I hear the front door bang as Auntie Ji An goes back inside. I need to move. I need to act normal, but all I can do is feel this terrible anger and hurt directed toward myself. I didn’t have to answer the phone. I don’t owe Jason anything, especially not peace of mind about my well being. Where was he when I couldn’t eat or sleep? Where was he when I was crying all the ding damn time? Where was his concern then? And why in the hell is it back now?
Just as I am about to make my way to the house, a white SUV pulls into the drive. It is Damii. She has her kids with her. Two adorable little boys around two and four are bouncing in their car seats. Through her open window Dami calls out in English, “Are you all okay?”
I tell her, “Yes, how bout ya’ll?”
“We are good too. I feel incredibly and guilty at the same time.” Her eyes are focused on Auntie Ji An’s house. She waves at Hae-in on the porch. I don’t watch him wave back. I keep my eyes focused on Dami. The smile Dami shoots in Hae-in’s direction is mega watt. She calls out, “Good to see you! Come meet my boys.”
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I hear Hae-in’s steps on the porch and then coming toward the car. I take in a slow breath. When Hae-in reaches the car, Dami points to her kids and introduces them, “Oldest is Min Jae, little one’s Ji-cheol. Boys say hi.” Their sweet piping voices call out a honorific hello. Hae-in and I respond.
Hae-in says, “I best get back to it.” He walks toward the house. My eyes don’t follow him, but Dami’s do. She drops her voice low and says, “Damn he’s still pretty. I wouldn’t let that get away.”
I don’t know what to say.
Dami reaches out and pinches my arm. “Don’t be shy with him. Cinderella, I could be your fairy godmother, I would be.”
From the back seat the youngest begins to squeal and then the older one bursts into tears. Above the racket, Dami says, “You two should join us for dinner on evening after we get sorted.” I hope she means Auntie Ji An and I but she says, “I’ll have Seo call Hae-in.”
Stupidly I ask, “Seo?”
Dami gives me that smile of mischief, I remember so well. She laughs and says, “My husband you goof. I sent you a wedding invitation.”
I don’t know how Hae-in and this Seo, husband person know each other. Besides, what if Hae-in declines their invitation? What if he doesn’t want to go with me? Gently in Korean, Dami says, “Ye Seul stop thinking too much okay?”
I nod.