Chapter 241: Chapter 241: Bruce Lee's Grave
[Chapter 241: Just Come to Check It Out]
Soon, Elisabeth stepped out of the room, donning a bright pink trench coat, with a folding umbrella in hand. "Eric, let's go."
Eric shook his head. "That coat won't do. I remember you had a dark blue wool trench coat. Go change into that."
Elisabeth gave him a puzzled look and defended, "It's not too cold today. That one is a bit thick."
"Then you can just stay here," Eric said, shaking his head as he moved toward the door. Elisabeth quickly grabbed his arm. "Alright, alright, I'll go change," she conceded.
Since he wasn't familiar with the roads, Eric glanced at the map. Driving a rented car, he bumped along for an hour and a half before finally reaching their destination.
Elisabeth looked out the car window and then leaned over to check the map. Confused, she asked, "Eric, this is Volunteer Park. What are we doing here?"
Eric shook his head. "Take a closer look; the park is to the south."
After a few careful glances outside, the girl's eyes widened as she shrank back. "This is a cemetery! Ugh, if I had known, I wouldn't have come with you."
"You can wait here," Eric replied, not pressing her as he stepped out of the car.
Watching Eric's retreating figure with a strange expression, Elisabeth hesitated for a moment before finally getting out to follow him.
...
Eric bought a bouquet from a flower shop near the cemetery. After asking the owner a few questions, who clearly wasn't new to these inquiries, he handed Eric a small map of the cemetery and pointed out some directions enthusiastically.
Elisabeth caught the name Bruce Lee in their conversation and followed Eric into the cemetery. After walking for a while, she suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, I remember now. That... that Bruce Lee."
Turning back to her, Eric shot her a warning glare. "Quiet down. Don't forget where we are."
Elisabeth immediately covered her mouth, looked around, and caught her breath, speeding up to keep pace with him.
After making a few turns from the entrance toward the west, Eric quickly spotted a deep red tombstone. Confirming it was the same one the shop owner had mentioned, he moved closer.
Elisabeth followed and spotted the photo on the tombstone. She tugged on Eric's arm. "What are we doing here?"
"Just looking," Eric replied softly. He stepped closer and squatted by the black book stone sculpture, placing the bouquet beside the tombstone.
Since he was in Seattle, Eric wanted to come pay his respects. Though he wasn't an utterly devoted fan, he held a purer sentiment toward Bruce Lee's films compared to those who claimed to be die-hard admirers.
Regardless of past lives, Bruce Lee had already passed away when Eric was born.
When Eric had first watched Bruce Lee's films, he was just a clueless little kid, back in the mid-80s. One of his friends bought a VCR, bringing the gang over after school to watch videos. It was during this time that Eric first saw Fist of Fury, which was the favored movie among their limited collection of tapes, watched more than any other.
Each time they finished watching, the kids would run around the streets imitating the various moves from the movie, making simple nunchakus with sticks and ropes, and often engaging in that era's role-playing games over who could best portray Bruce Lee.
Even after so many years and his unexpected reincarnation, Eric could still remember every detail of Fist of Fury, imbued with emotion that triggered smiles rather than the cold, hard memories like a computer hard drive.
After squatting for a while in front of the tombstone, Eric stood up and took a couple of steps back, bowing slightly to the tombstone. Seeing Elisabeth reluctantly mimicking his actions, he finally smiled gently. "Alright, let's go."
"Hmm." Elisabeth nodded, still casting curious glances at Eric as they walked back toward the sidewalk. She puffed her cheeks, took a deep breath, and stepped closer, wrapping her arm around his. In a hushed tone, she said, "You were walking too fast; I couldn't keep up." There seemed to be something unusual in her tone.
"Oh, I'll slow down, then," Eric replied, still lost in his thoughts, unaware of her underlying meaning. He simply nodded and let her lean against him.
Even after leaving the cemetery and getting back into the car, Elisabeth hadn't mustered the courage to voice her concerns. Eric certainly wouldn't offer any explanations.
...
"Are you hungry? I'll take you to grab something to eat." Eric glanced at the light drizzle outside and asked Elisabeth in the passenger seat.
She rolled her eyes. "I haven't been full for days."
"Then I'll take you out for a big meal to make up for it," Eric said with a smile as he started the car. "After lunch, where do you want to go?"
Elisabeth thought for a moment before shaking her head. Eric tentatively suggested, "How about we go to the University of Washington? It seems like it's not too far from here."
"The University of Washington is better in spring when you can see the cherry blossoms. Right now, there's not much to see."
"How about the Space Needle?" Eric asked. He genuinely didn't know much about Seattle's attractions beyond Bruce Lee's resting place and the Space Needle.
"No way. My home is in Manhattan. I'm tired of climbing the Empire State Building."
Eric shrugged. "Alright, after lunch, we'll head back. I actually have some things to take care of."
*****
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