Martoons

Cast of characters

Fred

Mrs Won

*

“Today,” Mrs Won said, “I must go somewhere special with other housewives. Fred, can you join us?”

It was a typical, bluntly direct and off-the-wall Korean-type question.

Fred’s voice was dry and cracked and his mind was still foggy. He cleared his throat and attempted to answer diplomatically.

“Maybe I cannot go with you because, of course, I have to go to the institute.”

She waved him off. “Maybe your housewives will not attend your class this morning.”

“We’re all going to the mountain. So … we would like you to join us.”

Fred looked at her inquisitively.

“It is exam day,” she said. “Very special.”

“Oh is that why Hot Sauce is here?”

“Yes but only today.”

Hot Sauce was calling so ajumma rushed out of the kitchen. Fred was encouraged by the show of détente from Mrs Won, in the face of their recent mini cold war.

Joining her on a morning hike could only thaw the chill further.

* Would it? *

His eyes inadvertently scanned the table-top and he noticed a telephone bill sitting there.

Either it was his imagination or ajumma had placed it there on purpose so he’d see it.

He grinned – was this a Korean way of suggesting he pay his portion, as opposed to outright asking him for the money?

Yet moments later when he tried to give her some cash, she waved him off.

“Fred, that won’t be necessary. As long as you live here, I will take care of everything.”

The little stunt had been effective though – it made Fred see that he did owe that amount of money for the phone calls and that Mrs Won was picking up the payment.

She was indeed a generous woman.

At times though, he found her (and Hot Sauce when she’d been here) kind to a fault.

They often did little things for him around the apartment, which although helpful made him feel useless –

like insisting on boiling water for him; or scooping rice out of the rice machine for him into a bowl.

Nevertheless, he did his best to stay composed and show gratitude for their innumerable little favours even if they did drive him crazy.

And again, this morning’s new-found friendliness from Mrs Won was something he didn’t want to throw away.

She was now in her room putting on make-up – she called it her war mask – and wouldn’t be out for at least 30 minutes.

Fred looked up at the clock again. 4:20.

He retreated back to his room to catch a bit more shut-eye.

When he finally awoke, he was in a cold sweat.

* What happened? *

*

Détente           

Fred rushed out to the kitchen to check the big clock. 6:30. He’d slept in and missed Mrs Won going out – and blown his chance to mend his damaged relationship with her.

* What will their relationship be like now? *

Now late for work, he wolfed down a quick bowl of rice and kimchi, washing it down with the barley tea. Then he assembled his lunch.

Back when they’d been on good terms, ajumma had bought Fred a student-style lunch thermos.

It had stacked-up compartments that unscrewed like a rocket ship: rice in one, meat above that, kimchi, etc. The hot stuff stayed warm, the cold stuff cool.

Fred was impressed by the uniquely Korean gift and had been quite touched when ajumma had given it to him.

That had probably been the high point of their friendship and things had gone down hill since.

Presently, Fred kicked himself for missing an easy chance this morning to patch things up with the estranged ajumma. Maybe it was fate.

*

Tomorrow: Not all Koreans like foreigners…