Yesterday after work, I went downtown to check on the schedule at
the bus terminal. After leaving the terminal, I notice small crowds of old
men in the park at the edge of the round-a-bout traffic circle. There were
more than fifty men all over the age of 70 seated on the ground and benches
playing cards. I strolled over and tried to discreetly look over the shoulders
of the old men to see what card games they were playing. I got the usual stares
and whispers.
Finally one of the old men offered me a
cup of coffee which I took and drank slowly. The cards were small and red and
the games were played with passion. There was even a scorekeeper, with a
notebook, recording the stats. Eventually after the stares and whispers, an old
man with a straw hat invited me to sit with them. They asked me a bunch of
questions in Korean and flirted with me endlessly. I stayed for an hour
and a half. Enjoying the breeze and the company of a bunch of old men who were
happy to have a young woman they could flirt and smile with for a little
while. I think I was more grateful for their company than they were of
mine.
As I left, one shouted "I love
you". I smiled and thought "I love you too".
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