Chapter 12 Monroe #2
“So he’s already a handful. That tracks given what I know about you and Jin,” she says, sipping from her coffee. “So what’s new? You’ve got that look on your face. The ‘I have news’ look.”
“I guess you do know me well. Nothing’s new… except I’m taking a leave of absence. I already submitted the paperwork. Two weeks, and then I’m done until after the baby.”
Kelly’s face falls and she croaks, “What? No! You’re abandoning me?”
“I’m not abandoning you—”
“You’re leaving me here alone with Mr. Noh-Memory and the rest of these people?” She gestures dramatically around the lounge. “Who am I supposed to complain to? Who’s going to understand my suffering?”
I laugh despite myself. “Something tells me you’ll survive.”
“I won’t. I’ll wither away.” She sighs heavily, then softens. “But seriously, Monroe. I get it. You’re, like, super pregnant. You need rest, and if your sexy, tattooed Korean boyfriend wants to take care of you, I say go for it.”
“He’s been worried about me, so yeah… you’re right.”
“And the wedding? Any news on that or is that indefinitely on hold?”
“We’re planning something small. After the baby comes. Just family, maybe a few close friends.”
“Am I a close friend?”
“You’re literally my only friend in Busan, remember?”
“Phew. Good, ’cuz things were about to get awkward if you said no,” she says with a bright smile. “Ooh, maybe Hyun-woo and I will still be together by then! He could be my date.”
“How is Hyun-woo anyway?”
“Still normal. No red flags in sight. All green flags. That in itself seems to be a red flag. It’s kind of suspicious, isn’t it?”
I roll my eyes with an incredulous shake of my head. “You’re not seriously about to consider it a flaw that he has no flaws, are you?”
“Well! It is weird—no one’s that perfect!”
I’m about to respond when Mr. Quincy and Mr. Noh walk past our table. Mr. Quincy, a tall and gangly American with thick glasses, raises a hand in greeting.
“Hey, I heard the news. Congrats on the LOA!”
“Thanks, Mr. Quincy.”
Mr. Noh pauses too, his warm brown eyes crinkling at the corners. “Yes, Miss Ross, I saw your request come through this morning.”
“That’s right. I’m due in a few months, and the pregnancy has been... a lot.”
“Family must always come first. Your little one is lucky to have such devoted parents already.”
I thank both men before they continue on, talking among themselves. As I glance back over at Kelly, she’s making a face.
“Okay, I’ll admit it,” she mutters. “Mr. Noh-Memory is sweet. If only he’d remember my name.”
“You’ll get there. Hopefully,” I laugh.
“Yeah, let’s hope by the time you have a whole baby, he’ll remember my name is Kelly and not Kathy.”
It’s only a little over a week later that Mom’s able to fly out to South Korea.
The intercom buzzes, and I rush from the middle of folding laundry to answer the door.
“Baby girl!” she squeals the moment I open.
Behind her, the driver Jin arranged staggers under the weight of her luggage. There’re at least three full-sized suitcases, two carry-ons, and what appears to be a large tote bag stuffed so full it’s practically bursting at the seams.
“Mom,” I say, half laughing as she pulls me into a hug. “Did you pack your whole wardrobe? How long are you planning to stay?”
“As long as you need me, honey.” She pulls back, her hands framing my face, eyes already glistening with tears. “Look at you. Look at my baby. You’re so big already!”
“Gee, thanks.”
“I mean it in the best way. You know that.” Her hands drop to my belly for a motherly caress. “My grandbaby is in there. My grandbaby. I just can’t believe it.”
I step aside for her to enter our apartment, the first time she’s seen it. She gives an impressed nod and mentions how much she likes the open floor plan.
“Enjoy it for now. We’ll be moving next week. At least temporarily.”
“I keep forgetting Jin’s got it like that. Where is he anyway?”
“I’m right here.”
Jin appears in the doorway, perhaps the only time he’s ever been awkward as he gives a wave hello. Mom beelines straight for him, pulling him into a tight hug. He goes stiff at first, then pats her on the back like he’s uncertain how else to respond.
“Jin, honey. Thank you for the car service. The very nice young man who was driving carried all my bags.”
“Yeah, all thirty-seven of them,” I add teasingly.
But Mom’s already moved on to the next topic as she browses our apartment, admiring every detail from the tall windows to the way we’ve furnished the place.
“Who was that man outside your door?”
I glance at Jin. He stares back as if equally unsure how to answer. Then he decides to take the lead.
“Security,” Jin says vaguely. “My work requires certain precautions.”
Mom’s eyes narrow. She looks at Jin, then at me, then back at Jin. I can practically see the questions forming in her mind, the suspicions taking root.
“Mmhmm. And I’m guessing this has something to do with the upcoming move?”
“Mom, why don’t we get you settled in first before we go with the third degree?” I ask, sliding my arm around her and guiding her toward the hall where the bedrooms are. “I want to show you all the stuff we’ve got so far for the baby.”
That seems to work, the pivot in topic distracting her.
“That’s right!” she exclaims, clasping her hands together. “We’ve got a baby boy to prepare for. Is this new home going to have a nursery? What color scheme are we going with? And have you two settled on any names yet?”
I throw one last look over my shoulder at Jin, both of us amused and overwhelmed all at once. But it’s no surprise when it comes to Mom.
I’m just grateful to have her here as these changes in our lives come. If I’m going to take a leave of absence and move somewhere new for the rest of this pregnancy, at least I’ll have her and Jin to lean on.