1.26 He was just ten

"Um...what should I call you, sir?" I ask after an awkward silence with David's Grandpa. I still can't believe I'm in the hospital cafeteria, having lunch with him. I toy with the food on my plate, wishing he'd stop being so kind. Ever since we started eating, he has been refilling my plate non-stop. He reminds me so much of David, always thinking of those around him.

"Oh, just call me Gramps. All of Dave's friends do," he tells me, smiling warmly. He scarfs down his rice. One might think he's too hungry and cheerful for someone whose wife is in the hospital. But we all cope in different ways. "Those kids are wonderful."

I beg to differ, but I nod in agreement.

"The food here is good, huh?" he tells me, and I nod again. It is good. I've eaten quite a lot myself. "Though we probably should slow down a bit, or we'll be done before Dave gets here."

"Should we call him?" I ask.

"Nah, he'll be down in a minute." Gramps says, "Why don't you tell me about yourself? Dave has told me about you, but I want to hear more."

"Oh, I--I'm boring, Gramps. There's not much to know." I reply. I don't think I can chat about my life without giving anything away.

"Come on. Don't be shy." Gramps insists, "I am deeply indebted to you for what you did for Dave."

I frown, not knowing what he means, "Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about."

Gramps smiles at me, "Well, he seems more open to people these days, and I suspect it has something to do with you. You have no idea how relieved I was. Ever since--"

Knowing exactly what he intentionally left out, I jump on the opportunity, gently asking, "Is it his parents?"

Gramps blinks at my question and adjusts the glasses on his nose. "So you know about what happened to daughter and son-in-law when Dave was just a little boy?"

I swallow, considering how I should answer. I do know, probably more than what anybody else does. But David doesn't know that, he hasn't even mentioned his parents' deaths to me yet, so I shake my head at Gramps.

"Not really. David hasn't opened the subject to me yet, and I don't want to pry."

"I thought so," he says, nodding, "Dave's not the type to talk about it to anyone, even his own friends. I don't think he ever could. Up to this day, he's still grieving."

"Would you mind telling me what happened?" I ask, not giving myself time to hesitate. Unable to deal with my guilt, I stopped myself from looking into the news to learn more about David's parents' deaths, so I don't know any details.

I look at Gramps. He seems to be considering my question deeply.

"My wife and I moved here in the US when we retired." he starts out slowly, "Our children and their families rarely got to see us. So, whenever they found the time to visit, it was always this big event, you know? We'd be splurging on groceries, playing games all night, my wife and I spoiling our grandchildren left and right, our children scolding us about it."

Gramps narrates, a nostalgic smile on his face. "It was on a day like that. David was ten then, and they were visiting. We ran out of groceries, so my daughter and her husband offered to go..." Gramps trails off, and I feel my stomach drop, knowing how it will end.

"Car accident. A truck crashed into their car from the side. My daughter and son-in-law died on the spot. " Gramps finally says, his voice breaking slightly. "But I was retired detective myself, and had information on the case, so I couldn't believe the authorities. I told them my daughter was president of South Korea at the time and that she left some unresolved issues in the government before coming to visit. The opposition's more dissatisfied with her than ever..."

Gramps pauses again, taking off his glasses to wipe his eyes. I sit there in shock. So, it was a high-profile job. That's why my Dad and Uncle Fern were sent.

"It must have been so hard. I'm so sorry, Gramps," I tell David's Grandpa, stumbling at that last word. Hearing the story, I don't think I can just comfortably call him like my own grandfather now.

"Thank you, Dina," he says, smiling again, though his eyes are sad. "It was hard, but I've dealt with it, somehow. My wife and I. It's still painful whenever we're reminded of it, of course. But David...he never got over it. He used to be such a talkative boy, always asking us questions. Smart, too. But after what happened, well...it was like we didn't have a child in the house."

Gramps sighs, "It devastated him to a point where all he can think about is to prove to the police that it wasn't an accident. He has been collecting clues since then. It concerns us, of course, especially his Grandma. She's constantly worrying that one day, he might find himself in trouble."

We both fall silent, reflecting on the words. It does sound like the David I know, and now I feel even more horrible.

I startle as a phone starts ringing. "Oh, sorry," Gramps mutters, taking out the phone from his pocket. He frowns as he looks at the screen. "It's David," he said, bringing it to his ear. He starts to talk loudly in Korean, while I try to focus on my food again. I can no longer take a bite, though.

"What did he say?" I ask as soon as I see Gramps put his phone down. He starts texting on his phone, frowning at the screen. "Is everything okay? Your wife?"

"Yes, yes. She's still sleeping, and the doctor said she's going to be okay." he tells me, "It's Dave. He says he has something urgent to do so he can't join us. He says to tell you that he's sorry."

"Something urgent? Did he say what it is?" I query. I can't imagine what can be more urgent than having a family member at the hospital.

Gramps looks disoriented, "Our old help." The words are tested, as if he can't believe it's happening.

I look up, intrigued, "Your help?"

Gramps nods, "Yes, this is quite uncanny. We were just talking about it."

"Talking about what?"

"Didn't I say? She was with Dave's parents that night, the only one to survive the crash. The incident traumatized her so much she resigned right after getting out of the hospital. Dave has always believed that she knows something about that night, so he's been looking for her. "

I pause, not liking where the conversation is going, "So, you mean to say that he..."

Gramps nods at me, "He found her."

I stand up without warning, my heart beating so fast. I glare at Gramps. "So, what? Are you just going to let him see her by himself? You haven't been in contact with this woman for years. This could be a trap."

I struggle with my bag, getting ready to leave.

"Dina, relax. He'll be alright. I texted the police. They're on their way." Gramps tries to assure me, but it doesn't make a difference. He doesn't know it, of course. But I don't trust the police one bit.

"Where is he?" I ask Gramps. I can't waste any more time. If David's lead is legit, he won't know what he'll stumble into. I have to get to him before Black Dawn does.