Page 84 of Rules for Rule Breaking
“No,” he replied resolutely. “We’ve broken up for good.”
“That girl must have done a number on you. Skin doesn’t lie. Winter knows. She’s been breaking out lately,” Mr. Park said.
“Young-gil, she wouldn’t want you telling him that!” Mrs. Park snapped as she went to a drawer and handed him a few sample-sized creams.
Bobby hadn’t noticed. Winter looked as beautiful as ever at school earlier.
Mr. Park cleared his throat. “We’re glad you’re here because there’s something we want to talk about. We spoke to your parents, and they told us you’ve been having some questions about your culture. As you know, my mother is getting older and doesn’t always accept our help. So if you’d like, you can visit maybe once a week and check on her? She’d love to share what she can with you too.”
“Really?” Bobby’s chest swelled. Mr. and Mrs. Park had always felt like his uncle and aunt. He was grateful they weren’t upset with him. “I’d love to spend time with Halmeoni. Thank you.”
“It was actually Winter’s idea. She and her grandmother already discussed it.”
“She told you not to tell him that,” Mr. Park barked.
Bobby stiffened.
“And one more thing before you leave,” Mrs. Park said. “Winter is headstrong, but she’s more sensitive than she lets on. She’s always put her studies and her passions above everything else because she wants to be taken seriously. As a woman and a doctor, I can respectthat. It’s no coincidence Mr. Bae has more patients than I do.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Bobby asked.
“Because you both are so mature and so responsible, we forget how young you are sometimes. We want you both to be happy, and it’s clear you aren’t right now,” she said. “We don’t know what happened between you, but I think she misses you.”
Bobby put his jacket back on and stuffed his medication in his pockets. “I miss her too,” he said. “And I’ll visit Halmeoni tomorrow after school.”
Mr. Park got up and clapped him on the back. “Good boy.”
Bobby’s eyes stung, and his lip quivered. He didn’t feel like a good boy lately.
“Look what you’ve done!” Mrs. Park said.
“I didn’t do anything!” Mr. Park exclaimed.
A full wail emanated from somewhere deep within. “I’m. Sorry. I’m. Just. So. Itchy. And. Hot. Thank. You,” Bobby said between sniffles.
“Get the boy some water, Young-gil. Quickly!” Mrs. Park snapped.
Mr. Park whirled around in his swivel chair and grabbed a paper cup from the dispenser by the sink. He filled it up with tap water and handed it to Bobby. Bobby downed it in one gulp and placed the cup on the counter.
“I’m. Sorry. I. Should. Probably. Get. Going,” he choked as he slipped out of the room.
There was one Black-owned indie bookstore in town, and it was the perfect place for Kai to work. He’d had many odd jobs over theyears, but none had ever stuck. Uncle Moodie’s Books was the first.
Bobby found himself there. He walked in, and the bell alerted Kai to his presence. He was behind the café counter with his sketchbook. He smiled and waved Bobby over. The smell of coffee got stronger as he approached. In the case, there were comic book–themed cookies and cakes. Kai must have instinctively known Bobby was in crisis, so he handed him a Wookiee Cookie in wax paper. He then poured him a frothy oat milk cappuccino and drew a heart in the foam.
“Kai, how are you still single?” Bobby asked, taking the mug in both hands.
“You’d think my options would be wide open, but not so much,” he replied with a sad smile. “The guy I went out with was rude to the server and left a terrible tip, so it’s safe to say there will be no second date. Got anyone else for me?”
“After all these years, I still have no idea what your type is.”
“Zoë Kravitz... also Lenny Kravitz. Actually, Lisa Bonet too, now that I think about it,” he said with a dazed look on his face.
Bobby laughed. “Okay, maybe I can’t help you.”
“Shame.”
The two of them sat at the table by the window. Bobby nibbled his cookie and sipped the cappuccino as Kai opened a fresh page in his sketchbook and took his time selecting which pencil he wanted to use.
