He opened the door and let them inside.
Kari had a large suitcase with her, and Tae wondered how long she was going to be in town. And then wondered where she was planning on staying. Because it would definitely not be here at his parents’ house with him.
Tae’s mom surfaced from the kitchen as Tae and Kari took off their shoes. She quickly tried to hide the look of displeased shock on her face.
“Oh, Kari. You’re here? This is a surprise. I didn’t know you would be visiting,” she said politely. Tae’s mom had never been a fan of Kari. She thought Kari was all wrong for him. Tae defended her every time, so his mom eventually dropped it. He never quite trusted that sudden backing-off of his mother’s nagging about his girlfriend. Ex-girlfriend. Suspicious, for sure. But to her credit, she was being very friendly now. And Tae appreciated that. No matter that he and Kari were done, he still cared about her, and well, she was here. He wasn’t going to send her away or be outright inhospitable to her.
“Annyeonghaseyo,” Kari said, bowing in greeting to his mother. “It’s so good to see you again. Have you been well?”
“Yes, yes. We’re all good. It’s been so nice having Tae at home taking care of things. He makes everything better for us and for the community.”
Kari’s smile was tight, but she was trying. It had always been important to her to impress his mother.
“And Mr. Kim? He’s doing well?”
“Yes, he’s off playing golf right now, but should be home for dinner. He’ll be very surprised to see you.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Tae’s mom’s eyes scanned till they reached her suitcase. She looked quickly back at Tae, raising an eyebrow.
“Kari, have a seat,” Tae said, holding his hand out to the sofa. She was here to talk, so now was as good a time as any.
“Dinner is almost ready. Tae you already ate at the Songs’ house with Julia, yes?” Ah, there was his mother. That comment was not a statement. It was a point.
“I did. But I can always have more.”
She nodded. “I’ll set the table, and we’ll all eat once your father gets home. Kari, will you be joining us for dinner?” Tae’s mom neveraskedwhen it came to dinner. But rather, she insisted. That was another point she was making in her own way.
Tae just shook his head. It wasn’t mean-spirited. It was just her.
“Sure, I’d love to stay for dinner,” Kari replied.
“Good. Well, then, I’ll give you two some privacy.”
Tae led them to the living room and took a seat opposite Kari on the sofa.
“It seems like your dad is doing better,” she said.
“Yeah, he’s a lot better, thank God,” Tae said.
“But you’re not coming back.” It wasn’t a question. Was it that obvious?
Tae shook his head. “I’m just not ready yet. I don’t know that I’ll ever be ready. Chicago. It’s not my home. The life I had there, it’s not the life I want for myself.”
“Look, Tae. I realize we might not have worked out, but I care about you. I’m worried about you. I get it. This is your hometown. Your family is here. But are you just gonna throw away the life you built? Your job? Your friends? Your future?”
She sounded just like his brother. And probably just like his HR manager. And likely any guidance counselor, online therapist, or tarot card reader who looked at Tae’s life.
“I’m happy here.”
“You were happy in Chicago...”
“But I wasn’t, Kari. You didn’t know me well enough to see it. I was depressed and miserable and in a dark place. I needed to leave for myself and my mental health just as much as my family needed me to come.”
“You were miserable,” she said slowly, as if trying on the words for size. Testing out their exact meaning and how it impacted her.
“Yes.”
