No matter how old she was or how many years she’d endured the same questions and comments, they didn’t sting any less. Julia knew she shouldn’t take them personally. It was justhow their generation talked. In fact, they probably thought they were showing Julia that they loved her this way.
“Annyeonghaseyo,” Julia said with a deep bow, greeting the elders in the room.
Her halmoni sat in the armchair in the corner, the seat of honor. Her dad’s mother was not even five feet tall and barely a hundred pounds. But she was fierce. Her grandmother helped raise Julia while her parents were spending long hours working at their dry cleaners when she was a kid. She loved her with all her heart. And never wanted to disappoint her. There’s no way she wasn’t going to show up today.
“Halmoni, happy birthday.” She didn’t need an extravagant gift bag for her grandmother. Instead, Julia brought her a cheap bottle of makgeolli, the rice wine that was her grandmother’s favorite. Halmoni could drink Julia under the table. Julia leaned down and gave her a gentle hug and kiss on the cheek. Her grandmother reached around and grabbed Julia and squeezed tightly. Halmoni was in damn good shape for eighty.
“Julia,” her mom called while looking back toward the door, likely hoping that a man would magically appear, “did you come alone?”
“Mom, Aunties, I brought you all a small gift,” Julia said quickly, cutting off her mom. Strategic countermeasures activated.
“Wow, that is so nice. You’re so chakkae, our Julia,” said Aunt Linda, looking over the bags to see which looked the fullest.
“Julia, you shouldn’t have. Don’t waste money,” said Aunt Sharon as she grabbed quickly for a bag.
“My Esther never brings me presents,” said Aunt Janet, pulling out the decorative tissue paper to get to the goodies.
“Umma, this one is for you,” she said, handing over the bag with the few extra gifts to her mother.
They tore at the contents.
“Is this Korean-made?” one of the aunties asked.
Julia closed her eyes. They had no idea that Starlight’s products were of the highest quality.
“Starlight is Korean American–made!” her mom answered. “Korean American is better than just Korean these days.” Her mom had a duty to talk up her daughter to others. It was written in a Mom Book somewhere.
“No presents for me?” Julia smiled as she turned to her father. He looked even more tired than the last time she saw him. For her entire life, he’d worked sixteen-hour days at the dry cleaners they owned, barely scraping by. Even now, it took a fight for Julia to get him to accept any financial support she wanted and was able to give him.
“Sorry, Dad. I didn’t think Starlight’s new skincare line was something you’d be interested in.” Julia stood and wrapped her arms around her dad.
“Well, it’s good enough for Oprah Winfrey,” he said, a proud look on his face.
“Hey, how did you know?”
“I have Annette on speed dial. Shemayhave given me a clue when I called her earlier today for some gardening advice. She’s an expert at orchids.” Julia was not going to ask about her parents’ odd relationship with her assistant. “Sounds like this could be good for your company. Good work.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Julia said. It didn’t matter how old she was. She was always going to want affirmation from her parents. And her dad’s pride was almost better than receiving the news itself.
“Now, let me in on that bottle of makgeolli with Halmoni and I’ll forgive you for not bringing me any Lotus Bamboo Essence,” he said. His smile was warm and encouraging, and for a moment Julia felt like she could let her guard down.
“Dangshin, those sunglasses look wonderful on you. Very fancy,” he said to Julia’s mom, who was trying on the Pradas she’d found in her gift bag.
She swiped away his hand. “You stop lying,” Julia’s mom said, a huge smile on her face.
Julia warmed at their simple interaction, like they had their own inside joke and everyone else was just watching. Julia wanted what her parents had. Something that seemed soeasy.
Julia’s relationship history was nonexistent. In the beginning, she’d been too focused on building her business to allow anyone else a part of her. And at this stage, she found most men she met couldn’t handle her—the success, the dedication to her family. The thought of even entering a relationship felt like it came with some expectation of her to give a part of that up.
Anything but easy.
“Okay, come on, everybody. Let’s eat. I’m hungry,” her dad said, pulling Julia out of her thoughts.
While everyone gathered around the kitchen island to fill up their plates, Julia grabbed a wineglass first. Priorities. Necessities for a family gathering.
“Julia,” her Aunt Linda called out, “did you hear? Jisoo Kang is getting married.”
Julia froze.
