CHEOLYONG

As he sat at the kitchen table, Cheolyong got a taste of what a family life was like. At the stove stood Hyojin, happily flipping warm, golden pancakes onto a platter as she told lame jokes that made everybody laugh. Setting out plates and silverware was seven year old Anya, smiling and twirling around like a ballerina. And Changsun sat at the table next to him, talking with his family with a kind smile on his face, a side of him that Cheolyong was interested in seeing. He felt left out, or like an outsider sitting in the midst of their family time; but Changsun had made him go back to bed last night, and this morning Hyojin had insisted that he stay for a few hours. He didn’t want to be rude and rush off, especially after the kindness he’s been displayed, nor did he have any need to go back home.

“Changsun, grab the milk and orange juice out of the refrigerator. Cheolyong, could you get the syrup and cinnamon out of the top right cabinet please, dear?” Hyojin asked, glancing back at the two boys. Cheolyong looked up in surprise, nodding quickly as he moved to retrieve the two items. For some reason, his heart sped up at the thought that he was being involved.

“Mama, why is Cheolyong here? I thought Changsun didn’t have any friends because he’s a cranky ?” Anya asked her mother, glancing back curiously.

Cheolyong stifled a laugh as he brought the syrup and cinnamon to the table, reclaiming his seat next to Changsun as Hyojin carried over a stack of pancakes.

“Well, they’re friends now,” Hyojin informed her daughter, sitting down between her and Changsun. She began sliding the hot cakes onto everyone’s plates and they all dug into their breakfast. Cheolyong had to remind himself not to indulge like a pig, because as much as his stomach was screaming for the delicious aroma, he didn’t want to be rude, so he slowly began to butter them.

“So, Cheolyong, what are your plans for this weekend?” Hyojin started off a new conversation, glancing at him curiously.

“Oh, um, nothing really,” Cheolyong answered, pointedly staring down at his plate. He didn’t want to tell her that he was actually planning on walking around the city, perhaps even sleeping at the children’s park to avoid going home. He didn’t know what was so special about weekends, but his parents always seemed to have more fun drinking and doing other bad things during the two days. More often than not they had friends over who brought things to smoke that smelled really bad. Rather than go home and be a target, Cheolyong would’ve rather slept outside until a slide than return there.

“Then why don’t you hang out here with Changsun? I doubt he has anything fun to do either. Oh, I could drive you guys to the movies if you want; there’s that good action horror film that just went into theaters,” Hyojin offered, pouring Anya some orange juice.

“Can I go with them, Mama?” Anya asked hopefully, peering up at her mother and batting her lash