Klara and the Sun

by Kazuo Ishiguro

‘Hi, Mom. Josie here.’ ‘Good. More. Come on.’ ‘Hi, Mom. Nothing to worry about, right? I got here and I’m fine.’ The Mother leaned even further across the table, and I could see joy, fear, sadness, laughter in the boxes. Because everything else had gone silent, I could hear her repeating under her breath: ‘That’s good, that’s good, that’s good.’ ‘I told you I’d be fine,’ I said. ‘Melania was right. Nothing wrong with me. A little tired, that’s all.’ ‘I’m sorry, Josie,’ the Mother said. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t bring you here today.’ ‘That’s okay. I know you were worried for me. I’m okay.’ ‘I wish you were here. But you’re not. I wish I could stop you getting sick.’ ‘Don’t worry, Mom. I’m going to be fine.’ ‘How can you say that? What do you know about it? You’re just a kid. A kid who loves life and believes everything can be fixed. What do you know about it?’ ‘It’s okay, Mom, don’t worry. I’ll get well soon. I know how it’ll happen too.’ ‘What? What are you saying? You think you know more than the doctors? More than I do? Your sister made promises too. But she couldn’t keep them. Don’t you do the same.’ ‘But Mom. Sal was sick with something different. I’m going to get well.’ ‘Okay, Josie. So tell me how you’ll get well.’ ‘There’s special help coming. Something no one’s thought of yet. Then I’ll be well again.’ ‘What is this? Who’s this talking?’ Now, in box after box, I could see the cheekbones of the Mother’s face very pronounced beneath her skin. ‘Really, Mom. I’m going to be...

Literal tears 😭😭😭😭😭😭