Friday afternoon by a miracle named Dong Jo, Auntie Ji An, Gong Yoo and I are back in her house. Dong Jo got the repairman who was working on the market to check out Auntie Ji An’s electrical issue. The problem was not hard to solve. Just an hour and some replacement parts and it was fixed. I was not happy about Dong Jo setting us to rights. I didn’t want to leave Neighbor Song’s. To have Hae-in so close…was good. To wake up and see him first thing in the morning was good. I don’t even let myself think about how much I will miss him when I go home.

This evening the air is cool outside. Auntie Ji An, Neighbor Song, Gong Yoo and I sit on the porch swing lost in our own thoughts. We share a weary peace as the swing glides back and forth. I hear the back door of Neighbor Song’s house open. My heart rate increases. I hear the crunch of gravel. It is Hae-in. He comes to us. In a flat voice he tells his granny, “Since the bank I applied to was hit by the tornado, they aren’t taking any new hires and they may not be able to open for quite a while.”

Softly Neighbor Song says, “I am sorry that happened. As I have said all along, it would be best if you went back home.”

He replies, “I’m not leaving you. I will find something else.”

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Neighbor Song straightens up on the porch swing. “Don’t you worry about me. I will manage.”

Hae-in comes to the swing and takes her hands in his. His eyes are so earnest, I feel tears sting my eyes. With controlled gentleness he says, “I do worry. There is no one to watch over you here, and you know that. Would you please reconsider, moving to Seabrook with me. My apartment is near the water.”

Tears fill her eyes. “No Sweetie, I appreciate your offer, but I’ve lived on Jeju my whole life.” Her voice drops and she adds, “I want to die here too.”

Die? Is she that sick? Closely, I examine Neighbor Song. Her skin is not a good color and her eyes are framed in dark circles.

Hae-in’s kneels down so he is looking her eye to eye. “Please don’t fight me, I will figure this out. I will make it work.”

Her voice breaks when she says, “Oh, my love. You don’t have to do that for me.”

“I’m not just doing it for you, I’m doing it for me too.”

My eyes travel from Hae-in to Neighbor Song. I see so much love between them that it hurts.

Hae-in helps his granny up. To Auntie Ji An he says, “If you will excuse us, we have somethings to discuss.”

Auntie Ji An says, “Of course.”

Fear fills me.