In Between the Lines | Completed

Chapter Six | Punishment from Hell

Vivian Jones

Two weeks of filming had quickly flown by, and I spent most of my time juggling meetings. Whether it be with the writing team, my editor, or Gong Hoon, it seemed like most of my time was to be focused on writing rather than handling set details and I was more than happy with the arrangement.

Bu Seok had kept his promise so far to stick to the original storyline's integrity and I couldn't appreciate it more. I hadn't had to work with him very much yet and the distance from him was making me more at ease as he hadn't said anything about Sammie to anyone in the office or to me. I didn't have questioning looks, pitiful sighs, or glares full of judgment coming my way for the first time in nearly 10 years and it was a huge weight off my shoulders.

Even walking around the neighborhood now made me nervous as the second time SJ and I tried to stop at the park, I could feel the eyes on me from the other moms. They no longer made attempts to speak to me in English, rather speaking in murmured tones in hurried Korean and making judgmental comments to one another.

At least that's what Meimei said when she caught on to what was happening.

I wince as I think about THAT situation.

***

"We should grab some more ramen packets and flavored water for SJ's practices." I comment as we walk towards the market down the street.

"I swear he can eat more than you and I combined these days."

"He says he's a growing boy, but I think it's because he's discovered how much he loves ramen." I laugh.

A woman passes us holding a paper bag full of groceries and accidentally bumps my shoulder. The motion sends her groceries to the ground, and I crouch down to help her pick up the items, apologizing profusely.

Another woman joins us as Meimei bends down to pick up any stray items.

"Thank you—" the woman says in Korean. I recognize the word and nod apologetically.

The two strangers exchange a quick flurry of words in Korean and before I knew it Meimei was screaming at them in Korean and I was staring at the group in shock.

The two strangers hurry away, their faces pale as they bow apologetically, and I gently pull Meimei back as she waves her fists after the women who are quick to run away.

"Meimei, what on earth?"

"Ugh, those women are scum," she switches to English and puts her arms on my shoulders and stares into my eyes. Her warm brown eyes stare at me intensely and I blink at her.

"They were talking about me being a single mom," I say blandly. "Probably guessing about Joey? Guessing I divorced him or something similar?"

She doesn't flinch as she stares me down.

"We have been friends for nearly 15 years from when I moved to Missouri from Shanghai. Do you remember what you told me when I was crying in the bathroom during study hall because of the vicious bitch who called me a chink-eye?"

I shake my head.

"You told me that the only way that would be true was if I believed them. You said we can lose or gain power from words and if I wanted to be anything in life, I had to decide what words would help me gain power. And those were not the words to do it. So, take your own advice, Little Miss Writer and know that no matter what these vipers say, you are not anything you don't believe."

I place my hands over hers on my shoulders and we touch foreheads.

"I am a badass bitch."

"Yes, you are." Meimei smiles and we hug each other tightly. She wraps an arm around my shoulder as we finish making our way to the market and laugh and talk about our plans for the upcoming weekend.