After school on another Monday I stand and watch some
boys play soccer before I leave. Korea has admitted it was Fall about three
times now only to take it back and crank the heat up. Today it is gorgeous at
4:30 in the afternoon. I decide to leave, but before I make it through the main
gate I’m called over by a teacher. There is a truck full of apples in the
parking lot, heavy boxes of apples. I’m handed four because “they’re not good
enough to sell.” They are fine, just a few black spots. I pocket them and say 'thank you' and leave. Across the street two boys sit outside of an English cram school. They are young, no older than fourth grade.
"Hello!" one says. He does not wear glasses.
"Hi," I respond.
"Where are you from?" he asks.
"I'm from Canada."
A car drives between us and all I hear is "outer space."
"I'm not from outer space," I say. "I'm from Canada."
"I'm from outer space," the boy without glasses says. The boy sitting beside him elbows him in the ribs. He is wearing glasses.
"You're an alien?" I ask the boy without glasses.
"He's a monster," glasses replies.
"What planet are you from?"
"Fuck you," he says. He hoists up his middle finger to complete the package. "I'm from planet fuck you."
"That's not a nice planet," I tell him. Glasses elbows him again. I turn and head down the street.
"Goodbye!" he shouts.
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