heb’s Reviews > Togani > Status Update

He lit a cigarette. It was a clear autumn evening. He sent a stream of smoke out above the display of milk-colored reeds bordering the bay. The sun was slanting toward the horizon, tinting the clouds in pastel pinks and purples. If only this scenery could be left as is and just the people in it erased, it would be heaven. Simple, uncomplicated, beautiful heaven.

Kang was reminded of the impassive eyes of Palestinian and African children he had seen in photos. Overwhelmingly painful circumstances had left no feeling in those eyes. He couldn’t help thinking of his daughter, Saemi. If she had been born a boy, would he be feeling any less heartache now?

“This is the twenty-first century,” said Kang. “Of course the police will investigate.”

Sŏ’s frown deepened. “Yes, it’s the twenty-first century, all right, and I’m telling you the police are not investigating!”

It was late at night and Kang was having a pot of ramen as he surfed the television channels. In recent days he had rediscovered what a hassle the simple act of eating was.

...as they walked down the hall, he could hear behind them the footsteps of Yun and the other girls. Had there ever been a time when he was so cognizant of, so sensitive to, every kind of sound? Barely two days here and he was exhausted.