Dirty Girl

Epilogue #2

A/N: The Epilogues were necessary to close Korn's story. I couldn't leave him as an outcast. There is a 5 month time difference between the two epilogues, so that gives Pa plenty of time to reconsider his behavior. I think I did neatly close off all of the relationships I created. At least, in my notes, I have none left... 

Graduation Day was bright and sunny. Yihwa's laughter floated above everyone's chatter. Korn shook his head slightly. How did she manage to make her voice carry like that? He looked around and smiled. This was his support network. The people who stood by him through his best days and his worst times.

He walked over to Knock, who was talking with his mom and dad. Knock grabbed his hand without stopping his flow of words and Korn's smile got bigger. Dad nodded a welcome to him.

Mom interrupted Knock. "Knock, we need pictures of our two sons on graduation day. Come on, give us a big smile like Korn has."

Korn dragged Knock into his embrace and Knock smiled. His mom snapped a few pictures happily. Unseen, from behind a few people, Korn's ma also took a few snaps of the couple. She sighed. She had been here for the whole service. She even had flowers for Korn. When was she going to have to courage to approach her son and talk to him?

Thank god for the crowded quad otherwise she would have been spotted. Yihwa came up and spoke behind her. "Can I help you? You seem to be looking for a student?"

Ma jumped! "No, no, I see him, I'm just a wee bit intimidated at going and speaking with him." She sighed. "It's complicated."

Yihwa gave a gentle smile. "I think any child would be overjoyed to know their mother came to see them graduate. You should gather your courage and see them." She tapped the bouquet lightly. "Give him your flowers. It's an expression of love, after all."

Ma sighed and nodded. She glanced and Korn, who was laughing with Knock's family and said, "In a bit, perhaps. I might need a bit more courage."

"Ma? You came!" Kavitra hugged her. "Let's go see Korn.'

Yihwa turned back and said, surprised. "You're Korn's mother? But he told me his parents disowned him!"

Ma sniffed. "No, just his idiot Pa. And he regretted the words five minutes after he said them. Do you know anything about men, young lady?" Yihwa gave a small laugh and nodded. "Pride's the problem. Korn's just like his Pa. Don't mess with their pride." She sighed. "I've been trying to talk to Korn for two years and he won't talk to me."

She looked at her son, happy with Knock's family. "I don't know if I should interrupt his happy day or not. I have pictures for my memories, so I'm satisfied." She thrust the bouquet into Yihwa's hands. "Here, you give him these. I'm going home."

Kavitra grabbed her Ma's hands, "But Ma..."

"No, Kav, I'm tired. I'm going home. I'll call you later." She shook off her hands and strode briskly from the campus grounds. Yihwa ran the bouquet to Korn and thrust it in his hands.

"Here. These are from your mother."

Korn just about dropped the flowers. "But the flower deliveries were earlier..."

"You dummy! Your mother is leaving! She didn't want to talk to you, after seeing you with Knock's family."

Knock pushed him. "You wanted them to make the first move. Korn, go after her."

Korn gave the flowers to Knock and sprinted in the direction Yihwa pointed. He passed Kavitra, barely noting that Kavitra was holding hands with Phu. Wait? What?

Panting, he skidded to a stop in front of his ma. He bent over, hands on his knees, to catch his breath.

"Korn? Why are you here? You didn't have to come." She whispered.

"You didn't either." He panted. "So why did you? Come, I mean."

"You're my son. I need to see you graduate from University. I took pictures of you with Knock, so I can leave."

"You didn't think I deserve to have a picture with my ma?" Korn asked. "Or that I'd want to see you? Or that I've missed seeing my ma?"

"It didn't look that way. You look happy, Korn. That made my heart happy." Ma smiled sadly. "All that matters is that you're happy."

Korn grabbed his Ma's shoulders and held her still, "I am happy with Korn, Ma. But having my family would complete my happiness. I thought you couldn't accept me being gay."

Ma started crying now. "Oh Korn, that's nonsense! You're my baby, I love you. I never said that nonsense. I've tried to tell you. Kavitra tried to bring you home but you wouldn't come."

Korn pulled her in for a hug and she hit his chest. "I'm sorry, Ma. I'm so sorry." He held his ma as she cried. As her tears dried, he held her hand and he walked her back, saying, "Let's go get some new pictures."

As they approached the group, Korn was surprised by a new face in Knock's family. Kavitra held Phu's hand, chatting with an older man. The man turned and Korn squeezed Ma's hand, hard. "Ouch, Korn, not so hard."

Korn pulled her to a stop. "Did you know?" He pointed to the man.

"Ohhh, he came!" Ma whispered in delight. "Pa actually came. I'm proud of him."

Korn slowly started to smile. "Ma, what did  you say to Pa?"

"Nothing, baby, absolutely nothing. I just told him that he could live or die with cold pride but I was going to see my son graduate." Ma was beaming at her boy. "My son is a man now." She flung her arms around Korn and pulled him down to whisper, "Love who you want, live how you want. You're a good man."

Korn laughed and swung his Ma around. It was time to celebrate.