Page 40 of Perfect Happiness
“What’s wrong?”
Jiyoo was still in her kindergarten uniform and perched on the edge of her bed.She hadn’t even taken off her coat.
“Nothing.”
Jiyoo’s complexion looked pale, and her face empty, as though she had just woken up from a nap.
“I’m going to make some instant ramen.Do you want to eat with me?”
This wasn’t something Jane would normally offer Jiyoo, but now wasn’t the time to be picky about nutrition.Her priority was getting food into Jiyoo’s mouth, whatever it was.But Jiyoo answered no.
“Then should I make you some hot chocolate?”
“Okay ...”Jiyoo said reluctantly.
Jane prepared a large cup of hot chocolate.Jiyoo barely touched it.Her eyes were beginning to droop.
“Do you want to wash up and go to bed?”
Jiyoo nodded her head.
“Then take off your uniform and come to the bathroom.I’ll draw you a bath.”
Jiyoo came into the bathroom when the tub was about half full.Jane sat Jiyoo in the water and started undoing her braids.It was obvious that the person who braided her hair that morning had been distracted.Not only was the back of her hair flat, but her hair was tangled like a bird’s nest.
Jiyoo stared down at her feet as Jane fought with the tangles.When her hair was tangle free, Jiyoo leaned back into the water and surrendered her body to Jane as she stared up vacantly at the ceiling.Her large, deep eyes, which everyone ogled at whenever they saw her, were hazy and unfocused.By the time Jane dressed Jiyoo in pajamas and laid her in bed, Jiyoo’s eyes were half closed.
“Are you not feeling well?”
Jiyoo shook her head.Jane placed her hand against Jiyoo’s forehead.It was a bit warm from the bath, but it didn’t feel like she had a fever.
“Are you sleepy?”
Jiyoo merely mouthed the word “Yes.”Even after laying Jiyoo down, Jane continued to stand by her bed, reluctant to leave her side.Jane was bothered by Jiyoo’s behavior and the fact that she hadn’t eaten anything all day.
Jane bent over and whispered into Jiyoo’s ear: “Do you want Auntie to sleep here with you tonight?”
“No.”
Jiyoo’s answer was as decisive as when she had rejected Jane’s Happy Meal.Jane adjusted Jiyoo’s blanket.
“Want me to turn off the lights?”
“After I fall asleep.”
Jiyoo closed her eyes.Jane started hanging Jiyoo’s clothes in the closet.She paused as she picked up the T-shirt that Jiyoo had been wearing underneath her dress.The collar and sleeves were black with dirt.And Jiyoo’s leggings smelled musty.The soles of her knee-high socks were also shiny black and crusty.All her clothes looked and smelled like she’d worn them for over a week.Jane suddenly remembered what Eun-ho had said to her.
She’s not home.You should know that.
Had Eun-ho been telling the truth?Was Yuna really not home?There were six days between when Yuna took Jiyoo and when she sent Jane that text message.What if she hadn’t been in Cheongyeon that whole time?Where could she have gone?
Looking at Jiyoo’s filthy clothes, Jane realized they were the same clothes Jiyoo had been wearing when Jane dropped her off at kindergarten last Tuesday—as though Yuna had taken Jiyoo on a sudden, unplanned trip and forgotten to bring extra clothes.This would explain Eun-ho’s response.He didn’t know where Yuna was.He really thought she was here.
Jane perched herself on the edge of the desk.Last Tuesday Joon-young came looking for her; last Tuesday Joon-young disappeared; last Tuesday Yuna took Jiyoo on a sudden, unplanned trip.A thought in her head bounced around for a while before she lost control of it and dropped it, letting it fall to the floor.Jane thought she would be able to pick the thought back up if she concentrated, but she just left it.She didn’t want to.She was already exhausted.What she needed now wasn’t concentration but rest.
Jane left Jiyoo’s room.She threw Jiyoo’s clothes in the clothes hamper and headed to the bathroom.But as she showered, the same word ran circles inside her head like a rabid cockroach.Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday ...
By the time she came out of the bathroom, it was just past ten.Without drying her hair, she went straight to Jiyoo’s room and opened the door.Jiyoo was lying face down with her cheek resting on a peach-shaped stuffed animal named Apeach and her arm dangling over the side of the bed.Jane doubted Jiyoo would answer if she called out to her.
