A few weeks before Chinese New Year, my dad’s uncle passed away. Pancreatic cancer. When it was diagnosed, it was already stage IV. I can’t say I am close to him, since I rarely see him, being out of the country and all, but I do like him. I remember the first time I met him was during the first Gulf War. He had a mustache at the time, and I seriously thought he was Saddam Hussein incarnate. He spoke honestly and crassly, but I liked him.

( My parents asked me if I would like to accompany them to the funeral and stay for new years in Taiwan. For once, I felt a duty toward family. And this is where the story starts. )