Chapter Fifty-Four-3

I watch as she springs around the room in her royal purple, expensive coat and tiny kitten heels. "I've been strangely jumpy lately. I don't know"—I rub my neck—"maybe all that talk about my father and the whole dangerous part of it is getting to me." I look at Mom, the slow but steady beat of her heart in the background as her machine beeps. "Along with everything else, of course." Madam Jin stops taking off her coat and stares at me. ¨You're safe with me, Ivory, you know that. I would never let you get hurt again." I look at her face for a couple hesitant seconds before nodding. "I know." Some part of me believes in Madam Jin—the evidence, the fact that Dad never became a topic of conversation in the house, etc. This woman could be my grandmother. She's done so much already to make me feel comfortable. "Madam Jin?" "Yes?" "Thank you. For everything. I don't know how I'd handle all this without you." She's quiet for a few moments, rearranging one specific vase. When she turns, her eyes are brimming with tears that she is trying very hard not to spill. It's amazing how a few simple words of gratitude can stimulate tears in someone. It's so simple to make someone happy or feel appreciated. She smiles and replies, "No, thank you, dear. I have a family again." The DNA tests all added up. The evidence, footage, files. Everything Madam Jin had left for me in that folder was certified and made sense. But, still, it's not like I can just accept her into my life without problems. Just like any important family member returning to your life after months or years, they're supposed to be someone important, but how can you feel that when they've never been there? "Maybe...maybe we can go see a Broadway show together sometime?" I suggest. It's always been on my bucket list for Things to Do in New York and I could get to know Madam Jin better. Her smile shines through the room. "I'd...I'd really like that." For another hour or so, we sit in silence. We've worked our ways around each other. I do my school work or apply to jobs and she makes business calls or taps away on her phone. It's a situation I've become comfortable and used to. We begin to talk about the weather and how it is going to snow soon. The year is almost over. "Are you going to Lee's birthday party?" I stop mid-sentence as I type my paper. His birthday is coming up, too. That's right. December 28th. "Um...I don't think I'm going to be invited this year." Madam Jin tilts her head in confusion. Fortunately, Madam Jin and Daniel are never in the same room at once and I haven't introduced them to each other. I wouldn't even know what I would say. "I know you two must be going through a small patch or some sort but...the invitation is right here." I look up and she is holding up a card with gold accents. "What?" "The invitation. It's right here." She hands the thick card over to me. When I open it, it reads You're invited to the celebration for Lee Richardson's 22nd birthday on... I stop reading after that. I am more than confused. His birthday. Why...Why would he invite me? Our last acquaintance wasn't exactly civil. Besides...his birthday? That was the first time we really connected. The time I also thought I saw my father. Could there be a connection? "You should go. Bring that new boyfriend of yours," Madam Jin says, interrupting my questions. My eyebrows shoot up. She knows about Daniel. I nervously laugh and ask, "What boy?" Madam Jin shuts the laptop she had been typing off on and pulls off her glasses. "I'm not an idiot, Ivory. You think I don't see the boy who waits in the waiting area every time you have classes with double of whatever he is drinking or eating? Waiting for a special someone? I am not clueless." "I-I—" My cheeks heat up. "I didn't intend on hiding it from you. I just didn't want to ruin your happy image of Lee and I together and thinking that maybe one part of my life hasn't been completely unexpected." She smiles, clasping her hands together and leaning back in her chair. "Ivory. My happy image is whoever you are happy with. I know you and Lee have been on the outs. That is fine. But I know he is also a kind man and I just hope you get the chance to end things right. You never know when some day is the last day to tell someone something." Her smile fades as she remembers her own lesson. Her statement warms my heart. I wouldn't mind if she was my grandmother. Is this how it would feel? "Thank you," I tell her. "And you're right. I should go to his birthday at least. He did mean a lot to me and still does. Out of respect and the possibility of my father showing up again, I should go...right?" Madam Jin shrugs. "It is whatever you desire. You do not have to do anything." "I should, though," I repeat. "Right?" She just stares. "Right," I say and then decide that is what I am doing three days after Christmas. Wishing Lee Richardson a happy birthday. Wonderful.