Stargazing

Christine’s father brings Moon and her mother to the hospital. When he returns home, he sadly announces to the family that Moon has a brain tumor. Because the tumor has been pressing on her visual cortex, she has been experiencing hallucinations (the visions she described) and tiny seizures which are slowly getting worse. Moon is due to have an operation a couple days later.

Christine looks blank, unable to react. Moon’s mother asks for Christine to visit and comfort Moon, but Christine can’t bring herself to go. Moon ends up having surgery without seeing Christine at all. She has a vision of her celestial friends as she is put under anesthesia.

Christine’s father notices that Christine seems down and takes her out for shaved ice, one of his favorite Taiwanese desserts from his childhood. Christine’s father lets her sit in the front seat in the car, something he never does. At the table, Christine stares blankly at her dessert, lost in thought. When her dad receives a text from Mrs. Lin that Moon’s tumor was removed successfully, Christine’s fears are not totally quelled. She asks her dad if Moon is going to be different now, and her father answers honestly that he isn’t sure.