Byron hated him. It was strange for him – he had never hated anyone else in his life, but this brother-in-law was different. This man who had married his sister-in-law had inflicted a hurt of the type nobody else could. It was a hurt that had never healed.1
Now, he held a plain white envelope in his hand that begged in simple terms for his forgiveness. It came not from his brother in law who seeded hate, but rather from the only one whose plea could break through his hurt and revive his hardened heart.2
His mind drifted back to a morning so many years earlier. It began like many mornings before. He awakened as a little hand slapped across his face.3
A little round face hovered over him. Her cheeks were rosy as always, and her few teeth showed mischievously as she knew she was being ornery.4
“Emobu,” she said calling him by the Korean word for Uncle.5
He reached his hands and grabbed her under her arms. Lifting her above him, he rocked her gently left and right. She giggled and squealed. Her satin black hair fell around her face as she relished her uncle’s attention.6
He lowered her to his face to “get your belly,” then quickly raised her away from him.7
“Whew-wee!” he exclaimed. “We got problems this morning!”8
He laid her on the bed beside him and made stinky face at her. Her almond shaped eyes, as black as cinders, danced as she giggled more at the funny faces he made.9
“Emo’s been buying those diapers that get all messed up again,” he said using the Korean word for aunt. He nudged his wife and continued, “Emo, you’re supposed to buy those diapers that don’t get all messy and smelly.”10
“Good morning!” his wife exclaimed childishly as she rolled over and looked at the cheerful little 18 month old girl between them.11
“Achh!” she exclaimed, wrinkling her nose as she got closer.12
She continued to speak playfully in Korean as she attended to the morning needs of her little niece.13
“She is well named,” Byron thought to himself as he watched his wife change little Arum – the Korean word for “Beauty.”14
The story had actually begun even earlier when Ok Sun’s sister came bruised and crying to her door. This sister lived over 200 miles away, so just getting to her house had been quite an ordeal in her condition. She wept as she told how she was pregnant, and her husband had beaten her and kicked her out of the house. Just months earlier he had a vasectomy, but she became pregnant. She cried as she insisted over and over that she had never been unfaithful to him.15
Soon after, this brother-in-law had called and asked her to come back. He had been tested again, and had discovered that he had two vases on one side. Only one had been severed, so the vasectomy had not sterilized him. He took her back, but he was different when he brought her back into the home. He was now cold, and never looked at her quite the same.16
Just two weeks after Ok Sun’s wedding, her sister returned to her door – again unable to continue with the impossible man she had married. This time she was very close to delivery of her baby, and in fact, just two days later the baby was born.17
The baby’s father came to their house. He acknowledged the baby was his, but his attitude was still cold. He had only wanted the son they had, and to him this new baby was an unpleasant surprise for which he still did not wish to take responsibility, nor lose his family’s social benefits.18
Against Ok Sun’s advice, her sister returned home with her husband. However; in the cruelest of manipulations, Ok Sun’s brother-in-law refused to allow the baby to come. In the ensuing fight, the issue was settled with the baby staying with Ok Sun and her new husband until her sister’s house could be “prepared” for a new baby. Yes, the brother-in-law had even thanked Ok Sun and her new groom for watching the baby until he could get everything ready.19
Byron, Ok Sun’s new groom, had objected to this arrangement at first. As any husband would, he had wanted time alone with his new bride before bringing a baby into their lives. But he could not allow the baby to stay in the middle of the struggle that was continuing in her parents’ house, so no real resistance was offered.20
As the weeks passed, new excuses came from the brother-in-law. Each excuse was a new reason why Arum’s rightful home was not prepared to give her her rightful place.21
As each day passed, the impossibly beautiful baby girl in his house won Byron’s heart more and more. Her bright smile and her playful demeanor could have softened a witch’s heart.22
Soon, Ok Sun became pregnant and bore them a daughter of their own, but Arum’s place in his heart and home was never diminished.23
Orders came telling them that he would soon have to leave Korea. However; even with this news Arum’s father still could not make room in his house for Arum.24
Byron tried to extend his tour, but his request was refused. No other options remained open, so he asked if he and Ok Sun could adopt Arum.25
Arum’s mother shrieked as the question was asked. She could not bear the thought of her baby leaving Korea, but she was unable to convince the obstinate man she had married to allow Arum to come home to their house.26
On this morning, as Byron watched Ok Sun tend to Arum, he knew this would be the last morning for a long time that he would be able to play with his beloved little almond eyed beauty. He didn’t realize just how long.27
They packed their bags and caught the bus to Seoul. From there a Taxi took them to Kimpo airport. Ok Sun’s mother met them at the airport. She was aging and now lived by herself, but still had the resolute strength of so many of the elder ladies of this land. She had agreed to take Arum until Arum’s father would allow her in his house.28
Everyone stayed together in the lobby outside of the international terminal until at last they could wait no more. Byron stood, and set all the bags aside. He held out both arms to Arum.29
She ran into his embrace.30
“Hug-ee squeeze-ee!” he said just as he had so many other times when they played together.31
She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and held him for a moment, then let go.32
He kissed her on her rosy round cheek.33
She grabbed him again and gave him a wet kiss on his lips.34
Ok Sun embraced Arum and spoke sweetly in Korean telling her to be good.35
Arum’s grandmother picked her up.36
Byron picked up their carry on baggage. Ok Sun picked up their daughter, and the three of them proceeded through the passenger check point.37
Just as they arrived at the other side, Byron could hear Arum beginning to protest that she was not going with them. He dared not look back at her – the pain was already growing too great.38
As he picked up the bags again, Arum’s protests turned to wails. “Emo! … Emobu! …” she called through her tears.39
He put his arm around Ok Sun – still holding their two month old daughter – and urged her on.40
Arum’s wails became shrieks as she continued to call “Emo! … Emobu! …”41
Ok Sun stopped suddenly.42
He looked at her. “I know,” he said softly – his voice cracking. “I want to too. But we have no choice.”43
She stood silently for a moment, her eyes fixed on the face of the infant she carried. She sniffled, then nodded and continued.44
Night after night the voice of his little dark eyed beauty calling “Emobu” after him haunted Byron’s dreams. A terrible anger began to burn deep inside him. News of continuing excuses from Arum’s father only aggravated the anger. Arum’s father would not be the father that his sweet little niece needed, but would not release her either. Little Arum was caught in the middle with nobody to belong to.45
Upon reporting for duty at his next assignment, he immediately volunteered to go back to Korea – anywhere in Korea so long as he could get back to those rosy cheeks, that satin black hair, and that voice that had called so pitifully for him as he walked away in the airport.46
Days dragged into weeks, and weeks into months, but no news came of an assignment back to Korea.47
The anger within him became bitterness.48
He tried to forget, but his dreams were still haunted by the cries of a beautiful little rosy cheeked girl calling “Emobu” as he walked down the halls of Kimpo airport.49
Bitterness, left unchecked within him became hatred – he hated the man who had done this to Arum.50
Finally, the assignment came. After two years away, he would be allowed to return to Korea. He counted the days until he could hold her in his arms again and give “hug-ee squeeze-ee.”51
At last, he stepped out of the international airport. Ok Sun stood on one side of him and the daughter Ok Sun had carried the last time they were in Kimpo Airport walked by his other side. In Ok Sun’s arms was their second daughter – now six months old.52
Byron saw his mother-in-law, and looked to her side. He could not help but smile as he marveled at how much Arum had grown since she had given him that last embrace in this same airport more than two years earlier.53
He stooped to her level, his excitement bubbling over. He reached his arms toward her and called sweetly “Arumi!”54
Arum looked at him with uncertainty for a moment, then ran scared behind her grandmother.55
Byron was shocked. After endless nights of hearing her voice calling for him it had never occurred to him that she might not remember him! And it had certainly never entered his mind that she might be afraid of him!56
As days passed, her fear faded, but the familiarity they had once enjoyed did not return quickly. Arum’s grandmother decided it would be best for Arum to stay with her.57
Byron pleaded with Arum’s parents to allow him to adopt her, but they refused. Hearing the continuing excuses, he lost his cool during the negotiation. He never struck his brother-in-law, but he abused him with words that should not escape a Christian man’s mouth. He knew that was wrong, but in this case, he felt no remorse.58
After two years on this tour, Byron left with his family and returned to the U.S. Arum still lived with her grandmother, and the latest version of the story from Arum’s house was that she would be welcomed home when she began school.59
Soon, the news came that Arum had begun school, and at last her father had been true to his word. Arum’s father had finally brought Arum home after six years of leaving her with no family.60
Byron made requests for pictures, but they were routinely ignored. Pictures came of Arum’s older brother, but never was a single picture sent of the little girl who had once been so near and dear to him.61
Word came that Arum’s father had truly repented, and had become a kind and affectionate father for Arum. But after six years of dealing with this man, Byron was skeptical, and his bitterness over Arum’s treatment never subsided.62
Years passed. The love for a little girl was never forgotten, nor was the hatred for her father for what he had done to her. But this day, a simple white envelope had appeared in their mailbox. The postmark was Pusan, Korea, and the name in the return address was that of the aptly named little beauty he had once loved in his home as his own daughter.63
He wondered as he opened it if she really knew who he was. He wondered if anyone had ever told her about him, or about how he and Ok Sun had taken her in and loved her. He knew nobody could ever tell her of the times when she gave him slobbery kisses on his cheek, or had awakened him in the morning, or had ridden on his shoulders as they walked to the market - those memories now existed only within him and his wife. But, here was an envelope that had appeared from nowhere, with no warning, and it was addressed specifically to him.64
He smiled as he pulled a single picture from the envelope.65
He examined it closely.66
“She has grown into an absolutely gorgeous young woman!” he thought to himself as he looked at the lady who Arum had become. “She actually looks a lot like Ok Sun when I married her.”67
He fumbled for pins to put this picture up next to his daughter’s graduation picture. He cried a little in spite of himself as he looked at the picture another time. After all these years he had finally gotten that single picture he had so coveted.68
“Wow! She is beautiful!” he thought.69
For the first time, he turned the picture over. On the back, he found a short note neatly penned in Korean. He wept again as he read the quiet assurance:70
Emobu,71
They told me everything. I know.72
I thought you should know that daddy was a very good dad.73
I love you Emobu,74
Arum75
Author notes
I always welcome comments - good or bad.
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 52 of 52
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very sweet
it was a well witten story. You set up the caharacters well adn even put in those little moments that so easily defin our lives but can be over looked in a short story. You really feel for the little girl Arum and pity Byron as he has to abondon her to her sad fate. the father's reform helps give soem closure to the story letting the reader know that all is well. your style is very good for short stories as you are able to set the sean quickly and clearly without losing any of the reader's interst. You also let us know enough about the characters to allow us to feel aquainted with them. I'm not sure how clear you made this but was Byron in the military and that was the 'tour' he was on; a tour of duty? other wise a nice story.beginning: 4, language: 5, plot: 4, ending: 5, dialog: 4, characters: 5.
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line 15 you said "beaten", I think you meant beat... just a thought. you're missing minor puntuation symbols such as commas and semicolons. Very satsfying after all. Loved the emotional journey. Keep it up. Love where you took this sad, but also lovely story. Looking forward to reading some more.
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That's an interesting point. "Had beaten" is proper, but "had beat" would work also.
Thank you for reading and commenting. I really appreciate it.
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this poem was pretty good and pretty long keep it up ok?
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very good story i ,i liked it, slighty sad that the father didnt care, but i grew up without a father so i know what its like
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Thank you for that well reasoned, well thought out, and wonderful comment. I'm so glad that you liked it.
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Thank you so much.
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Thank you so much. I love writing stories ... I don't have as much time to do it anymore, but I still love story telling.
Thank you for stopping by, reading and leaving your kind comments. -
Thank you so much for your kind words.
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Omg, this story was so sad, but I really enjoyed reading it. It was perfect in everyway. Thank you for writing such a memorable story.....
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WoW! That's all that comes to mind right now. You have a wonderful way of expressing yourself in a story. The pain and anguish that someone goes through during these times are sometimes very hard to explain or even write down so that someone else could read them and understand, yet you did a wonderful job in doing just that. You are a very talented story writer. I loved reading this story and I applaud you on the work done here. This was an exceptional write and I can't wait to read the next one, I know you have it in you to write all you have to do is put that pen to the paper and your heart will lead the ink across the paper and draw the picture with words.
Nicely done my friend, nicely done!
~val~
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Wow......what a wonderful write!.....Keep up the great work!
*DarcyNicole* -
It is really a touchy and well scripted write .The thoughts are very heartfelt and creating the eagerness for tahe content of the story which moves very nicely.The last part is very touching and very true to the heart.The flow of the write is very impressive and just a marvelous impact of the great soul..I relly apprecviate this work..prabhudayal khattar
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Thank you very much. I'm really glad you liked it.
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Well written the emotions in this is very good. A sad story but very well done It kept my attention through out the read. Thanks for posting this one.
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Thank you very much Rain86. I'm really glad you stopped by and read, and left your wonderful comments. Thank you.
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Wow...this is a pretty good story and I am very impressed. Usually I do not read short stories with this great a length but...I had time today and I sat down to read and soon I was ensconced in the plot, the idea, and the characters of your amazing story. You truly have a knack for writing and I am so glad that you shared this story with all of us and I cannot wait to read more of your work! Nicely done!
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You are very kind, Kathy. I really enjoy your comments and I am happy that you stopped by for a visit.
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Great
As always you send me on a journey like no other writer. I love to travel in the stories you write. I see so many different places and things with in your stories.
Kathy -
Thank you so much SweetPassion08. I really appreciate the read and the comment.
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I really thought this story had a lot of emotion and you did a wonderful job of explaining the pain our main character went through and showing how attatched he was to Arum. Good write.
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Thank you so much Christina. From the last few minutes of sitting here, I know a wish of Happy Birthday is in order for you, so Happy Birthday!
Thank you for your very kind comments. I'm glad to have met you here, and I look forward to reading your work also. -
Thank you so much Shepard. I'm glad you liked it and touched by your comments. I look forward also to getting onto your page and reading. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such kind comments.
Steve -
WoW! This is truly a wonderfully penned and illustrated story. I have never read one so good on here as this one. You have created yourself a masterpiece. So personal and emotional. It was such a joy to read. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.
s
♥Christina -
Unbelievable
WOW! Other than WOW! im absolutely speechless. It's just soooo, well WOW!!! Very very good my friend. looking forward to reading your future works. Keep it up -
Thank you so much Denji-Chyan. I'm flattered that you thought it was that good, and am equally flattered at your opinion of me. I Plan to get over to your page and check out what you've been up to. I'm really looking forward to that.
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...wow. that was just so beautifull. personally, i'm too young to even expereince motherhood or to have a child.. but i really felt the pains and happiness of that story, i guess even if someone like me who has never expreienced those feelings can really almost be in tears for that, must mean it's a great peice of writing. just brilliant.you are such a good author~
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Thank you very much Mary Ann. That is very kind of you. I'm really glad you liked it. Thank you for stopping in and reading
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wow this was great great great i dont really know what else to say i you have lots of talent i can tell so keep it up and i hope to be seeing more of you really soon wow again i wish there where more people out there who could put things in to words like you have here very good ill be checking in really soon to see more of you work hope you have a great day and good luck in the futcher
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Thank you Damisyko. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
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Great, good attention to detail, a satisfying read!
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Thank you so much Sewasham. I enjoy your work so much! I'm not really a humble poet as you are - I'm really a humble story teller, so you may not read too much of my work, but it means a lot that someone as capable as you enjoyed it.
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Thank you for stopping by and reading Syko. I'm glad you liked it.
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This was extremely good. I don't read too many stories but this one held my attention all the way through. Your descriptive writing really draws the reader in. Very nice work. Take care and Have fun. Steve
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Awesome! im so speechles!!
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Thank you for stopping by. This was actually the first one I posted on the site. I have 3 other stories actually posted. Since I have a contest, and a few poems posted, you might have to click "view all" on my author page to see the other three stories.
Thank you for your kind words. I promise I will return the favor soon. I have to be away from the computer for a few hours starting in a few minutes, but I promise I will return the favor on the read.
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Thank you for your comments DarknessFalls. I think you can be very sure none of that was your fault. I really don't understand how anyone can treat a baby like that. I am glad that you liked the story, and very saddened that you went through that. I really hope things are much better for you now.
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Simple 'I love you' makes all the difference.
That was so beautiful. I think I might actually cry. I miss my love so much and I'm glad I read your story. It makes me grateful for what life has offered me and I will be thankful to you for writing this masterpiece. If you ever write another story you better tell me so I can read it. This is an unbelievable piece full of emotion and I loved reading every minute of it. Thank you. -
Im Speechless... its great... I love it..
To answer your question only know what they did to me... which was abuse.... hey would beat me with anything they could hit me with and they left me to starve... They shaved my head... and left and went to Georgia.. I was without food for 3 days and was already dehydrated.. I was barely breathing when I was found.. was in he hospital on a repirator because of it.. I was in the intensive care unit for 2 months.. then I was put into foster care.. then was adopted out.. -
Very interesting with moments of passion, compassion and brilliance. I for one found the first part confusing, as to who was whom and why, the 'brother in law' married to 'sister in law' threw me a loop. But the story was so compelling I did not want to go back and sort it out and it did resolve, at least in my mind, later on. Perhaps you are not quite of an age yet, but one can feel that way about granddaughters also, they just manage to snuggle up in your heart and carve out a place of their own. I agree with your fans, you indeed have a talent, I wish you success in publishing if that is your desire. Regards, amicus...
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Thank you, Liz. I guess I never thought about the second paragraph like that, but now that you say that, I can see the ambiguity. You're right, one branch of that fork in that road needs to be closed. I'll work on that. Thank you!
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Hi Steven, Thank you for changing the background...now it is the tears in my eyes that make it hard to see!
What an emotional rollercoaster this had been. First, I felt the first line and its forceful conviction, catches the readers attention immediately. The descriptions, both vivid and active keeps the readers attention and the antication of what will come, makes this story quite a successful write.
I hope you don't mind but there were some very minor adjustments I would like to leave as thoughts...
Paragraph 2:
(Now, he held a plain white envelope in his hand that begged in simple terms for his forgiveness. It came not from his brother in law, but rather from the only one whose plea could really break through the hurt to reach his heart.)
Perhaps:
He sat, holding a plain white envelope that begged in simple terms for his forgiveness. It came not from his brother in law who seeded hate, but rather from the only one whose plea could break through his hurt and revive his hardened heart.
As I got into the mid body of the story, I found this set me off with a different understanding. As it is, it implies that Arum (I love that name) has reason to need to be forgiven, but only the Brother in Law truly needed Byron's forgiveness. I also had hoped to show the extremes between his emotions felt between the two. How much negative he felt for the brother in law, while how much love he felt for the niece.
Other than that, it reads along with such ease, it keeps the reader on the edge of their seat and follows along nicely, every so often...keeping the reader anticipating the next outcome... I truly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more of your work!
Best Regards and Happy New Year! Liz -
Thank you my friend. I always appreciate your comments. As you probably suspected, I have begun work in ernest on a novel, so the short stories may be fewer and farther between for a while, but the short stories are always more fun to write. I enjoy your work also. I'm glad you told me about this place. I am enjoying it very much already.
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Hi Steve it's brilliant and as you see i'm not the only one who thinks the same, your writing is pure magic, it takes the reader there, you feel every scene, you have a great gift, and successs has got to hold out it's hand to you,if there is ant justice. big hug and never stop writing.
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Thank you sock. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
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Liz, I changed the background. Hopefully this will be a little easier on the eyes.
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Hello StevenHoward, Would you consider changing the font so that members can read this without straining...? Highlighting the text helps a bit, but with the length of the work, it is still difficult. Thank you, Liz
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Very nice story you have here, quite an interesting one.
- Sock -
Thank you Jessica. I'm happy you liked it. You are very kind.
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I can't even begin to say how wonderful this is. Truly a wonderful start for you her on this site. Wonderful story.
~~Jessica Erin
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Thank you Kimberly. I'll look at the possibility of breaking it up. I'm not sure where, but I'll give that serious consideration. I'm happy you liked the story. Thank you also for your welcome. I was posting elsewhere, and a friend recommended this site to me. I liked what I saw, so I decided to start posting here.
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This was awesome! VERY gripping. It held my attention from beginning to end, but sadly, I must tell you, that will not be the case for a lot of people here. The attention span and all the other poetry that calls out to the soul and mind... not many will give this a proper reading and that's a shame because you did a wonderful job. The imagery and detail is right on. I would suggest breaking this up into perhaps 2 or even 3 separate posts. Just title it, "The Piece of His Heart Left Behind, Part 1" Part 2, Part 3, and so on. I'm not saying this to discourage you. I am telling you this because I think it would be ashame for this to not be read. You did a wonderful job here. You just need to figure where to make the break/breaks so that the readers want to move on to a 2nd and/or 3rd part. Other writers do this as well. By the way.... Welcome to Allpoetry!
~Kimberly
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