The next morning I am awakened by the sound of Auntie Ji An singing. She can’t hold a tune but she makes up for it in exuberance. She’s in a good mood. I take a shower before I join her. When I go into the kitchen, Neighbor Song is there. On the kitchen counter are the ingredients for Gungjung tteokbokki. It isn’t the red spicy kind that was created after the Korean War. It is the Imperial Court kind that is mild. I am not a fan, because its too much like eating straight up vegetables. Both women smile. I detect curiosity in their smiles. I am determined to dodge any questions they might have about where Hai-in and I went last night.

At the counter, Neighbor Song holds out her hands to me. I go to her and take them. Her bright old eyes look up at me. I have loved this woman my whole life. She says to me point blank, “Hae-in’s heart is lonely.” Okay? How do I respond to this? Next she says, “And your heart is lonely too.” I glance at Auntie Ji An. Did she tell Neighbor Song about Jason? Auntie Ji An shrugs and doesn’t admit to a thing. Neighbor Song continues, “It is fate that you both came to the Island for solace. Hae-in thinks he wants to live here, but I know better.” With that last bit of information she releases my hands.

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I have no idea what to say, so I go pour myself a cup of morning tea. Auntie Ji An resumes cutting mushrooms, while Neighbor Song turns her attention to finely slicing bell peppers. I take my tea out onto the porch and sit down on the swing. Why on earth did Neighbor Song tell me all that? While I am slightly irritated with Neighbor Song, I can’t help myself, I am thankful that Hae-in is also unattached. However, I now no longer think the two of us being here at the same time is just due to the hand of fate. I suspect my fate got a nudge from the two women in the kitchen.

The screen door opens. Auntie Ji An says, “Neighbor Song has invited us for dinner tonight. We are going to watch Seabok.” The K-drama movie stars Auntie Ji An’s favorite actor, Gong Yoo and mine, Park Bo Gum.

Dog Gong Yoo wanders onto the porch and sniffs. He seems suspicious of something in the air. I too am suspicious. Auntie Ji An didn’t ask me if I cared to join them for dinner, she told me we are going. I see a glint of mischief in her eyes. Does that mean Hae-in will be there too? A bubble of joy starts to rise inside of me. I try to tamp it down. It continues to rise anyway. I say, “Sounds fun.”

She winks at me and says, “It will be.”