The calligrapher's daughter_ a novel - Eugenia Kim [103]
“I almost forgot to tell you,” said Jaeyun, panting. “My father says he would happily support your hiring at Gaeseong Hospital. Even though it wouldn’t be obstetrics, you’d be working with him in surgery.”
I climbed behind her. “If only I could. Who would’ve imagined that one day I could work beneath your father?” We rested in an alcove cut into the switchback trail overlooking the sea below, and admired the shimmering view. The endless sky melted into the pale edge of the water, as if sea and sky were one, spurring me to wonder where I fit in this world. With the consideration of Mr. Cho, my future seemed as distant and unclear as the horizon.
Jaeyun had bobbed her hair, and in another attempt to convince me to cut mine, said how refreshing the air felt on her bare neck. I discounted her argument by twisting my braid into a bun secured instantly with a twig. I peeled bark off another twig and idly dug in the sandy soil that filled the cracks in the rocks we sat on.
Jaeyun tucked her skirt around her knees. “Your father says no to a job?”
“I’ve worked outside the home before, but my father didn’t like it then, and he doesn’t want the women in his house to work outside now. You know how old-fashioned he is.” I wouldn’t insult my friend with Father’s low opinion of the nursing profession. “And besides,” I added, glad to change the subject, “right now he appears to be focused on a certain husband-prospect my neighbor introduced us to.”
“No! Tell me everything!”
I told her about Mr. Cho’s visits, and as I finished my story, I realized I’d spoken wistfully.
“Yah, I think I can guess what you’re feeling. Tell me, what’s he like?”
“He’s short. Strong lines in his face, though. Dresses Western style. You know how some men look idiotic in those clothes? He’s very smartly turned out. I think a bit of a fop actually. But he’s intelligent and obviously a good Christian. My mother likes that most about him.”
“You like him!”
“Stop it!” I shoved her gently and we laughed. Sobering, I said, “I consider it fortunate if a prospect has a kind heart. He has that.”
“Three years in America. Such a long time to wait.” Jaeyun gazed at the glimmering water. Her chin on her knees, she said, “Do you love him?”
“Love! What an idea.”
“Now it’s you who’s sounding old-fashioned!”
“It’s not that. I’m a burden to my father.” I had noticed sharpness in Jaeyun’s reply. “And you? You know something of love?”
A breeze reached up from the shore and carried her sigh. “There’s a doctor at the hospital.”
“How wonderful for you! Now it’s your turn to tell me everything.”
“It’s not wonderful, Najin. Well, I mean, he’s wonderful.”
“What’s he like? A doctor. Why isn’t it wonderful? Is he already married?”
“Not that! I’m not anybody’s teahouse girl!”
“Yah, I was teasing.” I suspected something amiss and decided to wait for the entire story before I said anything else that might hurt my friend. Think of others first, echoed in my mind’s ear. “How did you meet?”
“At Tokyo University. Everyone was cruel to me there, except him. In assembly I’d catch him watching me from his side of the auditorium. Well, we didn’t actually meet. We didn’t speak the entire two years I was there, but I noticed that whenever we had rallies or assemblies, he’d sit close to the aisle separating the girls and boys, and now and then he’d smile at me.”
“How embarrassing.”
“It was, but I don’t think anyone noticed except me. The girls would’ve made my life more miserable if they suspected.”
“I’m sorry you had such a hard time.” I touched her knee.
“Well, none of that really mattered, you see, because my Tokyo degree led me to my job at Seoul Hospital, and