Harabeoji told Ames we were going to the beach club. The look on her face changed to curiosity. She said that a large Boston company tried to develop that area thirty years ago, and the community had put a stop to it. But then a source had told her that a small group of Korean and local investors had planned to revive it ten years later in 2005, complete with comprehensive environmental studies on how to prevent beach erosion and impact on wildlife. She asked both grandfathers, “Were you all a part of that?”
Mr. Yun waved her question away with his hand and said Ames should focus on the here and now.
“That time is past. Write about the town park Kent is expanding,” he said, looking extremely irritated. He continued, “You’re not engaged to Kent anymore, so you can write about the park and all he plans to do when he’s park executive director, can’t you?”
“You were engaged to Kent Cho?” my grandfather asked.
I studied her face, which had reddened.
“Hardly dated,” Ames said. She flipped a wrist toward her grandfather. “It was awful, I told you to stop throwing men at me.”
Mr. Yun had a look of distaste in his mouth. “You’re twenty-eight—”
“Thirty, Harabeoji,” she interrupted.
“Even worse. You said you wanted to get married like all your friends.”
My grandfather took the opportunity to say at that moment, “I’m sorry the engagement didn’t work out.”
“Thanks but no thanks,” Ames said. “I’m glad it’s done, he was terrible, and this one”—she motioned again to Mr. Yun—“didn’t help.”
“What was wrong with Kent exactly?” I asked. Maybe she could share information that would be helpful to Channing.
“Everything?” She shrugged.
“How’d you get rid of him?” I persisted.
She replied with a roll of her eyes. “Time, I guess. He’ll persist until the next person comes along and then he’ll chase after her.”
Mr. Yun opened the door to the passenger seat of the car. “He’s not that bad. Anyone would be proud to have him in the family. Go write the article about what’s happening today. If not the park, then what about the renovations downtown? This was supposed to be about zoning. No one cares what happened years ago. And I only set you and Kent up on a date because you said you needed a husband.”
“I don’tneeda husband. I said I’dlikeone,” Ames replied.
Mr. Yun said he had to get going or else he would make Mrs. Yun late for church. As I backed the car out, Ames was still trying to talk to her grandfather. They were joined by another person, who waved at our retreating vehicle.
It was a relief to be in the car again, just me and my grandfather. He seemed to be in a good mood. He rolled down the window and waved toward the trio now in the driveway.
“Is that Paul from last night?” I asked.
He confirmed it was and that Paul lived in an apartment above the garage. “Until he gets into grad school for education—” he began. I told him Minjae had explained Paul’s career change to Channing, who had shared it ad nauseam with me.
Harabeoji said, “Huh,” as if deep in thought.
I told him about the police and Kent coming to the house the previous night and his text this morning. “She clearly doesn’t like him. Why doesn’t he get that?”
“Why someone attaches to someone is a mystery. Mr. Yun says Kent is eager to start a family, so he wants to marry someone Channing’s age. Itmight be as simple as that. If we can interest him in someone else, maybe in Boston or Providence, that might be best. When a man decides to get married, he can be very determined.”
“That’s gross,” I said to Harabeoji. “Why is Mr. Yun helping him? Does he know Kent walks into the house whenever he wants?”
“They think Kent has good intentions. Channing is taking care of children; the more help she has, the better for them.”
“I don’t get it. I bet they wouldn’t want someone just showing up in their kitchen without permission.”
“True. No one does. It’s not a Korean or American custom.”
It was a relief to hear my grandfather’s opinion. I said, “Whatever Mr. Yun can do to get Kent away from Channing would be good.”
“He knows many people. We need to find someone who wants the same as Kent. And we don’t have to do anything. Mr. Yun is on the case. He likes helping people, he’s a real helper. You’re a helper, too, Dahee.”
