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Lee Chang Joon was enjoying a rare moment alone out in nature. He sat on a park bench among a small stand of trees that hid him away from the street. After a long morning of nonstop meetings, he just wanted to eat his lunch in peace. Normally he would try to network with others, but today he just wanted some time to himself. His most recent case involved business fraud, and even though the defendant was from a powerful conglomerate, Chang Joon had decided to ignore the pressure, do the right thing, and send the chaebol, Lee Seong Jae, to prison.The sound of the traffic faded away, and his food seemed to taste better outside. Even though it was store-bought, it went down easy. He deliberately slowed down and tried to enjoy the flavors and textures, the sunshine, and a rare day of low dust particles in the air. It was mostly quiet except for a jingling noise that seemed to draw closer to where he was. Soon, it was accompanied by the sound of branches rustling and an animal panting. Chang Joon looked in the direction of the sound and was greeted by the sight of a fluffy, beige-looking dog dragging its leash. He reasoned that it must have slipped away from its owner and run off the path that lay deeper in the park.He wasn’t a dog person, but he was willing to do a good deed. He picked up the last piece of mini sausage on his tray and held it low to the ground in hopes the dog would be interested. It minced toward him on elegant legs and sniffed at his fingers, then turned its nose up and away. Chang Joon put the sausage away.
Hmmm… not sausage.
But the dog didn’t leave, and he began to talk to it.“Where did you come from?”The dog was polite enough to bark softly.“Where is your owner?” Chang Joon held out his hand. The dog nuzzled his palm, and he began to pet the dog. That’s when he noticed the name and number on the collar.“Ah, Wan Wan, nice to meet you,” Chang Joon said as he fished his phone from his pocket and keyed the number in.The phone rang a few times on the other end, and then a woman answered.“Hello?! Did you find my dog?”“Yes, hello. Please describe the dog you lost.”“You wouldn’t be calling me if you didn’t have my dog.”“Okay, but how do I know you didn’t do something to the dog’s owner?”“Oh, good point. Alright, he’s a caramel-colored poodle, and his collar has the name ‘Wan Wan’.”“Great. He’s with me, and we’re at the southeast corner of the park by the benches. I’ll wait here.”“Oh, great! I’m not far away.”When Wan Wan’s person arrived, Chang Joon wondered if it was the first day of the rest of his life. She had obviously been exercising in the park, and she glowed. Her leggings were modestly covered by a track jacket tied around her waist. The running top had cap sleeves and a high neck. Her ponytail was pulled through the closure of a baseball hat, and her brightly manicured nails were short and sensible. She broke into a jog over the last few feet and knelt to hug the dog.“Wan Wan! Don’t run off like that again. I won’t let other dogs hurt you,” she said as she stood up again. Then, turning to Chang Joon, she continued, “Thank you for rescuing my dog!”“You’re welcome. I’m Lee Chang Joon.” He couldn’t resist introducing himself and offering to shake hands.“Pleased to meet you. You’ve already met Wan Wan,” she said, nodding toward the canine she now held on its leash.“Yes. Unusual name for a dog. What does it mean?” He wanted to keep her talking.“It’s Japanese for barking.”“Why not Myeong Myeong?” He referenced the Korean echoism.She shrugged and laughed. Her laughter sounded like clinking champagne glasses and silverware on fine china.“Speaking of names, could I be so bold as to ask for yours?”“Lee Yeon Jae,” she replied.“Okay. And just to let you know, I didn’t feed your dog anything, in case you’re worried about him. I offered him a sausage, and he declined.”“Oh, you’re a choosy puppy, aren’t you?” Yeon Jae asked as she gently scratched Wan Wan around his ears.“Is there a reward for rescuing such a valued and handsome dog?”He got to hear her laugh again!“Maybe. You already have my number.”“Ah, that I do.”Lee Yeon Jae smiled and waved exactly three fingers of her raised hand as she took Wan Wan and turned to go.“See you, Mr. Lee Chang Joon.”-----------------------------------------“Do you remember that day, Chang Joon? The first day we met?” They had told her to say positive things when she spoke because it was possible he could hear her.Yeon Jae thought back to that beautiful, clear summer day. Her knight in short sleeves had found her silly runaway dog for her. Then, a whirlwind romance ensued. She had barely caught her breath before her wonderful, brave, loving husband had become mired and entrapped in the ugly world she inhabited. And now, he lay here, still just as trapped, suspended between life and death by plastic tubing. He couldn’t wake up, and he wouldn’t be allowed to die. She wouldn’t allow him to die.“When you come home, we could get a dog again. Wouldn’t that be nice? You missed Wan Wan so much after he was gone.”The machines whirred and beeped softly.“Soo Jeong would be here, but it’s hard for her to see you like this. She hopes you can come home soon.” Yeon Jae dabbed at her tears and took a deep, fortifying breath.“When you come back, it’ll be my turn to protect you. I won’t let anything happen to you again. I promise, Chang Joon. And you know I keep my promises.” She gently rubbed the back of his hand, kissed his forehead, and then gathered herself to go.
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Lee Yeon Jae brushed her hair into a simple bun and swiped on some lipstick. She was dressed in mid-calf boots and a sweater dress that hugged her lithe frame.“Ahjumma, it’s time for Mr. Lee’s walk. Please make sure you put a blanket over his legs. The weather is changing.”“Yes, ma’am. Will it be the Burberry?” asked the housekeeper.“That’s fine,” Yeon Jae replied breezily.The housekeeper wheeled Mr. Lee around to the door and carefully tucked the tartan-inspired beige checked throw across his lap and into the sides of his chair. He was bundled up in a mid-weight jacket. His eyes were alert and seemed to follow her around the room.Since his accident, Mr. Lee had not spoken and could not walk. But from the time he had awoken from his coma he seemed more and more aware of what was happening around him. His physical therapy was ongoing, and he could eat solid food. But his progress was slow. It broke his daughter’s heart, but seemed to strengthen his wife’s will. She stood beside him like a lighthouse by the sea. No storm could sway her.They didn’t go far. The driver took them in the conversion van to a quiet park overlooking a placid lake. The trees were only beginning to change color. The ginkgo trees were still a brilliant green. But some maples had a pale yellow leaf here and there. the riotous color show they enjoyed every autumn was still weeks away.“My love, I’m so happy to be able to come here with you again,” she said. Yeon Jae didn’t care if her husband couldn’t answer her. She would always say these cringey things to him. In those horrible minutes after she first heard of his accident and the dreadful hours he was in surgery, she prayed to every god she could think of that he would live. Something or someone heard and answered. She wouldn’t be greedy. He didn’t have to do anything but exist, and she would be satisfied.After a brief walk down a path and back again, a stiff wind caught the trees, and Yeon Jae felt it cut right through her light layers. She had thrown on a little cardigan, anticipating that walking and pushing the wheelchair would make her overheat. But now, the wind had turned surprisingly cold. She shivered for a moment.“Shall we head back, honey?” she asked, not expecting an answer, but she considered it a courtesy to engage with him.Then, he made a sound.“Huh…Huh…”Yeon Jae froze. Then she looked around. Could it have been her imagination? For some time now, she would fill in his parts of the conversation in her mind. But this time, she was certain she had heard a sound.“Honey, did you say something?” She tried to calm her voice so as not to spook or pressure him.“Ho-ney. . . .” he said haltingly, his voice raspy from disuse.Yeon Jae waited. Chang Joon’s face was steeled with concentration. She watched as his throat worked itself and his lips fought to form the words.“C-co-ld.”“Chang Joon! You spoke! Are you cold, honey? Is that what you want me to know? Do you need more layers?!” She spoke excitedly.“N-no. Y-ou.”Yeon Jae could barely contain herself. But she did. After all, chaebols don’t cry in public parks. But her eyes shimmered with joy, pain, relief, and some emotions she could not even name.“Thank you, honey. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” To think that his first words were concern for her. That was not something she would have even asked for.“You’re right. I should have worn something warmer.” But his simple words had driven away any hint of cold. She squeezed his shoulder affectionately.“Let’s go home.”