The Ohana (35 page)

Bangkok, Thailand, 1978

Although George Han hadn’t seen his nephew Johnny in two years, the first thing he did was slug the college boy so hard, blood ran out of his mouth.

George massaged his fist. A man in his sixties carrying six or seven more unwanted inches of soft flesh around his waist shouldn’t have to resort to violence. But sometimes it was the only way to get through to kids.

“That was for your mother, college boy.” George jabbed Johnny on the shoulder.

Johnny backed up and touched his bleeding lip with his fingers. He was a mess. His filthy clothes hung in rags on his skeletal frame, his greasy hair was a tangled bush, his face sprouted a scraggly beard and mustache, and he couldn’t stop the tears from making tracks down his smudged face.

“You look like you spent a year in jail instead of a month.”

Johnny shuddered. “It felt like ten years.” He shuffled his dirty bare feet.

“They take your shoes?”

“And everything else.”

George sat in a rickety wooden chair. “What were you college boys thinking?”

“We weren’t.”

“You got that right.” George sat back and rested an ankle on his thigh. “This ain’t a business for college boys. Selling a little dope is one thing. Coming to Thailand to buy two hundred pounds of drugs to send to Hawaii puts you in a whole ‘nother league.”

“We thought we'd make a lot of money.”

“You’re lucky you’re not dead.”

Johnny put out his hand, palm up. “Uncle, I appreciate what you did…”

George stood and grabbed Johnny by the remnants of his T-shirt. “You listen to me, what you did was insane.” Releasing the boy, he slapped him on his face. “You, none of you, got what it takes.”

“We arranged transport and greased its way to Hawaii.”

“But you couldn’t even get it to the ports now could you?”

Johnny’s lip quivered. “We were double-crossed.”

“And you didn’t expect that?” George scratched his forehead. “What kind of people did you think you were dealing with anyway?”

“Farmers. We went directly to the farmers and bypassed the middlemen.”

“And those ignorant farmers are now selling the same crop they sold you to someone else.” George shook his head. “They knew what they were dealing with the moment you paid them and left.”

“That was the deal, straight up. We negotiated a price, took the stuff, and…”

“And walked right into a trap that landed you here in this hellhole.”

Johnny sniffled. “What else were we supposed to do?”

George leaned forward, hands on his knees. “Put a bullet between their eyes.”

Johnny’s eyes widened and he stepped back.

George leaned back in his chair. “You couldn’t do it, could you? They knew it the minute they laid eyes on you. What you should have done was gotten someone who could and would. Or you could have held them hostage at gunpoint until you were sure the stuff was on its way going to where it was supposed to go.”

“We didn’t expect violence.”

“You didn’t expect violence!” George snorted. “What do you think drug smuggling is…a game? Don’t you understand what and who you’re dealing with?”

“I guess not.”

George stood up. “Your little escapade cost me $25,000.”

Johnny looked at the ground. “I’ll pay you back.”

“Sure you’ll pay me back.” George spat on the floor. “Pay me back by staying out of trouble for good.”

Johnny looked up. “Uncle, is it true? I mean were you really…”

“Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.”

“I wanted to be the man like you. I didn’t want to be like my dad, stuck in a nowhere civil servant job. I wanted respect.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” George put his arm around Johnny’s narrow shoulders. “Your father's the real man. He never got tempted by the money. He worked hard at Pearl Harbor all his life. It's harder to do what he did. He stayed the course, took care of his family. Stayed out of prison.”

“But you’re rich.”

“You ever heard the old saying you can have everything and nothing too?” George walked his nephew out the prison doors. “Some prisons don’t have walls.”

George boarded the flight back to Honolulu with his nephew. Settling in his seat, he picked up a magazine and flipped through it. His nephew fidgeted in the seat next to him. Not surprising. He had admitted he lived on drugs during the month he was incarcerated in Thailand. It was going to be a painful trip back home.

As the plane began to taxi down the runway, George wondered how he managed to get so lucky despite the fact he had made his fortune illegally. He never did hard time, just a short stint in a federal country club. Now he was legitimate. He didn’t need to take risks anymore.

If there was one area of his life he was unlucky, it was his personal life. Bitterness and jealousy ruled his household. He wondered if it would have been different if he had found the courage to marry Mary.

George’s problem was he lacked courage. In a way it was the key to his success. He never dreamed of doing anything as foolhardy as Johnny. How ironic that his strength lay in his weakness—his cowardice. He learned to use people to do the things he could never do himself. It was better Johnny didn’t learn that lesson while he was still young. He needed to live a good, clean life. It wasn’t easy to always look over your shoulder. Worrying and pretending was what he had done all his life. Who needed to live such a life?

Pain shot through his heart and he clutched at his chest, breathing heavily.

“Uncle, are you all right?” Sweat beaded Johnny’s brow and his hand shook. He had such a hard time on the way home George had to slip him something so he wouldn’t completely freak out. He needed to get his nephew to a hospital. Fast.

George nodded. He knew he was dying before the doctors did. His impending death was his own fault. He scoffed at everyone who tried to get him to stop smoking. “If I die, I die,” he pronounced so many times. He didn’t want to admit he had tried to quit many times and failed. How ironic he was able to take over the syndicate in Hawaii, yet he couldn’t put down a cigarette.

He couldn’t stop thinking about Mary either. He was like his father. With a pang, he remembered the poignant letters he found carefully folded in a red silk kerchief after his father died. Wrapped in the kerchief was a yellowed picture of a pretty Korean lady and some letters. He couldn’t read Korean so he took them to a scholar who translated the letters into English for him.

The passion and love spilling out of the letters from a woman named Tae Ja Chong surprised him. George felt like a voyeur. He discovered a side of his father long hidden. According to the letters, the two lovers had a son together who went to medical school. George toyed with the idea of finding his half-brother.

George knew his father had disapproved of both his legitimate sons. His millions wouldn’t have impressed his father. Money was not the most important thing to Chaul Roong Han. Respect and education were. His half-brother was probably the kind of son his father would have been proud of.

In the end, it didn’t take much to find his half-brother. Hawaii was still a small state, impossible to hide in. George made an appointment to see him. He wanted to see this man who was his half-brother face to face. He made an appointment on the pretext of getting a second opinion on the treatment protocol he should follow for his lung cancer.

George intended on telling Dr. Chong the truth but changed his mind when he saw a sepia-colored portrait displayed on the doctor’s wall next to his medical degree.

“Are those your parents?” George asked.

“Yes,” Dr. Chong looked back at the picture with a smile. “They’re both dead now. My father died when I was a teenager. He’s the reason I became what I am. He was a great man.”

And so George decided not to say anything. Why destroy this man’s memories?

Funny how he had become more like his father at the end of his life.

While waiting for Susan and her husband Steve to deplane from their honeymoon in Paris and Zermatt, Mary thought of how amazing family secrets were. The skeletons in the closet had come out all at once. She wondered if there were more.

Susan and Steve emerged from the plane hand in hand. Mary smiled. At least something good came out of this tragedy. Susan and Steve found each other again. Because of Ashley’s illness, they didn’t want a big, local wedding. However, everyone, including Ashley, urged them to have a big honeymoon. After all, they had waited years to find each other again.

Susan and Steve waved and rushed to greet her. Susan hugged Mary. “We had a wonderful time. It was the most beautiful honeymoon. Steve spoiled me with a suite at the Plaza Athenée and the most romantic suite at the Hotel Alex in Zermatt. It was glorious. We both learned how to ski. We were awful,” Susan continued, breathless. “But it was fun.”

“No, I was awful. You weren’t bad.” Steve kissed his bride on the tip of her nose.

Susan made a face. “He’s being nice. Anyway, we did absolutely everything. Drove dogsleds, had three-hour lunches, and took pictures with a St. Bernard in front of the Matterhorn. Oh, Steve! Tell Mom about the Franz & Heidi’s restaurant. They had a dessert called ‘The Lovers Kiss.’ Never mind, I’ll tell her. It was the most amazingly sinful concoction. I think I gained five pounds because of all the great food.”

“At least.” Steve put his hand on his belly and rubbed it. “But I gained ten. We’ll grow old and fat together.”

“Will you still love me when I’m a fat Mama-san?” Susan laughed.

“Of course. Didn’t I promise for better or worse? For fatter or for thinner?” Steve put his arm around her. “But could you wait a few years?” They both laughed.

“Paris was the most romantic…” Susan's voice faltered as she took a long look at her mother. “What’s wrong, Mom?”

Mary thought of denying anything was wrong. “Oh well, I may as well tell you. I didn’t want to just spring it on you.” She turned to Steve. “Your dad wants you to come to the house tonight. He has something to tell the family and wanted to wait until you got back.”

“What is it?” Steve asked. “Is everyone okay? Is it Ashley?”

“Ashley’s holding up.” Mary looked at their earnest young faces with regret. “Everyone’s okay. We just found some new relatives and your dad wants to tell you about them himself. Please don’t ask me any more questions. I promised your father.”

Steve shook his head. “My family and their secrets,” he mumbled.

“Everyone has secrets,” Mary said.

Sean hated the interior of his newly decorated Kahala home. As he looked around the monochromatic white living room with its marble floors, polished hard surfaces, and Lucite tables, he wondered what possessed Katherine to create such a sterile environment. There wasn’t a comfortable room in the house. But Katherine insisted all the best designers were giving all the best homes this look. “It’s in all the magazines,” she said.

Meg and Danny were the last to arrive at the family gathering.

 Sean offered his condolences. “I’m sorry about the governor’s race.” How ironic Meg’s former ally and his ex-lover beat Danny in the gubernatorial race. Diana Towle had proven to be unst
Oppa
ble despite the fact she wasn't a party player. Diana gained the nomination to the dismay of the Democrats. Now she was the governor-elect, beating the incumbent, Danny, against all odds.

To many of the local people Diana became a heroine when she busted the big land trusts. At one time, 90% of the land in Hawaii was owned by less than ten individuals or corporations. Thanks to her, homeowners were now able to purchase the land their homes sat on through the process of condemnation by the state, as set forth by legislation spearheaded by Diana. The Commie Queen was now a superstar in Hawaiian politics.

“Oh, well,” Danny said. “Now I can spend more time lying on the beach with my beautiful bride.”

“Do you see why I love this man,” Meg kissed Danny on the cheek.

She never looked at me that way
, Sean thought as he led the couple to the living room. He was genuinely happy for her.

As Sean entered the room, he saw Patrick and his wife huddled with Katherine apart from the others. Katherine was upset because Sean wouldn’t tell her why he called for a family gathering. After greeting Katherine’s group, Meg and Danny joined Steve and Susan where they stood.

“So now everyone’s here will you tell us what all this hush-hush business is about?” Katherine asked eyeing the others with imperious disdain. Sean had to admit Katherine looked great. Thanks to an expensive plastic surgeon and a body honed by exercise, she was better looking now than she had ever been. She looked decades younger than Meg who allowed herself to age gracefully. For the first time in Katherine's life, she was considered the better looking sister.

Sean saw Meg clinging to Danny’s arm. Her eyes darted to Katherine whose eyes were on Sean. In fact, everyone was looking at him. He cleared his throat. “We all know my recently discovered granddaughter needs a bone marrow transplant to live.”

“Not that again,” Katherine threw her hands out. “I thought you exhausted all avenues.”

“Not all,” Meg said.

Sean looked at Meg who nodded encouragingly. “Another relative has emerged.”

“Who is it? Another just-discovered bastard?” Patrick crossed his arms.

Sean took a deep breath. “As a matter of fact, I discovered just yesterday I have another child.”

“What?” Katherine came out of her chair.

“Katherine …” Meg looked at Danny who patted her hand. “I had a daughter by Sean whom I gave up for adoption.”

Katherine's jaw dropped. Shaking with fury, she glared first at Sean and then at Meg.

Sean’s gaze traveled across the room; even Steve and Susan looked shocked.

Patrick scowled. He sat sprawled in a chair with his legs astride and arms crossed. His wife, Sheryl, sat on the ottoman beside him, fingering the hem of her dress and sneaking glances at Sean and Katherine.

Katherine strode over to Sean and slapped him. “You bastard!”

Then she walked over to Meg. “I don’t believe it, my own sister! And I thought you were the Virgin Mary.” Her laugh was ugly. “You’re nothing but a slut!”

Danny took a step closer to Katherine. “Watch out. It’s my wife you’re calling names.”

Sean intervened. “Katherine, you and I weren’t even dating when Meg and I had our affair.”

Katherine’s eyes blazed. “Tell me, Sean, what was I, then? Second choice?”

“You’re reading things into it you shouldn’t,” Sean said.

“I always thought it was Diana Towle. Was it Meg all along you were pining for?” Katherine clenched her fists.

Meg broke away from Danny and approached Katherine. “Stop Katherine. Why make matters worse? I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

Katherine whirled around. “Shut up, Meg!” She snapped.

Meg held out her hand. “What’s done is done. It’s all in the past. We can’t change that, much as we may want to. None of us are saints.”

“No, we’re not saints.” Katherine curled her lip. “But not all of us are content living a lie for decades.”

“I thought I was doing the right thing,” Meg ran her left hand up and down her right arm.

“The right thing? You don’t know what the right thing is. You’ve ruined my life.”

“Mom,” Steve broke in. “Aunt Meg is right. What’s done is done. We can’t change the past. All we can do make the best of it.”

Meg shot her nephew a grateful look.

“The whole thing is disgusting. What will people think?” Patrick said.

“Oh, shut up Patrick.” Steve turned on his brother. “Who cares what people think?”

“Obviously not you,” Patrick crossed his legs.

“You care enough for both of us,” Steve shot back.

Patrick glared at his brother. “Somebody in this family has to. You don't seem to care about the family.”

Steve stepped forward, but Susan held him back. "There’s the pot calling the kettle black.”

“This is no time to argue,” Sean held up his hands.

“This whole affair is embarrassing,” Patrick continued. His wife took his hand, but he brushed her away.

Steve’s face hardened. “You could have saved us all a lot of trouble by getting tested.”

“Why should I? The girl means nothing to me. I’m not inconveniencing myself for a stranger.” Patrick replied. “And I’m not convinced she really is a relative.”

“She's your niece.” Sean kept his eyes on Patrick. “Even if she weren’t, it’s a child’s life we’re talking about.”

Patrick ignored him. Sheryl sighed and said, “I don’t know what I’m going to tell our friends. Poor Mom,” Her eyes drifted to Katherine and she tilted her head. “What a cross for her to bear.”

“No wonder the two of you are married. You’re two peas in a pod,” Steve said just as the doorbell rang.

“Now who can that be?” Katherine asked.

“Jackie and Gerry,” Sean said. “I asked them to come last. I wanted to spare them what I knew would be a scene.”

“Well you asked everyone else to the scene.” Katherine folded her arms. “Why spare her?”

“Because in case you forgot, she’s my daughter. I care about her feelings.”

“I’ll let them in,” Susan said as she went to the door.

The family sat in stony silence waiting for Jackie and Gerry to enter.

When Jackie entered the room she scanned the sea of faces. “What’s the matter?”

“It seems you have another sister,” Patrick said, his mouth turned downward.

Jackie turned to Sean. “What's he talking about?”

“Jackie.” Sean took her hand in his. “It seems I have another daughter.”

Jackie stared.

Meg stepped over to her. “Jackie, I had a daughter by Sean many years ago. A daughter I gave up for adoption.”

Jackie turned to stare at Meg. “You and my father?”

Meg nodded. “I found her through private investigators. She’s flying down to be tested tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Katherine protested. “You haven’t given us much time to adjust to this.”

Jackie turned on Katherine before anyone else could answer. “My daughter doesn’t have much time.” She began to cry.

As Gerry moved closer to his wife, Sean waved him away. He took his daughter in his arms. “It'll be all right, you’ll see.”

Jackie clung to him. The walls had finally come down.

Jackie could see Meg was nervous waiting for Christina Jensen to deplane. She wondered if they would recognize her. Then a tall, athletic blonde strode into the waiting area.

The resemblance to Meg was startling.

Christina walked over to Meg without hesitation and hugged her. “Hello, Mother.”

Jackie watched as Meg cried.

“And I’m your sister Jackie.” Jackie shared a group hug with Christina and Meg.

“I tried to find you,” Christina told Meg in the car, “but I ran into stone walls wherever I went. I finally gave up after a few years. When you called, I admit, I was shocked.”

Jackie glanced into the rear view mirror and saw Meg smile. She continued driving down the freeway to Washington Place, the gubernatorial mansion Meg would be soon vacating.

“Your parents did a wonderful job raising you,” Meg said.

“You would've loved my parents,” Christina squeezed her hand. “They had been married fifteen years when they adopted me. They used to tell me I was their gift from God.”

“What happened to them?” Jackie asked.

“Mom died of cancer about five years ago and Dad was so devastated, he soon followed. I think he wanted to die.” Christina tilted her head. “Have you ever loved anyone so much you wanted to die if they died?”

“I don’t know,” Meg replied. “Maybe.”

Christina sighed. “I don’t know either. I love my husband Scott.” She gave a small laugh. “I started dating him when I was fourteen. Honestly, I’m not sure I feel toward him the way my folks felt about each other. Sometimes I think I’m missing out on something. But maybe I will after thirty years of marriage.”