Tiny toe nails click across the floor. Gong Yoo! Hae-in and I break apart. Auntie Ji An is right behind him. She gives us a look over. I know I am bright pink. She points at Gong Yoo and says, “Somebody has a really tiny bladder.” They head out the back door.

Hae-in tells me, “I best get to bed. If you need anything, let me know.”

“Thanks.” I head to his room, wishing with all my heart he could follow me. I flop down on the pallet and stare at the ceiling. I can hear Auntie Ji An talking to Hae-in as she makes her way back to Neighbor Song’s bedroom. Hae-in goes into the bathroom to clean up before he goes to bed. I see him pass through the hall, he doesn’t even glance in my direction. I am disappointed. For a long while I lay waiting…waiting for the house to be quiet and asleep…waiting for the subtle sound of Hae-in’s game console to turn on. I don’t hear it. Unable to turn off my brain, I get up and do my best to be noiseless as I make my way to the front room. The TV is not on. Hae-in is fast asleep on the couch. Moonlight seeps through the front window. I see the outline of his face. He stirs in his sleep and I scurry back to his room. I lay down and wait for sleep to never come, only it does.

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*

I awaken the next morning to the smell of fried eggs and bacon. I hear Neighbor Song’s voice and Hae-in’s. They are speaking Korean. Neighbor Song knows a little English, but not much. She doesn’t call me Izzy, she always calls me Ye-Seul. I go to the bath room to make myself somewhat presentable. When I look in the mirror my reflection surprises me. The sadness that has haunted my eyes for months is gone. I smile at myself. I brush my teeth and head for the kitchen.

When I enter, everyone, even Gong Yoo turns to me. I smile at each of them, my eyes linger on Hae-in. He is dressed and ready to go help out at the market. I was really hoping for some time with him today. He hugs his granny, waves at Auntie Ji An and I. The three of us watch him head out the door. He gets on the old bicycle he rode when he was a kid and heads for the Market. Neighbor Song sighs and shakes her head. Auntie Ji An tells her, it will work out you will see.”

Neighbor Song doesn’t respond.

What will work out? Is something wrong?