บท 92: Mental Shift

"Mom? It's Go Ara."

"You're calling awfully early in the morning," her mom replied.

Go Ara said in a dry, needling tone. "Sorry I forgot the time, must be like six o'clock now."

"Yes. I... I just got up."

"Something the matter?"

They knew nothing, obviously. That was good. Better to learn about it over the phone than from a TV newscaster.

"Yes," Go Ara said, "you could say so. I mean, there was something the matter, but it's all right now."

"Speak English, will you? What did we send you to that college for, if you can't make yourself clear about the simplest things?"

"I'm sorry." What was she apologizing for? "A lot has happened, and I guess I'm confused—"

"Boyfriend trouble, I'll bet. That Kim Bareun's no good for you."

"His name is Lee Bareun, and you've never even met him, and—" And he's dead, she wanted to add, but she couldn't force the words out.