HiddenTruth/Room162

Thenightairischillyandfilledwithmixedemotions.Sadness,fearandconfusioncloudmymindand
judgementasIslowlywalkawayfrommymothersarms.Theotherdaytheywerewarmandlovingandnow
theyreascoldandemotionlessasapieceofbread.Iletgoofmymindandstareblanklyatthesolidground.The
groundischippedwithpiecesofmymemoryonthecorners.Theresacrookedheartwithaninfinitesignonthe
sideofthedirtedgroundwiththewordswithyouandlovexinfinity.AsmyshoesscuffthegroundIrealized
something.Thefloor.ItdoesntfeelasniceasMothersfloors.MyeyeswandertothesymbolandIthinkofmy
motherthedayIwrotethesymbol.Shewassittingbythedoor,inherhandstitchedchair,slowlybreathinginand
outandwatchingmeattentivelyandsmiling.Herdimplesshowedwhenevershesmiled.Istarebackandsmile,then
looktotheground,continuingthesymbolontheconcretefloor.Shehasonanapron.Itscoveredwithbright,flashy
colors.Wepaintedearlier.ShepaintedmeandIpaintedher.Therewashappinessinthepainting.Inhersmile.It
begantorain.
Isnapoutofmyflashback.Ireachtomyfatherssideandlookbackatwheremymotherwasstanding,
hopingtoseeatouchofsadnessmaybeevenregretinhereyes.Shesgone.Therainbeginstopainttheground,
usingmytearsasdetailedwork.Myfathersguardgrabsmyhandandwalksmetowardsthedoorofthecar.My
lipstremblewithsadnessasItrytoholdontothewarmnessofmymotherslove.Thedarkandcold
aurora

around
theguardstealsandeatsawaytheverylastpieceIhaveofher.
Getin.Now,hecommands.Inodmyheadrepeatedlyandgetinwithtremblinghands.Aswedrive
away,Ihearafaintvoiceintheback.
Dr.Song027.youIblink,shakemyhead,andturnaroundwithapuzzledlookonmyface.Dr.
SooYeon,oneofthedeskdoctors,islookingatmeandbeckoningmetowardsanelevatoronthefarleftsectionof
thehospital.
Patient027iswaitingforyouonthe3rdfloorinthesurgicaldepartment.Shekindlyrepeatsforme.I
manageaquick,smallsmileforher,thankherforherkindservicesandpickupmymask,walkingtowardthewaiting
elevator.
AsIbegintoreachtheelevator,Iputonmymask.Iwalkinandclickthe3rdfloor.AsIwaittoapproach
the3rdfloorwithintheelevator,Ibegintothinkofmymotheragain.NoAaliyahno.Youmustn'tthinkofyour

mother,Ithinktomyself.Itllonlyhurtmore.Theelevatordoorsopenupandmylungsarefilledwiththesmellof
medicine.Ilookatoneofthemanybluelinesonthefloorandslowlyfollowthelightblueline,findingmyselfin
therighthandhallwayofoneofthewingsinthesurgicaldepartment.Iviewthesection.Thedoorshavebeennewly
paintedwithsoftpastelcolorsbutyoucanstillfeelthevibeofa1989hospital.Thebeds.Thepatients.The
grandchildren.Allgone.GivinganewlayertosomethingwillnoteraseitspastfatherIthinkasIwalktothelilac
coloreddoorthathasthenumber162printedonitinmarker.Iknockonthedoorwith2tapsandwaitforittoopen.
JiEuninthesurgicaldept.notworkingonsomeone??wellthatsanewsitetosee.saysavoicebehind
me.IgroanquietlyandturnaroundwithaheavysighasItakeoffmymask.
WhatisitthatyouwantMark?Youreservicesarenotneededrightnow,soifyouhavesomething
importanttosaytomeaboutpatient027thensayitnoworforeverbeignored.Ithrewathim.
Woahwoahwoahslowdownyourvocabroleprincess.IjustcametogiveyouJamessinvitationletterto
hisopeningtomorrow.Marksmoothlyrepliesback.Hewalkswithgreatarroganceandmischieftowardsmeand
handsmeawhitecubeenvelopewithagoldborderandbowsdownlikeaprince.
Hereyougoyourhighness.Enjoy.Hestandsup,softlybumpsmeonthehead,givesasmallgrin,tiltsup
hisgrandpaglasseswithhisleftindexfingerandbeginstowhistlewhilehewalksaway.SeeyoulaterDr.Song.
Dontbelate.YouknowJamesdoesntlikeitwhenthingsarentinorder.Hesayswithgreatcockiness.Whymust
Iworkwithhim?Iopenthesmallenvelopeandbegintoreadthemessage.Special...Mr.Park..Opening....XOXO.
Miss.Song?Ilookup.Ayoung,malenurseopensthedoortoroom162.Yes,thatsme.Patient027is
resting.Shehastakenhermorningmedicineandwillundergobedrestforafewmoreweeks.saystheyoungnurse,
handingmeaclipboardwiththepatientsinformation.Iskimandscanapileofpapersandnodmyheadatthe
nurse.
Thankyou.Youmayleavenow.Iquietlysay.Theyoungboydoesntcatchmywordsbutcatchesmy
bodymovementanddoesaquickbow,scramblingtowardsthemaincenterofthedepartment.Iwalkintotheroom
andlookatthepatient.Shescrippledandsmallbutlooksstrong.Herskinlookssoftandpure,justlikemy
Mothers.Iwalkclosertoher,examiningbitsandpiecesofher.Herlong,lightbrownhairisworndownwithalilac
tie.Shehaslittletonocolorinhercheeksandherbreathingisshallow.Istareatthepilesofpaperagainandscan
forhername.UnknownImumble.Unknown??Apuzzledlookcrossesmyface.Weusuallyhaveunknown

patientsfromemergenciesoraccidents.Neverhavewehadanunknownpatientwhohasntbeeninanaccident.I
flipthroughafewmorepapersontheclipboardandfindawearycutstickynoteononeofthelastpageswiththe
nameParkYooMiandthewordsRelative:ParkJaeWookwrittenonthenote.ParkYooMi..mom?No.This
dyingladycantbemymother.Shediedyearsago.Unless.Iwalkaroundthesleepingpatientsbedandreachher
leftside.Grabbing2clearglovesfromthewhiteandlilactabletoputon,Ilifttherestingpatientshandandlookfor
asigntoprovemyinstinctswrong.Ifindasmallhearttattoowithasmallinfinitysignitandwritingunderneathit.
Lovexinfinity=eternitywithyou.Isharplyinhaleanddropthepatientshand,steppingbackalittlebitasIdoso.
No.Itcantbe.Mothersdead.Thenewscantlieaboutdeath.Iscanthepatientsfaceagainthistimewithmore
detail.Herlipsareanaturallightshadeofpinkandhergelasinsarenaturallysuckedin.Awhimperescapesmy
mouthasIwhisperMom?.Thepatientwakesupwithmywhisper.Shegroansandopenshereyes,lookingaround
theroomthenlandingthemonme.
Ji.JiEun.?shewhispers,tryingtopositioningherselfup.Hervoice.Justlikemothers.
No!Iexclaim.Youcantsitupyet.Ihavetocheckyourvitalsandseeifyouregoodenoughto
physicallymoveyourself.Isay,brisklymovingaroundthebedandreachingherrightside.Iscanthesmallscreen.
Thewokenpatientwatchesmewithprecisioninherbodymovementsyetwatchesmewithcuriosityinhereyes.
Everythingwasnormal.
Okay.Youregoodtogo.IsayasItrytoavoidhereyes.WhywasthiswomancallingmeJiEunand
how
didsheknowmynamewasJiEun?Turnaroundplease.shesayswithwarmthandamusementinhervoice.I
slowlyturnaround,prayingthatshedoesntmyface.OrthesmallHeartxInfinitytattooIhaveonthesideofmy
neck.
JiEun.OhmysweetJiEun..shewhispers,smalltearsbeginningtotrickledownherdelicate,smallface.
HolditJiEun.Holditin,ItellmyselfasIcontinuetowatchhersoftlycrywithsignsofreliefwrittenonherface.
ImsorryMiss.Park,butIdontknowofthisJiEunyouarereferringto.Isuggestyoutakeyour
medicationandgobacktosleep.Isaywhileturningaroundtograbhermedicationfromthetable.Shechuckles
andcommandsformetoturnaroundagain.Idoso,knowingthatthistimeshellchecktoseeifshecanfindmy
nametag.Goodlucktoher.Itookitoffswiftlywhilelookingforhermedicationonthetable.Shelooksintentlyat
mebutIcantelltheresamusementandloveinthem.

Tieyourhairformeplease.Idoso,notknowingwherethiswasgoingbutguessingthatithadsomething
todowithmytattoo.
Ahh..itisyou.Whywouldyoulietoyourownmother,Aaliyah?Iputdownmyhairandopenmy
mouthtospeak.
1.DontcallmeAaliyah.2.Yourenotmymother.Mymotherlovedmeandhadnointentiontoleaveme
andabandonmetomyunlovingfather.Isaycoldlytothepuzzledladythatwasindeedmymother.Therewasno
denyingit.Patient027inroomnumber162wasParkYooMi,myoneandonlymother.Iturnaroundfromher
brokeneyes,makingsurethatshedoesntseetheaccumulatingtearsinmyeyes,andbegintosetupherwater.
Here.Drinkthisandtakethis,Isay,handingherabottleofwaterwith2Ramucirumabpills.Shetakes
themedicationwiththewater,lookingatmefromthecornerofhereyeeverynowandthen.Shefinishesup,
handingmethebottleofwater.
Thankyou.Now,youllbeonBRforquiteawhile,soIsuggestyougetcomfortablewiththisbed.I
statetoher,packingupthemedicationandpreparingtoleave,havingsomeoneimportantinmind.Wait.what?
shesoundslostandconfused.Istoprefillingthebottlesofwater.YouhaveStageIBofyourstomachcancer.You
needtobeputonbedrestforawhilebeforeyoursurgerysoyourbodycanbefullypreparedforit.Ireplyback
blankly,withnointentionofshowingmyfacetoher.Noneedforadyingmothertoseeherdaughtercrying
becauseofherpastactions.
StageIB?MydoctorattheotherhospitalsaidthatIwasonlyatstageIA.Ireplybackwith,Thisis
cancer
.Thereare
no
setstages.Youeitherreceivemedicationandchemotherapyoryoudontreceive
chemotherapy/medicationandyoudie.Itsyourchoicereally.Ivefinishedpackingthemedicationandbegin
settingupmymothersbedwhensheasks,Whereareyougoing?Whyareyoutakingmymedication?Whenwill
youcomeback?Whereisyourfatherandisheokay?
Thelastonestrikesme.Father?
Father?
Thatmanisandneverwillbeafathertomeoranyoneelse.
Mr.Parkisok.Hesistheownerofthishospitalalongwithitsworldwidechain.YunHyonseokHospitalwasone
ofMr.Parksfirsthospitals.Hardtobelieveyouforgotaboutitsinceyouhelpedhimbuildandplanallofthem.I
say,toweringaboveher.IthroughasmalldisapprovinglookatherandgivemyselfalittlegrinasIbegantowalk
towardsthedoor.

Illbebackin15to20minuteswithyourprerestmedication.YouabsolutelycannotfallasleepbeforeI
comeback.Gotit?Idontwaitforheranswer.Iopentheroomdoorandwalkout,gladtobeoutoftheroomof
chillingpastmemories.Father.Ineededtotalktomyfather.Obviously,
he
hadbroughtherhere,makingsurethat
shewasbeingsetupin
this
room.Room162.
He
clearlyknewthatIwouldvisitthisroomwithoutanysuspicious
thoughtsabouthimexceptfortheonesthatIalreadyhadsolidified.Ibegintofollowthelightbluelineoncemore,
feelingsick.Myownmotherwasalive.Nothealthy,butalive.Ihadsomanyquestionsyetlittletonotimefor
answers.Whydidyougivemeuptomyunlovingfather?Didyoueverreallyloveme?Whydidntyoucome
backformeinsteadofhidinginthebackdrop?Ifyouhadthechancewouldvestoppedthetransactionandtaken
mebackhome?
Whyarewalkinglikeasloth,Dr.Song?Slothsdonthavethesameambitionandcareashumans,sowhy
becomeone?OhGod.Thischildagain?IlookupfromtheandspotMarkwalkingtowardsme.Hehadtakenoff
hisglassesandhadactuallyfixedhishair.Wellhesnotreallyachild,Ithought.Justmoreofanuntrainedadult.
Markwhatareyoudoinguphere?Icametoseeadyingpatientwhohascalledformeinthemomentsoftheir
lastbreath.SureyoudidIthoughtasIbegantowalkpasthim.Im3feetawaywhenhesays,Patient027mustbe
reallyspecial.Mom?Important?Thatwasnteventhebeginningofmythoughtsonthewomen.Wait...what?I
askturningaround,withconfusion.Hesgone.Great.NowIhaveamindreadingpartnerwhocanpickupemotions.
Iturnbackaroundandreachtheelevator,clickingthefirstfloorbuttonandbeginwaitingfortheelevatortoascend
meup.Istillhadmyponderingthoughtsandquestionsformymother.ShouldIask?ShouldIwait?Willshebe
okayansweringthesequestions?Imayhavehadshownacoldbubbletomymother,butItrulydidwanttoprotect
herfromallbad,includingmyown.IwantedtounderstandhermotivesandherfinalthoughtsbutIcouldntdothat
toher.Bringbackuppainfulmemoriesandlostmemories.YetIcould.Shewashere.Shewasfinallyhere.Andshe
wasntleaving.Well,atleastnotatthistime.Makeupyourmind,Aaliyah.Yourmothersabouttodieinyourfirst
deathbedandyourearguinginyourheadwhetheritstimeforhertosaybyebyeornot.Theelevatordingsopen.I
shakemyheadandwalkoutwithastateofmind.Notaclearone,butwithsomethingelse.Thefirstflooriscold
andfilledwithgreatriches,justlikethewaymyfatherlikesit.Ifollowthestenchofgreedandhatredandfind
myselfinhisofficewithpilesof100dollarbillseverywhere.Nosurprisethere.Mr.Park.Helooksupfromhis
papers,andspotsmeinthedoorway.Dr.Song.Please,sit.hesays,beckoningmetowardsavictorianleatherchair.

Nothankyou.IthinkImgood,Ireplyback,walkingtowardsamuchmorecomfortablechair.SowhatcanIdo
foryoutodayDr.Song?Hesaysthisdroppinghispapers,takingagoodlookatme.Iwouldliketoknowaboutthe
patient027inroom162.Youknow,theonethatyouhidfrommethathasnowunexpectedlyturnedouttobemy
mother.Ireplybackwithachillinmyvoice.Oh,youmeanpatientParkYoomi?Shesgreatisntshe?Ibrought
herin
You
broughtherin?!Iinterrupt,notgivingasinglecareintheworld.Whatwereyouthinking?To
bring
mydyingmothertothisflatlineandputherinroom162?Andtoeven
assign
metoher??Whereyoueven
thinking
aboutallof
this
whenyouwereplanningto
destroy
mywellearnedcareer?!Whatis
wrong
withyou??
Why
wouldyouevendosuchathing??Iyellathim,tearsslowlystartingtoformatthebackofmyeyes.Getting
outofhischair,myfathersighs.Hereachesmysideandtriestoputhisarmaroundme,butmybodydoesnt
negotiate.Iscootawayfromhim,mybristlingtearsnowgone.Hesighs,positioninghisbodytomealteredtomine.
ImsorryIdidnttellyou.Ithoughtitwouldbeanicesurpriseforyoutoseeyourmotherrightbefore
she.passedaway.Hesnowgotanuncomfortablelookonhisface.Besides,sheneededbettermedicalhelpand
Idecidedtobringherhere.hecontinues,stillnotlookingmeintheeye.Takeherout.Idontwantnorneedher
here.Nooneatthesehospitalknowsorevenlovesher.Helooksatmeandbeginstochuckle.Whatssofunny?I
command,startingtogetangry.Mysituationwasnolaughingmatter.Hecontinuestochuckle,itnowturningintoa
laugh.IveneverreallyheardmydadlaughsoeffortlesslybutIwasstillmadsoIdidntshowanysignof
amusement.Hewithersdownhislaughingandrepliesbacktomynonansweredquestion.Imsorrydaughterbut
youremotherisheretostayforgood.Shesnotleavinganytimesoon.Atleast,notphysically.Igapmymouth
open.Why?!!Sheownsthiscompanyamong3others.Shemaybedeadinthenewsbutshesstillwellalivein
thiscompanyincludingtheother3.Hernameareinthelegalpapersandwecantactuallychangethatunlessthe
morgueandpublichaveaccurateandconcreteproofthatshediedanddidntjustdisappear.Itsallreally
complicatedandImsorryIdidnttellyoubutyoujusthavetoacceptitforwhatitis.Disappearance??3others??
Morgue??Greatnowmylifejustgotmorecomplicated.Igroanandstepup,gettingreadytoleave.Whydidlife
havetobesocomplicated?Ivereachedthedoorwhenmyfathersays,Shestilllovesyou.Youshouldremember
that.Istopforaminute.Iguesshewasright.ShedidntgetmadwhenIyelledather.Shedidntgetmadorslap
mewhenIsaidshewasntmymother.Ohgod.Ivebeenahorribledaughter.Ineedtoapologizetoher.Tomy
mother.IscamperawayfrommyfathersofficeacceleratingwitheveryfewstepsthatItook.Flashbacksofmeand

mymotherbegintoappear.My6thbirthday.Myfirstdayofkindergarten.Myfirstcanvaspainting.Imrunningby
thetimeIreachtheelevator.Itsfull.Theresnotimetowaitforittoopen.Ilookleftandright,tryingtofindthe
neareststaircase.Ifindonebutitsropedoff.ForgetitIthink.Irunovertowardsthestairs,slidingunderneaththe
tapeandbeginningtoascenddownthestairs.BythetimeIvereachedthethirdlevelofthestaircaseIcantellwhy
itwastaped.Thefloorisslipperyinsomeplacesandpuddlesofsandinothers.I'vedodgedmostareasandfind
myselfonthefourthlevelofthestaircasewhenIreceiveamessagefromSooYeon.Patient027in162hassuffered
aminiheartattackandisbeingtransmittedtothefirstfloor.Shescallingforyouandonlyyou.Pleasehurryup,
Aaliyah.Therellbeagroupworkingonyourmotherinfrontofyourfathersoffice.Iwilltrymybesttobethere
whenyoucomeSooYeon.Ohno.IquicklyputawaymyphoneandturnmyheadtowardsthelevelofstairsthatI
haddescendedfrom.Isuckinalltheenergyleftinmeandturnbeginningtoascendthedescendedstairs.Bythe
timeIvereachedthesecondlevelofthestaircase,mylegshavegivenupandmystomachisinjectingmewith
dosesofpainwitheveryinjection.StillIdontstop.Justafewmorestairs,Aaliyah.Justafewmoreforyour
mother.Ibegintorun,thistimeslowly.MywholebodyisinpainandachewhenIvereachedthetape.Iwearilygo
underneathitandlookforagroupofpeoplethatincludedSooYeon.IspotthegroupbutnotSooYeon.Instead,I
spotMarkandhisbrightsocks.Andtherestingbody.MOM!Everyoneturnsaroundtospotthegirlshoutingher
headoff.Idontcare.Thisisafamilymatter.Thepeoplestandinginfrontofmearemyfamily.Andthatsmy
motherdyinginfrontofthepeoplethathavelovedherandshehasloved.Ireachherside,havingpushedand
shovedanyonewhogotinmyway.Whathappened?Whydidshehaveaheartattack?Isshegoingtobeokay?
Howmuchtimedoesshehave?IlookatMarkwithfireinmyeyes.Hedoesntbudgefromspotbutbeckonsme
towardsmyfathersoffice.Immad,confused,andworriedbutstillfollowhisdirections.Shehadaminiheart
attackbecauseofnooxygentoherheart.Shehadhighbloodlevelsandshewaspanicking.Imguessingshehad
beentoldsomeunfathomablenews.Markstates.Iknowhestalkingaboutme,butIbrushhisarroganceoff.
Theresnotimeforit.Howdidshesurvive??Iask.Itwasonlyme,Mark,SooYeon,andthenursewhoknew
aboutmymother.Isavedher.saysMarkwithahumblelookonhisface.Iheardherdevicebeepinglikecrazyand
Iknewinstantlythatsomethingbadhadhappened.Iwasabletocalmherdownbutthewholetimeshekepton
callingforyou.IdidntfullyunderstandwhythenbutIwasguessingyouwereeitherherdaughterinhidingorjusta
niece.Youconfirmedmywanderingthoughtswhenyoushoutedmomather.You,shelovesyou.Shekepton

sayingshedoesntcareifshediesaslongasshesawyouasherlastmemoryshewashappy.IlookupatMarkand
realizehesnotplaying.withmeWow.Afteralltheseyearsshestillcaredandlovedme.Ididntfeelguiltyabout
statingtoherthatshewasntmymotherearlierbecauseIknewatthatmomentthatshestillaccepts.Ibegintowalk
awayfromMarkandreachthedoorwhenIwhisperasmallthankyou.Whatdidyousayprincess?hesayswith
amusementinhisvoice.IknowheheardwhatIsaid.Healwayshad.Isaid,Iturnaroundandfacehimwith
happinessandnoweightinmyvoice,thankyou.IdontknowwhereIwouldbewithoutyourightnow.He
repliesbackwithProbablywithJamesandafewothermanufacturedpeople.Ilaughalittlebitandturnback
around,walkingouttheofficeandreachingmymotherssideinminutes.Nearlyeveryoneisgone.SooYeonandmy
fatheraretheonlypeopleleftbesidesmeandMark.Mymotherisawakeandlookingprettynormal.Exceptherface
wasalittlelessbrightandfilledwithmarksofdeath.JiEun....shewhispers,tearsrollingdownherface.Mom.
Ohmom.Imsorry.ImsosorryforthewayItreatedyou.IwasbeingarudeandselflessdaughterandIshouldbe
punishedseverelyforit.Isay,tearsnowfallingdownmyface.Itsokay.Youwereyoung.Youwerebrokenand
lost.Youneverfullyunderstoodwhyyourchildhoodwasstrippedawayfromyou.Itsokay.sherepliesbackwith
morereassuranceandcomfortinhervoice.Why?Iask.Whydidyouleaveme?Iwhisper,mymindalittlebit
moreclearnow.IdiditbecauseIwantedyoutobehappy.Youwereyoungandbright.Ididntwantthatstolen
fromyou.SoIonlyhadoneoption.Thenextmoment,youwerewalkingtowardsyourfatherandIneversawyou
again.Wellatleastnotphysically,sheexplains,staringatmyfatherforthelastpart.Ohyeah.Mydadlovedtaking
picturesofmewiththerestofhiscameracrew.
Whydidntyoucall?Iask.Ididntwanttobreakyou.shereplies.Youweresostrongandmature.I
didntwanttostealthatawayfromyoubylettingyouseeortalktomebecauseIknewthatwouldbreakyou.Ill
alwaysloveyounomatterwhatJiEun.IllalwaysbeproudofyounomatterwhatAaliyah.shesays,smilinga
littlebitsinceseeingthelookofunderstandingandacceptanceonmyface.Sheslowlycloseshereyes.Herhearthas
stoppedbeating.Thereweretearsinmyeyes.Tearsofhappiness,joy,affection,andacceptance.Ifinally
understoodwhymylifewaslikethis.Ifinallyunderstoodwhymymomhavetodowhatshedid.Therewaslove,
discourage,sadnessandfearbehindherabandonment.Shehadlovedmeforyearsandnowitwasmyturntoreturn
thefavor.Thankyou.IwhisperasSooYeonpushesawayherbed.ThebedthatbelongedtoRoom162.Most
funeralsaresadandgloomywithpeopleusuallywearingheavy,darkclothing.Mothersfuneralwasfilledwith

love,happinessandmanybrightcolors.Yes,wemournedthelossofmotherbutwealsocelebratedthelivingofher.
Inmotherswill,shehadtalkedabouthowshewantedmeandmysister,SooYeon,totakeoverher4companies.I
wasshockedwhenIdiscoveredSooYeonwasmysister.Apparently,shehadlivedwithourfatheruntilthedayof
thetransaction.Idontcallittheabandonmentanymore.Motherneverabandonedme.Shejustletmego.Shehad
alsotalkedabouthowshewantedmetoacceptthelossofRoom162.Room162wasmyfirstgrave.Iwasabout21
or22whentheaccidenthappened.ThepatientsnamewasLeeJungAh.Shewasacancerpatientwhodiedwithmy
help.Ihadlefthermedicationwithherforasecondandshehadoverdosed.Imstillrecoveringfromherdeathto
thisday.Anotherpartofmotherswillwasformetogettoknowmysister.Shelovedmysisterlikedshelovedme
andshewassurethatwewouldloveandaccepteachother.Shewasright.SooYeonandIbecamethegreatestof
sisters.Overtimeshegraduallybecameamentorforbothmeandherselfonourmotherspassing.Thelastfinalpart
ofmymotherswillwasspecificallydirectedtowardsme.Shewantedformetoacceptandknowthetruthabouther
abandonment.Ialreadyknewthetruthbutacceptingitwasahardmission.IlovedmymotherandIwantedherto
behappyknowingthatIhadacceptedherdecisionformebutitwashard.Itwouldtakemesometimetoaccepther
decisionbutImsureIwoulddosobytime.Mynewknowledgeofmymothersabandonmentallowedmeto
becomemorelovingandopen,knowingthatthebirthofmycoldandguardedheartwasnowthawedandgone.I
smiledmore,sawmoreofthegoodthanbadineveryonenow,includingmyfather.Wehadabuildingrelationship
now.Itwasntperfectbutweweregettingthere.Attheendofallofthis,IlostmymotherbutIlearnedthetruth.
Thehiddentruth.

Unit1EmbeddedAssessment1Rubric

Scoring
Criteria
Ideas

/40

Exemplary

Thenarrative
...

Proficient

Thenarrative
...

Emerging

Thenarrative
...

Incomplete

Thenarrative
...

.
..createsa
complex,original
protagonist.15

...establishesa
clearpointofview,
setting,and
conflict.15

createsa
believableoriginal
protagonist.13

...establishes
pointofview,
setting,and
conflict.13

...createsan
unoriginalor
undeveloped
protagonist.11

...establishesaweak
pointofview,setting,
orconflict.

...lacksaprotagonist.
8

...doesnotestablish
pointofview,setting,
orconflict.8

...usesminimal


...usespreciseand
engagingdetails,
dialogue,imagery
anddescription.10

...usesadequate
details,dialogue,
imagery,and
description.8

11
...usesinadequate
narrativetechniques.
6

narrativetechniques.3

Structure

/40

...engagesand
orientsthereader
withdetailed
exposition.10

...sequences
eventsintheplot
effectively,
includingavariety
ofstepsfromthe
HerosJourney
archetype.10

...usesavarietyof
transitional
strategies
effectivelyand
purposefully.10

...providesa
thoughtful
resolution.10

...orientsthereader
withadequate
exposition.8

...sequences
eventsintheplot
logically,including
somestepsofthe
HerosJourney
archetype.8

...usestransitional
words,phrases,
andclausestolink
eventsandsignal
shifts.8

...providesalogical
resolution.8

...providesweakor
vagueexposition.6

...sequencesevents
unevenly,including
minimalorunclear
stepsoftheHeros
Journeyarchetype.6

...usesinconsistent,
repetitive,orbasic
transitionalwords,
phrases,andclauses.
6

...providesaweakor
disconnected
resolution.6

...lacksanexposition.
3

...hasminimalplotwith
noapparent
connectiontothe
HerosJourney
archetype.3

...usesfeworno
transitionalstrategies.
3

...lacksaresolution.3

Useof
Language

/20

.
..usesconnotative
diction,vividverbs,
figurative
language,and
sensorylanguage
effectively.10

...demonstrates
commandofthe
conventionsof
standardEnglish
capitalization,
punctuation,
spelling,grammar,
andusage
(including
appropriateuseof
avarietyof
moods).10

...usesadequate
connotativediction,
vividverbs,
figurative
language,and
sensorylanguage.
8

...demonstrates
adequate
commandofthe
conventionsof
standardEnglish
capitalization,
punctuation,
spelling,grammar,
andusage
(including
appropriateuseof
moods).8

...usesweakor
unsophisticated
diction,verbs,
figurativelanguage
andsensory
language.6

...demonstratespartial
orinconsistent
commandofthe
conventionsof
standardEnglish
capitalization,
punctuation,spelling,
grammar,andusage.
6

...useslimitedor
inappropriate
language.3

...lackscommandof
theconventionsof
standardEnglish
capitalization,
punctuation,spelling,
grammar,andusage
frequenterrors
obscuremeaning.3

96/100

AdditionalComments:Wellwrittenstory.Dialoguerulesneedtobefollowed.Newspeaker
meansnewparagraph.Dialogueinthemiddleoftheparagraphnormallymeansnew
paragraph.Enjoyablereadandoneaboutstrength.Ithinkyoucharacterfoundherselffrom
beinglostallthoseyears.