Chapter 20
Grace had one very clear memory of her mother.
She’d been five. Her mother had been admitted to the hospital again.
And while no one ever told her about her mom’s condition, she knew it was bad this time.
Halmeoni had been living with them for a few months at this point, taking care of Grace while her father spent most days and nights at the hospital.
But, one day at school, she got called to the front office right before lunch. And there was her mother, looking bright and healthy.
Grace’s mom declared that today was going to be a family day. Her father and halmeoni were waiting in the car. And they all would take Grace to do whatever she wanted.
No matter what. Pizza and ice cream, arcade games, a movie theater? Her mom said yes to it all.
More than the junk food and the games, what Grace loved the most was that her mom was just like she’d been before she got sick.
The last year, her mom had spent more time in bed than out of it.
Grace had been reminded over and over again to be quiet in the house so her mother could rest. Even when they watched TV on the couch, Mom would fall asleep ten minutes into a show.
But that day, her mom played every game in the arcade. Laughed as they competed to see who could eat their ice cream faster. And even let Grace cuddle on her lap during the movie.
Grace knew that this meant her mom was getting better. Soon things would be like they’d been before she ever got sick.
It had been the perfect day.
But as they pulled up to the house, her mother couldn’t get out of the car. No matter how Grace cried and cried, her mother couldn’t breathe in the air to tell her it was okay.
She died that night.
Years later, Grace looked it up. They called it a terminal rally, a sudden, inexplicable increase in energy right before the end. But to Grace, it had been worse than a lie.
And ever since, Grace was suspicious of perfect moments—always waiting for something equally awful to follow.