I measured out three heaping spoonful's, way too much tea, just like Phuong liked, put the lid on the pot. This stuff was gonna be undrinkable! And no sugar in the place.
I waited the three minutes, using his old mantle clock to keep time. It was a fancy thing, wood with a parquet veneer, meant for a fancy house. Phuong had it on top of his little refrigerator.
Time's up! Put the pot on the table, on a little trivet.
Phuong gestured for me to sit. So I sat!
He indicated I should pour. So I poured, first into his cup. Like Khang said I picked up his cup, held it by three fingers, two on the bottom and one balancing the rim, handed it over.
He took it the same way, blew, sipped a tiny sip, nodded. Good!
Now I could pour mine, blow, take a sip. Smiled despite the glow starting somewhere behind my eyes.
The things I do for my Grandfather!
But Phuong is a dear, he likes me, this is all going to be ok. I'm just nervous, because I want it to go well for him and it's my first time.
"Granddaughter!"
I grinned, I still love it when he calls me that. He cracked a smile as well, I think he was as pleased as I am.
Looking more stern, "It's time you learned of the duties of a respectable wife in a Vietnamese family."
My turn to respond, like in church. "Yes Ông Ngoại" I nailed the pronunciation! Thank you Khang.
"You have been raised as an American, so do not know the correct things, the duties and expectations. That is understood. I will be tolerant. As a grandfather should be!"
This stuff worked both ways, I was glad to learn. As long as I tried, he would put up with me.
He paused, unsure of the next part. "I am a traditional Vietnamese, old and inflexible Khang tells me. So I understand you may find me difficult at times. Please be tolerant as well!"
That cost him something to say. I put out a hand, touched his, smiled. We're all friends here. Family in fact! This was going to be ok.
This was a new thing for us. Unexpected American granddaughter for him. Surprise sister and grandfather for me! We both were invested in it; both wanted it to work, with all our hearts.
He, because his lesbian granddaughter would likely never provide him with great-grandchildren.
And me? Because I wanted, needed a family. I had thought I didn't, I could do without like I always had. When Khang informed me I was her sister, something in me grabbed onto that with both hands. Like a life-line, I had been drowning and now I was saved.
Sounds dramatic? Consider: not long ago I had been standing in the surf ready to swim out, never look back. No family; no friends; no money; no future.
A kind stranger offered help, food and a bed, sympathy. No strings attached.
Now I was a girlfriend, a sister, a granddaughter. And I wanted it all, would do everything needed to make it work. For all of us.
And oh, by the way, my boyfriend has super powers. He can see through stuff with x-ray vision. Not really; he just sees it all, it's right in front of his mind's eye, even in the dark, even with his eyes closed.
Khang calls him a Hungry Ghost. Grandfather Phuong says he's a Spirit Medium. I dunno how it works, and it doesn't matter. He's a nice guy, kind in all the ways!
He finds things, just by looking. Money, discarded or lost or left someplace. My shoes, when I've forgotten where I put them. Where they keep the pop-tarts at the grocery store. Whatever you want.
Khang says Greg found me, her long-lost dreamed-about sister, because he's the Finder. Not a biological sister; a sister in spirit. Anyway we've decided it's a fact, we're sisters, Phuong has two granddaughters now. And Greg is courting me with Phuong's permission.
So I'm here, learning the duties of a granddaughter/prospective wife. Because Greg loves me, I'm sure of that. And I want to take the next step, all the steps from here on.
Grandfather had started, pay attention girl!
"A wife must run the household; make purchases with care, to preserve the family monies."
"Yes Ông Ngoại". Ha. Greg has all the money he wants, more whenever he cares to go look for it. Greg and I have agreed, I will have the chore of spending it. Because he hates stores; too much to see all at once. Poor baby, his special sight is sometimes a curse.
I did like a bargain, and that hasn't changed just because we have limitless resources. Growing up poor, we do appreciate our special circumstances. So yes, I can perform that duty without reservations.
"A wife bears children for her husband, for the family, when the family desires and can support them, or the fates intervene."
"Yes Ông Ngoại". I was frankly terrified of having children. My childhood had been a train wreck; how could I be a mother, when I'd never had one?
And Greg! Seeing his child grow in me, day by day. A blessing! Unless something went wrong. Then he'd witness the tragedy unfold, helpless to do anything. Like he'd had to watch his parents die of cancer, alcoholism.
Phuong saw that I had reservations. He reached out, put his hand on mine, squeezed. Whether he understood my fears or not, he cared that I had them, wanted to comfort me! That would be something; whatever happened we'd have family to help. That was new to me, and would take some time for me to work out.
"A wife cares for, educates the children so they may grow and prosper, and assume their duties in time."
"Yes Ông Ngoại". That was gonna be a blast, should Greg and I have children! What if some were like him?! With a parent to guide them, help them understand from the beginning, instead of facing it ignorant and fearful like he had, imagine what they might do!
"A wife strives to provide all things necessary for her husband, letting him lack for nothing in the home."
"Yes Ông Ngoại". Khang had mentioned that one. Why marry unless you want to do that already? And Greg, provide for me too. He had proved himself willing to do that since the moment I met him and every moment since. A slam-dunk.
"A wife comforts and administers to a husband, with her body and her skills."
I grinned at that one, "Yes Ông Ngoại". I was looking forward to 'comforting' Greg. Imagine what a man who saw how every touch, every stroke affected you inside and out, how wonderful that could feel!
Kissing Greg was already breathtaking. Sex with Greg was gonna be epic.
"A wife cares first for her husband and children, and then for her grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters."
"Yes Ông Ngoại!" Greg and I have zero parents between us; zero siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins. It was just the two of us against the world, until Khang and Phuong appeared.
I loved my sister Khang, with all my heart. She is a firecracker! I've learned so much, and have so much to learn from her. She is finally happy since Greg 'found' the sister she'd always known she had.
Greg had already pledged to support me, Khang and Phuong so long as I would let him. So everybody on the same page there.
"A wife relies on her family, for all they are expected to do, in accordance with their duties."
"Yes Ông Ngoại." That one was gonna take some getting used to. When Greg had offered me help, when I was at the bottom, I reacted badly. I was suspicious, fearful. Nobody had done anything like that for me, ever.
Even Khang, my sister that I love, when she said she was making me a dress I was hesitant. Why? I don't know! It makes no sense. She wanted to do it; I wanted it. Still I resisted. Gonna take some practice, accepting help, love, gifts of time and attention.
Now he threw a curveball at me. "You have heard me speak of the duties of a good Vietnamese wife. Can you now tell me what they are? As you understand them?"
Panic. What if I miss one? Will he be disappointed with me? I didn't know there would be a quiz!
Take a deep breath. Phuong wants me to succeed, wants me as a granddaughter. He'll correct me if I slip up, with kindness and good grace.
"Yes Ông Ngoại!" I bent my head as a dutiful second granddaughter should, humble and respectful of an elder.
"A wife should spend household monies carefully, and avoid waste. A wife will have children as we desire, love them, care for them and teach them their duties.
"A wife cares for her husband, rubs his back when he's sore, sleeps with him when he's affectionate or troubled, laughs and cries with him.
"A wife loves her extended family too, making sure they are safe and loved, supported and listened to, respected. Because they are going to do that for me, and it's only right and fair."
His faced lit up, all wreathed in smiles and joy. Pride maybe? That felt good to see.
"You understand! Yes, you are a fine woman, and I'm proud to call you granddaughter. You will be a beautiful, dutiful wife for someone, and they will feel joy to call you family. As I do!"
He leaned forward impulsively to where I sat, kissed my forehead. I looked up, pleased and happy. I went to him at his seat, crouched, hugged him. He patted my back contentedly. All was right with the world.
...
Gregory
I'm supposed to be helping people now, Jillian's idea to get me in the community, doing good. That's her thing I think, doing good. Probably from having such a raw deal herself.
Whatever the reason, she's promised a kiss for every good deed I do. Which is no kind of motivation theoretically, but every kind in reality. Good-deed kisses were the best ones.
I had my breast-cancer screening fliers as always. Stopped by the hospital for some addiction-helpline ones. Got some sympathetic looks, but nothing new, and I have no reputation to sully.
It seemed obvious that I should have lots of opportunities to help people, super power and all. But now that I'm out here, what is that exactly? I'm no superman, solving crime or saving lives in the nick of time. What else then?
My cancer-screening fliers had an abysmal rate of return, or so I imagine. They don't get a good response. Mostly annoyance. But help one person, that would make it worth it.
These new fliers could be worse. Addicts are notoriously bad at self-management. If I found somebody in public with a friend, I could give it to the friend? Still chancy.
A guy pulled up to the curb, parked in a newer model car. One fuel injector was not working, ejecting fuel unburnt. It gave a Fufff! noise as the engine stopped.
I might help this guy!
"How do you like your sedan? Pretty nice!"
He paused at the meter, unsure, looked at me. "It's ok. Not got the power I expected."
I nodded, like I was an expert or something. I didn't even know the model without looking at the badge.
"Fuel injector, sounds like number four, nearest the right fender. Stuttering; you can hear it if you're standing out here."
He perked up. "Really? It's still under warranty. Hey, thanks!"
I nodded, one car-guy to another. He walked off whistling, happy to have some explanation for his dissatisfaction.
Pretending to 'hear' his problem was inspiration. I didn't have to seem like a guru or quote stats; just lucky to be standing here! Glad to help!
Ok, not world-saving but I'm gonna count it. That's one!
