http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBjH7-mDqiQ

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Another week went by. Before Minseo knew it, that anxiety-producing time of month was coming again.

With visitor day being so close, a mix of emotions was displayed. Ricky was excited but also anxious to see his siblings again. CAP, Chunji, and Changjo said nothing, but they all felt inescapable loneliness. L. Joe was ambivalent, and Niel was looking forward to being reunited with his father.

Minseo dreaded tomorrow. Would her twin sister finally show up? Or would she be all alone again?

She didn’t know which one she feared most.

The day before visitor day, Minseo and L. Joe were in charge of scrubbing the second floor shower room.

Minseo wiped the sweat off her brow with the back of her hand. She stood up straight and stretched her sore back. Her expression twisted into a grimace as her back cracked. If I become an ugly hunchback grandma, I’m going to sue this place. Minseo looked back to see what L. Joe was up to. He was washing the soap off the windows.

L. Joe caught her looking and turned his head to meet her eyes. “Are you done?”

“I think so…” Minseo glanced around.

L. Joe sprayed water at the mirror one last time before tossing the bucket aside. “I’m done, too.” He went to the dry side of the shower room and sat against the wall. Minseo had nothing else to do, so she sat a good distance away from him.

The room was silent, but there was no awkwardness. The atmosphere wasn’t exactly comfortable either, but it was manageable.

Minseo slid a look towards L. Joe who was digging in his pocket for a cigarette and lighter.

“Are you…getting visitors tomorrow?” She asked. He paused and looked at her.

Minseo casually looked away. “Tomorrow is visitor’s day, isn’t it?”

L. Joe studied her expression and wondered what was going through her mind.

“Will anyone come to see you again?” She asked. “They always come to see me,” He replied.

“Oh.” Lucky, Minseo thought. There was another lull in the conversation, and L. Joe took the time to take cigarettes out of his pocket.

“Your parents must love you a lot,” She commented.

“I don’t have any parents,” He said.

Minseo looked at him in surprise. What does he mean?

“I was thrown away. I’m an orphan, like CAP.” L. Joe put a cigarette between his lips. Shock crossed her face, and then pity filled her eyes. “I would appreciate it if you don’t look at me like I’m a puppy with three legs,” He lit the cigarette. Embarrassed, Minseo looked away.

“I’m not unfortunate, so you don’t have to feel bad. I have a family of my own. You know why I’m in here. I’m in a gang that deals with money, drugs, and violence. They may seem cold-hearted, but they’re my family, and they visit me every month with whatever I need,” He said.

You say that, but why can I hear discontentment in your voice? Minseo wondered.

L. Joe drew in a breath, pulled the cigarette away, and exhaled. His eyes pinned on her. “What about you, Go Minseo? Will you have visitors tomorrow?” Her body stiffened, and she became as still as a marble statue. Her heart pounded as blood rushed to her ears.

“Or will you have no visitors like last time?” He asked.

Minseo swallowed hard. L. Joe tilted his head. “Are you going to be like CAP, Chunji, and Changjo? Always waiting but never having anyone to come see you?”

Minseo sat there, rendered speechless and humiliation slammed her right in the chest so that she was unable to even breathe.

“Don’t you have any friends? Any family members? Why don’t they come see you? Is it because of what you’ve done?” L. Joe probed.

Mi