*Ding-a-ling.*

As Chris and I entered the café, a man sitting near the window waved at us.

"Oh, Chris sunbae, over here!"

Chris pushed my wheelchair toward him.

The man waving at us with a big smile was *Cherni*. Chris smiled back and carefully helped me out of the wheelchair, settling me at the table. I gave her a slight nod of thanks.

Seated in the booth-style café chair, I looked across at the two men sitting in front of me.

One was smiling cheerfully at us, while the other, holding a coffee cup in one hand, stared out the …