Summary

In "The Loved Ones," the hospice nurse, Geneva, announces that Young-shik Kwon "has entered . . . active dying" (216). Young-shik listens as Geneva describes his symptoms to her assistant, a young man named Happy. Young-shik lies back, returning "to a state of thankless wonder" (217).

Happy is 19, living at home with his parents. His mother arranged this job with the hospice, The Loved Ones. He is "shadowing RNs on home visitations" so that he can eventually "commit to an LVN certification program" (218).

Watching Geneva, Happy is reminded of his mother. Geneva takes a call and leaves the room. With her gone, Happy pokes around the room. He likes taking things from the patients. Then he remembers the old man. He touches the tattoo on his neck, wondering how the old man feels and what it is "like to be him" (222).

Geneva returns...