Chapter 8 Piano Promises
The doctor had told me Wen Yu couldn't get too emotional.
My hand stroked his thin back slowly.
I listened to his hoarse voice as he talked about how gentle his mom was.
"She promised me. When I got home, she'd give me piano lessons."
Moonlight shone into Wen Yu's eyes, making them look lost and pale.
I knew Wen Yu's mom was great at piano. The house had tons of trophies.
I figured Wen Yu must be good at it too, because his hands were so beautiful.
I couldn't play piano. The first time I saw one was the first time I saw Wen Yu.
Wen Yu stared at the white piano in the shop window. I trailed behind like a stray.
Night had deepened. I tucked Wen Yu in.
I curled up under his covers too.
I patted his back. He gripped my fingers.
That night, his grip on my fingers felt fragile.
"I can't play piano, but I'd stay with you and play from then on."
I couldn't replace Wen Yu's mom. I didn't know how to show my determination.
I copied my mom.
I pressed my forehead to his.
I talked about my mom.
"I had a mom. She was weak and beautiful. Beautiful enough for bad men to sweet-talk her, weak enough for them to beat her."
"But sometimes she was strong and smart. She'd hold me when I got hit, hide money to send me to school, run off when the beatings got too much, leaving me behind."
"Wen Yu, my mom was gentle too. She kissed my forehead when she left."
"I knew if I cried, she wouldn't go. But I wanted her to."
"Wen Yu, a Stray Dog has no one. But Wen Yu, you'll always have someone. You'll have me."
Wen Yu's eyelashes trembled like tiny fans.
"Human feelings are too fragile and short. Animals last longer."
"I chose you. I won't ever leave you."
Wen Yu's voice sounded hollow, distant.
"How far is forever?"
I thought about it, then answered.
"Even when I'm dead, flesh and bones turned to ashes, I still won't forget you."
"Even if you turn to ashes, I'll remember you."
Wen Yu smelled good. His body temperature was lower than mine, but comfortable.
It gave me a strange sense of safety.
He said, "You're not unwanted either."
I knew that.