“No,” Tina replied instantly. “Makes you feel rich to not behave that way.”
Casey stopped unscrewing the lid for the lip gloss and looked directly at Tina. “You always get it right, don’t you?” She smiled at her younger sister. “Dr. Han, you amaze me.”
“Oh, shut up,” Tina said, grinning.
They left the bathroom together, but when they reached the bottom of the basement steps, they ran into Ted holding an unlit cigarette. He was heading out for a smoke.
“Hey, the sisters,” he said, acting as if nothing had happened before. That was classic Ted. He could not be ruffled.
“Hi, Ted,” Tina said. She noticed Chul waving her over from the other side of the basement. “My husband beckons.” Tina went to him.
Casey stood there for a moment, trying to figure out where to go. She tried to pass him, but he blocked her with a sidestep.
“Listen,” he said.
“I don’t have to listen to you. You’re a fucking clown.”
“She knows.”
“Who knows?”
“Ella knows.”
“Right,” Casey said, and looked into his eyes and saw that he was serious.
“You don’t know what it’s like to be married and to fall in love with someone else.”
“You’re right. I don’t know.” Casey stood there, not wanting to judge him.
“I love Ella, but I am in love with Delia. And Delia is the person who—”
“Listen, pal, you don’t need to sing their praises. I like both these women. I respect both these women, despite whatever positive feelings they could have for a pathetic piece of shit like—”
“Casey, you’re such a hard person. And you’ve no right to condemn me.”
“Don’t give me this relativist crap. I don’t buy it. Why shouldn’t I judge you? You hurt Ella. She took you back after—”
“You don’t understand.” Ted wanted to explain how Delia was someone he felt he was meant to be with, and how Ella, who was ideal, was just that—an ideal, but not someone he wanted to love. “You don’t—”
“And I don’t want to understand. What the hell do people mean when they say they love? What the hell does it mean, anyway?” Casey stared at him.
“Delia and I are going to get married—”
“But you are married!” she cried. A Michael Jackson song was playing, and the dance floor was full.
“Ella wants a divorce. I’m only here because Ella asked me to do this last thing, and I said I would.” Ted said all this rapidly, as if he had to spit it out of his body. When Ella had asked him last night, what she’d said was “I need to keep my word. I said we’d both be there.”
“Okay, then.” Casey could hardly believe him. Was he waiting for a pat on the head for being such an agreeable husband? His sense of entitlement and worldview were impossible to challenge. “Listen, it’s none of my—” She put her hand on the banister. She felt physically weaker—her anger was giving way to a kind of coldness. She didn’t feel like talking to him anymore. “Whatever, Ted. Bye,” she said, and walked away.
Ted watched her go. It was strange, even to him, how much he wanted her to understand his decision. He climbed the stairs.
Casey went to her table and found Unu talking with Dr. Shim. Ella was seated beside them, her dark eyes looking drowsy. With her right hand, she was pushing the stroller back and forth steadily. Irene was still sleeping. The loud disco music didn’t seem to affect her. The cake was cut, but over half of the three hundred guests lingered. They were having a wonderful time. Tina and Chul were dancing, too, and Casey couldn’t help smiling at her sister.
Casey sat on the empty chair near Ella, who barely seemed to notice her.
“Hi,” she said.
Ella glanced at Casey. “Oh, hiya, Casey.” She reached over to give Casey a hug, her expression a little moony. “Where were you?”
Casey took a breath. “Ted—”
“I’m getting a divorce, Casey. Whaddya know?” Ella giggled.
“You don’t look right,” Casey said. “Are you drunk?” She checked the wineglass in front of Ella. It was full of red wine.
“You know, Casey? I really like my new job. Mr. Fitzsimmons is such a great guy!”
“Ella? You okay?”
“Ted got fired yesterday, and I’m leaving him. I’m leaving him. He’s not leaving me. Nope,” Ella said cheerfully.