7 #2
“I should stay out of it since my wife nominated him, but I think he’s managing the business on behalf of his deceased wife’s sister, who doesn’t live year-round in California,” George said. He liked John Koh and felt sorry for the laconic widower.
Elder Christina Bong added, “Elder John Koh is a very thoughtful person. I think he has a business background and went to SNU for math. I really liked his wife, too. Such a wonderful mother. So sad.” She paused.
“Well, I think it would be wise to have someone who is such a good Christian join us and give counsel. Sometimes these positions go to people who have important jobs. I mean—” She smiled at Danbi and George.
“It’s possible for a wealthy person to have great faith, but Elder John Koh is known for being self-controlled and thoughtful.
The nail salon workers speak very highly of him as someone who is fair about tips and salaries.
I’d be happy to second anyone that Elder Sobin Ha would find it in her heart to nominate. ”
Danbi wrote down her comments, unwilling to look up.
“But Elder Kevin Cho is an outstanding community leader. His law firm has twenty-five associates,” Danbi said. “If we have to choose one male and one female elder, then Elder Cho may be a more seasoned leader—”
Elder Christina raised her hand. “Elder Cho is a good man, but he would just be another wealthy partner at a law firm. We have so few male elders who aren’t white-collar professionals. Isn’t that so? I fear that we will be criticized for favoring the professional class.”
“Elder John Koh used to be a manager at the largest trading company in Korea. He graduated from Seoul National University. Without question, he was a member of the professional class. It’s not as if he’s some uneducated farmer who fell off a tractor after seeing a vision of Jesus,” Danbi said, then immediately recognized her error.
The elders stared at her in shock. Elder Sobin Ha covered her mouth and turned to her husband George.
“I think that’s not kind,” Sobin said. Often she remembered Helen, who had sold her a suitcase and given her a red name tag as a present.
She had been so patient with her when she must have been in agonizing pain.
Once, Sobin had visited Helen at home. She had been asleep, and Sobin would never forget the woman’s altered appearance, ravaged by cancer.
Danbi had been too forceful in her disagreement.
Normally she did not show her hand like this.
If John Koh was on the committee, then she would have to deal with him.
She’d never be able to defeat him. Not once had she forgotten what his sister-in-law Sonya Cho had threatened.
Danbi understood how power worked better than most. Sonya was the kind of person who would follow through on her threats.
George spoke up. “At the risk of siding with my wife, I think Elder Christina has made a valuable point. Any elder on the committee should be selected on his character and not just his present socioeconomic status. Perhaps we can place Elder Cho on a short list for another time.”
The elders nodded in agreement, and John Koh became a member of the Nominating Committee.
When the meeting ended, George remained behind while his wife went to meet their children, who were still playing basketball with the youth group.
Danbi gathered her papers and said nothing.
“Why don’t you like him?” George asked.
“Who?”
“Elder John Koh. I thought he and your husband were old friends.”
“Will you discuss the meeting later with your wife?” Danbi opened her eyes wide and smiled at him.
“What?” George looked puzzled. “I suppose we might. Why?”
“Would you tell her that I actually wanted to support John Koh? I don’t want her to be upset with me.”
“But you were against it. She was here.”
“Well, explain it to her. Wouldn’t your wife believe your word against the others?”
“I suppose so. I don’t understand.”
“I’m asking you for a favor, George.” Danbi laid her right hand on his left forearm. She parted her lips slightly, and from his expression, she saw that just showing a man a hint of her pink tongue was enough to make him think of her.
“Of course,” he replied, and got up. “You supported him all along. I think you just had some doubts about his schedule. That’s true, right?”
“Yes,” she said, and it occurred to her that Sobin would never like her. Danbi resented this.
“You believe me, don’t you?” she asked, pulling him back down to his chair, and he sat, looking nervous.
Danbi recognized that same expression that all men had when she did these things. He was afraid, and she felt aroused.
“How are you, George?”
“It’s getting late.”
Danbi undid the pearl buttons of her jacket quickly. Beneath it, she’d worn a sleeveless black silk chiffon blouse.
George looked at her breasts, visible through the sheer material.
“What are you doing?” she asked, laughing.
“I should go.”
“Have you ever cheated on Sobin?”
It gave her pleasure to say his wife’s first name.
Danbi wanted to hurt her. She wanted to damage the women who refused to lower their guard and take her in just because she wasn’t like them, because she wanted far more than they did.
She wanted to crush those who excluded her from entry into their golden circles.
George held his breath. He had been with hostesses in Seoul, but he didn’t count that as being unfaithful to his wife, although, of course, it was.
Raised as a Christian from birth, he knew that being with any woman who was not his wife was a serious sin, yet he had a rule.
He was never with a woman not his wife more than once.
He’d always paid good money, which alleviated some of his guilt.
If Sobin ever found out, she would divorce him.
He had prayed and trusted that he was forgiven. He had not been with a hostess in years, but he could not answer Danbi without lying, and he did not like to lie.
George didn’t answer her.
“Oh, so you have. Naturally you must have. You’re a desirable man.”
Danbi placed her index finger on his lips to hush him. She opened the door and checked the dark and empty hallway. Danbi locked it and dimmed the lights.
“I need only a few minutes of your time. Give them to me.”
George remained silent, and Danbi made herself comfortable on his lap, feeling the rush of his hands moving across her body. She closed her eyes and, as if willed, he stood up, her arms and legs wrapped around his torso, and backed her body into the wall.