THE TRUTH MANSION'S
Chapter 22's
When he heard the news about a thirty-year-old brother and a twenty-five-year-old sister had just moved to unit 701, Sa-ra asks twice if the news is true. The apartment only has one small room and one sitting room with a narrow balcony. There must be a lot of things that make the brothers uncomfortable. Two years later, when he hears news of the younger brother, Do-kyeong, who lives with the doctor who came to ManSion to treat the children, Sa-ra asks four times if the news is true. Town residents do not have to pay hospital fees. Instead, medical insurance premiums are so high that it is hard to believe that they include common costs. There are properties, properties that are confiscated due to late insurance premium payments and people who declare themselves bankrupt or give up the status of Citizens because they cannot afford the cost of insurance. Without an insurance number, people cannot see a doctor or make up for drugs. Therefore, the residents of the Mansion were forced to endure all kinds of diseases with a little painkillers sold in convenience stores. Small wounds such as scratched spikes that pop or insect bites can become severe infections. Illness is an unavoidable destiny.
Especially young children often get sick. People from the Department of Health regularly visit the Mansion to check on the condition of newborn babies and give them a potluck immunization shot. But that's all they do. If they do not have an infectious disease that demands immediate attention, they will not receive any treatment. The doctors came and examined the children carefully, did a blood test, kindly explained to the parents the ape disease their children suffered and what the prognosis was. After that the doctors left. Su is the only doctor who provides care to children suffering from critical illness.
Sa-ra remembers when the two men came to the bar for the first time. The one who pushed the heavy glass bar door slowly, yet firmly, and stepped in first was Su. He looked around leisurely and quietly, then walked to the table beside the window that was often chosen by other customers. A person with his head bowed followed Su from behind. The sneakers the man wore were no strangers. It looks made of imitation leather, but its natural color gives a luxurious impression. Obviously it is not an official shoe or loafer shoe, but rather a strappy sneaker. However, the shoe left an impression in Sa-ra because the shoe was made of leather and did not seem strange. If Sa-ra imagines Do-kyeong, the first thing that comes to her mind is sneakers. Those sneakers.
The two men sat face to face at a small table. Seeing Do-kyeong who keeps his head down like that, Sa-ra wonders if he should pretend not to see Do-kyeong, but he should also take note of their orders. Just then, Do-kyeong turns to Sa-ra and gives a small wave of her left hand, as if implying, It's me. Sa-ra records their orders and serves their food and drinks as she does for other guests. Do-kyeong only greets Sa-ra with a single nod, but does not ask Sa-ra for news or introduce Sa-ra to Su. Su sits with his head propped up to his outstretched right hand, and Do-kyeong clasps that hand. It is Do-kyeong who keeps talking, while Su listens and sometimes laughs so loudly that her shoulders shake.
When they came to the bar for the third time, Su started greeting Sa-ra with a nod of his head. Sa-ra lets the couple try out a new cocktail she makes and sometimes sits down to chat for a while with them. One time, Su complained about his ex-lover. He said the man had prepared absolutely nothing for their date, had no idea where to go, what to do, and what they were about to eat. Forced Su who had to think about all that by himself. Do-kyeong says that she can understand the man.
“So it's all my fault?”
“Cannot be said error. Today also we came here because you wanted to come here.”
“Wah, very funny. Who first suggested coming here? Who said this place is the most comfortable place?”
The two men raise their voices, ignoring Sa-ra who is sitting restless between them. Then Do-kyeong asks massive, they get back to holding hands, and talking about something else. Sa-ra is amazed to see those who talk about ex-lovers, who quarrel even though he is there, who immediately make up with just a word of apology. What a strange couple, he thought. Strange, but harmonious.