Page 136 of Perfect Happiness
Jiyoo could feel her cheeks starting to glow bright red.She was embarrassed to admit what she did because she knew it was embarrassing.It wasn’t easy talking about something embarrassing without being embarrassed.
“I’m not mad at you.I just want you to tell me the truth.”
“I waited for you to fall asleep then I left my room.”
Jiyoo took a deep breath.She said the rest of it as though she were spitting out toothpaste:
“And then I took the key out of the dresser in the hallway and went into the attic.”
“I see.So, if you hadn’t left your room, none of this would have happened.Right?”
Probably.Yes, if she hadn’t left her room, she wouldn’t have stolen Dad Puppet.
“Then can you try tonight not to leave your room?”
Jiyoo looked up at Mother without answering.She didn’t understand what she meant.
“It’s my test to you.If you can stay in your room until tomorrow morning, I’ll forgive you.”
A test.Forgiveness.Jiyoo swallowed the saliva that was collecting beneath her tongue.
“And as a present, I will give you this puppet.”
“Really?He’ll be all mine?”
Jiyoo doubted she heard Mother correctly.
“Yes,” Mother answered.“And if you don’t pass my test, do you know what will happen?”
“I won’t be forgiven.And I won’t get a present.”
As soon as Jiyoo answered, she realized why Mother had told her to go to the bathroom before going into her room.
“And what does it mean if you won’t be forgiven?”
Jiyoo didn’t want to say the word orphanage.Words were powerful, and sometimes all one needed to do was say them for it to become a reality.
“You don’t know?”Mother asked.
“I—”
Jiyoo searched her mind for what would come next.She wanted to find words that would convey the meaning of orphanage without using the word orphanage.
“I won’t be able to live with you.And I won’t be able to live with Grandma either.”
“Right.So, I’ll ask you again.Can you stay in your room tonight?”
Jiyoo found nothing hard about this.In fact, to her, it seemed like a piece of cake.How many times had she spent all day in her room?
“Yes.”
“And if I call you, what will you do?”
This was a very hard question.Jiyoo thought what the correct answer was.Jiyoo brought her hands together and prayed that she had the right answer.
“I won’t leave my room.Not until tomorrow morning.No matter what.”
“Good.”Mother pointed to the bed with her eyes.“Well, you should get ready for bed then.”
