Tina smiled weakly, feeling so disappointed and hurt for her parents that she could hardly speak. Her mother had spent days going to shops and agonizing about whether or not the Baeks would be pleased. In a way, her mother had succeeded, because the gifts were beautiful. But she wished she could’ve prepared her parents for the fact that the Baeks wouldn’t make a similar effort. The Baeks were undoubtedly rationalizing that the Hans were ssangnom, trying to act better than they were by giving such expensive things. There was no way to win. Generosity was always suspect. Tina picked up her chopsticks and moved the preserved duck egg from one end of the plate to the other. Chul put on his watch, and he made his sisters admire it. They oohed and aahed at him as if he were an indulged child.
Joseph looked Chul over carefully. He didn’t have any resemblance to his own father except for the rounded jawline. Out of his summer earnings and savings through the years, the boy had given Tina a one-carat diamond engagement ring, which she loved. In the future, if he didn’t take good care of his daughter, Joseph resolved to let her come home anytime she wanted.
“Thank you for the tie. It’s very nice,” Joseph said to Anna, closing the box before tucking it in their shopping bag. He’d never wear anything so hideous.
Casey had heard about the large house they owned in Bethesda, the beach house in Rehoboth, the membership at the country club in Chevy Chase, and she could’ve easily guessed the price of each St. John’s outfit of the Baek sisters. The mother was wearing Armani. Chul’s parents made seven or eight times more than her parents. These weren’t people who shopped at Macy’s normally, and none of them would have worn less than cashmere around their throats. They’d gone out of their way to let her family know its place. It was mean to Tina, but Casey saw that it was also mean to Chul.
Howie came by with a magnum of champagne. He picked up the change in mood.
“How is everyone? How was the jellyfish?” he asked.
Joseph smiled at him. “Great. Great.”
“Champagne?” Chul’s father checked the label: Mo?t & Chandon. Philip Baek liked to drink and was fond of good wines.
Howie filled the champagne glasses. “On the house! Anything for my good friend Joseph Han and for his beautiful daughter’s wedding celebration!” he said mirthfully. Spotting the pile of discarded silver wrapping paper near the edge of the banquet table, Howie jutted his chin toward it and a busboy cleared it away.
“May you kids have lots of champagne in the future!” Howie said with a flourish, but only a few of them smiled.
When Howie had filled everyone’s glass, he realized that none of the party was likely to make a toast. The sons-in-law were busy cleaning their appetizer plates. The groom’s father had finished his bourbon and soda and had already picked up his champagne glass to drink. The grandchildren pulled at Anna and Heidi. Joseph appeared restless.
When you owned a restaurant, occasionally you had to become a guest and join the party. A glass was brought to Howie, and he filled it himself.
Howie raised his glass.
“For Tina’s wedding. To Tina—Joseph and Leah’s beautiful daughter who will one day become my favorite surgeon!” Howie Chan laughed. “And to love—” He directed his glass toward the groom, then the bride. He added, his voice lowered, “I believe in true love. With all my heart.” One day, Howie planned to marry Emily Lo, his mistress of twenty-three years—his soul’s true companion.
Everyone clinked glasses. Tina didn’t correct Mr. Chan about her new specialization but felt bad for her father again. Everyone sipped the champagne, and Tina felt grateful for the restaurant owner’s tenderness, his sincere wish to make people feel happier.
They got through the dinner—talking mainly about how good the food was, and it was very delicious food after all. There was no fight for the check. Joseph paid it, and Howie had cut it down to a third of its cost. The two families said their good-byes till the next day. Tina returned to Queens with her parents, and Chul left with his family to the Hilton Hotel in midtown where the Baeks were staying. Casey and Unu left together. They would walk home.
Tina would marry Chul the next day.
10 WONDERS
CASEY HAD A TENDENCY TO FIDGET. She had a long back, making it difficult for her to find a comfortable sitting position. Occasionally, when they were at a movie or at dinner, Unu would place his hand on her shoulder or thigh, calming her for a bit; but it didn’t take long before she’d shift her torso again. In the past, people seated behind her had complained because it was distracting. At Tina’s wedding, she was put in the front row with Unu, Joseph, and Leah on the bride’s side of the pews. Casey could smell tobacco on Unu’s suit jacket, and she wanted a cigarette. It would be impossible for her to sneak one during her sister’s wedding. Her parents knew that she was sleeping with Unu but didn’t yet know about her smoking. She crossed her legs again.