<p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">독촉, 한 번 더 </span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">06.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">직업이 아니라 돈이 사람의 얼굴을 만든다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">서비스직에 종사하는 사람들 얼굴에 잡히는 눈가의 주름은 서비스직이라는 직업 때문에 생긴 것일지 몰라도 얼굴 전체가 풍기는 이질감은 바로 돈이 조각한 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">웃고 있어도 웃는 게 아닌 얼굴</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">짐짓 냉정하게 보여도 빈틈이 보이는 얼굴</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">모두 돈의 작품이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그리고 여기</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">돈 때문에 얼굴에 빛을 잃은 사람 한 명이 더 있다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">참 곤란합니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">사람들은 급해서 저를 찾아왔으면서 급한 불을 끄고 나서는 저를 멀리하거든요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">제가 강제로 찾아다니면서 제발 제 돈을 빌려가라고 한 것도 아닌데 말이죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">현탁 씨</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">제가 고리대금업자입니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">제가 무리하게 독촉했던가요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">…</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그렇지 않습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">저는 법정 최고 이자율을 초과한 적도 없고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그만큼을 요구한 적도 없습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">금융권보다 고작 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">2% </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">더 달라고 했을 뿐입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">어쨌든 상황 어렵다하시니 한 달을 더 기다려드리기도 했습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그러니 이번 일은 제 잘못이 아닙니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그렇습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그렇지만</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">현탁이란 사람은 온몸을 바들바들 떨며 머리를 조아린 채 엎드려 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">얼굴은 눈물과 땀</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">콧물로 범벅이 되어 차마 못 봐줄 정도였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">반면</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">맞은편의 남자는 조금의 동요도 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">얼굴은 핏기 하나 없이 창백했고 표정 하나 없어서 마치 죽은 지 얼마 되지 않은 시체의 얼굴처럼 보일 정도였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">담보설정도 제가 먼저 제시한 게 아닙니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">현탁 씨가 먼저 가진 게 그것뿐이라고 하셨고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">전 분명 처음에 거절했었죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">사람이 사람을 담보로 돈을 빌리는 건 이치에 어긋나 보인다고요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그래도 제가 사정을 하며 끝내 고집을 부렸던 건 현탁 씨입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">제가 아니라는 거죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그러니 일어나세요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">왜 저를 나쁜 사람으로 만들려고 하십니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">몇 달 전</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">현탁은 남자에게 딸을 담보로 돈을 빌렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">일천만 원</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">당시 현탁에겐 빛줄기와도 같은 돈이었지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">딸을 대신하기엔 터무니없는 금액이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">어떻게 일천만 원으로 자신의 생살 같은 자식을 대신할 수 있단 말인가</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">제발</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">한 번만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">! </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">딱 한 달</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">! </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">일주일만이라도</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">! </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">조</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">조금만 더 시간을 주세요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">! </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">제</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">제발 부탁</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">… </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">드립니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">현탁은 개처럼 남자의 구두에 뺨을 비볐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">바짓가랑이를 비비는 것으로 자신이 얼마나 간절히 빌고 있는지를 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그렇지만 남자는 조금도 표정의 변화를 보이지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">현탁 씨는 끝끝내 은혜를 내려준 사람을 천하의 죄인으로 만드시는 군요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">안되겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">대화는 이쯤에서 그만두기로 하죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">지금부터 담보권을 실행하겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자가 등을 돌리자 어둠 속에서 사내들이 몰려나와 현탁을 제지했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">김 팀장이 가서 데려오세요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">이제 곧 하교할 시간일 테니 사람들 보는 눈은 많을 겁니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그래도 굽히지 말고 당당히 데려오세요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">원칙대로 하시라는 겁니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그래야 사람들이 남의 돈을 쉽게 생각하지 않죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">보세요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">저 사람도 결국 자기 그릇도 모른 채 남의 돈을 우습게 봐서 이렇게 된 겁니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">말을 마친 남자는 세단에 몸을 실었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자는 그렇게 그날의 일과를 마쳤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">-</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">현탁의 딸</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">혜미는 갑자기 찾아온 검은 정장의 낯선 아저씨를 봐도 전혀 당황하지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자와 김 팀장은 소란을 염려했었지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그건 정말 터무니없는 걱정이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">안녕</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">삼촌</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">혜미가 먼저 김 팀장의 손을 잡았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">초등학생이라지만 고학년이었기에</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">낯선 사람의 존재에 대해 분명 인식하고 있었지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">오히려 천연덕스러웠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">어쩌면 영악한 이 꼬마는 사고뭉치 아빠 덕에 어렴풋이 언젠가는 누가 찾아와도 올 것이란 걸 눈치 채고 있었는지도 모르겠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">덕분에 김 팀장과 무리들은 조용히 빠져나올 수 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">반면에</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">소란스러운 건 아빠인 현탁 쪽이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">현탁은 마지막의 마지막까지 발악했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">자신의 딸이 어딘가로 팔려갈지도 모른다는 공포에 주먹을 휘두르고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">온갖 집기를 내던지며 난동을 피웠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">검은 정장의 사내들은 김 팀장의 무전을 받고 나서야 그런 현탁을 자리에 버려두고 떠났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">무전을 받기 전까지 그들은 그저 현탁을 제압해두기만 했을 뿐</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">불필요한 폭력을 행사하지는 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">덕분에 검은 무리들 중 일부는 이곳저곳에 타박상과 생채기를 안아야했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">-</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">김 팀장으로부터 집행이 일단락되었다는 보고를 받은 남자는 망설이고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">확실히 나이 어린 딸아이를 담보로 설정한다는 건 그의 스타일과 전혀 맞지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">평소대로였다면</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">현탁의 장기를 받는 정도로 마무리했을 일이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그런데 굳이 딸을 담보로 잡아달라고 했던 건 현탁 쪽이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">덕분에 남자는 평소에는 하지 않던 고민을 하게 되었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">돈을 벌려다 오히려 돈만 깨먹게 생겼군</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.’</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">마음을 굳힌 남자는 몇 군데 전화를 돌렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자는 얼굴도 직접 대면하지 않은 혜미의 친부</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">(</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">親父</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">)</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">가 아니었기에</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">필요한 것이 많았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그래서 제가 정식 후견인이 될까 합니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아이가 지내는 건 제 집에서 지내게 하고요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그렇지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">제가 친부는 또 아니니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">네</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">네</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그렇죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">네</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">부탁 좀 드리겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그렇게 몇 통의 전화로 서류 작업은 어쨌든 마무리 될 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남은 문제는 정신이 글러먹은 혜미의 아비</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">현탁이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그리고 당장 이곳에 도착할 혜미다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">애들에겐 사춘기라는 게 있지 않았나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">후회하기엔 늦었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자의 원칙대로</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">이미 뱉은 말은 주워 담으려고 수를 쓰기보단 책임을 져야 하니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">-</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자의 걱정과 달리 혜미는 빠르게 적응했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">낯선 어른에게 대뜸 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">삼촌</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">’</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">이라고 먼저 말을 했을 정도로 영악했던 아이니 어쩌면 당연한 일인지도 모른다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">적응이 느린 건 오히려 남자였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">평생 혼자서 살아온 남자가 누군가를 한 지붕 아래 둔다는 건 여간 불편한 일이 아니었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">게다가 그 상대라는 건 채무자로부터 받은 담보 설정</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">나이 어린 혜미를 배려하여 말 못할 사연으로 묻어두고 있으려니 그것도 여간 갑갑한 일이 아니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">눈치를 채고 있는 것과 내가 말을 뱉어서 사실로 만드는 건 완전 다른 일이니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.’</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그 순간에도 남자는 고민이 많았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">당장에는 식비만 조금 더 들어가는 정도지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">앞으로는 어떻게 하는 것이 맞을까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">이대로 간다면</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">현탁에게 빌려줬던 일천만 원도 공중에서 사라지고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">마땅히 받았어야할 이자도 사라지고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">오히려 양육비로 몇 천만 원이 계속 들어가기만 할 터였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">혜미는 혹시 하고 싶은 게 따로 있어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">뭐</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">장래 직업 같은 거 말이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">생각해 본 게 있어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">글쎄요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">뭐</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">어차피 미래에는 로봇이랑 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">AI</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">가 다 할 텐데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">제가 비빌 수나 있을까요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">뭐</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">틀린 말도 아니지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">한 식탁에 마주 앉아 어렵게 꺼낸 이야기에</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">혜미는 너무나 간단히 대꾸해버렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">저보다 아저씨는 괜찮겠어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">내가</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">뭐가</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">하시는 일요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">로봇하고 비벼볼 만해요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">시체 같았던 남자의 얼굴에 미세한 균열이 일어났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">후훗</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그래</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">걱정해줘서 고맙구나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">다행히 아저씨는 괜찮단다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">다행이네요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">음</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아무래도 내 직업은 쉽게 사라질 직업은 아니라서</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아니오</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">음식이요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아저씨 일은 이미 괜찮은 것 같다니 다행이고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">음식이 제 입에 맞아서 다행이라고요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아니었으면</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">앞으로 얼마나 힘들었겠어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자의 얼굴에 생긴 균열이 조금 더 벌어졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그렇게 혜미는 조금씩</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">조금씩</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자의 얼굴에</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그의 삶에</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">균열을 내기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">씩씩하게</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">구김 없이</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">-</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">혜미가 구김 없이 자라난 것과 달리 남자의 얼굴에는 점점 세월이 묻어나기 시작해 얼굴 곳곳에 크고 작은 주름이 자리를 잡게 되었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">표정 없이 살아온 남자지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">혜미 덕에 뒤늦게 얻은 표정들로 인해 그의 주름은 일반인들의 것과 그리 크게 다르지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">이미 둘이 함께한 시간이 십여 년을 훌쩍 넘어서고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">고맙구나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">갑자기요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그래</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">갑자기 생각나서</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그런데 뭐가요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">한 번도 네 부모의 이야길 하질 않았으니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">…</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">저보다 더 잘 아시잖아요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">엄마는 제가 기억도 못할 나이에 떠나셨고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아빠는 늘 초조한 모습이었죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">뭔가 말로 설명하기는 어렵지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">늘 위태위태했죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그래서 김 팀장 아저씨 처음 봤을 때</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">바로 느낌으로 알 수 있었어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아빠가 드디어 사고를 쳤구나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">뭐</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">이후로 안보고 싶었다면 거짓말이겠죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그래도 다행이라고 생각해요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아저씨 덕에 이렇게 넓은 집에서 살 수 있었으니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">보고 싶지 않니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">…</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">이젠 제가 떠날 때가 되었나요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">역시 혜미는 눈치가 빨랐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">덕분에 남자는 불필요한 에너지 소모를 줄일 수 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그렇지만 어째서인지 그게 크게 기쁘지는 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">스무 살이 되면 바로 내보낼까 했지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">요즘 세상에 그건 좀 무리일 것 같아서 더 기다렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">현탁 씨에게도 더 시간이 필요했었고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">현탁 씨를 자리 잡게 하는 그 과정이 좀 힘들기는 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">어쨌든 네 아빠는 요즘 성실하게 일을 하는 중이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">돌아가도 지금과 생활이 크게 달라지진 않을 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자는 왜 자신의 심장이 뜨거워지는지 이해할 수 없었지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">당장 눈앞의 혜미가 금방이라도 울음을 터트릴 것 같은 얼굴을 하게 된 건 얼마간 이해할 수 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">불행히도 혜미는 자신에게 필요이상으로 정이 들어버린 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그럼</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">우리 아빠는</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">… </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">살아있었던 건가요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">맞아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">현탁 씨는 살아있었어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">다만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">네가 죽은 줄 알았지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">더 정확히는 어딘가로 팔려간 줄로만 알았지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">혹시 그게</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">… </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아저씨 때문인가요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">맞아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">다 나 때문이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자는 이전처럼 단단한 얼굴로 돌아가 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">잘라낼 인연은 빠르게 잘라내야 한다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그래야 상처도 깊지 않고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">덧나지 않는다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그게 남자의 원칙이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그렇지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">혜미는 그럴 생각이 전혀 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">흐르는 눈물을 감출 생각도 없었고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">솟아오르는 말을 멈출 생각도 하지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그러면서도 두 다리는 정확히 땅을 딛고 있었고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">허리는 꼿꼿했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">시선을 남자에게서 거둘 마음은 조금도 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">저</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">사랑하는 사람이 있어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">좋은 일이구나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">축하한다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">저는</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">… </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아저씨에게 인사시킬 생각이었어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아저씨가 마음에 들어 한다면</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그 사람과 결혼도 그려볼 생각이었어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">난 네 아비도 아니고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">넌 스무 살이 넘었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">뭐</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">난 네 선택을 존중한다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아마 괜찮은 사람이겠지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">…</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그랬군요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그게 둘의 마지막 대화였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그리고 그 순간이 남자가 타인들의 눈에 목격된 마지막 순간이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">-</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">혜미가 남자의 집을 떠나고 사흘도 지나지 않아 남자는 죽음과 마주하고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자를 찾아온 저승사자는 젊은 시절의 남자만큼 굳은 얼굴이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">내가 올 줄 알고 있었나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">때가 된 것 같다는 느낌은 받고 있었습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그럼</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">쉽군</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">이제부터 자네 이름을 세 번 부르겠네</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">잠시만요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">!”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자가 다급하게 자리를 박차고 일어났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">기다렸다더니</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">… </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">미련이 있는가</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자는 혜미가 떠올랐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">혜미가 소개해주고 싶다던 사람의 모습도 궁금해졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">아니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">사실은 매우 궁금해도 억지로 참고 있었지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">더는 갑갑해서 참을 수가 없는 지경이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">결혼 같은 걸 함부로 꺼내기엔 아직 너무 어린 나이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그 나이 때 사랑은 성공보다 실패할 가능성이 훨씬 높다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">심지어 남자도 실패를 거듭하지 않았던가</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">?</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">제게 며칠만 더 시간을 주실 수는 없을까요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">제발</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">부탁드립니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">!”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">네 명이 다한 건 내 잘못이 아니야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그런데 자네는 내게 명을 구걸하는군</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자가 엎드린 채 저승사자의 바짓가랑이를 비볐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">인간들은 정말 이해할 수가 없어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">왜 내게 비는 것일까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">왜 내게 용서를 구하나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그냥 자연의 섭리대로 자네의 명이 다했을 뿐이라네</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">내겐 어떤 권한도 없어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">나도 원칙대로 주어진 일을 할 뿐이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">제발</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">제발</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">! </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">이렇게 빕니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">제발</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">!”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">저승사자는 냉혹했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">굳은 얼굴로 남자의 이름을 천천히 세 번 불렀다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">남자의 혼이 빠져나와 방안을 빙글빙글 돌았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그때까지 늘 굳어있기만 했던 남자의 얼굴은 혼이 되어서야 절망으로 잔뜩 굳어질 수 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">혜미야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">!”</span> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;"> </span></p><p></p> <p> </p> <div class="hwp_editor_board_content"> </div> <p> </p> <p style="text-indent:10pt;"> <span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">단발마로 삐져나온 그 이름을 들은 사람은 아무도 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그의 침실은</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그의 집은</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">그 남자 외에는 아무도 들이지 않았으니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';font-size:20px;">.</span> </p>
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