A Farewell After Being Reborn

lan approached Linda without so much as taking a look at Sage. "Aren't you busy at work? Why did you show up this early? Missing your wife?" Linda purposely directed the question at him.

Sage answered before lan had the chance to. "Grandma, stop making these embarrassing jokes. lan and I are soon to be divorced.” Linda's eyes remained fixed on lan. She waited for an answer.

Betraying no emotion, lan replied, "I'm done with work. I came over to see if there's anything I could help with."

Linda felt a surge of frustration at lan's obliviousness. She had set the stage for him, yet he seemed unwilling to play along. She couldn't help but wonder if business was his only forte.

Sage understood Linda's intentions and lan's reluctance to play along. Even if lan agreed with Linda, Sage wouldn't have believed him. Smiling, Sage changed the topic. "Grandma, let's look through the photos together.”

Linda barked at lan, "Why are you standing there then? Come take a seat.”

lan sat down by an antique table as Sage retrieved a crystal photo stand from a paper box. She said to Linda, "Grandma, you can display this by your bed or on your dresser."

stand held a personal portrait of Linda, who was beaming warmly at the

asked, "Sage, why didn't you choose a photo with the both of

replied, "Because you look stunning on your own! You deserve a solo feature. Besides, there are plenty of pictures of us together in the album.

and Linda for the photo stand. But upon second thought, she realized that would be embarrassing

photo. She

felt sorry for Sage and grew annoyed at lan. "Sage, I'm feeling parched. Could you brew some

talk with lan. "Grandma, I'll light up the aromatic incense in your room for your

“Thank you, Sage."

incense. lan did not once look