Jong-hyuk's Parents' Accident, Part 2
The hint about the imported car came to me when Jong-hyuk's uncle—the man who cursed at me—did just that. It clicked because I remembered how Jong-hyuk, that good-natured guy I'd occasionally see at class reunions, had lashed out at a classmate showing off his foreign car. Our friends back then chalked it up to the shock of the accident making him hate imported cars.
At the time, Jong-hyuk was drunk and spat curses at the guy bragging about his ride, but it was almost a perfect copy of the insults from the man he called his uncle. Jong-hyuk had been so polite during school—known as a total goody-two-shoes who never even swore, let alone said anything rough—that it became quite the topic at the reunion. Back then, it was just old news, and since I only knew him in passing, I didn't ask despite my curiosity. I never imagined I'd regret that now.
And that dark malice in the uncle's eyes during our brief encounter? No matter how I thought about it, it felt like he'd at least contributed to whatever caused the accident.
If he came to hate foreign cars because of the accident, and since they're not that common, maybe it's connected to his uncle's car? Especially considering the intense hatred yesterday that made it impossible to watch every scene...
They died in a car crash, so I had to bring up the story somehow, but I couldn't exactly say I'd seen it in a dream. It was tricky.
"That uncle who came yesterday had a nice-looking car, huh? What kind was it?"
"Uh, some imported one, I think. Not sure exactly."
"I saw on the news the other day that imported car parts are hard to get sometimes, so they can't even repair them. The spot where the car was parked yesterday had all these stains, so I got worried. I don't know much about it, so maybe I'm talking nonsense, but just in case."
"Really? I didn't notice... We just got the car changed recently... Uncle came yesterday pushing for a test drive, but Dad turned him down. I wanted to ride in it..."
"He turned it down?"
"Why?"
"Nah, if it were me, I'd want to hop in a cool car like that right away. Your dad's something else."
If Jong-hyuk's dad refused the test drive, then what caused the accident? Is it unrelated to the uncle's imported car? But foreign cars aren't as common as they were before regression...
I wanted to probe more about the car, but seeing Jong-hyuk's uneasy expression, I figured it was time to bail. I playfully tapped his shoulder to change the subject and headed home where my little brother was waiting.
Whew, gotta look on the bright side of the current situation. Do what I can right now.
"Whoa... Bro, you can cook like this?"
Live alone for over 30 years, and you pick it up eventually.
I bit into the bitter persimmon, stroked my brother's head with a smile, and said,
"Mom's due back soon, so let's set the table. Hungry? Eat first if you want."
"Nah, I'll wait and eat with Mom."
"Looks like Mom's running late with work, so let's eat first."
Even after we finished dinner, Mom still hadn't come home past her usual time, so I got worried and stepped outside. What I saw was unexpected.
Mom was with Jong-hyuk.
What the...?
Before my curiosity could spill out, Jong-hyuk's loud sobs hit me like a white-hot shock to the head.
No way... It can't be, right?
Should I have pressed Jong-hyuk harder to watch out for his uncle's foreign car? I thought knowing the future meant I could change past mistakes. But... this.
"Joo-in? Wait at home. How'd you know to come out?"
"Got worried 'cause Mom was late. What happened?"
"Jong-hyuk came running wildly down the alley, so I grabbed him 'cause I was worried. Jong-hyuk, you okay? Calmed down a bit?"
"Sob... Got a call saying my parents were in an accident, but they wouldn't tell me where. Hic..."
"Jong-hyuk, it'll be fine. Calm down—what hospital? Let's go together."
"Hic... How... how?"
"An-nam City's only got one general hospital—An-nam Hospital. Probably there, right?"
"Yeah, Jong-hyuk, let's check it out. Or wait at home in case they call?"
"I... I wanna go to the hospital. Can't stay home alone."
"I'll go too."
"Can't leave lil' bro alone. And they might call, so wait at your place, Jong-hyuk. Grab something simple for dinner here."
"Dinner's ready. We were eating."
"Huh? You, Jong-hyuk?"
"I'm in high school now—gotta do that much. But can I come too? Joo-shin can take calls."
Mom looked worried, but seeing Jong-hyuk's state, she took us straight to a taxi for An-nam Hospital. Mom, who usually walked five stops to save bus fare, must've done it for Jong-hyuk's sake.
The hospital was chaotic, staff rushing everywhere. Jong-hyuk seemed even more shocked by it. I grabbed a nurse-looking one and asked about patients Mun Jin-ja and Baek Ji-hee. She saw Jong-hyuk crying pitifully, made a sympathetic face, and checked despite being busy—making time for a kid fretting over family.
"Room 503. But visiting hours are over, so you might not see them."
"Any way around it? My friend's parents got admitted suddenly today—no contact, and he's suffering."
"Well..."
I pleaded desperately. Mom pulled the hesitant nurse aside, spoke quietly, and we headed straight to the elevator for the ward. The nurse pretended not to see us and got back to work.
How'd that happen so suddenly...?
Questions aside, we prioritized checking on Jong-hyuk's parents and headed up. Guilt kept me from meeting Jong-hyuk's eyes.
Should I have just told him I'm from the future and your parents might crash, even if he thought I was crazy?
It wasn't that I thought he wouldn't believe me—I just hated seeming like a weirdo. That doubt clung to my mind.
The room was a four-bedder. Spotting a patient in full-body casts on one side, Mom and I froze.
"Jong-hyuk, bones heal stronger after breaking... Don't worry too much."
Averting our eyes from the casts, we moved to the next bed—burn wounds covered in gauze, the bitter scent of scar ointment twisting our hearts.
"Th... Burns heal great these days. You'll be fine soon."
As Mom and I stammered reassurances, Jong-hyuk's voice burst out.
"Dad, Mom."
We whipped around at the sound of him rushing in and their voices. Jong-hyuk's dad, casted arm raised to hug him, had his other lightly around his wife's back. Mom stepped back; I gripped her hand tight.
Jong-hyuk's mom stroked his head, scolding gently.
"Jong-hyuk, how'd you get here? I told you to wait at home."
"How could I? You say accident and hang up..."
"Huh? Did you really just say that and hang up?"
His dad acted like he'd said his piece, but under her glare, he turned away.
"Ahem. Anything else to say?"
"You know why he came running. How'd you even get in? Visiting hours are over."
"I... came with Joo-in's mom."
Only then did she notice us hovering awkwardly by the door.
"Joo-in's mom?"
She untangled her hand, awkwardly thanking Mom.
"Thanks for bringing Jong-hyuk. Worried he'd come alone—didn't tell him the hospital or room."
"No biggie. We're always helped by you. And with an accident, we'd worry if we didn't come—must've been a hassle at work."
"Coming late, no rest... Have some fruit. I'll peel it."
"Oh no, didn't bring a thing for a visit."
"No need—seeing Jong-hyuk's face is the gift. We worried too but didn't call 'cause of visiting hours. Thanks for bringing him."
"Lucky it wasn't serious."
"Hehe, Jong-hyuk called today saying drive slow. Helped us react in time. I said if you're driving like that, I'll walk. But seeing him drive extra slow 'cause Jong-hyuk said so? Made me laugh."
"Jong-hyuk did?"
"Was worried about the uncle's test drive, so called Dad on his cell."
"Your dad has a cell?"
"Uni gives profs one for work."
"But the cell..."
"Sigh... We're fine, but the cell and car are totaled."
"Still, no injuries—thank goodness."
"How'd you think to call, Jong-hyuk? Worried about your parents? Good boy."
"That was... Joo-in told me. Said uncle's car might break down."
"What?"
"Joo-in, true?"
"Y-yeah, just worried it might."
"You saved our family... Thank you."
His dad's words let me accept that—instead of fatalities like before, it was now just property damage. Relief mixed with envy seeing Jong-hyuk with his parents.
"No, Jong-hyuk called... He's the great one."
"How'd you know the uncle's car was busted?"
"News said imported cars have pricey parts—sometimes they don't fix 'em. Yesterday, lots of oil-like stains under it, worried me. In accidents, brake oil leaks leave black spots."
"Joo-in's young but watches news like an adult. Must be reassuring for your mom."
"I just learned too."
"Been thinking auto repair career, studied a bit. First imported car, so stared longer... Uncle misunderstood, cursed at me."
"What? Uncle cursed at you?"
"Really?"
I'd swallowed it when it happened, thinking kids should endure, but here? No need, so spilling was easy.
"M-misunderstanding, probably. Nice car and all."
"No excuse cursing a kid over a car. Doesn't seem like a good guy."
Mom, furious I'd been insulted, called out the uncle in front of them. Jong-hyuk's dad looked stumped, deep in thought. Amid the pleasant buzz, a nurse appeared awkwardly.
"Visiting hours are over. This disturbs other patients."
"Sorry. We'll go now."
Mom, sensing the nurse's plight, took my hand and stood.
I glanced at Jong-hyuk.
"Jong-hyuk, stay with parents or head home with me?"
As he pondered, his mom said,
"Hospital's no fun—wait home. Mom discharges tomorrow."
"Then me?"
"Your arm's just a light fracture. Not even your right."
His dad looked pitifully forlorn, but she was firm. Felt like watching middle-aged woe live; I averted eyes, said bye to Jong-hyuk, and hurried out.
"Jong-hyuk, Mom discharges tomorrow—hang then come home."
"Wait home."
"Yeah. Like Joo-in said, alone's worse. Sunday tomorrow—no school."
"Alright then."
He'd ignored his words for parents, but they looked happier. Holding Mom's hand leaving the room, I said,
"I'll do better."
"You're doing plenty already."
Unlike past regrets, her bright, lively tone melted a lump in my chest.
Next day, invited to Jong-hyuk's. Table groaning with food, my brother and I gawked; Jong-hyuk sat, saying,
"Mom's hands are huge."
"Beyond imagination."
"Thanks for the meal."
"Where're our moms?"
"Shouldn't have dragged yours into gossip."
"What?"
"Hardworking housewives need rest—probably terrace coffee chat."
"They ate first?"
"Stuffed while cooking, now coffee break."
"Food'll get cold—dig in."
"Didn't cook, but enjoy."
"Your mom okay discharging early?"
"Didn't wanna admit—uncle forced it."
"Uncle? Why?"
"Dunno details, but something happened. Dad's face was icy this morning."
"Your dad?"
"Uncle always smiles?"
Brother, disbelieving, dropped ribs in shock. I patted him to eat, said adults get frosty before big deals. He dove back in.
After eating and clearing, sipping orange juice in living room, I laid sleeping brother on sofa. Jong-hyuk said,
"Not sure, but business fight maybe."
"What? Company you invested in struggling?"
"Nah, too successful—problem. Uncle's greedy."
"Seeing treasure breeds greed."
"What's that?"
"Big money in sight, greed kicks in. Your parents aren't money-obsessed, so big investment in 'friend' uncle. Now succeeding, he wants it solo but can't 'cause investment."
"Never thought uncle'd do that."
"Dunno business, but don't trust uncle."
"Know someone trustworthy?"
"One guy."
Didn't expect my casual words to boomerang like that.