Hick Town, Korea
Cry Out With My Heart and Soul
We got to the town at 8:45 and we were both starving – mainly me. After driving around for another ten minutes, we found a cute little home-style family restaurant. It was so simple, in fact, that they only sold sandwiches and pies, which was fine with me. So long as it was food, I'd eat it.
The two of us walked into the restaurant and found out just how incredibly small it was. When we walked in, the few people that were eating – all locals, I assumed – stared at us like we were invaders coming to take the only thing they loved. I ignored their looks as I turned to the lady standing behind a podium. "Well y'all sure as heck ain't from around here, are ya now?" She wore a simple dress and her hair in ringlets in a half-up half-down style. Her smile was genuine.
"Uh, no. Could we get a table for two?"
"Y'all on a date or somethin'?"
I felt my face get red. "What? No! We're just…"
"Alright, alright. Don't get your wadded up over nuthin." She grabbed two menus and led us into the diner, where all eyes never left us. "My name's Jesse Belle. If ya need anything, just holler."
Yesung smiled. "Will do."
After Jesse Belle left, I leaned across the table and whispered, "Where the hell are we? I didn't know there was such thing as hick town in the middle of South Korea."
Yesung shrugged. "I don't see what's so bad about it. It's actually kind of cozy. It's like the Southern part of the United States. You know, one of those small towns where everyone knows everyone? Although, I always did prefer Canada…"
I eyed Yesung. "I just want to eat here, then get out. Preferably to a five-star hotel."
"You think you're gonna find a five star hotel in the middle o' this place?" Jesse Belle said as she poured us iced tea from a pitcher.
"What will I find?" I asked, looking up at her.
"Well you know, Harvey and Carol just opened up that there Bed and Breakfast not a block away from here. Said it used to be Harvey's Grandma's house. Didn't wanna sell it after she passed away last year, so they made it a cozy little place for travelers like y'all. Why don't I give 'em a call and tell 'em to expect two young men comin' in around 9:45?"
"What is this place even called?"
"The diner? It's called Pete's! That's my husband. He opened the place up when we first built the town, he did. Ain't never gonna close it. We even named our son Pete so he could continue it on."
"Uh, no I meant the town."
"The town? Honey, we're so small we don't need a town name. We just call it Home." I exchanged glance with Yesung, who seemed sincerely interested. "Have y'all decided what y'all want?"
"What would you recommend, Jesse Belle?" Yesung asked politely. I wanted to puke.
"Why, you wanna know what I think? That's sweet of ya, it really is. If it were me orderin', I'd get myself this right here." She pointed to a picture on Yesung's menu. "By gosh, that might be one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten."
"We'll both take it."
"Fantastic! I'll go make that call, now." Jesse Belle headed into the kitchen, taking our menus with her.
"What on earth are you doing?"
"Being polite. Maybe you should try it sometime." Yesung smirked.
I jerked my chin in his direction. "What did you order us, anyway?"
"Just a BLT. Classic sandwich; you'll like it."
"Hey." I turned my head to see the guy sitting at the table next to us. He was a big guy wearing overalls who forgot the meaning of the word 'shave'. "What are a couple of city guys like yourselves doing in a place like this?"
"Uh… well…" I started, not wanting to explain myself to this guy.
"We decided to take a road trip. You see, Ryeowook over here was feeling adventurous, so he called me up and we decided to just drive and see where his car would take us."
"Why is he in such a bad mood?"
Yesung and I exchanged glances before continuing. "Well, you see, Wookie got dumped by his girlfriend and, um… it was right after her birthday. He's mad because she waited until getting a present from him to break up with him. She was just being greedy, right Wookie?"
"Uh, well I'd rather not talk about it…"
"He still loves her. Poor guy."
"Man, I can't stand when girls do that. That's why I never got married. Name's Chuck, by the way." Chuck patted his stomach as if it was success that he never married. Glancing at him, it wasn't too hard to imagine that his ignorance wasn't the only reason he didn't get married.
"I'm Yesung. That guy's Ryeowook."
"Alrighty, folks. I got your two BLT's here and I made that call for ya. Carol's gotcha all set up."
"Why thank you Jesse Belle, it's really nice of you to do this for us."
"Don't mention it. It's not every day we get travelers. We're glad to have the company. How long will y'all be stayin?"
I answered before Yesung got the chance. "We leave tomorrow morning."
"Aww, just passin' by? That's alright, though. Enjoy your meal!"
We did, actually. Jesse Belle was right when she said the BLT was the best thing she'd ever tasted. We even ordered desert – or rather, Yesung did. We each got a piece of apple pie with a scoop of ice cream on top. I was reminded of my Aunt's pie – made from scratch. As soon as we were done eating, we got directions to the Bed and Breakfast and headed over there. Carol greeted us with a smile and led us upstairs – supposedly where Harvey's mom's bedroom was. It was cozy, with a king-sized bed and a bookshelf, dresser, and armoire. As soon as Carol was gone, I stripped my shirt and shoes and got in the bed, asleep before Yesung even turned off the light.
Comments