Simon Dominic: Doubling Forward

CHAPTER #5- Stay Cool

Tablo was thrilled that Nari had come with Simon Dominic to the radio station. He insisted she join them on air. First he explained to his listeners about how she rescued Haru, his daughter. Then Simon D added that Nari spoke little Korean, but was learning how to.

"It's an honour to be here today," Nari said in English, while Tablo translated for his listeners.

"Are there any songs you'd like to request?"

"Well if it fits within your broadcast I would love to hear Jay Park's WorldWide and Simon Dominic's Won & Only."

"You heard the lady, let's play those tracks!" Simon agreed with a wink.

The rest of the radio show, Nari participated with a little Korean that she'd learned. She admired the ease that Simon Dominic showed on air. The friendship he had with Tablo was very evident. After the last song was put on, Tablo said good-bye to Simon D and Nari. They had time before the will reading and checked out some of the apartments in the area. Then he took her to the lawyer's office.

"Will you stay with me? I don't think I can deal with Grams alone."

Simon D took her hand in his, "I'm where ever you want me."

Together they walked into the lawyer's waiting room and his secretary announced their arrival. The lawyer came out, offered his condolences and lead them into his office. To Nari's relief, her grandmother had yet to arrive. The lawyer's English was limited and she was glad that Simon D translated the Korean for her. When her grandmother arrived, Nari kept her eyes on the lawyer, but continued to hold Simon D's hand. He caressed her hand with his thumb, a soothing action. The grandmother called Nari names and the lawyer asked her to keep things civil or the will would not be read. That shut up the old woman. As the lawyer went over the details, it was exactly as what was in the copy that had been left for Nari in her mother's journal. Simon D whispered this to Nari and she nodded in relief.

In Korean, Nari thanked the lawyer and made arrangements for a future appointment to redeem the monetary cheque. Then she left, continuing to ignore her grandmother. Out on the sidewalk was where the old woman took her verbal assault, yelling in Korean at her grand-daughter. Nari kept her back to her Grams, but her fists clenched and was relieved when Simon Dominic brought the car, so she could make her escape.

"I'm going back to Canada Grams, so have a nice fucking life you old, insane bitch!" Nari yelled in English and gave her the middle finger.

"Nicely done!" Simon D laughed.

"I don't know how I put up with her before... necessity for my mom, I guess." She sighed and then asked, "can we stop at Cafe Dudart for a drink, before going shopping?"

"Sure, it's on me.... The look on your grandmother's face when you gave her the finger, was priceless. I wish I'd taken a picture of it!"

"I hope I never see her again.... the lawyer's secretary told me the location and date of the funeral. I'll go after the ceremony is done."

"I'm out of town on that date, but if you need one of us, Jay or Cha Cha can go with you."

She smiled, "thanks, but I'll be okay I think."

They stopped at Cafe Dudart and she downed a beer, almost in two gulps. After getting her another beer, Simon D also ordered bread bowls of soup for them both. "It's never good to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach."

"Wise words," Nari agreed and toasted him. "Is there anything in particular you want me to make you for dinner?"

He described one of his favourite seafood dishes and Nari confirmed she could make it. Once finished eating, they made their way to the food shops. She'd make homemade kimchi, among a few other staples. While Simon D was in town too, Nari invited him to join her for dinner every evening. He agreed, as long as on the night after Jay Park returned, they'd go out for food instead.

"That's a deal! Now let's go get those groceries."

She bought numerous things and Simon D was curious as to what Nari planned on making with all of it. He teased her and loved hearing her laugh at his inquiries. His smile grew when he realized she was picking up all the things involved in making his favourite dishes.

"You know how to make porridge?" Simon asked in awe.

"Maybe one morning you'll get to find out," she smirked.

"That's an invitation I can't wait to accept," he replied with a wink.