Ch. 3
Since most people know about Nurse Fallon and the famous coffee encounter, I will back up a little.
At the age of 34, my dad was still single. Work was the one thing that would bring a smile to his face, not woman. Mom used to tease him for not having dated anyone since his graduation dance in medical school. (Given his good looks, I'm skeptical, but I'll have my mother's word for it)
Mom was a youngerversion of Dad. She acted as if she were at the top of the world. Did she really feel that way all the time? I doubt it. I guess it's because of her Beverley Hills childhood—something she tried very hard to get away from. Knowledge transcends beauty, for knowledge itself is beautiful, that's what she used to say.
I think my mother's a beautiful woman. I'm sure Dad would agree, as did most of her suitors. OK, don't rub your eyes. You're right, I did say suitors. Not just one, but a lot. The only time I liked Grandma Helen was when she offered me this information. Mom always came home complaining to the cleaning lady about every single dumb guy who tried to date her. For the record, she once asked why it was dinosaurs, not men, which became extinct.
The problem? They were too George-like. Arrogant guys never bothered going out with my mother and she hated them for competing with her at school. Sadly, deep in her bones, Cristina Yang was a very traditional girl. She wanted a man who could tame her but she couldn't bear to lose her unbeatable image. She wanted to appear independent and be treated as an equal to men.
Do you seriously believe Mom wanted to open the car door for herself on their first formal date? Trust me, most women don't. It makes me chuckle when Dad told me Mom's "very polite response" freaked him out. My mother might not be good at hiding her anger, but she's an expert in hiding her feelings with serious and impersonal remarks when she was impressed or in love.
In essence, Mom wanted to be a follower, but there was no one to follow. Gentle yet cocky, Dad was like sweet and sour pork to her—yummy and different.