Chapter 3

September 11, 2015. Morning.

Bomi POV

I hear birds chirping out the windows. What time is it anyway ? I slowly open my eyes and lazily fumble for my alarm clock. It reads 7:05 AM. Oh good. Another half hour before I leave for work. Plenty of time for breakfast. I turn on the gas to boil hot water for coffee. I turn on the computer to check the weather on the internet. While the computer boots, I use the bathroom. Man, I’m sore. Last night with Chorong was wild. Where does she get all that energy, anyway ? I hear that pot whistle and hurry to turn off the gas. I make coffee that is light and sweet. I notice the toast and eggs on a plate, left on the table. A nearby post-it note says: ‘Bomi’s Breakfast.’ I take the plate and coffee to my desk. I sit down and check the computer. UH-OH ! Why does it say 8:25 AM ??? OH ! I’M LATE FOR WORK!!!! I look at my alarm clock. The clock stopped. The battery’s dead. Why didn’t Chorong wake me up ? Geez. I pull up my boss’s number on my cell phone and make the call. After two rings, the other party picks up.

‘Hi, Eunji. It’s Bomi. I’m running really late this morning. I should be at the office within an hour or so. I’m sorry, Eunji-ah.’

I turn off the cell phone and sigh. Eunji will rib me about being late. I sigh again. I hastily put on my work clothes. I check myself in the mirror and make sure my appearance is good. I take two big gulps of coffee and leave the rest of it on the table. The plate remains untouched. I guess this is my breakfast. I hurry get out the door of my apartment and lock it. Unfortunately, I’m in a fourth-floor walkup and I can’t run down the stairs. I manage the best I can to get out of my building ASAP and head to the Union Square subway station.

*******

I hate rush hour. I mean it. I really really H-A-T-E rush hour. I’m standing in line right now at the Union Square subway station, waiting to buy a MetroCard. Just my luck, my monthly unlimited just expired… and so, here we are, waiting to buy a MetroCard. God my day just keeps getting better and better. Come on, lady. Will you hurry up ? It’s not like there’s five paragraphs to read on the screen. The MetroCard buying process is really simple. Choose your language, choose the type of card and length, method of payment, insert payment and get the card. And press no to getting a receipt. GAH!!! I would understand if it’s a tourist using these machines for the very first time. But during rush hour ? You gotta be a New Yorker headed to work and therefore accustomed to buying a card. I watch the lady plod away from the machine. FINALLY! I make a purchase for a 30 day unlimited card and pay with cash. I hurry down the stairs to the platform for the Downtown 4, 5 and 6 trains. I check my watch and it’s 8:46 already!!! Jesus, Eunji will REALLY have a field day with me when I come into the office. Oh good! The train’s here. I hop on the 6 train to Brooklyn Bridge. Hopefully I can get to the office by 9 am. K