Page 142 of Perfect Happiness
Jiyoo’s heavy crying slowly turned to a tamed whimpering.She opened her mouth several times only to close it again.But Jane had no hopes of consoling her.Nor was this a problem that could be solved by consolation.It was impossible for Jane to fathom how much pain this six-year-old girl must have been in trying to keep this horrible secret inside her.All she could do right now was wait until Jiyoo stopped crying on her own.
Thankfully, this happened sooner rather than later.Jiyoo took herself from Jane’s embrace, her face covered in tears and snot.Although she was still sobbing, she was capable of asking in a clear voice:
“You want to know where Mother went, right?”
Jane nodded.
“Follow me.”
Jiyoo grasped Jane’s hand and led her to the bedroom window.Jane looked down at where Jiyoo was pointing.There was a single faint light moving slowly through the blizzard.
“Is that your mom?”
“Yes.I didn’t see their faces, but in the wheelbarrow, there were le—there were le—”
Jane swallowed hard, forcing spit down her dry, swollen throat.She then asked something she wished had didn’t have to.
“There were legs?”
Jiyoo nodded.
Jane turned her gaze to the window.The legs must belong to Eun-ho.It seemed to Jane that there was an equal probability that he was alive or dead.She could guess why Yuna was taking him to the marsh in a wheelbarrow.She definitely wasn’t taking him there to play hide-and-go-seek, not in this weather.
“Is there a phone in this house?Not a cellphone, but a wired phone.”
Jiyoo shook her head.
“No.”
Of course there wasn’t.Jane nodded.If she couldn’t find her cellphone, she wouldn’t be able to call the police.And what would she do if she was unable to find her car keys?Would she have to go to the marsh herself and confront Yuna?
Jane began trembling with doubt.Did she have the strength to fight Yuna in the snow when her body was in shambles?If Eun-ho was still alive, perhaps the two of them could take her.But what about Jiyoo?
“Jiyoo, can you stay here by yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t leave this room.Not until I come back for you.”
“Are you going to the Half Moon Marsh?”
“I think I must.”
Jiyoo suddenly opened her eyes twice as wide.
“Then you must go along the footpath.I can show you.”
Jane shook her head.“I know the way.You need to stay here.That’s the only way you can help me.”
“But—”
Disappointment was all over Jiyoo’s face.
Jane led Jiyoo over to the bed and sat her down.
“I can’t protect two people at once.”
Jiyoo shook her head furiously, as though she were frustrated that her Auntie wasn’t understanding her.Jiyoo looked up at Jane with pleading eyes.
