25 Years Ago Part XXI
We entered the club and I walked across the dance floor looking left and right for Miss Lee. She did not sit at a table or the bar. Little Bit gyrated across the dance floor, alone as always. Just a smile and the joy she exuded.
“Yo,” I cried out to her. “Where is Miss Lee.”
“She’s playing pool.”
“Thanks agashi.”
She just strutted away following the beat of the tunes. Jam and I grabbed a beer at the bar before going to the poolroom. It was located adjacent to the bar and dance floor. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as soon as I entered. There was Lee and the old yobo playing pool. He had a few guys from his unit with him as well. I immediately went on alert. Thoughts of him bushwhacking me came to mind.
First I laid my money on the table laying my claim on the next game. Then I took Jam aside and assessed him of what might be going down. Fortunately, Jam was a good friend. He had balls of steel and was a scary mofo through and through. When he cranked on the Jamaican accent I think he could pretty much intimidate anyone that thought they might mess with him. Couple of the old yobo’s buddies disappeared after they heard him speak.
My game came up. The cheating father beat Lee. So I claimed my girl with a kiss and sent her to get some more beer. Then we played team pool. Me and Jam against him and his buddy. The game was full of electricity. Pool cues whipped cue balls which flew off the table with abnormal irregularity. Shots were called with vehemence and compliments remained between team members. No one moved aside for anyone. As the game went we conversed in monosyllables and grunts. And then we played the final card. We told them we worked inside the fence. And they let up. Me and Jam won the game. I kept the girl and took her home.
But why did I have to go through all of that? And would I have been mugged if I had gone alone? Was Miss Lee worth all this trouble? I never really had feelings for her like Jin and Suki. Miss Lee had been a great Korean girl until her old flame showed up. Why could she be so sweet on a cheater? Couldn’t Lee see that if he proved unfaithful to his wife, he would in turn be unfaithful to her? In retrospect I saw this with a lot of Korean bargirls. They gave their hearts to married men, who just wanted to keep the plumbing in operation until they could go back home to momma.
The work day ended early and the bonus was it was Friday. Sergeant Hillbilly let us free for the afternoon and I looked forward to spending it with Miss Lee. Explore some Korean food and do something more than get drunk and bump uglies. Too bad we had to work on Saturday again. I took a shower and walked to the club by myself. When I arrived Little Bit danced outside, full of joy and her joy was infectious. So I tried to dance with her. Dancing with Little Bit is difficult at best. Juggling water would be easier. Finally, I realized the impossibility of it and asked if Lee was inside. Little Bit said she had not arrived yet. It did not surprise me at this early hour. She would expect me to arrive later.
I figured I would go to the hooch and surprise her. Maybe we could go eat somewhere before we hit the club. The maze seemed quiet this time in the afternoon. All of the adashis and agimas must have been hard at work. Eventually I came to her courtyard. The door to her hooch was unlocked. I opened it and knocked on the shoji. Lee opened the door and much to my surprise a woman squatted on the floor. I looked into her eyes and they were pools of sadness.
“Anya hasamika,” I greeted formally. “Nanun Jerry imnida.”
The woman stared back without responding. Lee grasped my arm and walked me into the courtyard.
“That is my mother. She come by to visit. Wait for me at the club and I come.”
And I returned to the club. I had not planned on meeting her mom. Ironic that I meet the parent of the girl I had not given my heart. Lee did come by later and the Friday passed without complication and the usual results.
Saturday was another hump day at work. Just a lot of grunt work, but it made the hours pass quickly. Sergeant Hillbilly let us go early again. I cleaned up and hit the ville. Once again Lee was not in the club. So I headed to the maze. In a short time I found myself standing outside her shoji again. Lee opened the door, stepped out and closed the door.
“Howdy yobo.”
She looked back at me with eyes. Eyes sad like her mother’s. A mother who visits a daughter and must realize that she makes her money by lying on her back, when her John comes to visit.
“My mother is sleeping. I cannot come to the club tonight. She does not feel good.”
“Canchanah.” And just as I prepare to be noble and step away I see the tennis shoes. Tennis shoes that could almost fit my feet.
I glare at Lee and she shudders. “You and your mother have a pleasant evening.”
I walked back through the maze. The anger welled. People jumped out of my way. No one wanted to get close to the man with the crazy face. I hit the main street and I knew what I wanted to do. I hopped into a cab.
“Adashi,” I addressed the driver. “Songtan Hotel.”
