"My heart has longed for him as hugely and openly as a full moon But instead I narrow my eyes, and my glance to him Is sharp and narrow as the crescent moon."   -Kim Dong Hwa, The Color of Earth   ---   The genial sun rose brightly from the east, lightening up the sky into a pink, rosy haze. It acted like an embarrassed woman, shy from a man's confident actions. Birds carried a mellifluous tune through the trees. The scent of orchids and irises travelled from the garden. The day was deemed to be vivid and radiant. One that carried good fortune and blessings. Unlike the night before. A storm that brewed from the stickiness of the air. The moon controlling the tides, crashing angrily, over and over the same exact spot.   Jooeun hadn't been able to sleep a wink. No matter how many times she tried to clear her head from prying thoughts, morning had won the race. All she could do was embrace the fact the sky was awake, and so was she. After lying in every part of the bed, in every position, Jooeun decided to finally get up. If her mind wanted to think, then she was going to do it right. She walked over the window, unlocking the catch, and pushed the lower sash upwards. There out on the roof, she sat deep in thought, watching nature continue its dance of life.   ---   "Eomoni, where is Jooeun?"   The senior sipped her tea while flipping through channels on TV. It was about time for the morning news. 6:59 AM. Not early at all for a countryside woman.   "Jongdae-ah, why are up so early? I thought city boys got up later than us country folk," the woman giggled. She enjoyed poking fun at the scruffy looking man in the kitchen. He looked like he was nine years old again. Sleeping over at Jooeun's house after playing too much tag or hide-and-seek. His bedhead was the icing on the cake.   "Where's Jooeun?" he asked again.   "She left a little while ago Jongdae-ah. I think she went to go buy fresh ingredients at the market. She'll be back soon."   Jongdae had missed her by a few moments. If he wanted to, he could still join her to the market. But even if he tried to catch up to her now, what would he say? His behavior last night was inexcusable. It was no way to act as a guest, or as a friend.   There were so many things he needed to tell her. So many things confess. He wanted to confess everything. The secrets, the lies. They kept piling up, never stopping. Once he finished one thing, more was thrown onto the plate. To him, it was torture. He avoided office jobs for a reason you know.   Today, he was going to find the courage. The courage to release every burden following him.   "Eomoni, I'm going to go out," he announced.   "You're going out like that? At least brush your hair first! And eat something too!"   Jongdae ran his fingers through his hair. It was definitely sticking up. They say mother knows best, even when they aren't yours. Blushing, he sat at the table for breakfast.   ---   The path was different than before. It was muddier, more worn out. Instead of bare fields of green on either side, there were carefully planted daises, leading up to the lone house on the hill.   Jongdae was surprised that no one had bought the land next door to the Zhang family. For as long as he could remember, it had always been an empty field of wildflowers. Him and Yixing would play there till the sun went to sleep, and they would wait until night's finale. When the fireflies appeared. The most magical thing a child could experience. Thousands of stars floating within their reach.   The reminiscing boy reached the familiar house of his childhood. He wondered if Yixing, or Lay as he was also known, still lived here. Would he remember him? Would he remember all the games they played together in the fields? There was no way to know for sure unless he called out.   "Hello? Is anyone home?"   A loud thump came from inside the home. All of a sudden, a frail old man pushed the sliding door open. He stomped out, cane in hand, an angry lo