27. Monroe
A Year Later…
“Look at that fine man!” Mom exclaims joyfully. “I knew my baby would bring home a catch.”
My cheeks flush warm. “Mom! Will you ever stop?”
Mom pulls away from the window and nudges me toward the door. “Well? He’ll be up any minute! Go answer, Moni.”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re bossy?”
“Where do you think you get it from, baby girl?” she snickers. “Your father used to say you barked orders just like your mama.”
I roll my eyes at her teasing and cross the compact space of my apartment. I’m dressed in a loose-fitting sundress that falls down to my ankles, but that’s perfect for the July heat in South Korea. My curls halo my face, a braided headband perched up top.
It’s the last night Mom’s in the country and I wanted tonight’s dinner to be special.
As there’s a soft knock at the door and I draw it open to find Jin holding some gifts, it’s clear I wasn’t the only one.
He’s more dressed up than usual, ditching his leather jacket for a simple black button-up shirt.
The sleeves are rolled up, revealing the many tattoos on his forearms. He’s done his best to tame his usually unruly, windswept hair, pushing it back from his brow.
Though a few strands still threaten to slip into his eyes.
In one hand he holds a fresh bouquet of flowers—pale pink and cream blooms wrapped in wax paper—and in the other, a dark, polished box with a mirror finish.
An excited little squeal sounds from my throat. I step into him, rising on my sandaled toes to kiss him hello. His lips are warm and familiar, his taste of mint.
“You didn’t have to bring anything,” I murmur. “I told you I was handling tonight’s dinner.”
Behind me, Mom lets out a snort of disagreement. “Now wait a minute, baby girl! If the man wants to spoil us with gifts, we’re gonna go ahead and let him!”
Jin chuckles and steps the rest of the way into the apartment. He gives a slight bow as he presents the flowers and box to my mom. “For you, Daisha.”
Mom beams and claps her hands together. There’re few things my mom loves more than gifts. Her round face always lights up and she takes great joy in opening them. I can’t help smiling alongside Jin as she takes the box and flowers into her arms.
“See, Moni! Now this is what I’m talking about. A man of means and culture. Jin-tae is the son-in-law any mother would be happy to have.”
I almost groan her name again. She means well, but Jin isn’t her son-in-law…
Jin seems to feel differently. He slides an arm around my hips and pulls me even closer to his side. “I’m the lucky one. Two beautiful ladies in my life. Mother and daughter. Both having dinner with me.”
Mom giggles, and my smile widens despite the roll of my eyes.
We settle around the small kitchen table, the wood glowing warmly under the ceiling lights. I’ve spent the afternoon cooking, wanting to make something special for our last dinner together. Mom’s flight leaves tomorrow morning.
On the table are plates of beef bulgogi, japchae noodles, and fresh banchan. All recipes I’ve practiced and almost perfected from a Korean cooking class I’ve been taking in my off time.
“Everything looks delicious, sweetie,” Mom says, reaching for the japchae with her chopsticks.
Jin nods approvingly. “My girlfriend cooks Korean dishes better than some natives.”
I know he’s talking me up like he always does, but it still makes my heart flutter fondly inside my chest.
We eat slowly, savoring every bite and the combination of flavor, as well as each other’s company.
“I can’t thank you both enough,” Mom says, her tone soft. “You showed me everything there was to see. It was an even better vacation than last summer.”
“What part was your favorite?” I ask.
“Jeju Island was one of a kind,” she answers. “I’ll never forget these two weeks. And all the souvenirs I’ve bought! I need a second suitcase going home.”
“Got you covered,” I say. “I already set out an extra one of mine.”
“Now, Jin-tae, you know I’m gonna expect you to come visit with my baby girl for Christmas, right?”
I groan, half laughing. “Mom… we talked about this. We’ll do our best, but we’re both so busy?—”
“We’ll make time,” Jin interrupts calmly. He wipes his mouth with a napkin and sets his chopsticks down. “It’s fitting that we visit your home, Tokki-ya. Then you can show me around. I can be the tourist.”
He’s teasing me as he says it, a spark in his dark gaze. More heat washes over me as I try to play it cool and pretend like Jin isn’t making me feel things that are inappropriate given the setting. But what else would be new?
That’s what happens when your hunger for a person is insatiable.
Mom notices and sighs—one of those deeply pleased, maternal sighs—like she’s witnessed magic before her eyes.
I know why she would; after a few years of seeing her daughter in grief, it brings her joy to see me like this.
I’m happy and thriving the way she’s always wanted me to.
Jin has prioritized me and our relationship, no matter how crazy his life gets.
Even now, with his role as Baekho-je, he still makes time for me.
Several nights a week he puts aside time to spend together.
Sometimes at my apartment. Sometimes at his.
Other times we go for adventures around Busan and the rest of South Korea.
I’m living in a new neighborhood. I couldn’t return to my old apartment building after everything that had happened. But I’m a little closer to Suyeong Academy, where I still teach English to students I treasure.
In my off time, I volunteer at the orphanage. Kelly and I have grown closer, taking that cooking class together, and she even seems relieved she doesn’t have to set me up on any more blind dates.
As dinner winds down and we start on dessert—a fruit plate I put together of melon, strawberries, and pears with honey drizzled on top—Mom studies the jewelry box.
“This is beautiful, Jin-tae,” she says. Her finger runs along the delicate luminescent inlay.
“It’s handmade, lacquered with mother-of-pearl inlay. Traditionally crafted.”
“Lord have mercy. Wait ’til all the biddies on the block see me with this. They’re gonna be acting like fools.”
We chat and laugh until our bellies are so full we can’t take anymore. Mom yawns first, announcing that it’s getting past her bedtime and she needs to get her beauty rest if she’s flying internationally tomorrow.
I walk Jin to the door, reluctant to let the night end. He turns to face me, so tall and exquisitely built, the same man who marked me just a year ago. But who now peers down at me so adoringly, you’d never guess he’s a deadly gangster who leads a major crime syndicate.
Our lips touch in a slow and deep goodnight kiss that’s greedy even for us.
“Goodnight, my rabbit,” he murmurs against my mouth. “Sleep well.”
I watch him go, leaning against the doorframe, my heart fuller than it’s ever been.
“Now, come here,” Mom says the next afternoon. She holds out her arms as the crowd swirls around us. “Give me a big ol’ hug for the road—or skies, I guess.”
Jin steps forward first, giving my mother a warm and respectful hug. The sight is almost comical considering he’s so much taller than she is.
“We’ll come visit you,” he promises. “I want to see Philadelphia… and try a Philly cheesesteak.”
Mom laughs. “You better be prepared to get your grub on. I’ll take you to the best spot I know.”
I’m next. Mom widens her arms to welcome me into the fold. Our last hug before she heads off to the part of the airport where I can’t follow.
“C’mere, baby girl. Give your mama a goodbye hug and kiss.”
I press my face into the familiar curve of her shoulder and wrap my arms around her. She squeezes me tight like she always has, even when I was a child. The airport chaos of boarding announcements, rolling suitcases, and hundreds of other travelers ceases to exist. It fades to a hush around us.
All that matters is our goodbye embrace.
She pats my back gently and murmurs into my curly hair. “I’m so proud of you, Moni baby. I’m so happy you’re happy.”
Tears well up in my eyes, and I cling to her a little tighter. “Thanks, Mom… for everything.”
We separate reluctantly, when we can’t stall any longer and Mom has to move on. Before the waterworks can really make their way out, Jin pulls me close like a weight anchoring me, providing comfort.
Together, we stand and watch Mom turn and head toward the security checkpoint. It’s only a matter of seconds before the crowds swallow her up and she’s gone.
Jin leans down and presses a kiss to my brow. “You okay, Tokki-ya?”
I sniff and wipe quickly at my eyes. A shaky laugh leaves me. “Yeah… I will be. Thankfully, I have a sexy boyfriend to take my mind off things.”
The corner of his mouth twitches into a barely there grin. He scoops my hand in his. “Funny you say that. I have something in mind. Come.”
The road coils around the mountainside in slow, winding curves. The car hums quietly as Jin steers us higher and higher above the city. We’re minutes out from sunset, the sun hanging low on the horizon, bathing everything in golden hues.
I lean my forehead against the warm car window and admire the scenery as it rolls past. I’ve begun to recognize our surroundings.
Hwangnyeongsan.
A tug of familiarity pulls at my chest and a smile touches my lips.
I steal a glance at Jin, whose expression is stoic but calm as he focuses on the road ahead.
His fingers flex on the steering wheel like he’s working on something inside his head.
I’m not sure why he’s bringing me back here, but I settle deeper into my seat and let the anticipation build.
The first time he brought me here, we sat for hours and stared out at the city lights. We ate Hotteok and drank peach-flavored soda. Relations between me and Jin were still tenuous at the time, but even then I knew it was his version of a peace offering.
His way to make things up to me and cheer me up.
He’s always been thoughtful like that, even when he pretended to be anything but.