Echoes of the White Giraffe by Sook Nyul Choi Page A

way.” She smiled at Junho, but she gave me the evil eye.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” said Haerin as she walked into the room and saw the lady’s sour face. “Tell me what’s going on!” The lady walked away, shaking her head.
    Placing his hand on Haerin’s shoulder, Junho chuckled and said, “Nothing for you to be concerned about, my little sister. You are back just in time. The hymnals are all arranged in the closet. Let’s go home.”
    Haerin shot a puzzled glance in my direction, but she did as her older brother said, and led the way out the door. I wondered if she would try to talk to the church lady. I prayed she would never find out about the picture. She would be furious to find that we had kept a secret from her, and she would be horribly jealous of my special relationship with Junho. She would feel betrayed by Junho, but she would forgive him; she would blame it all on me. She was intrigued by my life experience and she needed me to sing in her choir, but she had no great affection for me. I think she knew Junho liked singing duets with me, but I don’t think she suspected anything more. She would surely not allow anything to come between her and her
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if she could help it. What would happen to my friendship with Junho if she ever managed to find the photo?
    While I walked in fear and discomfort, Junho looked into my eyes and smiled, whistling a tune to harmonize with Haerin’s humming. I took a deep breath, and tried to convince myself that Junho would never let Haerin find out about the picture.
    With my secret safely tucked away, I resumed my afterschool walks with Bokhi. Bokhi walked with me but didn’t talk much for several days. I would catch her staring at me, wondering what it was that I had hidden from her that day. But after a while, she gave up as it was clear to her that I wouldn’t talk about it. We began to study together and test each other on English and French vocabulary again. I was thankful that she didn’t pry, though I felt guilty for having hurt her and for having kept this secret from her. But I just knew I couldn’t talk of Junho. It would sound outrageous, and I could picture Bokhi gasping with surprise and disapproval. Besides, my relationship with Junho was so special; I was afraid that if I told anyone, something might happen, and our friendship would no longer be so precious.
    The following Saturday, Inchun left the house early for his science field trip. He had been collecting rocks, fossils, rare plants, roots, and even caterpillars. Before I had even begun to get ready for choir practice, Mother said, “Sookan, now that Inchun has left, I need to talk with you. You are not going to be in the choir anymore. Sit down.” Her face was drawn and her voice was flat.
    I felt as if a huge boulder had been hurled at me, crushing all that I cherished in life. I knew it had something to do with the picture. My heart tightened and my face burned. I sat still, with my head hung low. I saw thousands of fingers pointing at me and I heard the mocking laughter of the mountain people as they said, “Look at her. She’s the one. She has no scruples. She had a picture taken with a boy, and she hid it from her mother. What a bad daughter! What anguish she is causing her poor mother!”
    â€œSookan, do not look so frightened. I am not angry with you. But I am disappointed that you kept this from me. I know you are at the age where your heart rules. But, you could have told me, even after the photo was taken. Then, I would have been somewhat better prepared to deal with Mrs. Min’s harsh words. Anyway, it doesn’t matter now. It’s all over. And I did tell Junho’s parents how I felt.”
    At the mention of }unho’s parents, I stared panic-stricken at Mother. She told me that yesterday afternoon, a letter was left on her desk at the refugee center. It was an invitation from Dr. and Mrs. Min,