36 The Note (1/2)

Sylvia pulled the door back further, signaling for Xiu Ling to come in. As she walked over the threshold, Sylvia added, answering her previous question, ”Both grandma and dad are at the company, and mom is in the living room.”

Xiu Ling noted the young woman did not mention the whereabouts of Mrs. Xiu and the bad feeling that settled in the pit of her heart intensified.

She took slow deliberate steps towards the living room and when she saw her best friend sitting on the sofa with a paper the size of a small notepad in her fingers, her heart relaxed slightly. At least Joann would be there for her, whatever the tragedy was.

However, the anxiety returned when Joann turned to her and Xiu Ling saw the grim expression on her best friend's face.

Xiu Ling's lips fell open and even though there were a million questions on her mind, it felt as if she had lost the power of speech. She was afraid of asking any question because she was afraid of hearing the answer.

Seeing the question on her friend's face, Joann said apropos to nothing, ”She has left.”

Even though Joann did not specify who that 'she' referred to, it could not have been anyone else other than Mrs. Xiu.

'Why?' was the question that crowded Xiu Ling's mind. She stood there completely motionless as if all of her focus had been directed to solving that question and she had lost the ability to do anything else. At least the fear in her heart had started to dissipate, nothing bad had happened to her mother. However, it was quickly replaced by an overload of confusion, 'Why would mother commit to something like this? It makes no sense. What is her reasoning?'

She would have continued to stand there dumbly to crack this question open if not for Sylvia's hand on her arm. The young woman urged her forward towards the sofa, ”Auntie Xiu Ling, why don't you sit down? I am sure mom will explain the situation for you.”

Sylvia led Xiu Ling to the seat next to her mother. As Joann scooted over to create more space for her friend, she shared a look with Sylvia. The latter nodded imperceptibly before shuffling away to the kitchen to give Xiu Ling and Joann their privacy.

Joann took Xiu Ling's hand in hers and she began, ”Xiu Ling, Auntie Xiu only meant to do what is the best for you.”

Xiu Ling nodded rather robotically like she only did that because it was the appropriate response to give.

Joann picked up where she left off, ”When Xu Jing woke up this morning, Auntie Xiu was already gone. She had left at the first ray of dawn with her belongings and this note is the only thing she has left behind.

”It is meant for you. Here, it will explain everything,” Joann said as she handed the piece of white paper to Xiu Ling.