Cat and Mouse Duet

18

When I arrived, Howard was sitting on a bench in the hospital. His eyes were bloodshot and new stubble had grown at the corners of his mouth. He looked disorganized and dispirited.

"Howard!"

I didn't dare to call him loudly. I walked up to him and gently called him.

It took him a long time to look up at me. I could feel his sadness after a closer look at him.

He suddenly reached out and hugged me, his head pressing against my waist and his entire body buried in my thick coat. His hands were icy cold when they accidentally touched mine.

"Rebecca, you're here!"

Howard said in a low and hoarse voice. He looked fragile like a porcelain doll.

I reached out my hand and hugged him, trying my best to make him feel secure.

After a while, a middle-aged woman called him.

"Howard, you can go in now."

The woman looked haggard as well, but her features revealed that she was a beautiful woman when she was younger. She looked very similar to Howard, so she should be his mother.