Page 29 of Perfect Happiness
“I got several stitches.”
Eun-ho’s mom nodded her head.She started making sarcastic remarks disguised as words of concern: “Cutting one’s hand is no small matter.”“What if she had bled out?”“Perhaps she should take cooking lessons.”
Eventually, Eun-ho’s mom changed the subject to something she really wanted to talk about.
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.”
“Please.”
Wife’s eyes were still cast downward.Her voice and tone had found their usual calmness.The only thing that wasn’t back to normal was her countenance, which was as opaque as a window with its shutters closed and was making everyone at the table invisible.Back when they were dating, she would from time to time make this face and push Eun-ho away.When that happened, despite being together, it felt like they were miles apart.It always seemed to appear just as Eun-ho thought he had finally figured her out.
“I want you to take Noah back this month.”
Wife looked up at Eun-ho.And Eun-ho looked at his mom.This was an unexpected and bewildering notice.She said this month, but really there were only ten days left in November.
“I just don’t think I can wait until next March.I’ve been watching the way you two acted today and—”
“Before you say anymore—” Wife interrupted her in a quiet voice.“Why don’t we talk about this in the living room over some hot tea.”
“Yeah, Grandma,” Noah said.“Talk about it in the living room.I’m sleepy.”
Eun-ho’s mom chewed on her lips as Noah dragged her to the living room.
Wife turned to Jiyoo.
“Jiyoo, don’t you have something to do before bed?”
Jiyoo put down her chopsticks and got up.And then Eun-ho got his orders, too.
“Eun-ho, go to the living room and watch the kids.I’ll clean up and be right out.”
Eun-ho went out to the living room as he was told, but there wasn’t much to watch.Noah was lying with his head on his grandma’s lap, and Jiyoo was just standing there.
“Noah, you shouldn’t lie down after eating.”
Noah looked like he hadn’t heard Eun-ho.When Eun-ho walked over to him, Noah turned his body and buried his face in his grandma’s belly.Feeling embarrassed, Eun-ho turned to Jiyoo.
“Jiyoo, is there anything you need?”
“No.I’m going to do my homework.”
Jiyoo bowed her head and said goodnight, once to Eun-ho and once to Eun-ho’s mom.
“Goodnight.”
Eun-ho’s mom watched quietly as Jiyoo disappeared into the master bedroom.
“She’s just like her mother.”
No, she wasn’t.She was too lanky, and her features too delicate.She probably looked more like her playwright father.
“I don’t like her at all.”
“That’s just because you don’t see her often.”
Eun-ho’s mom opened her eyes like tall triangles.
“Do I have to see her often to like her?Just look at how she acts.Who could like a child like that?Just today—”
