*Non-Fiction — May 29, 2021
Yukyung
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“Yukyung! Yukyung!” Ayeh shouts as she knocks on the door of apartment 7H. She looks at her younger sister Hoda, standing beside her, waiting for Yukyung to come out and play.
Inside, shuffling noises. Ayeh stares at the shoes on the ground while she waits. Yukyung’s family comes from Korea, so, just like Ayeh’s family, they keep a line of plastic slippers outside the door. A large pair of thick plastic black slippers for Yukyung’s dad. A medium pair for Yukyung’s mom. The small pink shoes belong to Yukyung.
Ayeh has never been inside Yukyung’s apartment. When she knocks on the door at 7H, Yukyung’s mom or dad look through the peephole and shout something to Yukyung in Korean. That’s how you know someone’s home in Solano Park. You can hear them before anyone answers the door. Yukyung always emerges munching on a crackly, shiny, dark brownish green snack that makes delicious noises. Ayeh imagines it tastes like salty chocolate. Then, Yukyung will join them outside and they will play on the grass or on the landing if it’s raining.
But oh, what fun they have outside! Every day, Yukyung teaches Ayeh and Hoda a few new phrases in Korean. “Ah nyong ha seyo,” they say.
“What do you want to play?”
“Ball.”
The three girls who speak Farsi and Korean have become quite the source of amusement to the adults of building 7, which brings more pleasure to the friendship.
The door opens slowly and Yukyung emerges wearing a stunning blue and white striped dress. Her hair is tied in beautiful matching blue ribbons. She does not have a snack. Yukyung’s mom whispers something in her ear.
“Yukyung, you look so pretty!” Ayeh says.
“My name is not Yukyung,” Yukyung says quietly. “My name is Alice.”
“What do you mean? You’re always Yukyung.”
“My name is Al-lice,” Yukyung repeats.
“But you’re Yukyung.”
Ayeh looks to Yukyung’s mom. She wants to ask why Yukyung is lying.
“This is Alice.” The woman says.
Ayeh feels something slipping away. “Han….” she begins to use her Korean words, before they disappear too.
“I don’t understand what you are saying,” Yukyung says, “My name is Al-lice and I only speak English.”
Ayeh tries to imagine what might make Yukyung decide to change her name. She looks at Yukyung’s new hairstyle and considers if it’s possible this is a different person. But Yukyung’s face and parents are the same. She has no other siblings that could replace her. It isn’t really possible to forget Korean overnight, is it? Ayeh tries a few more phrases, but Yukyung seems quiet and uninterested. Ayeh speaks English to her friend.
“Why did you change your name?” she asks.
“My name is Alice,” Yukyung says.
“Do you want to play something?” Ayeh asks. She and Yukyung walk to the trees outside their building. “What should we play?”
“I don’t know,” Alice replies.
Ayeh and Alice cannot find anything to talk about. Alice is no fun. She seems quiet and worried about getting her new dress dirty. All the things they used to laugh about seem off limits. This is the last time they try to play. In the future, when Alice sees Ayeh or Ayeh sees Alice, they say hi to each other and grow quiet.
Originally published in No Tokens Issue No. 9. View full issue & more.