Sons of Fortune

“They are very exciting, Mrs. Cartwright,” said Su Ling. She paused and blushed, “I apologize, I’ve been talking far too much.”

“No, no,” said Susan, “it’s fascinating, but I was hoping to ask you about Korea, a country I’ve always wanted to visit. If it’s not a silly question, are you more like the Chinese or the Japanese?”

“Neither,” replied Su Ling. “We are as different as a Russian is from an Italian. The Korean nation was originally a tribal one and probably first existed as early as the second century…”

“And to think I told them that you were shy,” Nat remarked as he slipped in beside her later that night.

“I’m very sorry,” said Su Ling. “I broke your mother’s golden rule.”

“Which one?” said Nat.

“That when two people meet, the conversation should be equally shared, three people, thirty-three percent, four people, twenty-five percent. I talked,” she paused, “for about ninety percent of the time. I feel ashamed, because I behaved so disgracefully, I don’t know what came over me. I was just so nervous. I feel sure they already regret any suggestion of me as a daughter-in-law.”

Nat laughed. “They adored you,” he said, “my father was mesmerized by your knowledge of computers, and my mother fascinated by the customs of Korea, though you didn’t mention what has to take place if a Korean girl takes tea with her suitor’s parents.”

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sp; “That doesn’t apply to a first-generation American, like myself.”

“Who wears pink lipstick and mini skirts,” said Nat, holding up a tube of pink lipstick.

“I didn’t know you used lipstick, Nat. Another habit you picked up in Vietnam?”

“Only on night ops, now turn over.”

“Turn over?”

“Yes,” said Nat firmly, “I thought Korean women were meant to be subservient, so do as you’re told and turn over.”

Su Ling turned over, and placed her face down on the pillow. “What is your next order, Captain Cartwright?”

“To take off your nightdress, little flower.”

“Does this happen to all American girls on the second night?”

“Take off your nightdress.”

“Yes, Captain.” She slowly pulled her white silk nightdress over the top of her head, and dropped it on the floor. “What next,” she asked. “Is it now that you beat me?”

“No, that doesn’t happen until the third date, but I am going to ask you a question.” Nat took the pink lipstick and wrote four words on her olive skin, followed by a question mark.

“What have you written, Captain Cartwright?”

“Why don’t you find out for yourself?”

Su Ling climbed off the bed and stared over her shoulder into the long mirror. It was some time before a smile spread across her face. She turned to find Nat lying spread-eagled on the bed, holding the lipstick high above his head. Su Ling walked slowly across, grabbed the lipstick, stared down at his broad shoulders for some time, before she wrote the words, YES I WILL.

21

“Annie’s pregnant.”

“That’s wonderful news,” said Jimmy as they left the dining hall and strolled across the campus for their first lecture of the morning. “How many months is she?”

“Only a couple, so now it will be your turn to give the advice.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t forget, you’re the one with all the experience. You’re a father of a six-month-old baby daughter. To start with, how can I help Annie during the next seven months?”