“I want you to know that I meant what I said about every minute counting. Your life—the way you spend it—is precious.”
“You are so kind to me. You are always so kind to me.”
Sabine was crying now. It was good to cry, she thought as tears streaked down her high cheekbones.
“And I’ve never done anything for you.”
“Nonsense,” Sabine said, then took a moment. She spoke in Korean: “But if you performed some task or favor for my benefit, and I gave you a watch, then it wouldn’t be a gift, would it?” She switched back to English: “Then it would be—an exchange.” She said this last bit methodically, her voice full of well-reasoned conviction.
Casey paused to think about that. Somehow, hearing her words in Korean had made it more significant, more intimate.
“Yes.” Casey sniffled, then laughed. “You’re right. So where did you get your MBA, smart lady?”
Sabine smiled. “It’s too late for me for school. But it isn’t for you.”
Was that true? Casey wondered. Then again, why would Sabine need an MBA?
“Are you sure?” She pointed to the watch, half expecting Sabine to change her mind.
Sabine caught the sobriety of Casey’s expression. “You’re my baby girl, Casey. I just want you to have a nice watch. Why would you deny me that pleasure? Enjoy the thing. It’s pretty. Right?”
“Yes. It’s beautiful. And it’s from you. Thank you, Sabine.” Casey nodded to herself and turned her face sharply toward the door. There was a thump-thump sound, a kind of shy knock. Casey wiped her face. “Sabine?” She needed to say one last thing.
“Yes, my friend?”
“I will be careful with my time.”
“Of course you will.”
The thump-thump sound came again.
“Come in,” Sabine said in her boss voice. She felt delighted with herself. With life overall.
It was Judith Hast, the weekend accessories manager.
“I’m sorry to bother you, ladies, during your lunch.” Judith noticed the bottle of champagne on the conference table. “Looks like there’s a little party here.” She laughed, her voice a touch chirpy and tittering.
Sabine ignored this. “How can I help you, Judith?” She gave her one of her famous CEO smiles.
“There’s someone here to see Casey.”
Casey wiped her eyes with the paper napkin. “Me?”
“An Asian lady.”
“My sister? But she’s supposed to be here after work.” Casey looked at her watch and was surprised to see that it wasn’t her Timex. Judith spotted the box on the table and the lavender ribbon. Casey was sporting a new watch.
“I met your sister once. I don’t think it’s her,” Judith said. “But maybe because she’s so pregnant, her face could’ve changed—”
“Your sister’s pregnant?” Sabine exclaimed. “But she’s in med school. When did that happen? ”
“No, no, no. It must be my friend. I better go.” Casey kissed Sabine on the cheek. “Thank you for. . . you know—”
“Yes, I know. Come by during your break. Eat cheesecake.”
Casey ran ahead of Judith to see if Ella had come. She was supposed to be on bed rest.
It was her. Ella had on a well-worn men’s coat that hung oddly across her large belly, a crimson-and-white college scarf wound around her neck, and green duck boots from Bean. She didn’t look right, and it wasn’t because of her makeshift ninth-month getup. Her skin was splotchy, grayish blue patches darkened her pretty eyes, and her usual ruler-straight posture was broken. Her bulging ankles spilled out of the tops of her boots. Ella was examining the fox-fur hat from Tibet as if it were alive—the one with the yellow satin silk crown. Her studious expression was of a disturbed person. Bodily present, but not quite there.
Nevertheless, Casey was happy to see her—it actually surprised her how much. Lately, maybe because it was near Christmas, Casey had been feeling rootless, lacking any sense of a past or family, except for her talks with Sabine and letters from Virginia in Italy. She received an occasional long-distance call from Tina, who’d promised to come by tonight. She hadn’t been back home for the holidays since graduation. That was over two and a half years ago. There was no mention of Casey going to Elmhurst for Christmas or New Year’s Day, either, from her family or from her. Casey felt uninvited, while her parents felt rejected.
“Hey, you’re supposed to be in bed,” Casey said cheerfully, trying not to look worried. She reached out to hug her. “How’s the little mother? It’s really great to see you—”