Echoes of the White Giraffe by Sook Nyul Choi

wait to see the picture.” I nodded in silence, and he suddenly grew somber. “I am afraid we don’t have too many days left together,” he said with a heavy sigh. “Well, you must hurry to make the hike up the mountain before sundown.” I couldn’t say a thing. I felt so numb and confused. “You go first and take the short cut,” he said. “I will go the long way. ” He didn’t want to take any chances now. I smiled and quickly left.
    That night, I ate a huge dinner, not because I was hungry but because I feared that if I looked up from my plate, Mother would know that I was keeping something from her. As I busily chewed my food, my heart throbbed. I had never disobeyed her, and had never kept a secret from her. That had all changed today. My shoulders ached as if I were carrying a ton of bricks. How long would I feel this way? Should I tell her about the photo studio? It would hurt her and worry her, and now, it was too late anyway. What had possessed me to do such a daring thing? And how could I be so dishonest? As I ate the last bite of my dinner, Junho’s smiling face appeared before me. Was Junho worth all this pain? Yes, he certainly was, I concluded.
    â€œYou still don’t look quite right, but your appetite has certainly come back stronger than ever,” Mother said. She put her hand against my forehead and asked, “Is something troubling you? Anything you want to get off your chest?”
    For the first time, I lied. “No, nothing at all. I’m fine, Mother," I said, giving her a big hug. I wondered if she would still love me as much if she knew that I had betrayed her for Junho.

Chapter Eight
    The following Sunday, after Mass, Haerin asked Junho and me to put the hymnals in the closet as she had something important to attend to. While I collected the books, Junho drew near and whispered, “Stay around. Maybe we can talk here after everyone leaves. I have the picture.” He patted his chest pocket gently.
    Once everyone had left, we sat down across from each other at the back of the church, and he handed me a small white envelope. Trembling, I slowly pulled out the photo. The second I saw it, I was filled with delight. It was a beautiful picture of us, smiling, without a care in the world. A soft white glow around our faces made the picture look warm and natural. I had no idea I had looked this content and peaceful sitting next to Junho in the studio. Junho looked handsomer than ever and I couldn’t think of a better souvenir of our friendship. I felt lightheaded and I blushed as I stared at the picture. Although we had never even held hands, I felt infinitely close to him.
    As I sat mesmerized, he whispered gently, “Isn’t it a wonderful picture of us? We look alike, don’t you think? Now you will never forget me. Don’t be afraid. I know I asked you to do something highly unusual, but it’s all right. We stand side by side at choir, and here we’re just sitting together side by side. There is nothing wrong with that.”
    I nodded my head in agreement, but I was unconvinced, and doubt started growing within me. We were not merely sitting together. This picture was sweeter than any wedding picture I had ever seen. I was terribly afraid of what others might say if they ever saw it.
    Junho looked into my eyes and reassured me. “These pictures are only for us and no one else shall see them.”
    When we were just about to say goodbye and go our separate ways, a church lady saw us smiling and putting things into our pockets. Walking hurriedly toward us, she shouted, “What are you doing, whispering in an empty church all by yourselves? You should have left long ago. What are you hiding? Let me see.” She stretched out her hand.
    Junho walked quickly toward her, blocking me from sight. “Oh, please don’t worry. It’s me, Junho, the one who sings your favorite songs. We are on our