“So what did you do over the weekend?” a patient asked me. A typical Australian conversation starter if you wanna go beyond the mundane small talks that involve the weather.

“Nothing much,” I replied. My standard reply when my English speaking skill is not in the mood for translation, explanation, or elaboration.

Also depends on who’s asking, to be honest.

When I said “Nothing much,” what I did not say was that my mother-in-law was laid to rest on the said weekend. A crucial detail I deliberately excluded because my English was not in the mood for translation, explanation, or elaboration.

Also because it was still so fresh and I still felt so confused. Ungrounded. There was a lot of static noise, if you know what I mean. A lot of people talking when they weren’t extending condolences.

Things have settled down now. And I can look back on the last time Jeff and I hung out with his mum on what was becoming our Wednesday brunch dates.

Before she was admitted to the hospital and never came back home.

You just never know, do you?