He brushes his lips on my forehead. “The pleasure was mine.” And then he waits on the porch until I get inside. I wave at him before closing the door, and from my window I watch as he walks back to his car. He takes his time, looking at my yard on the way. The flowers bloom in the night for him.
28
I balance a takeout tray of various caffeinated beverages to my grandparents’, dodging small dogs and strollers through Larchmont Village.
When I make it to the house, I find the Park women out on the back terrace. The roses are fragrant, and the magnolia trees are thick with glossy green leaves.
“Thank goodness,” Emoni says when she spots me. “I can’t believe you ran out of coffee, Unni.”
Halmoni makes a grunt-like noise. “Costco stopped carrying my favorite one. I have to figure out my next plan.”
I set the tray down and pass everyone their drinks. “You know, you can just buy it at normal price somewhere else.”
“Please,” she says. You could never take the Korean War out of Halmoni. She has entire drawers in her kitchen dedicated to unused takeout utensils and napkins.
Halmoni called a meeting for us at the house today, saying she had too many errands to run to stop by the office. After a sip of coffee she says, “I called you all here to talk about my retirement.”
My eyes widen. “Really?” It’s not the biggest surprise in the world. Halmoni is in her eighties, and this topic has certainly been discussed. But never officially.
“I’m not dead yet,” Halmoni barks. “It makes sense to make the plans now.”
I sit back in my chair. “Wow, okay. I’m ready. What are you thinking?”
“I’d like to retire by the end of the year.”
Emoni makes a small noise and I look at her. “I’ll also be retiring,” she says, almost apologetically.
My head immediately snaps to Sunny, who says, dryly, “Don’t look at me. I’m here for a while.”
I sag with relief. “Christ. I was about to have a heart attack.”
“We would never leave you alone, anyway, Cassia,” Halmoni says, softening. “But it’s time for me and your Emoni to get our rest.”
“Of course.” I reach both my hands out to touch theirs. “I’m really glad, for you both. You’ve worked so hard.”
“And so have you,” Emoni says, squeezing my hand.
Halmoni nods. “Yes, you have. So, we have some more news for you.”
My scalp tingles, and I have a feeling I know what they’re about to say.
Sunny says, “Can I tell her?”
Halmoni nods and Sunny shoots me a huge smile when she says, “You’re going to succeed Halmoni as president.”
Emoni claps her hands ecstatically while Halmoni and Sunny both beam at me. Suddenly, Halabuji rushes out of the workshop in the garage. “Did you tell her?” he hollers, holding up a ruler and wearing safety goggles.
“Yes!” Halmoni hollers back.
“Congratulations, Cassia!” he says, waving the ruler at me.
It’s likeSuccessionbut only one episode and very cute. I start laughing. “Oh wow, are you sure?” I look at Sunny. “What about…”
She shakes her head. “Sorry but I have zero interest in taking on that responsibility in my golden years. I’ll be helping with readings but that’s it.”
“Wow, okay,” I say, taking it all in. “Maybe it’s time to let the interns loose on TikTok?” I joke.
Halmoni doesn’t laugh but she smiles. “I trust you, Cassia. Go do your social media thing.”
