109

“You ready?” Jyeon helps me out of the passenger seat onto the gravel driveway, and I blow out my air. So not ready for this, even though I told myself a million times on the way here I was. It was not that long a trip by boat and then car to get here, but the island feels so far away. My palms are clammy, and my heart rate is abnormally fast. My nerves are jangled, and my insides are all knotted up and clenched inside of me, adding to the tension of my stiff body. I’m a mess.

“It’s the first time I’ve been here since….” I trail off, peering up the hill into the cemetery, and swallow hard. Fighting tears, I can feel building behind my eyes.

“I know…. You had a hard time coming here, so it’ll be emotional since it’s technically your first time. Even though you think you are stronger now, it’s different when you’re here. Standing where she is.” Jyeon curls my hand in his, taking t