Face Time – Chapter 36

Lee

Laura and I split up for an early afternoon amble about town. We woke up late and had long, leisurely, easy sex, the kind of sex that makes me think I’m making love to a woman. It’s different from the other hurried fucks of my life. I love to hear her moan and sigh and turn her strong body into jelly, and I’m still thinking about it as I stare into space, holding the gift I bought her in my hand, and wondering what to do next. We had breakfast and lunch together, and she told me she would walk, shop, and check out a museum. I was hesitant to leave her, but I’ve had this idea for a surprise since New York and this was my first opportunity to purchase it. I did really want to show her around Seattle, though. Maybe we’ll get the chance tomorrow.

My phone buzzes, so I lean back against the brick wall of the store next door.

—-

Cori Winslow

I’ve been thinking about you Lee. I hope the funeral went well yesterday. I’m sorry I was traveling.

—-

Lee Park

It’s ok. I knew you and Evie were on a plane. How are you?

—-

Cori Winslow

Suffering jet lag and puking. You know, the usual pregnancy stuff. How’s Laura?

—-

Lee Park

She’s amazing. Handled my family like a pro. I’ve asked her to move to Seoul, and she said yes.

—-

I smile down at my phone, aware Cori is probably flipping out on the other end.

—-

Cori Winslow

I just dropped my phone because I was doing a happy dance for you! I can’t wait to meet her in person.

—-

Lee Park

Will you help her adjust to Korea?

—-

Cori Winslow

Of course! I’ll show her all the great hidden spots, teach her some Korean phrases…

And most importantly, I’ll show her how to order groceries from the kiosks in the subway station.

—-

Lee Park

Lol. Thanks. Priorities. You have them.

—-

Cori Winslow

Haz, Lee. HAZ. Sheesh, you’re bad at pop culture.

Gotta go take Evie to my cousin’s house. Later!

—-

I’m about to put my phone back in my pocket when it rings in my hand. Jin is calling. Great.

Today is one of those Seattle days when the weather is not misty but instead peppered with freak showers. I miss my parka. No one wears them in Seoul. So I start walking towards the car, ducking my head against the oncoming rain, while I debate answering the call. In a few hours, I’m taking Laura to my family’s house just north of Seattle. I’m sure this call can’t be too important, and I’d rather not bother, find Laura, and spend time with her instead.

But I’m a sucker, and I answer it.

“Hey, Jin,” I say, hurrying my steps through a gust of wind.

“Lee, hi. We need to talk about something before you come to the house later.”

“Okay, what’s up?” What could it possibly be now? I open the car, put the package in the trunk, and slide into the driver’s seat.

“You’re not going to like this news, at all, I’m afraid. Mom hired a private detective two weeks ago.”

I close my eyes and rest my forehead against the steering wheel. “Not again.”

“Yes. Again.” Jin’s voice on the other end of the line is tight and angry. I can only imagine what Mom was investigating.

When I was in college, she did this to me. I was dating a Korean woman I met through an organization at school, before I met Sarah. Jinny and I weren’t a couple for long, and we were still in that awkward phase when I wasn’t sure what to tell people of our relationship. My mother got paranoid, thinking I was covering up a huge secret, so she hired a private detective to investigate Jinny, her family, and all her friends. I came home at break to find my mother with a stack of papers detailing everything Jinny and I did. I don’t think I’ve ever yelled at her like I did that day. She admitted to the snooping easily, like it was her duty to protect her family at all costs. I told her all her efforts were for nothing because Jinny and I had broken up two days prior to break. She has hired this detective several times since for other purposes. He must be on the family’s permanent payroll.

“And I’m afraid your new girlfriend is the subject this time.”

“What?” I yell into the phone, startling even myself. “How is that possible? No one met Laura until I brought her here!”

Jin sighs on the other end, and I want to reach through the phone and deck him. I show too much emotion as far as he’s concerned. “Lee, she’s been on the phone to Korea almost every day. Dad was complaining of it before he died.”

That can only mean that she’s been talking to Min-Yung. Fuck. I told Min-Yung not to talk to Sandra, but I never thought to warn her about my mother.

“Min-Yung. Goddamn it. I should have sent Laura all the gifts myself.” I was too busy with meetings and traveling so I hand-addressed all the packages to Laura and left them with Min-Yung to be sent out. This is what I get for trusting my assistant. She correctly guessed weeks ago I was wooing Laura, and I’m sure she gave Laura’s full name and address to my mother.

“I’m sorry. I think she was hoping you and Laura would break up because whatever the private detective found made her so angry, she badgered Dad about it for days before his death.” Jin pauses for a second as Mimi talks to him in the background. “Mimi says Mom is being unfair.”

“Thanks, Mimi,” I mumble. I switch my phone to the other hand and rub my face. I glance around the car and assess my options, but really I can only think of one thing: get on a plane and go. I want to run. I want to take Laura away from here and live our lives in peace.

But my father just died and I know I can’t leave yet.

“I’m sorry, Lee,” Jin repeats. “It’s going to be messy this time because according to Nari the packet from the private detective is thick. And I can tell this one is going to stick around… Laura. Sorry. Sorry.” He sighs again, apologizing and correcting himself. “I’m just as angry as you are. I don’t know why she continually pokes the hornets’ nest, why she thinks she can harass you into everything. I wish she would stop. She’s already on Leland about getting good grades and joining all the sports. Mimi is annoyed as well.”

This is the thing about Mom. Anyone who does not fit into her mold of how the Park family should act gets badgered to death. Literally. My poor father.

“No. I’m sorry. It’s my fault you’re dealing with this…”

“Please don’t apologize, Lee. Date or marry whomever you want. This should never be an issue.” Jin got Dad’s good sense and diplomacy. “I’ve got to go. We have errands to run before we’re at the house later. What time will you be there? Are you still coming?”

That’s a good question. I’d like to cancel, pack our bags, and head back to New York so Laura can take care of her belongings. But if we do that, Laura will always wonder why we didn’t stick around. Maybe Mom will show some restraint and not say anything with Laura present. Maybe she’ll just corner me in a room and let me have it on my own. She rarely makes a scene in front of guests. Her honor is more important.

“Yes. We’ll be there.”