Echo leaves (Dec 4th, 2012)

Echo washes the kitchen while I talk to my dad and my mom on the phone, just after returning to school to pick up my two laptops.
Why are you cleaning the kitchen?
Why can't I clean it?
(silence)
So what are you doing tomorrow?
Good question… (30 seconds…) Do you have an answer for me?
Yes… (15 seconds…) You're flying back tomorrow.

This morning, you were so disappointed that I didn't have a surprise for you on your birthday. And I felt so guilty. And.. I don't want you to feel disappointed. (5 second silence). And I don't want to feel guilty.

(5 minutes silence, while I find a place to code on my desk).

At what time is your flight tomorrow?
Six.
Morning or afternoon?
Morning.
(2 seconds) Then we better wake up early. It's very important that we wake up early.
(I get up to set the alarm on my cellphone. She opens up her suitcase and begins to pack her clothes. Silence. I exit the room and come to the couch, where I'm now typing)

… Dec 4th, 2012 6:06:
And I could take no more in a genuinely happy way. I just dropped her off at the airport. She'll be in Shanghai in about 22 hours.

Outside the departure gates, we see each other beside a wall:
I don't know what to say.
There is nothing to say.
(Much silence)
I wish I could've given you more.
Don't be sorry.
I am.
(More silence)
I should probably go in.
Yes, it's about time.