Talking to the moon

Chapter 33

"One more, you can do it."

Yunjin was so close to punching her physical therapist in the face. That would be an exercise she could get behind. She was sweating, her arm hurt so bad she wanted to cry, and this bastard was telling her to lift her arm up one more time. Mustering all the energy left in her body, she tried to raise her left arm just past her waist again letting it fall back.

Her physical therapist was a younger woman, and she didn't seem like she deserved the way Yunjin was fantasizing about throwing her out the window of this goddamn office.  Eventually the session ended and Yunjin wasted no time practically running as far from there as she could go. And she had to go back for an undetermined amount of time. If Chaewon wasn't pushing her, she probably would just give up and live with only one arm. But Chaewon had made a good point that Yunjin needs to be able to pick Eunchae up, play with her and the dog, and the fact her job requires two working hands.

The summer air was just starting to cool off as September rolled in. Now a few days into September, it was still warm enough for a trip to the beach but that opportunity was slipping away quickly. Yunjin had been wanting to go to the beach, she went once with Eunchae and Chaewon and the youngest seemed fine being that close to the water. She just didn't want to push the girl too far and make her uncomfortable. Thankfully the office was close to her house so she could just walk home, that way Chaewon could bring Eunchae to her dance lesson. The two of them have been making too many sacrifices for her lately, she was an independent adult she didn't need to be babied all the time. Chaewon was just about to return to work, so what was she supposed to do after that? Take care of herself, that's what.

There was a small jewelry store on the way back home that normally Yunjin would pass without a second thought but today it was just calling her in.  So she caved and entered. All the jewelry  was handmade by a smiley old man that sat near the entrance, peeking up when he saw her enter. "Looking for anything?"

"No..." Yunjin trailed off, "Actually, do you have engagement bands?"

He smiled, "Yes, over here." He led her to a small display case near the rear of the store, and tapped on the glass a few times.

While the choices weren't extensive, they were absolutely stunning. About three rows of just dazzling rings, all in different combinations some gold with light pink diamond, a silver band with a small blue princess cut diamond embedded into it. There was one that caught Yunjin's eye; a thin silver band with a slight design twisting around it and a singular diamond resting on top. She couldn't help but imagine how perfect it would look on Chaewon's hand, how it would compliment her short fingers and- Get ahold of yourself Huh.

The man must've picked up on the look on Yunjin's face, unlocking it and laid the ring on the counter. "You can look at it a bit closer if you'd like. Are you looking for a boyfriend to buy for you?"

Yunjin picked up the ring and held it a bit closer to her eyes, inspecting it, "No, I'm not."

"A girlfriend?"

Yunjin's expression must've given it away. He smiled, "I made this for my daughter before she passed away a few years ago, this was supposed to be for her girlfriend."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

He bowed his head, a sorry expression on his face, "I wasn't that good of a father, I never even met the woman she loved. She tried to tell me about her, a cop with a heart of gold. But I-I let my problems get in the way, and now it's too late." He motioned at the ring, "It's stunning isn't it? I finished it after she passed, poured everything I had into it. For some reason I just knew it would end up with the right person."

"Oh, I'm not-"

"I can see it on your face, how in love you are." He smiled,  "Why are you so hesitant?"