The Road We Walk On

9 | I am with you

Jenny! I didn't think you would be here to fetch me.

Jenny ran to her mother seeing her exit the prison. The two hugged and cried.

I have missed you omma, it is good to see you. Are you okay? Are you alright?

Don't worry Jenny. Prison was not too bad, no one bullied me and I ate and slept well. You are looking good.

Yes, the Three Queens that you mention have been looking out for me.

Mari saw the car behind Jenny. Is that from the Three Queens also?

Oh no, it is ont from them. Yoonhee ahjummah sent a car for me to fetch you.

Why are you interacting with her? She is the reason why I went to prison.

I know omma, but Rona has been looking out for me ever since you went to prison. They have been nothing but kind to me, so just listen to me for once. Jenny dragged Mari to the car and soon they were heading back to Hera Place.

Mari entered their apartment, the familiar scent and sight hit her all at once. She was finally home. She had heard in prison how Cheo Seo Jin, Joo Dantae and Yoonhee had all managed to leave prison early. This definitely did not sit well with her, the reason why she was in this mess was because of all three of them in the first place. Jenny showed Mari to the dining room and on the table were various different dishes spread out.

You cooked all these?

No no, some are side dishes from the Three Queens but majority of the dishes here Suryeon and Yoonhee ahjummah cooked for you. I also got you tofu. Here, take a bite first. Jenny fed her mother a bite of tofu, praying that this will be a brand new chapter for both of them. The two spend the rest of the evening together, catching up and spending time as a family.

*Custom: http://askakorean.blogspot.com/2014/03/tofu-after-prison.html*

After dinner, Jenny dragged her mother over to Yoonhee's apartment. As much as Mari tried to resist, Jenny was not taking no for an answer. Jenny rang the doorbell and Rona answered the door.

Ahjummah, Jenny it is good to see you. Please come in.

Mari was dragged by the arms by Jenny into the apartment, and soon she found herself sitting in the living room. A plate of fruits placed on the coffee table in front of her by Rona. Yoonhee and Rona were sitting on each of their sides. It was truly awkward, afterall Mari did hate Yoonhee for causing her to go to prison but at the same time, she knew that of all the people in Hera Place the person that understood her and helped her the most was Yoonhee as well. She found herself torn.

Mari, you look good. I am glad the rest of the prison sentence was not too tough on you. I suppose you heard of the other two leaving prison earlier than expected.

Yeah, you also got out earlier than expected.

Yes, well I did not ask for it but unnie got me out.

Why?

Yoonhee hesitated for a minute, but she thought if she was going to get Mari over to her side. She needed to be upfront with as many things as possible.

Logan is dead, that is why she got me out.

What?! Logan dead? How and why?

I don't know how yet but I can guess why.

Wait, you mean you know who was the one that killed him?

I don't have proof but I can guess who it was

Mari thought about it, for Joo Dante and Cheo Seojin to be released from prison so early - it was probably one of them that was involved.

I am assuming you are not being nice to me without a reason, what do you want?

Haha, you are quick but you are partially wrong. I am being nice to you because you were there for me when I initially lost Rona. This is just me paying back your kindness. Also Rona and Jenny are good friends, I am just extending a helping hand to my daughter's friend's mother. I don't expect to gain anything back. But with that being said, I do wish to talk to you.

About what? Mari could slowly feel her heart melting, Yoonhee's words sounded so sincere that it did not seem like she was faking it.

I wish for you to stand and work for me, I also hope that when your husband is back that you convince him to do the same. Yoonhee had not mentioned anything about Dongpil being in prison because she knew Jenny did not know it yet.

Why must you stand by your side? I will benefit more from Joo Dantae.

Perhaps you will, but do you honestly think that Joo Dantae or Cheo Seojin will be loyal to you as you are loyal to them? You saw how easily they threw away those around them. And trust me the two of them have committed many more crimes and will continue to do so. Do you really wish to be caught up in all that?

Mari hesitated, she knew what Yoonhee said was right. Dongpil going to prison for Dantae and even herself going because she chose to listen to them, has resulted in clearly horrible choices.

Omma, I think you should listen to ahujmma. Jenny's voice chimed in. Mari looked at Jenny in shock. I know you and I both blame ahjummah for sending you to prison, but at the end of the day we both made our choices. I chose to bully Seolah, and you chose to cover up her death. Imagine if it had been the reverse and it was me who died, don't you think Seolah's mother deserves justice? Rona and ahjummah has been nothing but kind to me. I think it is worth helping them, the same way they helped us.

Mari was torn, but after she heard Jenny's words, she remembered what Jenny went through in Chungah and how Rona, despite only just returning from the States, stood up for her child. No one else did that for Jenny besides Rona. Even though she never knew Seolah, the very fact that they covered up the death of a child shook Mari loose. She realised just how much she had fallen.

Very well, I am with you.