As I am slowly walking toward Bona's coffee shop to meet my two friend's from the states, I check my messages. I usually do not check messages while I am at the bakery if someone needs me they will call, so sometimes I have a fair few. I have six unread messages. I go through them all, answering them quickly. I have one from Rose saying they got to Sidda's fine. One from Sidda saying everyone made it okay and that she made an appointment to see her doctor in two days. I smile. Another message from Ho-Soek telling me he is safe with his family along with an adorable picture of them all. The fourth is from Jin asking me to bake him something since he was cooking dinner for his new girlfriend, he's a fantastic cook, but sometimes forget when he bakes. The next is from Joon, a simple, "The healing begins. Remember I'm here if need be." As I get closer to the coffee shop, I find myself anxious to meet my old friends. These are people that were around when Kayden was alive. Will they see the change in me? I feel so new. I glance up and see them both standing a bit away from the shop. I quickly pause and check my last message, it's from Yoon-Gi. It is another short one. "Gongsugan?" I smile. It's my favorite restaurant in Seoul. I quickly send back a "Yes." And cross the street.
"Leigh," Daniel says, looking up. "Help me settle this. Kimberly here says that it only takes 14 hours to get from here back to Nashville. According to my flight, it will take 18."
"Right, OUR flight is 18 hours because we have one layover, one in Japan and one in Ontario. Two hours each. Our traveling time is 16 hours," Kimberly says, flipping her strawberry blonde hair off her shoulder.
"Well, anytime I've done a straight flight from Seoul to Nashville it's been 16 hours. But that is on the private jet owned by the company. It normally takes about 18-20 hours to get back home though. There are not many flights that go straight from the states to here," I answer.
"See," Kimberly says, sticking her tongue out at Daniel. I laugh, "Come on, have one last cup of coffee with me." I open the door to the shop and motion for them to come in.
"Leigh!" Bona says like we didn't see each other yesterday. "Would you like your regular?" she asks me in Korean. "Yes, please," I answer, also in Korean, turning to Daniel and Kimberly. "What would you guys like?" This was their first visit to me since I moved to Korea and even though they've seen me interact with Yoon-Gi in Korean, their reaction to me here is still so funny. "What?" I ask when they do not answer. They both smile. You'd think they were related the way their actions are in sync sometimes. And the way they fight, they act like brother and sister.
"It's just nice to see you in your home," Daniel says. "I knew you were comfortable here, but it's such a sight to see." I flush. "I'll have whatever Yoon-Gi ordered for me the other day," he adds. "I want to try your drink, Leigh," Kimberly says.
I nod, "Bona, could I also get another of my regular and one Makgeolli, please?" She nods and smiles at Daniel and Kimberly. "Of course. And don't think I didn't find the money you two left last night. It was more than enough for the small cups you two had and this visit. If I find any more, Leigh, I will make a fuss." I laugh and nod.
"Leigh, what is different about you today?" Kimberly asks suddenly. These two people have been my best friends for more than 15 years, so I am not surprised they notice. I do see Bona pausing at her words and narrowing her eyes at me as well. I sigh.
"I knew you'd notice," I say, smiling lightly. I grab their drinks and pass them over. As I reach back to get mine Bona grabs my hand. "It happened didn't it?" she asks me quickly in Korean. I look into her eyes and nod. "Yes, auntie. Just like you said, it would. In an instant, everything snapped into place. The guilt lifted, and my heart is free to love Yoon-Gi properly." She smiles. "Did Kayden visit you as well?" I nod again, "Yes. He made a few appearances last night in many people's dreams," I reply. Her eyes brows raise a bit. "Yoon too?" she asks. I nod, "Yes. I think it made Yoon-Gi feel a bit unsettled." I straighten up and look at my old, wise friend. She seems to be thinking, "This is wonderful news. Just wonderful. I am so happy for you, my young friend." She moves away to help the new customers that just came through the door. I turn to find Daniel and Kimberly settled at a table close to one of the wide windows. I make my way to them.
"Sorry, Bona would not have let me get away until I answered her questions. She can be very…..demanding," I say, sitting on the stool facing out the window. Kimberly waves her hand, "No worries, we knew you'd come to tell us afterward." "Yea, what is it. Kimberly is right you look….not stressed?" Daniel says. I smile, "Yes, I imagine that is how I look." I take a deep breath. "Last night Yoon-Gi and I went for a walk. We came here actually, had a cup of coffee and talked. Well, I talked, he listened. He wanted me to tell him about my life with Kayden." I pause, taking a sip of my drink. "It's was so weird. I mean, he knows most of the story, but he wanted to hear it from my perspective. Anyway, we ended up going home to finish the story." I smile, letting my mind linger on the slow walk home, hand in hand.
"Leigh. Leigh!" Kimberly says. I shake my head. "Goodness lady, you are acting like you just fell in love." I chuckle. "I kinda feel that way. You see. I saw something last night that Yoon-Gi has been very good at hiding from me. He was trying to show me affection. At first, I let him; then I stepped back. Normally I close my eyes, not wanting to see what is in front of me. I didn't this time." I stop, a lump in my throat. "Through my selfishness, I never saw what the guilt I held onto was doing to him. Guys, it was so bad. He looked so defeated. Like, how could I beat down such a strong man? And when did I stop being the one who took care of people?" I look back and forth through them. The exchange a glance. "Anyway, after seeing him like that something in me snapped. It was almost like all of the guilt was replaced with all of the love I have for him. Like, I still love Kayden, that will never change, but I guess I forgave myself for falling n love again. Letting all that go, I finally admitted how much I love Yoon-Gi to myself. And, well, it feels so nice and so right." I finish kind of lamely. I look back and forth between the two; they keep exchanging loaded glances. "What? Guys, come on!"
They both snicker. "We've been waiting for this," Daniel says. "I knew you'd find your way back. And it's about time too cause I was about to try to steal Yoon-Gi away. He's a doll." I slap his arm. "Hey! You used to try to steal my first husband; now you are after my current husband. I feel like you are using me for my men." We all laugh.
"It is so good to see you laugh this way. I see you so free again. I am so happy we were here to witness it," Kimberly says. I smile. "I miss you guys so much," I say. They nod, "You are missed too, but you have a good life here. It's not like we can't see or talk to each other constantly," Kimberly says. Daniel nods, "Yea, and since you finally got us to come here for a change, I expect we'll be back. I'd love to see more, like Sidda's farm and your bakery." I smile. "You two are welcome anytime."
We chat for about another hour until it is getting pretty close to the time for them to head to the airport. We bow to Bona as we leave and I hand a note to the couple coming in, "For your drinks," I saw. If Bona does not let me pay her, I'll pay for someone else.
"I saw that, Leigh!" I hear from behind me. I wave and walk to catch up with Daniel and Kimberly. "What did you do?" Daniel asks. "It sounded like you were getting scolded." "She doesn't like us to pay, so we slip notes under her register, stick them in the coffee cups or give them to other customers to pay for their drinks. She saw me hand money to that couple on our way out." They laugh. "What time is your flight?" I ask, looking down. Even though I love living in Korea, it's hard to say goodbye sometimes. "In two hours," they say in unison. I nod, feeling emotional. "Naw, no sad goodbyes," Kimberly says. I nod and take a breath. When I look up, I smile. "Do you all need any help getting ready to go?" They shake their heads. "Just hugs, I think," Daniel says. I smile even bigger and get on my tiptoes to wrap my arms around his neck. When we release I turn and hug Kimberly as well. I step back. "I love you guys." They both smile. "I love you too," Kimberly says. "Love you too," came from Daniel at the same time. "Be safe and let me know when you board and get home." They both nod and start walking the direction of the bus stop. I watch them until the round the corner. I am so happy they finally got to see my home.
I turn and start to walk toward my house. "Leigh," I hear from behind me. I turn and see my brother-in-law, Jungkook, briskly walking towards me. "I was just coming to your house to try to locate Marie." I put my hand on my hip. "What happened?" I demand. He blinks and gets that classic irritated look on his face.