In A Pinch | The Greatest Gift

The End of Soon-Hee's Tale...

In A Pinch | The Greatest Gift Part 8

“Ladies, if I could have your attention!” Soon-Hee tapped her glass three times to draw the room’s attention.  “If you all would join me in raising a glass, I would like to thank all of you for giving your time, your heart and most especially your wallets. . . ,” the light laughter of the room told her she had their attention.  “ . . . to this cause. I’m pleased to say that we have not only reached our goal but nearly tripled it!” The shouts of joy was accented by enthusiastic applause. “I would also like to give a special thank you to the woman responsible for gathering us all her, Mrs. Miriam Weatherton!”  Miriam waved off the applause, but her radiant smile was all for Soon-Hee. “We all know what a force of nature she is, and this cause is one very dear to her heart. She’s worked tirelessly to see this through and I couldn’t be prouder to work by her side in her efforts. She’s an outstanding woman who has been nothing short of an inspiration to me.”  Soon-Hee paused for a moment, calming the emotionings welling up to the surface. “I feel honored to call her my boss, my friend and most especially, my mother-in-law.”

Miriam’s arms were around her around Soon-Hee before the first tear formed.  Everyone applauded once again as the two women embraced, moved by the sincere display of affection and emotion.  Soon-Hee waved a hand in in front of her face, mostly to dry a few stray tears. A few quick breaths and she was back in control.  “Once again, thank you all for making this event a success!”

“You, my dear, made this all possible.” Miriam told her as the two of them moved around the room to speak with guests.  They made the rounds to some of the bigger donors but still made sure everyone felt welcome. “I can’t believe you resisted taking on this role for so long!”

“Miriam!  You of all people should know how it feels to want to prove yourself as a woman in the workforce!” Soon-Hee playfully chided her mother-in-law before sitting down in the parlor away from the guests.  “You’ve done so much for me already. It felt so silly taking a job offer from you.”

“My dear, I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere in life without the kindness of those who believed in me,” Miriam began as they both sipped from their glasses. “It did not take long to see your potential, Soon-Hee, both as a woman and as a match for Kevin.  I knew it the moment you came down those stairs and into our lives.” Soon-Hee couldn’t help but smile at Miriam’s words. In the past year, they had become so close that Kevin often complained that his own mother was dominating his wife’s time. They both shared a love for the theatre as well as a passion for shopping.  Even Miriam’s tastes wear rubbing off her - Soon-Hee rarely wore a dress without nylons these days and always with heels. Classy and poised seemed to suit her and she tried to live up to the example set by her mother-in-law.

“I will do my best to live up to the high expectations you have of me.  And I’ll continue to take care of your son.” She glanced down at the radiant diamond on her finger.  Had it been a year already? The wedding seemed like yesterday. She and Miriam planned the entire event and it had been a magical day for her.  Floating down the aisle, being escorted by Mr. Weatherton and declaring her love in front of friends and family. In truth, she thought the whole thing had been a bit too extravagant but her in-laws insisted on paying for everything.  Nothing was too good for their son and new daughter-in-law.

“I know you’ll do fine, you already have Kevin wrapped around your finger.  I will not abide by you calling me Miriam!”

“I’m sorry, Mir. . Mother.  I’m still getting used to it!”  

“Nonsense, you are just too polite.  I told you to call me mother long before that silly boy of mine proposed.  You are our girl now and i couldn’t ask for a better daughter.” Miriam leaned closer, a twinkle in her eye.

“You are too kind.”

“It’s the truth.  That’s why I gave the family recipe for tea.  You never know when you’ll have to use it yourself.”

“What do you mean?”

“My dear, I’m well aware of Sonny,” she whispered.  Soon-Yee’s felt like an ice bucket had just been dumped on her head.

“Son-Sonny?” she stammered.

“Yes, dear.  I knew from day one.  It was impressive and you were beautiful then, but I saw the real you even when you didn’t.”  Before Soon-Hee could get in a word, Miriam held up a hand to stop her from interrupting. “Don’t get upset, anyone else would have been fooled.  You must have realized something had to have set off your . . . physical changes. The truth is the women in my family are quite special. We have talents that other people don’t believe in anymore.  I would have passed those talents down to my own daughter if I had had one myself but I believe life has found a way.”

“But. . . Why?”  They were the only words Soon-Hee could muster.  Miriam’s soothing hand squeezing hers was the only thing keeping her calm.  This woman had known the whole time! What was more, she was responsible for everything Soon-Hee had become.

“I’m know who I am, my dear,” her mother-in-law explained.  “I mean well, but sometimes my default is to interject when I think I can help.  You obviously wanted to help Kevin which is why you did what you did. I didn’t know much about you then, but I knew enough to realize that anyone willing to go that far for my son was worth giving a chance to.  All I did was help the situation along. I knew Kevin needed someone smart enough to inspire him and you needed a chance to be your true self. I think it worked out in the end. As far as I’m concerned, you’ve always been the beautiful young lady who stole my son’s heart.  You’ve always been Soon-Hee - even when you didn’t know it yourself.”

Soon-Hee sat for a moment, rolling Miriam’s words around in her mind.  The serendipitous journey that led her to womanhood was a little more preordained than she realized.  For a moment, she considered Miriam’s actions wondering if she should be upset. But the truth was that she couldn’t find an ounce of ill will in her heart.  She looked into her mother-in-law’s eyes and saw unconditional love and support. Seeing Miriam’s genuineness only magnified Soon-Hee’s own love and she could do nothing but reach out and wrap her arms around her.

“Thank you, Mother,” her voice nearly croaked as the tears slowly formed in her eyes.  “I can never repay you for the gift you’ve given me.”

“My darling girl, you’ve given me more than I could ever ask for.  You are the peace of mind I’ve always wished for when it comes to Kevin.”  Both ladies were in tears now, smiles beaming between mother and daughter. “What is more, now that there is another Weatherton woman in the family, I can finally begin passing down the same secrets my mother taught me.”

“Well, if we are sharing secrets,” Soon-Hee’s eyes twinkled while a sly grin played across her lips.  “I should share one with you - “You will soon be a grandmother.” Miriam joyous shout caused everyone in the other room to look in their direction.  There was no disguising her excitement.

“Really?  How far along?”

“The doctor confirmed it yesterday,”  Soon-Hee told her. “I’m only a few weeks along.  I haven’t even told Kevin yet. I planned to tell him tonight.  That’s why I had the caterers fill my glass with juice instead of wine.”

“Oh, darling-girl, that is the most wonderful news I’ve heard since your both got engaged!”  They embraced again before they got back. “But you should be resting! I could have handled things myself tonight.”

“I highly doubt you sat still when you had Kevin,” Soon-Hee chided.  “I will keep going as long as I can.”

“You should enjoy this time you know,” Miriam countered.  “You’ll be spoiled by everyone, especially Kevin.”

“I thought I spoiled her enough,” both women turned to see Soon-Hee’s husband in the doorway. “But I have no problems stepping it up if needed.  Is there a particular reason or is this just mother’s doing?”

“I’ll tell you later,” she promised as Soon-Hee kissed her man.  She glanced up into his eyes and simply enjoyed his arms around. She never loved him more than in this moment, but she knew that feeling would only grow now.  She had everything she wanted - so much more than she could have asked for. All of the changes that brought her to this moment, the ups and downs, had been worth it.  Soon-Hee was the woman she was meant to be - body and soul. Now was the time to fully embrace it.