Spring 1998
"Who are you, and what are you doing in my daughter's room?" Barked out the black haired woman in the red kimono.
I was startled at the sight! My girlfriend had just called me over saying that her roommate had stepped out and she wanted some 'company'. I had just let myself in when I found myself facing this lady.
"I'm a good friend of..." I tried to say.
"Quiet!" The woman commanded. "You're dating my daughter aren't you?"
I knew I couldn't lie to this woman, she must be the famous tiger mother that my girlfriend spoke of.
"Ms Park?" I asked hesitantly.
"Who else could I be?" The slim olive skinned woman asked harshly. "Now answer my question!"
Ms Park was obviously faster witted than me, but growing up on the streets of Detroit I knew that wits weren't enough.
"I guess I can't lie to you Ms Park." I said honestly. "We are dating."
"You're having sex with her aren't you!" She accused with a pointed finger.
I was stuck in a corner with her words! I wasn't sure if I could save my relationship with her daughter, but I could save my dignity!
"Yes we have sex." I declared. "She's a grown woman, and can make her own decisions."
Ms Park made a face that could either be an attempt at holding in laughter, or a look of disgust. I was fairly certain that she didn't tell her parents that she was dating and having sex, and now the chickens have come home to roost.
"She is my daughter!" She said raising her voice. "We worked long hours to pay for her schooling!"
I tried several times to interrupt, I wanted her to know that our relationship was genuine, but whenever I opened my mouth, she cut me off! I was starting to lose my cool.
Ms Park was on a roll as she rambled on, she finally finished with. "And I don't want you to see her again!"
"Ms Park, let's be honest." I said calmly. "You can't tell me what to do."
"Like hell I cannot!" She blasted back at me.
"When you leave, we'll do as we like." I countered. "You can't stop us."
"I see." She said.
If this were back in the hood, I would have dived for cover! Those words often meant that guns and knives would appear. This tiger mother was weighing her options.
When she made up her mind, she walked over to her purse and produced a cheque book. I held in a giggle, in the previous year I had helped my wealthy roommate out of a couple binds, his lawyer paid me so well that I was able to invest in real estate. I made so much on rental income that I was very well off.
"How much would it cost to make you go away?" She said holding a pen to her cheque. "Five-hundred?"
I held in a laugh, then spoke. "Surly your daughter is worth more than my monthly car payment?"
Ms Park looked up at me in surprise! Her shrewd business senses had perked up.
"A thousand dollars?" She said her voice rising in pitch.
"Ms Park, you don't know how much I'm really worth do you?" I stated.
"Two-thousand dollars!" She said as if it were her final offer.
"Madam, you couldn't pay me enough to forget your daughter, we have a deep and special bond!" I clarified for her.
"Special bond..." Ms Park mused. "Is that what they call sex these days?"
I slowly brought my eyes up to meet hers, along the way I made sure I looked at her body. Her kimono was tight on her body, concealing plenty, but hinting at a great deal as well.
Ms Park must have seen my leering eyes as she replied. "Don't think of it mister!"
I was so shocked by her words that I was unable to conceal it on my face. Ms Park caught this, and laughed at me. I quickly recovered as I spoke.
"If I can't sleep with your daughter, I will need an alternative outlet." I stated as I took a step forward.