said, “All right. We’ll come over in a while, Mrs. Brooks.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Fuller,” Mrs. Brooks sniffled in a low voice. We then ended the call somberly.
When I placed my phone back in my bag, Ashton squinted at me with obvious disquiet in his eyes. “What happened?”
I paused, then said brokenly, “It’s Sasha’s daughter, Renee. Her grandparents did not continue her treatment and brought her to Turlen instead. Renee passed away mid-journey, and her body will arrive in K City today to be buried.”
Ashton frowned. After a moment of silence, he suggested, “Can we go over after we’ve visited the hospital?”
I shook my head. “Let’s go to the airport. We’ll accompany them all the way to the cemetery.”
Ashton agreed after some deliberation. “OK, I’ll come with you.”
The news of Renee’s sudden departure had stupefied me. I’d always held out the hope that as long as she endured this present suffering, she’d eventually recover.
