We both got out from my Wrangler and slowly Ru Wen took a deep breath.
"This is the same funeral home where we held the services for my late mother and father," she said as we stood in front of the double doors that led inside.
I put my arm around her.
"You don't have to do this; you can call your cousin and tell her you got sick or something."
"No, that's the coward's way out. I can't escape reality. Besides, I have you with me," she said.
As we walked inside, we were greeted by her cousin, Ying Ying. It was unfortunate that we had to meet under these circumstances.
Then I gave her a hug as well as my condolences. She led us to the room where her mother and father were laid out.
So I held Ru Wen tightly as we walked up to the coffin. I had an image of her standing in this very room in front of her late mother coffin.