On the first night after the move, Mom objected.
Before she’d even unpacked, Mom called. Why does Mom get so worried whenever the new job comes up?
On the eve of starting her new job, Suhyeon moved into a new place. That first night, Mom called to object, and Suhyeon found herself caught up less in the decision to move than in having to explain it.
With her first day at the new company coming up, Suhyeon takes a call from Mom in her new home. Mom objects to the job change and tells her to think it over. The next day in counseling, Suhyeon says she knows Mom means well, but opens up about having to explain a decision she’d spent a long time preparing for, even at home. Baekho lays the words from that day alongside the scene from the first night after the move, and listens to what Suhyeon hasn’t been able to finish saying.
When someone close objects
Trying to explain someone else’s worries and your decision all at once can make you go on and on.
When someone close objected to your choice, what did you most want to explain first?
That night, when Mom objected before the boxes were even unpacked, stayed with her. As she began a new chapter, she found herself having to explain her choice to someone close who was worried. If you’ve been carrying something similar on your own, you can tell us about it, too. You can start anywhere.
Scenes
- 01 · A call among the boxes Mom’s call — On the first night after the move, Mom called to object to Suhyeon taking a job at a new company. Mom: Think it over before you go to that company. I’m against it.
- 02 · What to explain Before she’d unpacked — When Suhyeon explained what she’d be doing at the new company, Mom said she was worried and told her to think it over again. Suhyeon: I know you’re worried, Mom. I’ve thought about this for a long time, too. Mom: But isn’t staying at your current company better?
- 03 · Worry and objection Calling it worry — The next day in the counseling room, Suhyeon says she understands Mom is worried, but admits she’s been explaining her decision again ever since the first night after the move. Suhyeon: I know you’re worried, but I don’t know why I have to explain myself all over again. Baekho: You heard the worry, and you heard the objection, too. Which one has stayed with you longer?
- 04 · Words left unsaid What lingered at the end of her words — After Mom said she objected, Suhyeon stopped explaining her decision. Baekho: Suhyeon, when you stopped explaining, what words were right on the tip of your tongue?
Stories by Baekho
- Baekho
- Once I’ve put my child to bed, everything I need to do tomorrow comes rushing to mind.
- When the meeting ends, “I’m fine” is the first thing I say.
- I want to say how it was, not just “It was totally fine.”
- After the holiday, I count what I’ll earn after quitting at the table.
- Even on a night away alone, I keep thinking about my team member’s performance.
- They say it’s a joke, but even after the funeral, I can’t just let it go.
- Asking why in front of the mirror
- It was true, but I’ve been trying to take it back all morning.