Finest Jin

Moonlight Stroll

My cellphone chimed again as I walked through the cafe doors. I leaned against the outside window, rummaging through my pockets for the phone. I pulled it out and swiped the screen.

"Figured it out. Everyone is in bed. Take your time. Good night." I smiled. I truly had amazing kidlets. My rush home had passed. I truly wanted to slip back into my seat in the cafe and stare at my gorgeous couch mate, but knew that was way beyond the creepy line. I smiled to myself, formulating a plan.

"Thanks, girl. Good job! Taking a stroll around the river, then will head home." I texted in reply, then pocketed the cell.

I looked up at the river winding away ahead of me, silent in the darkness. I had always wanted to explore the Han River, but never had the chance. Tonight the world was my oyster. A little movement in the shadows to my right caught my eye. I squinted, then squatted down. A bristly little dog was hesitant to approach, but whining for my attention. 

"Hey little guy!" I held my hand out. "Where did you come from?" I glanced up and down the street, but they were largely empty. No one anywhere near seemed to be seeking the little creature. He sniffed at my outstretched hand with his brindled face, then shrank back. His ribs were easily visible beneath his hide. He was shivering. "Stay here." I ordered him. "Stay." I stood and re-entered the cafe. At the counter, I ordered a hot bun filled with meat and cheese. I couldn't help a glance at Mr. Kim as I passed. He was putting on his jacket. 

The little dog greeted me enthusiastically and was happy to accept my gift of food. He could barely fit it into his tiny jaws, but gladly relieved me of it and disappeared into the shadows. 

My good deed for the day. Felt pretty good. 

I pulled my toque down over my ears and shoved my hands into my pockets as I crossed the road. 

The air was decidedly more humid as I approached the winding river. It was beautiful in the sparse moonlight, city lights reflecting off the rippling surface. I stood there for an eternity, mask off, listening to its' whispers. Water had always held a magnetic pull on my soul. If it had been warmer, I had no doubt I would have answered the call of the siren and dove right in. As it was, the cool air was beginning to creep up my spine. I needed to get moving to generate some heat. I followed the grassy embankment not yet coated in snow. As I approached a bend in the path, a bench came into view, perfectly positioned to river watch. I was warm now and took a seat to embrace the full ambiance of the nighttime city light display. My ears strained for the sound of water. I tried to still my breaths to maintain the entrancing quiet. Ahead of me, a silhouetted figure was walking roughly the way I had come, growing taller as it climbed the riverbank. A growl came from below the bench. 

"What the..?" I bent down to look for the grumbling creature just as it bound forward with a snarl, charging the approaching person. Barking rang out in a frantic staccato as the tiny beast leapt threateningly at the figures' shins. Caught off guard, I heard the silhouette yelp and arms flailed in rapid circles before they stumbled forward and fell, sliding onto the concrete. "Oh no!" I jumped up and raced to offer assistance.

"Are you alright?" I shook my head and repeated my query in Hangul. It was a man. I grabbed under his arm and lifted him to his knees. He turned to face me, his eyes angry. "Kim SeokJin nim!" He allowed me to hook his arm over my shoulders and carefully raise him to his feet. He moved cautiously; a man in pain. I gestured to the bench and we shuffled over to it. I sat him down and used my cellphone flashlight to scan his legs for injury. Sure enough, the ripped jeans showed a knee torn and bloodied. It was a superficial abrasion, but would need tending nonetheless. I dropped to my knees in front of him. "You're bleeding. I can help." I dug a water bottle from my shoulder bag, broke the seal and opened the lid. Holding a folded tissue below it, I rinsed the wound with the liquid and carefully blotted away any debris. The angry red flesh must be stinging. I blew on it a moment until I saw the leg relax a bit. "I know I have bandaids in here somewhere." I triumphantly brandished a ziploc of bandaids and a tube of Polysporin. Carefully putting the ointment on the pad of the bandages, I pulled three separate bandaids across the knee, effectively sealing the bleeding. "There you go!" His other knee seemed to have been spared mutilation, so I ran the light up his length, then down his arms. I held up my hands and he copied the moment, baring his palms to me. The one glove had been ripped. There was blood showing from the heel of the hand beneath it. He looked as surprised as I to see the wound. "May I?" I mimed removing the glove. He nodded and held the hand out for my inspection. 

I peeled the glove off as gently as I could. "Oh!" I bit my lip and peered up at my patient. "You have a...a..." I could not muster up the Hangul work for 'rock'. I turned his wrist to show him the pebble lodged inside the open wound. He blanched. "It's okay. I can get it out." I dug in my bag again, glad that my womanly toolbox was well equipped for such minor surgeries. I had tweezers. Carefully, holding my breath, and holding his wrist steady, I pulled the little stone from beneath the flap of skin and tossed it away. "That's better!" The rinse, blot, ointment and bandaid procedure was performed again, with me crooning soothingly as I did all but stitch him up. Full on Mom Mode. When the hand was clean and bandaged, I pulled the glove back on. "There! All better." Without thinking, I dropped a kiss on the woollen palm. 

Instantly, shame hit me. What the hell was that? I blushed furiously, stammering apologies and shoving my instruments of healing back into my bag. "I am so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking." I zipped the bag and stood up. Jin stood also. 

"Kamsahamnida." His smooth voice sounded forgiving. 

"Aniyeyo." I muttered to the floor. As I pondered how to gracefully exit, our little furry friend bounded out again, barking markedly at Jin, making him flinch briefly. The glorious eyes shot me an accusing glare. "Oh, he's not mine," I pointed out, defensively. The bristly beast put his paws on my leg and grinned up at me, tail wagging. Traitor. 

I saw Jins' eyebrow slide up. He didn't believe me. 

"I should go. I am glad that you are okay." 

"Kamsahamnida." he said again. 

"You're welcome. My pleasure. Anytime." I backed up, with the beastly little canine trotting after me as though we were on our daily stroll. Jin smirked. "He isn't mine. Honestly. I've never seen him before today." The dog dropped into the puppy pose, furry bottom in the air, tail wagging playfully. "It's not my dog." Jin stood, watching me ignite the freezing air with my burning cheeks. He took a step, gingerly trying out the knee. Satisfied, he bid me farewell, and returned to the safety of the lit sidewalks. I waited until it would not look like I was trailing him, then set out for my apartment, the brindle dog happily at my heels. 

At least now I had a story worth telling. And an accomplice to prove it.