Chapter 13 — Where Sunset Falls

When he looked up, his eye sockets were red.

“Okay.” he said.

I nodded in greeting, then turned and went upstairs. After walking a few steps, his voice came from behind.

“Khuong Niem.”

I stopped walking and didn't turn back.

“Goodbye.” he said.

I stood in place, paused for two seconds. Then continue walking up. I stood on the balcony, looking at the distant sea. The setting sun dyed the sky a warm orange color, the clouds spread out layer by layer, looking like silk strips blown by the wind. Suddenly I remembered many years ago, also on a sunset afternoon like this, Luc Thoi Yen and I had just gotten married not long ago. There was a rare time when he came home early. We sat in the living room looking out the window. He said that when he had free time later, he would take me to see the sunset in many places. After that, he was never free again. Today's sunset is really beautiful. The phone rings, it's a text message from Lam Vi: *What time is tomorrow? I'm coming to pick you up.* I replied: *Ten o'clock.* Tomorrow I have to go to the airport, to a city I've never been to. The suitcase is neatly packed, the things you bring are not many, just enough is enough. And I, too, am about to start a new life. Who says it's not desirable? RUN OUT OF