8

IT’S MARGOT’S LAST DINNER BEFORE she leaves for Scotland tomorrow. Daddy makes Korean
short ribs and potatoes au gratin from scratch. He even bakes a lemon cake. He says, “It’s been so
gray and cold; I think we’re all due a little sunshine by way of lemon cake.” Then he puts an arm
around my waist and pats my side, and though he isn’t asking, I know he knows there’s something up
with me that’s a lot bigger than my period.
We’ve barely had a chance to put our forks to our lips before Daddy’s asking, “Does this galbi
jjim taste like Grandma’s?”
“Basically,” I say. Daddy’s mouth turns down and I quickly add, “I mean, it might even be better.”
“I tenderized the meat the way she said,” Daddy says. “But it’s not falling right off the bone the
way hers does, you know? You shouldn’t even need a knife to eat galbi jjim if it’s prepared
correctly.” Margot was sawing away at a piece of meat with her steak knife, and she stops short. “The
first time I ever had it was with your mom. She took me to a Korean restaurant on our first date and
ordered everything for us in Korean and told me about each dish. I was so in awe of her that night. My
one regret is that you girls didn’t keep up with Korean school.” The corners of his mouth turn down
for just a moment, and then he’s smiling again. “Eat up, girls.”
“Daddy, UVA has a Korean language program,” I say. “If I get in, I’m definitely going to take
Korean.”
“Your mom would’ve loved that,” he says, and he gets that sad look in his eyes again.
Swiftly Margot says, “The galbi jjim is delicious, Daddy. They don’t have good Korean food in
Scotland.”
“Pack some seaweed to take back with you,” Daddy suggests. “And some of that ginseng tea
Grandma brought us back from Korea. You should take the rice cooker too.”
Kitty frowns. “Then how will we have rice?”
“We can buy a new one.” Dreamily he says, “What I’d really love to do is take a family vacation
there. How great would that be? Your mom always wanted to take you girls on a trip to Korea. You
still have a lot of family there.”
“Could Grandma come with us?” Kitty asks. She keeps sneaking bites of meat to Jamie, who sits
on his hind legs, looking at us with hopeful eyes.
Daddy nearly chokes on a bite of potatoes. “That’s a great idea,” he manages. “She’d be a good
tour guide.”
Margot and I exchange a little smile. Grandma would drive Daddy crazy after a week. What I’m
excited about is the shopping. “Oh my gosh, just think of all the stationery,” I say. “And clothes. And
hair pins. BB cream. I should make a list.”
“Daddy, you could take a Korean cooking class,” Margot suggests.
“Yeah! Let’s think about it for the summer,” Daddy says. He’s already getting excited, I can tell.
“Depending on everyone’s schedules, of course. Margot, you’re going to be here all summer, right?”
That’s what she was saying last week.
She looks down at her plate. “I’m not sure. Nothing’s been decided yet.” Daddy looks puzzled, and
Kitty and I exchange a look. For sure this has to do with Josh, and I don’t blame her. “There’s a