/BREE-oh/, noun
Vivacity, spirit, an individual energy.
The discipline of Comparative Literature is based on the assumption that the study of single texts and cultures is enriched by a knowledge of the texts and cultures surrounding them. It views literature from a broad and inclusive perspective in which philosophy, anthropology, history, language, and literary theory come together, and where the visual arts, theatre, and modern media suggest crucial comparisons. This journal aspires to embody those ideas.
Brio is a student-founded publication that combines literary criticism with fictive works and visual art. In an effort to represent the wide spectrum of discourses that serve as the foundation of comparative study, the journal accepts submissions from any source and in any language.
Dear Brio. Readers, tem·po·ral·i·ty
\ ˌtem-pə-ˈra-lə-tē \ plural, temporalities
noun,
1. : of or relating to time as opposed to eternity
2. : of or relating to the sequence of time or to a particular time
When selecting the theme for this edition of Brio., a focus on time felt the most compelling. To be honest, temporality and everything in relation to it constantly & easily catches my attention enforcing a feeling that I cannot escape it. Perhaps too much of In Search of Lost Time has stuck with me or the frequent panic of being lost without the comfort of time. Either way, in choosing pieces for this edition, it seemed as if each were falling neatly in line with my frequented theme, whether it be through talks specifically of time, place or an abstraction of those.
As artists and writers, I feel as though time - & the lack of it - is constantly haunting our work & pondered thoughtfully. This, to me, coincides with many of the thoughts surrounding comparative literature - there are numerous findings, theories and modes of creation, but they can be connected through the same findings that may also separate them. This is what I hope our readers will wander upon through this collection of work - we hope this issue of Brio. inspires you to situate yourself in time, whatever that may mean to you, and explore the ways it haunts, drives, and shapes you.
Happy Reading, Ava McLaughlin Editor-in-Chief
The Wheel
by Serina Elizabeth Morales
The walls creak a familiar rhythm
Drafty window that will never be fixed
Fear lay awake: night and fright again
Behind thin shut doors sleeps a family
Silent unison a few feet apart
Bound in blood yet a lifetime away.
Behind closed eyes I dream of being away
From them. I dread their sickly rhythm, Night comes again, I set my spirit apart
At night. I hope to not return again
To my bed, where lies my family
Too intimate and dissonant to be fixed.
A hole in the wall, gaping, never fixed
Once prim and pink, my father punched away
Broken. Holes, lined up like a family,
Became the only pattern or rhythm.
Holes too simple, so he hit me again, Like that wall, I broke. Pink paint fell apart.
Resilience of my heart, like time, grows apart
Passage of my future, fixed
Another hole bound to be bashed again, The sheets of my bedding, my path away
Closed my eyes, my slow breath a rhythm
I slept in the house of no family.
Lost in these walls were once a family
60 year old wood rots, splinters fall apart
Hideous words turned into taunting rhythm
Chipped brick built to protect begs to be fixed
Love that I never had, as a dream, flew away I watch planes pass up to the stars again.
Kids grow up, become their parents again
Break new holes to build the same family
Repeat, the wheel continues to turn away
Until it’s rolled so much it falls apart
I pray to God that it won’t be fixed I long for the day I’ll be rid of its rhythm.
But for now I remember that rhythm
As I do the creak of the wheel, faults fixed
To repeat. Gears my destiny to break apart.
The Pale Boy King Has blood on his Hands.
Who knew a wooden sword Could make a Paper doll dance? He shrieks, “Dim the twilight, Stop your Mourning. All this pleading Reeks of warning.”
Look out below!
The Pale Boy King
by Rebecca Karpen
I’m gonna jump in the water! Damned be the sons, damned be the daughters Who forgive the sins of their mothers and fathers. Damned be the sons, Damned be the daughters. Damned be the daughters.
There’s blood on the hands Of the Pale Boy King. It’s not as though he really cares, Never used them for much of anything. Not to fell, Not to plant, Take pride in friendly circumstance That he can own but not tend to the brush,
Stories trapped under his footsteps, Soddenness, much.
Look out below!
I’m gonna jump in the water! Damned be the sons, damned be the daughters Who forget the sins of their mothers and fathers. Damned be the sons, Damned be the daughters. Damned be the daughters.
Forgive them father
For they know not what they do, Never meant to cause the death of me, the death of you.
I cannot forgive them father For they know exactly what they do, Raise a hand, not to stop, But to herald
The death of me, the death of you.
I cannot forgive them father
For they know exactly what they do, Raise a hand, not to stop, But to herald The death of me, the death of you.
Contend with fossils underneath that built up the avenues, Paint with a kind of yellow from the Khmer Rouge, Speak as if to the stars, But stare at your feet, Damn be those betrothed to cowardice.
Damned will be my sons, Damned will be my daughters
Who will grow to fear the songs of their mother and father. Damned will be your sons if your tongue lie mute, They will grow up to be Just like you.
The Pale Boy King Has my blood on his hands. The Pale Boy King likes to think, But never cares to understand.
The Pale Boy King Is not a king at all, A child of eighty Who ignores the windows, Prefers the wall. Hears the sirens, Ignores the call.
Look out below!
I’m gonna jump in the water!
I pray for your sons, I pray for your daughters.
Pray that they don’t turn out like their father, A fool leading suckling lambs to the slaughter.
Look out below!
Look out below!
Look out below!
I’m gonna jump in the water!
Buy Organic
by Mohammad Rafiq
미호 - 한국어
푸른 빛 바다가 나를 삼켰다 구명조끼도 입지 않은 채 파도에 몸을 맡겼다. 숨이 막혔지만 동시에 이불에 덮인 것 같은 이상한 편안함이 밀려왔다 저 멀리서 무언가 반짝이는게 보였다
가지런히 나열된 은빛 비늘이 햇빛을 받아 빛났다. 다부진 어깨와
팔이 날 감싼 뒤 수면 위로 나를 올렸다 은빛 지느러미가 힘차게
움직였다. 우아한 곡선이 아름다운 지느러미였다.
눈이 떠졌다. 손을 더듬어 시계를 찾았다. 새벽 5시 10분이었다 불과 며칠 전 만 해도 기말고사를 포기한 후 할머니 댁 가까이 있는 바다 위에서 기분 전환 하려고 유람선을 탔는데, 사람들이 안 보는 틈을 타서 누군가 배 위에서 나를 바다로 던져버렸다. 맥주병인 나로선 그
죽었다 싶었는데, 웬 걸, 한 인어 청년이 날 근처 해변으로 밀어주었다. 내 몸상태가 좋지 않다는 것을 눈치챈 그 청년은 어느 정형외과 의사에게 날 소개시켜주었고, 우리는 오늘 다시 만나서 점심을 하기로 했다. 바다 식당이라고 해서 횟집인 줄 알았는데 알고보니 인어와 인간이 함께 식사할 수 있는 복합적 다이닝 경험을 제공하는 프리미엄 레스토랑이었다. 보통 식당 소개가 거창하면 음식 맛이 없을 것 같은 생각이 들었지만 맛 하나는 자기가 보장한다고 하는
시우 씨였다. 어떻게 식당 안으로 들어갈까 걱정했는데 인간은
그냥 평범하게 가게 문을 열고 들어가면 되었다. 지정된 방 안에
신발을 벗고 들어가니, 식탁 아래 발이 뚫려있는 구조였다. 반은
물이 채워져있었고, 반은 물이 못 들어오게 막혀있었다. 시우 씨는
물이 있는 곳에 어떻게 기다리려나 궁금해하던 참에 식탁 아래에서
머리 하나가 솟아올랐다. 시우 씨였다. 방수처리된 가방과 저번에 보았던 외투보다 좀 더 짙은 갈색의 외투를 입고 있었다. “미호 씨, 늦어서 죄송해요, 바다에서 들어오는 통로가 어딨는지 잠시 못 찾았어요. ” “이렇게 들어오는구나. 잘 지내셨어요?” “네, 물론 잘 지냈죠. 뭐 먹고 싶으세요?”
내가 먹을 음식을 고르는 동안 시우 씨는 벽에 걸린 수건으로 상체의 물기를 닦았다.
Miho: An Excerpt
by Ye-Seul
The green sea engulfed me. I leaned on the waves without a life vest on. I couldn’t breathe, but a strange sense of relaxation washed over me as if I was under a comforter. I saw something twinkling in the distance. Silver scales, all lined up and tidy, sparkling in the sunlight. Sturdy shoulders and arms wrapped around me and lifted me above the waters. A silver fin moved with strong thrusts. It was a beautiful fin with elegant curves.
My eyes opened. I searched for the clock. It was ten past five in the morning. Barely a few days ago I had ridden on a ferry at the sea near my grandmother’s house to refresh after I had given up on finals. Then someone threw me off the deck when people weren’t looking. I, being a terrible swimmer, thought I was dead for sure when a young merman pushed me to the nearby beach. He noticed that my body conditions weren’t well and introduced an orthopedic surgeon to me. We were supposed to be having lunch together that day.
I thought the Ocean Diner was a sashimi place like its name, but it turned out to be a Premium Restaurant that provides a sophisticated dining experience where merpeople and humans can dine together Usually, when the introduction of a restaurant is flamboyant, I thought that the food would taste bad, but Siwoo vouched for the flavor if anything. I was worried about how I would enter the restaurant, but humans went inside through an ordinary door I took off my shoes in front of the assigned room and found that there was an open space to put the feet under the table. Half of it was filled with water, and half of it was blocked so that water wouldn’t come in. I wondered how Siwoo, the merman, would enter the area filled with water when a head rose up under the table. It was him. He had a waterproof bag and a slightly darker brown coat than the one I saw last time.
“Sorry I’m late, Miho. I had a hard time looking for the tunnel that you can enter from the sea for a moment.”
“So that’s how you come in. How have you been?”
“I’ve been well, what would you want to eat?”
“뭐가 맛있어요?” “닭가슴살 샐러드가 괜찮아요 게살크림 스파게티, 모둠 알탕도
맛있고요 ” “참 다양하네요. ” “그죠? 다양한 손님들에게 맞추려고 그런 것 같아요. ” “그럼 그 세 개 다 시켜봐요. ”
음식 맛은 실제로 훌륭했다. 재료도 신선했고 양도 많았다. 나도 한 식사량 하는데 시우 씨는 나보다도 더 많이 먹었다. “미호씨 몸 상태는 좀 어떠세요?”
“노 선생님께서 그러는데, 최악이래요. ” “괜찮으시면, 제가 요즘 같이 운동할 사람을 찾고 있어요. 조만간
제가 육지에서 다시 대학을 다니게 되거든요. 같이 만나서 운동 하실래요?”
네 년은 밥 처먹는 것 외에는 할 줄 아는게 없지!
눈을 찡그리고 엄마의 목소리를 물리쳤다 운동을 해야 한 다는 건 알고 있었지만, 몸이 건강해야 한다는 것 외에는 적당한 동기가 없었는데, 이 사람과 함께라면 나 자신을 이길 수 있을 것 같았다 이 사람이라면 “뭔가 목표가 있으면 좋을 것 같아요 저는 너무 심하지 않게 5Km 마라톤부터 시작하고 싶은데, 시우 씨는 뭘로 하고 싶으세요?” 내가 물었다 “음, 저도 사실 육지에서 한번 뛰어보고 싶어요. 땅에서 걸어본지 꽤 되어서. 우리 일주일에 다섯번 씩 만나서 달리기 훈련해요. ”
“다섯번이나요?”
“다섯번이 힘드시면 세 번으로 해봐요. 저녁이 좋으세요, 아침이
좋으세요?”
매도 먼저 맞는게 나을 것인가, 몸이 깨어있을때 하는게
나을것인가. “저녁에 하고 싶어요. ” “그럼 내일부터 헬스장에서 만나서 같이 뛰어요. ”
음식 값은 서로 계산하겠다고 실랑이하다가 내 목숨을 구해주고 노
선생님 만나게 해준 답례로 내가 계산하겠다고 강력하게 주장하자, 시우 씨는 답례로 후식은 자기가 사겠다고 했다 시우 씨가 물기가 없는 곳으로 나와서 나더러 돌아보지 말라고 했다 수건으로 물기를 닦는 소리가 들렸고, 옷이 가방에서 꺼내져서 누군가 입는 소리가 들렸다
“What’s good here?”
“The chicken breast salad is good. So is spaghetti with crab and cream, and assorted fish roe soup.”
“That’s quite a diverse menu.”
“Right? I think it’s to accommodate the diverse guests.”
“Let’s order all three of them.”
The food actually tasted quite splendid. The ingredients were fresh, and the portions were large. I was not a small eater, but Siwoo ate even more than I.
“How’s your body condition, Miho?”
“Dr. No says that it’s the worst.”
“If you don’t mind, I’m currently looking for someone to work out with. I will go to college again on land pretty soon. Would you like to meet and work out together?”
All you can do is fucking gorge on food! I squinted my eyes and fought Mom’s voice off. I knew I had to exercise, but there wasn’t an appropriate motive besides my body’s well-being. But if it was to be a challenge made with this person, I felt I could overcome my lack of motivation. If it was only with this person.
“I think it will be good if we have a goal. I would like to start with a 5km marathon, what would you like to do?” I asked.
“Hm, I would like to run on land for once, too. It’s been a while since I walked on land. Let’s meet five times a week to train for running.”
“Five times?”
“If that’s too hard for you, let’s make it three. Do you prefer the evening or the morning?”
Would it be better to suffer early, or tire myself out when my body is awake?
“Let’s do it in the evening.”
“Then let’s meet at a gym and run together starting tomorrow.” We bickered about who pays, and when I insisted that I pay Siwoo for saving my life and helping me meet Dr. No, he volunteered to pay for dessert in return. Siwoo came up to the space where there was no water and
told me not to look back.
“이제 됐어요. ” 돌아보니 분명히 아까까지 있던 지느러미가 없고 대신
다리 한 쌍이 청바지와 양말을 입은 채 달려있었다. “물기를 완전히 닦는게 좀 까다롭지만 할 만 해요 미리
말씀드리는데, 제가 육지에 나온지 좀 오래 되어서 걷는게 되게
느릴거예요 넘어질지도 몰라요 이해해주셨으면 좋겠어요 ” “
아유, 걱정마시고 천천히 걸으세요 ”
우리는 식당에서 나와서 청초호 근처에 있는 유럽식 커피를 파는
카페로 갔다 가는 동안 내가 너무 자주 시우 씨를 힐끔힐끔 봐서 시우
씨가 불편해하지 않을까 생각했지만 시우 씨는 온 신경이 두 다리에
모여져서 다른 곳에 신경을 쓸 수가 없었다. 아기가 걸음마하는 것과는 달랐다. 성인이 오랫동안 앉아서만 생활하다가 다시 걷는 방법을
연습하는 듯 했다
다리
내가 옆에서 잡아주어야 했다. 한번은 시우 씨가 급하게
나머지 내 발을 세게 밟았다. 아팠지만 시우 씨가 무안해할까봐 티 내지 않았다. 발 밟는 세기를 느껴보니 다리에 힘이 부족한 건 아니었다. 도리어 힘이 너무 들어가서 움직임이 힘들어보였다. “리듬을 타보세요. 하나, 둘, 하나, 둘. ” 순간 내가 걷는 방법을 알기 쉽게 설명할 줄 모른다는 것을 깨달았다 나도 돌 지나고 걸음마 연습할 때 어떻게 처음 했는지 기억하고 있었으면 좋았을 걸 하고 생각했다 내게는 거의 본능에 가까운 걷고 뛰는 행동이 누군가는 순간순간 힘들 수도 있다는 걸 알게 되었다 시우 씨는 힘든 기색 내지 않고 카페까지 열심히 걸어갔다 이렇게 육체적인 도전을 한 다는 것이 그에게는 즐거워보였다 잘 정돈된 눈매를 가진 갈색 눈이 반짝였다.
비너 멜랑주를 두 잔 시킨 뒤 서로에 대해 더 질문했다. 달콤한 크림 밑으로 쌉싸름한 커피의 향기가 기분좋게 목으로 넘어왔다. 시우 씨가 전국 배 장거리 수중 수영 챔피언이라는 것, 스포츠매니지먼트 학과라는 것, 외동아들이라는 것, 좋아하는 색깔은 해바라기에 있는 노란색이라는 것을 알 수 있었다. 왜 하필 해바라기냐고 물어봤더니 자기 고향에는 없는 색이어서 더 아름답게 느껴진단다. 상큼한 미소와 장난기 넘치는 목소리를 듣고 있자니 시간 가는 줄 몰랐다
“It’s all set now.” When I looked back, instead of the tail fin that was there just moments before, there was a pair of legs with jeans and socks on.
“It’s a little tricky to wipe all the water off but it’s doable. I tell you in advance, but it’s been a while since I came upon land and my walking will be extremely slow. I might fall down too. I hope you can understand.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. Take your time.” We came out of the restaurant and headed towards the café that sells European-style coffee near Lake Cheongcho. I was worried that Siwoo might feel uncomfortable with me giving glances at him too often, but Siwoo had his entire nervous system focused on his two legs and had hardly any room to care about anything else. It was different from a baby trying to walk for the first time. He took one leg completely off, placed it completely on the ground again, and then moved his other leg off. We took half an hour to get to a place that would otherwise take 10 minutes. Whenever we met a different level of the ground, Siwoo lost his balance and I had to hold him next to me. One time, Siwoo was in such a hurry to get his balance back again that he stepped hard on my foot. It hurt, but afraid that Siwoo might be embarrassed, I didn’t show the pain. Feeling his power as he stepped on my foot, I knew he didn’t lack strength. Rather, he struggled with his movement because of too much power.
“Try walking on a rhythm. One, two, one, two.” At that moment I realized that I don’t know how to explain how to walk for someone to understand easily. I regretted that I didn’t remember how I first practiced walking after my first birthday. I learned that walking and running, which is almost like second nature to me, was another person’s constant agony. Siwoo didn’t show his tiredness and walked hard to the café. Going on a physical challenge like this seemed to be a joy for him. Brown eyes twinkled with well-trimmed boundaries. After ordering two cups of Wiener Mélange, we asked more about each other. The bitter fragrance of coffee under sweet cream flowed smoothly into my throat. I learned that Siwoo was the National Long-distance Underwater Swimming Champion, he studies Sports Management, he’s an only child, and his favorite color is sunflower yellow. I asked why sunflower of all colors, and he answered that the color doesn’t exist in his hometown and that increases the beauty for him. Watching his refreshing smile and listening to his playful voice made me forget the passage of time.
“그러고보니 아직 나이를 안 여쭤봤네요 몇 년 생이세요?”
“95년생이예요 ” “
우와, 나돈데! 우리 동갑이었네요 말 편하게 할까요?”
기뻐하는 시우 씨의 표정을 보니 나도 기분이 좋았지만, 말을 놓는
것은 아직 망설여졌다. “
저는 저보다 나이 적은 분들에게도 꽤 오랫동안 존대하는
편이어서요. ” 이 말을 내뱉고 나서 나는 바로 후회했다. 더 가까이
다가가고 싶었지만 너무 좋게만 흘러가는 상황이 불안했다. 만약을
대비해 서로 상처주지 않도록 존대하는 편이 낫겠다고 생각했다. 그렇지만 아쉬운건 어쩔 수 없었다. “미호 씨가 그렇다면 . . . 어쩔 수 없죠. ” 시우 씨와 나는 이 대화
뒤로 아무렇지도 않게 커피를 홀짝이며 서로에 대해 더 질문했다. 내가 아기 고양이를 키우기 시작했다는 것, 누군가 내
했던
” “오늘은 꼭 경찰서에 가서 신고하시는게 어때요?” “사실 정작 가서 뭐라고 할지 모르겠어요 던진 사람 얼굴도 못 봤고 범죄라 하기에는 애매한데다가 물리적으로 손해를 본 것도 없거든요 ” “아무튼 정말 이상하네요. ” “그러게요. ” “아기 고양이 이름은 정하셨어요?”
“아니요, 아직요. 추천하시는게 있나요?”
“아기 고양이는 어떻게 생겼나요?”
“외모는 그냥 길고양이에 주황색 줄무늬가 있고, 발은
하얀색이예요. ” 나는 핸드폰으로 찍은 고양이의 사진을 보여주었다. “예쁘네요. 어디 보자 . . . 치즈, 나영이, 애옹이 . . .산호. 산호 어때요?”
생각지도 못한 선택지였지만 내가 떠올린 그 어떤 이름보다도 마음에 들었다. “좋아요 이제부터 이 아이는 산호예요 ”
“Now that I think about it, I haven’t asked your age. What year were you born?” Siwoo asked.
“1995.”
“Wow, me too! Shall we speak informally now?”
Seeing his happy face made me feel happy too, but I still felt reluctant to let go of formal speech.
“I tend to speak respectfully for quite a long time even to people who are younger than me.” As soon as I said these words, I regretted them. I wanted to get closer to him, but the situation flowing suspiciously fine and dandy made me nervous. I thought that we’d better speak respectfully so that we don’t hurt each other’s feelings, just in case. But I have to admit, I felt sorry.
“If you say so . . . Then it can’t be helped.” Siwoo and I asked more about each other, sipping coffee like nothing happened after this conversation. When the topic came to the point that I started to raise a kitten and that somebody rolled up her car next to me and urged me to get inside, Siwoo tilted his head in confusion.
“You seem to go through a lot of strange events, Miho.”
“Don’t even mention it. It’s driving me insane.”
“How about reporting at the police station today for sure?”
“To be honest, I don’t know what I should say if I go for real. I haven’t seen the culprit’s face, it’s too ambiguous to call it a crime, and I didn’t suffer any physical damage ”
“Still, it’s so strange.”
“I think so too ”
“Have you chosen a name for your kitten yet?”
“No, not yet. Any suggestions?”
“What does the kitten look like?”
“For her looks, she is a common street cat with ginger stripes and white feet.” I showed pictures of her that I took with my phone.
“She’s pretty. Let me see . . . Cheese, Na-young, Meowster . . . Coral. How about Coral?”
It was an unexpected choice, but I liked it better than any other name I came up with.
“All right, this child is Coral from now on.”
“잘 지어준 것 같아서 좋네요 내일부터 운동 같이 시작하는거 맞으시죠?
잘 부탁드립니다 ” “
저도 잘 부탁드려요. ”
카페에서 나온 뒤 시우 씨가 다시 바다에 걸어가는걸 도와주었다. 시우 씨는 청초호 물 가에 앉아서 나보고 돌아보지 말라고 했다. 등 뒤에서 풀밭에 앉는 소리, 바지와 신발을 가방에 넣는 소리가 났다. “
이제 됐어요. 오늘 즐거웠어요. 미호 씨, 다음번에 뵐 때는 너무
안으로만 참지 않으시면 좋겠어요. 조심히 들어가세요!"
나는 뒤돌아서서 어느새 물 속에 있는 시우 씨를 향해 손을 흔들었다. 시우 씨는 내 쪽을 보며 헤엄치다가 물 속으로 사라졌다.
아프다는 티를 안 내려고 해도 다 드러났다 보다.
다음 날 저녁 헬스장에서 만난 우리는 몸을 풀고 런닝머신 위에 각자 올라서서 운동을 시작했다 시우 씨는 천천히 걸음을 연습했다 가는 도중 걸음이 꼬이는 바람에 기계를 멈춰야 할 때가 있었다 그에 반해 나는 내 심폐지구력을 과신한 나머지 쉬지도 않고 빨리 뛰다가 10분도 안 되어서 얼굴이 하얗게 되어서 숨을 쉬는 것 조차 힘들어 거울에 기대고
앉아서 헤롱거렸다 하늘이 뒤집혔다 눈 앞이 캄캄했다 시우 씨는 내 옆에 물 한 잔 가져다주며 괜찮냐고 연거푸 물어보았다. "시우 씨, 미안해요. 나 때문에 신경쓰시고. " "아니에요, 미호 씨는 쉬세요. 저는 제 운동 할 테니까. "
운동을 갑자기 한 나머지 내 몸이 놀란 것 같았다. 다음부터 페이스 조절 계획이라도 짜서 천천히 늘려야 할 판이었다. 시우 씨는 걸음이 계속 꼬였지만 포기하지 않고 꼬박 50분동안 걸었다. 격한 운동이
아니었음에도 익숙하지 않은 움직임이어서 그런지 시우 씨 얼굴에는
송골송골 땀이 맺혀있었다. 시우 씨가 다른 운동 기기로 상체 운동을 하는 동안 나는 시우 씨가 했던 것 같이 천천히 걸어보았다. 이내 몸이 버티질 못해서 다시 내려와야 했다. 이렇게 심각하다니.
“I think I’ve made a good name. We’re all set about working out together starting tomorrow, right? I ask for your good treatment of me.”
“I ask for your good treatment of me, too.”
After we left the café, I helped Siwoo walk back to the sea. Siwoo told me to not look back sitting by the waters of Lake Cheongcho. I heard behind my back the sound of sitting on the grass and putting in pants and shoes into the bag.
“All set. I enjoyed today, Miho. Next time we meet, I hope you don’t hold in everything, keeping it all to yourself. Take care!”
I turned back and waved at Siwoo who was already in the water. Siwoo swam, looking towards me, and disappeared into the water. I guess my pain showed even if I didn’t try to.
The next day at the gym, we warmed up our bodies and started to work out on each of our own treadmills. Siwoo practiced slow walking. He had to stop the machine whenever his steps were twisting together. Me on the other hand, I trusted my cardiovascular abilities too much and ran too fast without a break. I had to lean on the mirrored wall, with my head spinning, with my face white and my breathing heavy in less than ten minutes. The sky turned upside-down. I couldn’t see with my eyes. Siwoo asked over and over if I was all right, bringing a cup of water next to me.
“I’m sorry, Siwoo. For making you worried.”
“No, it’s okay. You go ahead and rest. I’ll continue with my work-out.”
My body seemed to be surprised because I worked out all of a sudden. From now on, I had to increase my work-out difficulty bit by bit, planning out a pace control plan Siwoo kept tumbling with his steps but didn’t give up and worked out for a complete 50 minutes. Although the work-out wasn’t hardcore, since he wasn’t used to the movement there were beads of sweat on Siwoo’s face. While Siwoo used other instruments to work his upper body, I tried walking at a slow pace as Siwoo did. Not after long, my body couldn’t handle it anymore and I had to come down from the machine. I couldn’t believe it was this bad.
운동이 다 끝난 뒤 시우 씨는 날 집까지 바래다 주겠다고 했다
나는 걸음이 아직 서툰 사람이 행여나 길 가다가 위험에 처할까봐
걱정되어서 청초호까지만 바래다달라고 했다 도보를 걸으면서 둘 다
지쳐서 아무 말도 하지 않았다. 순간 우리 옆에 저번에 보았던 하얀
승용차가 속도를 줄이며 다가왔다. 나는 불안해서 시우씨 팔을 잡고
속력을 높였다.
"아가씨, 우리 수상한 사람들 아니예요!" 안에서 다급한 여자의
목소리가 들렸다. 그 말이 상황을 더 수상하게 만들었다. 시우 씨는
어리둥절한 표정으로 내 걸음에 맞추려고 애썼다.
"그 옆에 있는 인어 청년을 위해서라도 우리 차에 타요! 위험한
사람들이 우릴 쫓아오고 있어요!" 시우 씨가 인어인 건 어떻게 알았지? 우릴 지켜보고 있었다는 것 외에는 설명할 방법이 없었다. "위험하다는 사람들은 누군데요? 당신들도 위험할지 모르잖아요!"
여자는 목소리를 낮췄다. "요즘 극성을 부리는 인신매매단의 활동이 늘었어요 특히 육지에 올라온 인어를 점 찍어서 팔고 있어요 내 말 못 믿겠으면 저기 버스 뒤를 봐요 " 혹시나 해서 뒤를 돌아보니 검은 정장을 입은 사내들이 버스
정류장에서 우리를 지켜보고 있었다 시우 씨와 나는 눈빛을 교환한 뒤
차에 탔다 "잘 생각했어요. 우리는 속초의 육지 경찰과 협력하고 있는 인어인권위원회 소속이예요. 나도, 운전하는 우리 신랑도 사실 인어예요.
시우 씨, 우리 기억 안 나요?"
시우 씨는 눈을 찌푸리고 어둠 속에서 앞좌석에 앉아있는 두 사람을 관찰하다가 "어!" 하고 소리쳤다. 시우 씨는 운전석에 앉아있는 남자에게 손을 내밀었다.
"나 중3때 담임 선생님이셨어요! 여기서 살고 계셨구나. 사모님도 몰라뵈서 죄송해요. "
"괜찮아. 오래 되었는데 뭘. " 시우 씨와 악수하면서 선생님께서
말씀하셨다.
After the workout, Siwoo offered to escort me home. Worried that Siwoo might get into danger on the road because of his still awkward walking, I told him to only go with me until Lake Cheongcho. Both of us were tired, and both of us said nothing on the sidewalk. All of a sudden, the white car that I saw before slowed down and approached us. I got anxious, so I grabbed onto Siwoo’s arm and sped up.
“Young lady, we are not questionable people!” An urgent woman’s voice rang in the car. The very words made the situation more questionable. Siwoo tried his best to keep up with my pace with a confused expression.
“Get in the car for the sake of that young merman next to you! Dangerous people are following us!” How did she know Siwoo is a merman? There was no way to explain that besides the possibility that she was watching us.
“Who are those dangerous people, anyway? You might be dangerous too!”
The woman lowered her voice. “There has been an increase of activity of the currently rampant human trafficking cartel. They are targeting and selling merpeople who are on land. If you don’t believe me, look behind that bus.”
I looked behind just in case, and several men in black suits were watching us at a bus stop. Siwoo and I exchanged looks, then got in the car.
7
“Good choice. We are part of the Committee for Merpeoples Rights that cooperates with the land police of Sokcho My husband and I are driving over here. We are merpeople, too. Siwoo, don’t you remember us?”
Siwoo scrunched his eyes and observed the two people in the front seat in the dark, then cried “Oh!” Siwoo held out his hand to the man in the driver’s seat.
“This gentleman was my 9th-grade homeroom teacher! You were living up here. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize your wife too.”
“It’s okay, it’s been a long while,” said Siwoo’s teacher as he shook hands with his student.
"이 쪽은 한미호 씨인데, 이미 구면이신 것 같네요. "
"아까 그 남정네들이 얼마 전에 이 아가씨를 뒤쫓아가고
있었어. 다행이 이 아가씨가 지레 겁 먹고 버스에 올라서 도망치는
바람에 놓쳤지. 잘 지내고 있었네요, 미호 씨. "
나는 그제야 한 숨 돌릴 수 있었다. 몸의 긴장이 풀어졌지만
정신까지 놓을 수 없었다. 만약을 대비해서 시우 씨의 선생님은
속초 인근을 한 바퀴 돌기 시작하셨다.
"절 생각해서 끌고 도망가주어서 고마워요, 미호 씨. "
"둘이 서로 친한 것 같은데, 이 참에 말 놓지 그래?"
사모님께서 말씀하셨다. 시우 씨와 나는 멋쩍게 서로를
바라보았다. 시우 씨는 머뭇거리다 먼저 입을 열었다.
"그럼 그럴 래?"
" . . . 그래. "
"억지로 하지는 말고 "
"억지로 하는건 아니야. 참, 빵 먹고 싶은거 있으면 말해. 근데
시간이 좀 걸릴거야 아직 내가 뭘 만들지는 못 해 "
"그래도 어깨 너머 배우는게 있을 거야. "
"보기 좋구만 " 사모님께서 웃으며 말씀하셨다
"당신도 참, 애들 얘기하는데 끼어들지 좀 말어. 미호 양, 여기가 집이지?
"네, 맞아요. 데려다주셔서 감사합니다. "
"앞으로도 조심해 시우 씨는 우리가 잘 바래다줄게 "
"알겠습니다. "
집 뒷문을 열고 터덜터덜 방 안으로 들어왔다 방에는 불이
꺼져 있었다. 할머니 깨우지 않으려고 조심조심 문을 잠근 뒤 총총걸음으로 들어왔다 할머니는 세상 모르고 주무시고 계셨고, 산호는 내 다리에 얼굴을 비볐다. 나는 손을 씻은 후 이불을 덮고 산호를 품에 안고 바닥에 웅크렸다
“This is Ms. Miho Han, but I think you’ve already seen each other before.”
“Those men just now were following this young lady a couple of days ago. Fortunately, this lady got scared in the pants and ran away on a bus, making us lose her. I see that you are doing well, Miho.”
It was then that I could catch a breath. The tension in my body was released but I couldn’t let my guard down also. Siwoo’s teacher started to circle around the city of Sokcho just in case.
“Thank you for being considerate, dragging and running away with me, Miho.”
“You guys look close, why don’t you get more casual at this point?” said Siwoo’s teacher’s wife. Siwoo and I exchanged awkward glances. Siwoo hesitated, then opened his mouth first.
“Do you want...to?”
“ . . . Sure.”
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
“I want to do it. Oh, if you have any bread if you want to eat, let me know. But it’s going to take a while. I’m not able to make anything yet.”
“You’ll be able to learn things behind their shoulders.”
“Looking good.” Said the lady, smiling.
“Honey, don’t chime in when the kids are speaking. This is your house, right, Miho?”
“Yes, it is. Thank you for dropping me off.”
“Be careful from now on, too. We will take Siwoo home.”
“Got it.”
I opened the back door of the house and dragged myself into the room. The lights were off. I locked the door carefully so as to not wake Grandmother up, then tiptoed inside. Grandmother was sleeping as if the world didn’t exist, and Coral rubbed her face against my legs. I washed my hands, pulled up my blankets, cuddled Coral, and rolled up on the floor.
눈이 떠졌다 바깥은 여전히 어두웠다 산호는 내 옆에서 새근새근
자고 있었다 나쁜 꿈을 꾼 것 같이 입 안에 쓴 맛이 느껴졌다 날
잡아가려던 그 사람들은 내가 여기 살고 있다는 것을 알 까? 만약 그렇다면 할머니의 안전을 위해서라도 내가 피해드려야 하는게 아닐까?
아니, 도리어 내가 할머니를 지켜드려야 하지 않을까? 그 사람들은 날 콕
집어 잡아가려던 걸까? 밤 늦게 혼자 누워 온갖 생각을 하는 내 버릇이 다시 도졌다. 상황을 봤을때 내가 내린 결론은, 내가 건강해져야 한 다는 것이었다. 내가 살기 위해서라도, 주위 사람들을 지키기 위해서라도
조금씩 체력을 키워야 했다. 더듬더듬 손을 뻗어서 내 핸드폰을 집었다. 생각을 좀 돌려보려고 운동 동영상을 찾아보았다. 시계에 눈이 갔다. 새벽
5시 55분이었다. 어제 있었던 일이 생각나면서 자리에서 벌떡 일어났다.
아침 6시 15분 까지 내 새로운 직장에 가야 하는데! 작은 부엌 싱크대에서 고양이 세수를 하고 어제 입었던 외투 그대로 입고 집에서 나왔다. 순간 핸드폰을 안 가지고 왔다는 게 생각나서 다시 문을 열고 들어갔다 들어가니 산호가 깨어있었다 나는 산호에게 작은 목소리로 작별 인사를 하며 쓰다담으려다 순간 내가 음식을 만질 수 있다는 생각에 쓰다듬지 못했다 마음이 아팠지만 일은 제대로 해야 했다
직장에 아슬아슬하게 도착했다 가니 팽효주 아주머니께서 머리가 희끗한 중년 백인 남자분하고 준비를 하고 계셨다 "왔어? 인사해. 우리 남편이야. 나 프랑스에서 미술 공부할 때
만났어. 네 선생님이셔. 앞으로 날 부를땐 사장님이라고 불러. " 사장님은 그대로 테이블을 세팅하러 가셨다. 남편분은 키가 나보다 그렇게 크지
않으셨다. 나는 165cm 여서 작다는 말은 잘 안 듣는 편인데 나보다 겨우 5cm 정도 차이 날까말까였다. 메종 드 수크레는 그날 팔 빵을 그날 만들었다. 반죽을 준비하고, 생크림을 휘젓고, 오븐을 예열하고, 계란의 흰자와 노른자를 분리했다. "오후 3시부터 5시는 간단한 식사를 하고 저녁 장사 준비를 해야 해. 미호 씨는 손님들 오시면 할 일이 많을거야. " 남편 분 (성함은 제헤미 파팽이라고 하셨다) 이 계란 흰자를 휘저으시며 말했다.
My eyes opened. It was still dark outside. Coral was sleeping next to me, breathing soundly. A bitter taste lingered in my mouth as if I had a nightmare. The people who were trying to take me away, do they know that I live here? If they do, shouldn’t I have to leave this place for my Grandmother’s safety? No, should I protect my Grandmother as well? Were those people trying to kidnap me as the focused target? The habit of my mind running wild while I’m lying down alone late at night surged again. The conclusion I drew from the situation was that I had to get more fit. In order for me to live, in order for me to protect the people around me, I had to increase my stamina, bit by bit. I searched for my phone and picked it up. I looked for workout videos to distract myself. My eyes went to the clock. It was 5:55 a.m. The events that happened yesterday came back to my mind, and I sprang up from my position. I had to get to my new job at 6:15 a.m.!
I did a quick wash-up in the tiny kitchen sink, put on the exact same coat as I wore yesterday, and got out of the house. Just then I remembered that I didn’t have my phone with me, so I went inside again. There, Coral was all woken up. I said a quiet good-bye to Coral and was about to pet her, but then I stopped myself, due to the idea that I might touch food. My heart ached, but I had to do my job.
I arrived just barely on time. There, Ms. Hyo-joo Paeng was preparing for that day with a gray-haired middle-aged white gentleman.
“You’re here! Say hi to my husband. We met when I was studying fine art in France. He’ll be your teacher. From now on, address me as ‘Boss.’” The Boss immediately went to set the tables. Her husband wasn’t that tall compared to my height I am 5 feet 4 inches tall, so I rarely get the notion that I’m short, but he was barely two inches taller than me
Maison de Sucre baked what got sold that day, on that day. We prepared the batter, whipped fresh cream, preheated ovens, and separated the egg yolk from the egg whites.
“From 3 to 5 in the afternoon, we need to eat a simple meal and prepare for the evening. You’ll have a lot of things to do when the guests arrive.” The Boss’ husband (his name was Jérémie Papin) said while whipping a bowl of egg whites.
아침에는 간단한 식사로 커피와 빵을 사고 나가려는 손님들이 쉴 새 없이
왔다 재료 손질 하랴, 빵에 계란물 발라서 구우랴, 설거지 하랴, 주문
받으랴, 조리대 청소하랴, 쓰레기 버리랴, 누가 내 머리카락을 여러 갈래로
세게 잡아당기는 것 같았다. 이 가게는 크림빵이 날개돋친듯이 팔렸다. 그래서 그런지 크림빵만 쉴 새 없이 구울 때도 있었다. 아침 식사 하는 손님들이 나가면 브런치를 즐기려는 손님들이 왔다. 나는 팽 사장님
남편분을 소개받은대로 파팽 선생님이라고 부르며 온갖 허드렛일을
도맡아 했다. "미호 씨, 이거 7번 테이블. " 아침을 거르는 바람에 배가 고파져서
손님이 먹을 음식을 내가 먹고 싶은 충동을 몇 번이나 참으며 홀을 바쁘게
뛰어다녔다. 가게는 2층으로 되어 있어서 1층의 반은 주방과 베이커리가
차지하고 있었고, 나머지는 손님들이 앉을 자리로 마련되어있었다. 오후 12시쯤부터 발바닥이 아파오고 오른쪽 허리가 쑤시기 시작했다 그에 반해 사장님과 선생님은 지친 기색 하나 없이 손님들을 받고 있었다 브런치 손님들이 끊긴다고 생각이 될 때 쯤 점심을 먹으려는 손님들이 왔다 오후 3시가 되어서야 앉을 수 있었다 나는 선생님께서 만드신 크로크 무슈와 마담을 게걸스럽게 해치우고 좋아하는 우유를 크게 한 잔 마셨다 소화 시키고 쉴 시간도 없이 오후에 팔 빵과 음식 재료를 손질해야 하는 시간이 돌아왔다 허리가 쑤시고 발바닥이 아픈건 어쩔 수
없었다. 내 사정이니까.
저녁 시간에 새우 크림 스파게티를 2층의 19번 테이블에
가져가는 중, 계단에서 그만 균형을 잃고 휘청거리다 그대로 벽에 몸을
부딪히면서 음식을 고스란히 쏟았다. 하늘이 노래졌다. 심장이 쿵쿵
뛰었고 손발이 차가워졌다. 급하게 음식과 접시를 치우고 손님들에게
죄송하다고 연거푸 사과한 뒤 주방에 가서 스파게티를 쏟았다고 모기 목소리로 말했다. “뭐라고? 가까이 와서 말해. ” 파팽 선생님께서 기름에 마늘을 볶으며 말씀하셨다. 나는 차마 거역할 수가 없어서 가까이 가서 목소리를 가다듬고 말했다. “2층 19번 테이블 새우 크림 스파게티 쏟았습니다. ” 파팽 선생님은 한 숨을 내쉰 뒤 나더러 스파게티를 직접 만들라고 했다 이 때는 이 분이 나보다 몸집이 어마무시하게 큰 거인같이 느껴졌다
Guests came non-stop to buy coffee and bread as a simple breakfast. Preparing the ingredients, brushing egg wash on bread and baking them, washing dishes, receiving orders, cleaning the countertop, taking out the trash, it was as if someone was pulling my hair strands hard in many directions. This shop had strong sales on buns with cream inside. So, there was a time when we were only relentlessly baking cream buns. As the guests who came for breakfast started to leave, the guests who came to enjoy brunch started to arrive. I called my Boss’ husband ‘Master Papin’ as I was introduced and did all kinds of basic tasks.
“Miho, bring this to table no. 7.” I ran around the halls, gulping down the urge to eat my guests’ food. The shop was on two floors, half of the 1st floor consisting of the kitchen and the bakery, and the rest filled with seats for the guests to sit in.
Around noon, the bottom of my feet started to feel sore along with the right part of my back. On the other hand, my Boss and my Master were receiving guests without a hint of exhaustion. When the brunch guests were leaving, there came the guests that were here for lunch. I was finally able to sit down when it was 3 p.m. I gobbled up the Croque Monsieur and Madame that my Master made and gulped down a big glass of milk, which I like. Without having time to digest, I had to prepare the bread and the ingredients. My aching back and feet couldn’t be helped, it was my thing to deal with.
While bringing a dish of cream spaghetti with shrimp to table no. 19 on the second floor, I lost my balance on the stairs, wobbled, and slammed myself to the wall as I spilled all the food. The sky was falling. My heartbeat like a drum and my hands and feet became cold. I cleared the food and the dish as soon as possible, apologized to the guests over and over, and said in a mosquito-like tiny voice that I spilled the spaghetti when I went to the kitchen.
“What? Speak closer.” Said Master Papin as he stirred the garlic in oil. I couldn’t say no, so I cleared my voice and said again.
“I have spilled the cream spaghetti with shrimp that was for table no. 19 on the second floor.”
Master Papin sighed and told me to make the spaghetti myself. At that moment, he felt like a frighteningly big giant that was significantly larger than me.
“스파게티 주문이 네 개나 있어. 이것까지 합해서 다섯개야. 내가 하라는 대로만 해. ”
나는 침을 꿀꺽 삼키고 앞치마를 두르고 손을 재빠르게
씻었다. 선생님께서는 프라이팬 5개에 동시에 기름을 두르고
마늘을 볶으면서 거의 다 삶아진 스파게티를 꺼내라고 하셨다.
나는 싱크대에 쏟지 않게 조심하면서 체에 스파게티를 부었다.
올리브유를 살짝 뿌린 뒤 프라이팬 세 개를 맡아서 크림을 부어
데운 뒤 새우, 브로콜리, 양파를 넣고 육두구와 소금을 조금 뿌렸다. 소스가 끓어오르자
뿌렸다. 손이 바쁘게 움직이며 프라이팬
받아들었다
직원 실수
때문에 늦게 나오면 짜증이 나는건 당연하니까. 마지막 다섯번 째 스파게티를 놓고 나서야 한시름 놓을 수
있었다. 어느새 문을 닫을 시간인 밤 10시가 다가왔다. 지금
경찰서에 가서 여태까지 일어난 일을 말 해야 하나 말아야 하나
고민이 되었다. 기껏 얻은 직장을 내 발로 걷어차는 것일수도
있지만, 내가 지금 어떤 상태인지 마냥 참지 말고 도움을
요청하는게 좋다고 생각해서 영업이 끝난 뒤 사장님께 가서 드릴
말씀이 있다고 했다. “미호 씨, 괜찮아. 첫날에 실수할 수도 있는 거지 뭐. 우리도 초보때 실수 많이 했어. 배상 하라고는 안 할게. ” “아니요, 오늘 쏟은 스파게티 이야기가 아니고요, 요즘
누군가가 절 해치려는 것 같아요. ” “아니, 미호 씨, 그게 무슨 소리야?”
나는 사장님 부부께 자초지종을 설명했다.
“There are four spaghetti orders right now. Including this, there are five. Do exactly as I say.”
I gulped, put on my apron, and washed my hands in a flash. The Master put in oil inside 5 pans at the same time and stir-fried garlic while telling me to take out the spaghetti that was almost done cooking. I poured the spaghetti on a sieve while being careful not to spill it in the sink. I put some olive oil on the pasta and got in charge of three pans. I poured in cream, heated it up, put in shrimp, broccoli, and onions, then sprinkled some nutmeg and salt. When the sauce came to a boil, I cooked it a little bit more with the pasta then put pepper and parsley on top. My hands moved like a busy bee and went back and forth between the pans.
“Watch carefully what we’re doing right now. I’ll have you work this from now on.” The Master gave a small punch on my back and smiled like a little boy. That one smile relaxed my tense rubber-like heart.
I poured the spaghetti onto the plates and took care to bring them to the guests’ tables. The customer that I spilled the food moments before glared at me as she took the food. I couldn’t say anything else. It was understandable to be annoyed when you’re hungry and the food comes out late due to the waitress’s mistake.
I was able to take a breather when I delivered the last fifth spaghetti. The time to close the shop, 10 p.m., approached without us knowing. I was pondering over whether I should go to the police station and tell them about what happened to me so far. I could be kicking away a job that I strived to get, but I decided that I had to ask for help for my condition instead of holding it all in After the shop was closed, I told Boss that I had something to say.
“It’s all right, Miho You can make mistakes on your first day We made tons of mistakes when we were beginners too. We won’t ask you to cover for the spilled dish ”
“No, I’m not talking about the spaghetti I spilled today. I think someone’s trying to hurt me nowadays.”
“Miho, whatever are you talking about?”
I told the details to the Boss couple.
“행여나 저 때문에 가게에 해가 가게 될 까봐 미리 말씀드리는
거예요. 면접 때는 심각성을 제가 미처 몰랐었어요, 말씀 안 드려서
죄송합니다. ” “미호 씨, 그러면 우리가 이야기를 좀 해볼게. 일단 미호 씨 안전이
우선이니까 오늘은 꼭 경찰서에 가봐. 정말 수고했어. ”
나는 인사를 드린 뒤 지친 몸을 이끌고 경찰서로 갔다. 뭐라고 해야 할지 몰라서 말이 떠오르지 않고 목구멍 안쪽에서 만 맴돌았다. 경찰서는 처음이었다 뉴스에서 허구한 날 나오는 불미스러운 사건들로 인해 평생 경찰과는 연루되는 일 없이 조용히 살자고 그렇게 다짐했는데 “그러니까, 누가 아가씨를 배 위에서 갑자기 던졌다, 그 말씀이시죠?” 책상 너머의 순경분께서
“네 ” “던진 사람의 인상착의는 모르시고요?” “네. 남자인지도 여자인지도 모르겠어요. ” “그리고 속초에 온 날부터 이상한 남정네들이 쫓아오는 것 같았다고요?” “네. 저번에 밤에 친구랑 길 갈 때에도 남자들이 쫓아오는 걸 그, 인어인권위원회 소속이신 어느 부부께서 차에 태워주셔서 피할 수
있었어요. ”
남자들은 검은 정장을 입었다는 것, 나에게 뭘 바라고 이러는지 모르겠다는 것까지 말했다.
“지금으로선 이 위치추적기 밖에는 드릴게 없네요. 뭔가 위험에 처한 것 같을때 이 버튼을 누르면 가까운 지구대에서 출동할겁니다. ” “감사합니다 ”
“한미호씨라고 하셨죠? 부모님께 이 일은 말씀드릴건가요?”
“아니오 ”
너무 확실한 나의 대답에 순경 분은 당황하신 듯 펜 끝을 책상에 두드렸다
“I’m telling you just in case this causes harm to the shop because of me. I didn’t realize how serious this was at the time of the interview. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before.”
“Then Miho, please give us the time to discuss this. For now, your safety comes first, so I suggest you do visit the police station today. Great work, by the way.”
I said good-bye then dragged my weary body to the police station. I didn’t know what to say, as words circled in a loop at the back of my throat. It was my first time at the police station. I had promised myself that I will live a quiet life and not have anything to do with the police all my life, seeing all the pitiful things I saw on the news on any given day.
“So, you mean someone threw you off the ship all of a sudden, right?” Asked the constable across the desk.
“Yes.”
“You don’t know what the thrower looked like?”
“No. I don’t even know if the thrower was male or female.”
“And you think strange men are following you since the day you came to Sokcho?”
“Yes. I was able to avoid them when I was walking at night with a friend, thanks to a couple that drove us around who were part of the Committee for Merpeople’s Rights.”
I told the officer that the men wore black suits and that I have no idea why they would do this to me, or what they expect of me in any way
“For now, all we can give you is this GPS. If you press this button when you think you’re in danger, a station nearby will come for you.”
“Thank you ”
“You said you’re Miss Miho Han? Are you going to tell your parents about this?”
“No.”
My answer full of certainty surprised the constable, and he tapped the tip of his pen on the desk.
“그래도 만일에 대비해서 알리는 걸 전 권하고 싶은데. ” “알려드려봤자 그리 탐탁해하지 않으실거예요. ”
순경 분은 작은 숨을 들이쉬고는 고개를 끄덕였다. “알겠습니다. 일단 알리지 않는 걸로 하지요. 만약 무슨 일이
생기면 책임은 본인이 지셔야 합니다. ”
경찰서에서 긴장한 나머지 몸이 파김치가 되었다. 일주일에
세 번만 나오면 되서 얼마나 다행인지. 내 체력의 한계가 너무
적은게 분했다. 집에 오는 길에 바닷가에 들러서 파도치는 겨울
바다를 보았다. 네 년은 밥 처먹는 것 외에는 할
엄마가 아는게 뭔데? 난 반드시 제대로 할 줄 아는게 있어. 그게 무엇이든지간에 찾아낼거야.
“I suggest that you do just in case.”
“They wouldn’t be so happy even if I do.”
The constable breathed in a small sigh and nodded his head.
“All right. We won’t tell them for now. If anything happens, it’s your responsibility.”
I lead my body home, which had become jelly. I was so nervous at the police station. I was glad that I only had to work three days a week. I was mad that the limits of my stamina were so low.
I stopped by the beach to look at the winter waves on my way home.
All you can do is fucking gorge on food!
What do you know, Mom? I must have something I can do properly. I will find it, whatever it may be.
The Fall 2019 issue of Brio. Literary Journal is edited by:
Ava McLaughlin. Ava is a junior majoring in Comparative Literature with a minor in Film Production. She enjoys writing fiction but never poetry. She is the Editor - in - Chief of Brio.
Will Wise. Will is a senior majoring in French and Politics. He is our photo editor and cover designer. He also cannot make a respectable french omelette despite his major.
Emily Ostlander. Emily is a junior majoring in Art History and Urban Design/Architectural Studies. She is our art editor and cover designer. She is most likely rewatching BBC’s Pride & Prejudice.
Laurel Martin. Laurel is a senior in History & Anthropology with minors in French and Art History. She admins a meme page on Facebook.
Trisha Gupta. Trisha is a junior in English & American Literature with a minor in Chemistry, on the Pre-Health track. She loved studying abroad in London, and enjoyed getting to see the tulips in Amsterdam!
Amy Lenkiewicz. Amy is a senior double-majoring in Art History and English and American Literature. She often thinks about the time Shakespeare called an eyeball "vile jelly."
Lara Dreux. Lara is a junior double-majoring in English and American Literature, and Journalism. She cannot pass by flowers without stopping to sniff them.
Jace Chen. Jace is a sophomore in Comparative Literature. The small little crum crackers at the bottom of Oyster Cracker boxes make her exceedingly happy.
Jen Khai Yew. Jen Khai is a junior studying a bit of everything. He is from at least 3 places.
Visit our website : wp.nyu.edu/cas-brioliteraryjournal/
