Yom Sang-seop - Three Generations

When the doctor arrived, the Suwon woman went to the inner quarters. The old man thought it might have been better if she had remained while the doctor examined him, because there was no need for her to abide by the old custom of avoiding the opposite sex, doctor or no doctor.

The doctor said that the fall wasn’t serious, but because the old man might have pulled a muscle, it would be better if he lay flat on his back for a while. The doctor applied some ointment on his back and put a hot pack under him before leaving.

In the main room, the women were talking in loud voices about the old man’s fall as they ate breakfast.

One woman said, “He’s lucky he wasn’t hurt worse than he was. What would have happened if he had really fallen flat on the ice at his age? He could’ve easily damaged something internally.”

The seamstress answered, “You know that old man Choe Sa-cheon? Well, he sprained his back stepping down onto a shoe ledge. He didn’t slip on the ice, but he still had to stay in bed for three months.”

“Choe Sa-cheon? He didn’t slip on a shoe ledge. He just got a little too excited in bed with his new young wife one night. That’s why he couldn’t get up the next day,” said a friend of the old man’s late wife, laughing.

“Madam, that can’t be true,” said the seamstress, laughing along with her.

Everyone, in fact, broke into laughter except the Suwon woman, her stepdaughter-in-law, and her stepgranddaughter-in-law. The Suwon woman flushed.

“He’s still going strong. He’ll easily live another ten years,” said an uncle’s wife.

“But madam should be careful for him,” the seamstress teased.

The Suwon woman didn’t feel like listening to these women any more.

“He’s carrying on because he’s lucky to have naturally good health, but he’s not what he used to be. His age is one thing, but. ” Deok-gi’s mother spoke without any special meaning, but it didn’t sound innocuous to the Suwon woman.

“I’m sure he’ll live many more years,” someone added. “He’s rich, and he has such a precious wife and daughter. ”

The phrase “such a precious wife” was jarring to the Suwon woman’s ears. Thinking that everyone was making fun of her, she grew increasingly angry.

Deok-gi’s mother again offered her opinion. “However long he lives, what more can he get out of life? When their time is up, it’s best for old people to die in comfort. in their sleep.” No particular motive was behind the remark — she must have come out with it because her own lot was so miserable — but the Suwon woman glared at her.

“How can you say that?” the Suwon woman finally exploded, after watching her stepdaughter-in-law stuff her mouth with rice.

“Whatever do you mean, dear?” asked an old woman, an aunt to Deok-gi’s mother and a cousin to the Suwon woman, in a consoling tone, as though she hadn’t the foggiest idea why the woman was so upset.

“Well, it sounds as if she can’t wait for him to die.”

“What are you talking about?” Deok-gi’s mother looked up, her eyes wide open. “When did I ever say I hoped he’d pass away soon?” She gasped and said, “Why would you go and accuse an innocent person like that?” She resumed eating.

Now that these two fierce opponents were facing each other, neither would ease up. The other women were spoiling for a scene and watched, offering no discouragement. Deok-gi’s wife grew anxious, not knowing what to do.

“So I’m the one who’s wrong?” The Suwon woman put down her spoon and was ready to enter the fray. “You’re the one who’s accusing an innocent person. You might get away with that in private, but we have witnesses here. Don’t bother with anyone else, just ask her.” Fuming, the woman pointed to Deok-gi’s wife. “You know exactly what she said. ‘When your time is up, you might as well die quickly.’”

“Do you really think I said Father should die? I just meant that I feel sorry for him because he won’t get much more out of life, no matter how much longer he lives.” Deok-gi’s mother’s blood was boiling not only because her opponent had found fault in her words, but also because she realized how difficult it would be to dispel the suspicion.

“Why shouldn’t he get more out of life? And who do you think would be responsible if he doesn’t?”

“What do you mean, who?” Deok-gi’s mother was losing her temper, too. “Do you actually believe that I’m responsible?”

“Well, you said it yourself — what a fine son he has.”

“Oh, and have you given birth to that fine son? That’s none of your business. All I can say is, I can’t believe how some people think that their own shit doesn’t smell.”

“Ha! And what have you been smelling? Go ahead, just go ahead and say it,” her face was blue with anger.

Deok-gi’s mother was tongue-tied.

“Just admit it. You’re trying to make me look bad because you want to take over the main room of this house. If that’s what you’re really after, why don’t you just say so? Why do you have to drive me away?”

“Who said anything about wanting to take over the main room?” Deok-gi’s mother demanded.

“Then what is it? What do you want from me?” The Suwon woman’s voice rose, but Deok-gi’s mother simply sat there, offering no response.

The elderly aunt came forward and made excuses for Deok-gi’s mother. “Now, now, she spoke without thinking, and once you start arguing, one thing leads to another. Come now, dear, it’s too easy to find fault with other people’s words.”

“But I know why she said it. Admit it. You look down on me because I was a child widow who changed my fate for the better.” The Suwon woman started trembling and burst into tears, letting her grief pour out. “My lot was bad enough and that’s why I ended up here. That’s why I’m abused like this.”

They could hear someone coming. Deok-gi’s wife looked outside and saw that it was her father-in-law. Most of the women went out to greet him, but the two opponents held their ground.

Sang-hun hurried over to see how his father was, since his daughter had stopped by the house and told him about his fall. The old man, however, opened his eyes only briefly and pretended to be asleep. Sang-hun had no choice but to leave. On his way home, he stopped by the inner quarters.

“It’s so cold outside. Come on in,” urged the aunt, but he didn’t respond.

He addressed his daughter-in-law, who had descended to the stone step. “What’s going on?”

“Oh, nothing, sir.”

Waves of a woman’s weeping wafted out from the inner room. Sang-hun understood the situation.

“Why are you so indiscreet? Showing up everywhere and making scenes?” he shouted to his wife in the main room. Addressing his daughter-in-law, he said, “Tell your mother to go home.”Then he was gone.

Deok-gi’s mother went to the other room after she sensed that her husband had left.

The Suwon woman kept her mouth shut, offering not a single farewell, as the guests took their leave. She waited until everyone was gone before she returned to the outer quarters.

The old man was surprised to see her swollen red eyes. He gazed at her sitting quietly next to him and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I can’t stay here any longer. I’m going to leave and stay at an inn or something.” Her eyes were brimming with tears.

The old man was surprised but angry. “What nonsense is this? Why are you acting this way? Speak up!” he thundered.

“You’ll find out soon enough. Anyway, I’ve made up my mind and I’m leaving.” The Suwon woman spoke firmly; she rose to her feet.

Had the old man not been bedridden, he’d have bolted up and shaken the woman by the hair in a fiery rage. As it was, he couldn’t move a muscle.