Echoes of the White Giraffe by Sook Nyul Choi Page B

Junho’s parents, to come for afternoon tea. Mother guessed that she was being summoned to explain my friendship with Junho. She did not know the Min family and there was no other reason for them to ask her to tea, she said. Mother knew that these unpleasant and awkward discussions sometimes occurred, but she decided not to make too much of it. After all, we were both just high-school students and our friendship was very innocent, she thought. There was certainly no reason for alarm. So Mother went, prepared to defend our friendship.
    Dr. Min greeted Mother cordially, and had her take a seat. Mrs. Min then stormed into the room, threw the photo in front of Mother, and shouted, “Look at this! Just look at this horrible sight! Our good son is ruined! Your daughter is bad news. Look what she did. She lured my boy to the studio and coaxed him into sitting with her like lovebirds. We have been raising him to become a respected doctor just like his father and his grandfather. Now all he talks about is becoming a priest. He has gone crazy. This picture explains it all.”
    In shock and disbelief, Mother picked up the photo. She stared at it, bewildered that I could have behaved so rashly. She was ready to apologize to the Mins and rush home to scold me, but she was struck by how lovely the photo was. She couldn’t put it down.
    Instead, she spoke to Dr. Min, who sat in pensive silence. “Dr. Min, I hope you are not angry about this photo. Please do not punish your son for this. To me, it looks like nothing more than an innocent photo taken to preserve their brief friendship during this turbulent time. The war has brought us together, but soon we will all be going in different directions. I believe their friendship is pure. They must find comfort in each other during these uncertain and sad times. They need friends to talk to of their dreams, fears, and sorrows. As for your son, he is a fine, intelligent, young man, and I am sure he knows his mind and knows what he wants out of life. My little girl cannot make up his mind for him. She knows only what she wants to do.”
    Dr. Min’s face softened and he glanced at his angry wife. Looking a bit embarrassed, he said, “Thank you for coming,” and he sighed. “I will give this photo back to my son. You are only young once.” He reached to take the photo back from Mother, but Mrs. Min snatched it away.
    â€œNot if I can help it!” she shrieked. “He will not have it!”
    Dr. Min graciously escorted Mother to the street, apologizing for his wife’s behavior and thanking Mother again.
    Filled with shame for putting my mother through such a humiliating experience, I took the photo out from its hiding place and gave it to her. She patted my head and unfolded the many layers of wrapping. She looked at it again for a long time and smiled calmly. “How peaceful and happy you both look. I’m sure even Mrs. Min’s bitter heart would melt if she looked at this picture long enough. You can keep it, but make sure no one else sees it.”
    With a deep breath, she said, “It’s not the end of the world. It
is
all over now. But you must remember that most people do not understand a special friendship between a boy and a girl of your age. You must behave like a proper young lady now. ” Then she shook her head with a smile of resignation. “My daughter, I must say, you are a daring child. You always were. I never know quite what you will do next; you’re a constant source of wonder to me. But, for now, your old mother has had quite enough excitement.”
    She threw her arms open and hugged me. “Promise me you will not do such a thing again. If you do, at least don’t keep it a secret from me. ” She looked me in the eye sternly, and I nodded, intending to keep
this
promise to her at all costs.
    From that day on, I did not go to choir practice or to any of the choir Masses. Every Sunday I went to