My grandfather nodded, encouraging him to continue. I imagined Kent standing at a distance as my grandfather and cousin exited themassive building of white granite, glass, and steel. I’d been there myself to visit my uncle.
Kent said, “It was last summer. Were you there for yourself or Channing or maybe perhaps Channing’s father? I heard he’s been struggling with alcohol use disorder.”
I watched Mr. Yun’s expression change. He looked from my grandfather to Kent and then put the cardboard cover on the container of ice cream. The previous June my uncle had undergone treatment for his kidneys, on top of chronic liver issues. Even chatty Mr. Yun knew that Kent was divulging too much information in this setting.
“We’re all friends here,” Harabeoji said to Mr. Yun as if ease his discomfort. And then he added, “Albert is doing better now.”
Kent said, “I’m so glad, because that kind of disease takes years to overcome. I wanted to help and looked for a way to give something back to you.” He explained that when the Ahns were looking for someone to take care of their children, he had suggested Channing. “If this month works out, they could hire her for the rest of the year. From there maybe I could do even more for her. She belongs here in East End.”
“That’s true. Kent told me about the job and told me to call you,” Mr. Yun said to Harabeoji. I thought my grandfather would express gratitude. Instead, he pushed his chair from the table and leaned back as Kent leaned forward. Harabeoji was silent.
With huffs of breath coming from his mouth, Kent said, “I feel so bad for Channing.”
Mrs. Yun was back with a small dessert fork and Paul was with her, wiping his hands on his pants. Paul said, “Hey, what’s up?” to Kent, and went to join Channing and Minjae. Kent watched him leave with a wistful expression on his face.
“How did you know we’d be here tonight?” Harabeoji said to Kent.
“Channing told me you’d be staying with the Yuns,” he said, smiling. “We’ve been getting to know each other. You know, this job is goodpractice for her. I’m sure she’ll want to get married and have children some day, and I feel I’ve come to a period in my life when I’m considering all my options.” Kent speared a slice of peach with a single tine of his fork.
My grandfather gave his silent laugh before his small chuckle. “Channing is unique. I’m sure there are many women who would be happy to share your life with you.”
“Any woman would be lucky to be your wife,” Mr. Yun said. “East End needs a wedding. We haven’t had one in the Korean families in a while.”
We should have left. I slapped at a few mosquitoes on my legs.
“Well, I’d like to,” Kent said. “Channing would make a beautiful bride.”
“These days, young people decide their own life. Not easy,” Harabeoji said. I heard a gentle sympathy in his tone.
Austin had finished his ice cream by now and tugged at my arm, asking to use the bathroom. Mrs. Yun got up and led him inside. I took that as the cue to prepare to leave. Harabeoji nodded at me, pushed back his chair, and stood up. Kent said, “Already? But I didn’t get to ask your permission to marry Channing.”
I looked over at my cousin who was intently talking to Minjae and Paul. Kent had dreamt up a fantasy about her.
“It’s late for the children, and Dahee drove a long way,” Harabeoji said as if he hadn’t heard Kent’s words.
By now, Kent had walked around and was at my grandfather’s side, moving chairs out of his path. Harabeoji frowned at his actions. I knew he didn’t like people to think he was frail and dependent on them.
“Then how about dinner tomorrow night? I’ll take you and Channing to the best restaurant in East End and continue this conversation,” Kent said.
Something changed in Harabeoji’s assessment of this man just then. I saw it, like a switch turned on. Caution in his eyes. Harabeoji said, “I think tomorrow is too soon, and you’re a busy man, I hear.”
Kent said he found it rewarding to help people.
“All right, good night then,” I said to be polite to whomever was in hearing range.
That was the moment Kent seemed to see my existence as valuable. I felt appraised in his gaze, measured and studied as if he was trying to categorize me. I regretted my words immediately. He gave me a broad smile. “You must be the cousin,” he said.
“Yup, that’s me.” I hoped I sounded casual and relaxed, though I felt unnerved by his stare. At my job, we had an old Xerox machine with a light that slid across an open book you laid across the glass to copy its pages. His eyes reminded me of that light, scanning me head to toe.
“I’ve heard so much about you, Dahee. I respect educators. I know we’re going to be good friends.” And then he walked off toward Channing.
Harabeoji was nearby. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Get a good night’s sleep. You drove well today, Dahee,” he said, and patted my shoulder.
“He wasn’t going to take no for an answer, was he?” I said, looking in Kent’s direction. Harabeoji said not to worry, adding, “It’s not up to him.”
As we headed for the car, I saw Kent in front of me. He walked in a peculiar way behind Channing as the whole group meandered toward the driveway, his chin tucked down, as he examined the ground right at his feet as he walked along. There was a flash of movement, and I turned my head to see Edison run past me and go straight toward Kent and tap him on the arm, and without looking down, Kent swatted the child’s hand away, as if he were an insect. Harabeoji frowned. He’d seen it, too. Edison stopped short. I caught up to him and said, “That was excellent jumping and cartwheeling. Let’s get home and you can show me what good books you have.”
“We don’t read books, that’s for babies,” he said.
