Summary

These chapters transition back to Namin’s narrative. Kyungmin has had her baby. The birth record lists him merely as “Baby Boy.” Kyungmin shows up with him on the doorstep of the Kang house. He is sick and sitting in a spoiled diaper. Namin runs out to a store in another neighborhood to buy supplies. Hal is in America, supposedly tied up with something. Namin and her mother work to get the baby back to health. Kyungmin goes out for ice cream and does not return. Namin takes the bus to check Kyungmin’s apartment in Itaewon, but someone else lives there. The rental office cannot recall anyone matching Kyungmin’s description. Back at home, Namin’s mother advises, “she’ll either turn up or she won’t. She knew what she was doing when she left” (291). Namin helps her clean diapers...