"the trip back" is about kánh, who drives to the airport in order to pick up his wife's grandfather, mr. chinh. kánh is shocked when he discovers that mr. chinh is chaperoned by his cousin hương, and during his trip home realizes that alzheimer's disease afflicts mr. chinh. kánh is deeply disturbed by this and worries whether he could ever forget his wife, whom he deeply loves. the situation is compounded further when his wife realizes that her grandfather has no recollection of her.