In Between the Lines | Completed

Chapter Twenty-Six | Trinkets and Doo-Dads

Lee Young-Min

Three Days Later...

"I still think it would be a good idea for you to stay a day or two more in the hospital," I let out a groan as Eomeoni continues to nag me as she packs up the food and snacks she had brought to the hospital.

"Eomeoni, I'm fine. I'm ready to get out of here and besides I have work—"

"The studio told you to take as much time as you need to recover, and I don't think it would be a bad idea for you to withdraw..."

"Eomeoni, I already told you that I was going to continue working on the show."

I turn to my mother who has stopped her careful packing and stares at the shirt in her hands. Her head is bent so I can't see the full view of her face, but I watch as a few drops of wetness fall onto the shirt, and she discretely tries to wipe her eyes.

"Eomeoni, I appreciate your concern, I always do, but I need to finish this out. The package wasn't meant for me in the first place."

"I know. It was for Miss Jones which makes me feel even worse! Just thinking that I would've been grateful that she would've been the one harmed instead of you eats me up inside... especially since she has that sweet little boy at home to take care of and raise... and all by herself too!"

By the end of her speech, she bursts out in tears (again) and I wince at the noise, partially due to her tears and partially due to the mention of Sj.

"It's an understandable thought, and I'm sure Vivian would understand if she were you. I'm okay and that's all that matters."

Eomeoni lets out a sniffle and looks up at me, her nose red and eyes bloodshot from the frequent bouts of tears she'd been shedding since my arrival in the hospital three days ago.

"Please tell Miss Jones I'm sorry for what I said to her. I truly didn't mean to lash out at her; I was just scared and—"

"Miss Jones doesn't seem like the kind of woman to hold a grudge, I'm sure she's forgotten all about it given the circumstances."

At least I hope she's not one to hold a grudge. Otherwise, a hospital might be the safest place for me now that she knows I know about Sj.

"Will you see her today? Be sure you apologize as soon as possible on my behalf. And invite her and her son to lunch or even better, dinner! I'll cook! Whatever they'd like!" Her eyes brighten at the mention an idea to apologize for her misdeeds.

I take her hands into my own.

"I'll handle it as quickly as possible, don't worry, Eomeoni."

She nods and squeezes my hands, "You're such a good son. I'm so proud of the man I have raised. And I'm sure Abeoji would be as well."

I smile at her words.

"I'm sure Abeoji would've found this whole situation somewhat hilarious," I admit. "You screaming in English at her, then trying to backtrack and play naïve like you didn't understand what she was saying... it was like a scene from a drama. That was a bit shocking for everyone present," I tease.

"Well, I was a bit shocked! I didn't mean to reveal my secret skill..."

"I'll nag you about that later. Next time, maybe just be honest with everyone up front about your numerous 'skills.'"

"Had you not assumed I was a complete failure at speaking English, it wouldn't have been an issue."

"You're the one who told me how you and Abeoji met! You failed his English course after all."