Things fall apart, and time breaks your heart

 

Chewy heard it all from Sunny and Louie about Jun's grandmother. 

"Well," Sunny's eyes told him he needed to fix this. Chewy sighed back, knowing there was only so much he could do. Because Jun was stubborn. 

"Of course, we should tell him." 

Chewy remained even-lipped as his own supper grew cold back home while they waited for Jun to get home. He hugged himself, thinking, why did they go to such lengths for Jun. Chewy knew his grandmother had gone to great lengths, giving Jun money for college, and she was still waiting to see him. 

Besides, he was hungry. He plopped down at the dinner table and decided on a bowl of stew after all. Maybe he and Jun were more alike than he realized. He winced, thinking that wasn't so. Jun just needed to be..well, Chewy wished he'd grow up.

It wasn't long til Jun showed up from work. Sunny set the food out for Jun. They said they would go for a walk. Jun looked at Chewy as if this were strange. As if he didn't really want to be alone with him.

"I guess you know where your granny is," Chewy was a bit sullen as Jun wolfed down the bowl of meaty stew.

He sighed deeply as if Chewy was distracting him. He was quiet and got up to see if there was more in the pot on the stove. There wasn't.

"Look, I know you don't want her thinking you're a failure and all, but-" Honestly, Chewy knew Jun might never get it. "Where you've really failed is not being there for her. You need to make the most of these days before they're gone."

Jun wouldn't look at him. 

"Can't you just be with her, let her see your face. Just, you know, talk about the weather. Look at the flowers. Just, you know, be there." Chewy's eyes lit as he couldn't help but scold him.

"I know." But he wouldn't continue. He nursed at a glass of water instead.

"You're going to wish you'd known her better before it's too late." Chewy decided to leave it at that. Jun nodded, but Chewy doubted if he was really listening.