Ten PM.
Haejin called Soorin.
She picked up in two rings.
"Hi," she said.
"Hey."
"Long day?"
"Yes. You?"
"Also yes."
He was on his back on his bed, one arm behind his head, ceiling above him. She sounded like she was somewhere comfortable. He could tell from the quality of the quiet around her.
"How are you?" she asked.
"Honestly?"
"That is what I said."
"Somewhere between certain and not certain," he said. "Which is not where I usually let myself stay."
She did not immediately say something reassuring.
He appreciated that more than he would have said.
"That is a real answer," she said.
"Is it the right one."
"Yes. Someone who is not honest about uncertainty just performs confidence instead. That is more dangerous."
He looked at the ceiling.
"The article," he said.
"I know."
"That last paragraph."
"I know that too."
"You have read it."
"I have notes on it," she said.
He almost laughed.
"Of course you do."
She said nothing to that, which was its own answer.
