3 #2
“I haven’t seen you in a while,” Shin said to John, who stayed silent. He could feel Marcus watching them.
“Are you going to the congregation meeting next week?” Shin asked. “I’ve been nominated to be a deacon,” he said. “I saw that you’re nominated to be an elder. The Lord is discerning.”
John wondered where this new piety came from. Shin had never been religious. He had gone to Mass with Mary and the boys when they were in New Jersey but never in Seoul. John felt that he was in no position to question any man’s faith, but Shin’s talking about God seemed uncharacteristic.
Marcus nodded at Shin, and Shin bowed to him.
“You’re one of Mrs. Kwon’s famous doctor sons, isn’t that right?” Shin said.
John touched his brow. He couldn’t understand how Shin knew all these people when he’d arrived only a little over a year ago.
Helen turned her back to face Sonya, who stared hard at Shin, astonished by his shamelessness. A young woman approached the two joined tables.
“Hello, Dr. Yim, nice to see you again. You were in front of me on the lunch line. Last month, I think.” Danbi laughed when he did not seem to recall, then bowed to everyone at the table.
Everyone nodded in greeting except for Helen and Sonya.
John stared over Helen’s head in the direction of the cafeteria window as if he weren’t sitting there at all.
Shin and Danbi tried to make conversation with Marcus and Mrs. Kwon, but Marcus, having noticed how quiet John and Helen had become, grew quieter himself.
Shin tried to leave the table, but Danbi asked for a minute.
“Dr. Yim,” she said.
“Yes,” Marcus replied.
“My cousin, Elder Frank Lim, mentioned you,” Danbi said. “You have a practice in Irvine, don’t you? I’ve been meaning to get my husband to see you, but your schedule is always full.”
All Helen could think of was Mary and their three sons. Were Shin and Danbi married now? Shin didn’t wear a wedding ring, but Danbi wore a large diamond engagement ring and a diamond wedding band.
“I know men should have their prostate checked at my husband’s age,” Danbi said.
“You should call the office again and tell them that you go to my mother’s church.”
“I already did,” Danbi said, touching her collarbone with her right hand as if to draw his gaze toward the swell of her bosom beneath her yellow silk dress.
Like watching a magic trick, Helen noticed that Marcus’s eyes tracked her right wrist, resting on her breasts.
“Is there another number?” she asked, opening her pink mouth slightly.
“I don’t have a card on me,” Marcus answered. “What is your husband’s name?”
“Shin Taehun,” Danbi said, now touching the milky exposed skin below her collarbone.
His eyes followed her hand as if she were training him like a dog, holding up a biscuit in the air. Danbi smiled.
“I’ll call your office and mention our meeting today. Will you remember me?” she asked.
Marcus tried to look serious, unable to keep his pale face from coloring.
Mrs. Kwon pulled at her son’s elbow, forcing him to face her and end the conversation with Danbi.
“We have to get our food,” Danbi said, then turned to Shin. “Maybe you can get ours. Is there room here for us?” Nobody knew how to respond.
Sonya rose from the table and approached Danbi.
“Excuse us. I’ll only be a minute,” she said, taking Danbi’s left arm gently and guiding her toward the shaded area on the other side of the Patio.
As they walked away, Marcus turned to his mother, surprised. Heesung Kwon got along with everyone. She was the sort of person who would’ve asked him to make room, but she had said nothing.
With Danbi and Shin out of earshot, Mrs. Kwon said to the table, “Those people are snakes. You must avoid them and their family.”
“Mother,” Marcus said. “Why do you say that?”
“That woman is dangerous, and her uncle was a loan shark in Namdaemun Market. Her cousin Frank is honest, but even he said there is something off about her. We can feel charity for our fellow Christians, but we must never be stupid about assessing character. ‘Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.’ ”
“Amen,” Mrs. Chung said.
Marcus looked puzzled. “She only wanted me to see her husband for a checkup. Men have to get their prostates checked. Also, is it fair to blame her for her uncle?”
“There are other doctors. You can’t see him,” Mrs. Kwon said. “You can help other people, but not them. They’re the kind who will do something terrible, then sue you. I know. I know from experience.”
On the AstroTurf-covered deck area, the two women stood out, Sonya in her ivory-colored suit and Danbi in yellow silk. Spotting an empty picnic table under the awning, Sonya asked Danbi to sit.
“This won’t take long,” Sonya said.
Danbi smiled politely. She didn’t understand who this person was, but she’d been sitting next to important church members as well as the Koh family.
“I’m the sister-in-law of Koh Yohan. I’ve wondered about you,” Sonya said quietly.
Danbi bowed her head and raised it quickly. She knew enough about battle not to show fear.
“Forgive me for being so direct, but I don’t have much time. I don’t live here. I live in Seoul and will not be here next weekend. I wanted to speak with you briefly.”
Danbi stared at the woman’s beautiful face. She was striking in every way, elegant in an almost otherworldly sense—her skin, hair, nails, and exquisite suit. Even her handbag was worth thousands of dollars and impossible to buy.
“If I had known what you were planning to do to my sister’s husband, I would have made sure that you reconsidered.
Sadly, I learned too late.” Sonya sighed.
“I don’t know what motivates a person like you to cause such great harm; however, I know this.
You do not wish my family well. My sister’s husband is my family.
He is my dear brother. What you don’t know about me is that I am a relentless woman, severe, harsh, and unforgiving.
This is my worst quality as a Christian.
I have difficulty with forgiveness. I will continue to pray about it.
“It’s my understanding that my brother and sister want to be left alone by you and your—” Sonya hesitated before saying, “Shin Taehun.”
“I don’t understand your meaning,” Danbi said, putting her hands on the table to get up. “I should go.”
“Wait. You think I’m just another woman who is angry or protective. No. That would be a mistake. I’m not threatening you. There’s no need for that. I am telling you never to speak to my sister or brother-in-law again. Never.” Sonya smiled kindly.
Danbi touched her throat reflexively as if she were guarding herself. She checked her surroundings; everyone at John’s table was looking in her direction.
“You’re moving your hand toward your chest. It’s the reflexive behavior of a novice seducer to think every person would fall for this.
A habit is sometimes a lazy thing, which one must address.
I don’t care about your tits. I’m not some stupid man who thinks only with his dick.
I’ll never believe that you—you of all people—are a damsel in distress. Women are not fooled.
“I’m telling you that you will regret it if you do not stay away from my family.
I know who you are. I know who your cousin is, and where your mother lives.
I know where you live. I will hold this grudge forever.
Here is some wisdom: Let life tutor you.
Learn quickly where danger lies. I am danger. Have a good day. I shall not keep you.”
Sonya smoothed out her skirt and rose elegantly from the bench. She looked directly at Danbi to give her a moment to respond, and when she could not, Sonya smiled and returned to her family.