John looked out the lone window. It faced an old alleyway filled with garbage cans and so he looked up into the evening’s sky. He heard soul music coming from an open window somewhere, shouting from yet another apartment, and all about, the hum of air conditioners and fans. He saw the August full moon framed between this building and the one across from him and vowed that by the time of the mid-autumn festival in September he was going to have his own place.
Chapter Eighty-One
Tang looked up at the apartment complex and couldn’t remember the last time he felt so relieved to see its façade and walked through the lobby doors. With the excuse he had to wash and get into fresh clothing, he went to his apartment first. As much as he appreciated the clothing his uncle Robert had provided, he didn’t feel as comfortable as when he wore his own. After showering and dressing, he called Robert. He heard the prearranged code words from Robert, which indicated John had made it to the East coast and had settled in Brooklyn.
Tang opened the sliding door and went out onto his small balcony over-looking crowded Hong Kong Island. Now that he had had time to think, he realized just how much the actions of the Choi sons had affected his life. He regretted being cold toward James, but he didn’t desire being the boy’s guardian. As much as John was a pest, he did appreciate him more now that he saw him through the eyes of Lauren, who adored her brother. Enough, he said to himself.
Walking through the living room, he found his rumpled jacket lying on the sofa and pulled out the sealed envelope with John’s letter, along with his copy of a photograph of him, John and Robert. He grabbed his black jacket from the hall closet, placed the envelope and photo in his breast pocket and went upstairs to the Choi family complex. He didn’t relish telling George he had lied to him and that they would have to continue lying to the women. He only prayed that George would understand.
George was sitting in his office when his assistant Ho entered and asked if it was okay to admit Tang. George of course said yes, as he was very anxious to hear what Tang couldn’t discuss in public. The look on Tang’s face as he entered told him more than whatever he had to say ever would. Tang, it was obvious, had something on his mind as they exchanged looks for a long period of time. George watched Tang accept a drink from Ho, who handed one to him as well. Ho remained standing respectfully near a corner, waiting for further instructions while George sat waiting for Tang to tell him things at his own pace.
Tang knew what George wanted to know as he sipped his drink. Nervously, he swirled the contents with his right hand. “George, what details do you want to know?”
“Tang, don’t hide anything from me. We’ve been friends for far too long and through too many battles.”
Tang looked at Ho and had no desire to speak in front of one of the men about personal Choi business. He couldn’t fathom why George was letting the underling remain. True, he was a loyal sai low, but still, there were certain things that needed to remain private.
George saw Tang look at Ho, but he had good reasons to keep the man in the room and knew instinctively that Tang wouldn’t reveal anything private in front of him. “You already told me over the phone about the crash and the good Samaritan who took you to his home, in Philomath and treated your injuries. And I don’t want to hear again about John’s death screams. No. I want you to explain to me what happened in San Francisco, once you returned. Why is it that half of my associates died suddenly? What is this business between James and Kai?”
Tang looked directly at George, understood the message and clasped the drink with both hands. He lowered his head to gather his thoughts on how to proceed with limited truth. “While I was recovering, I made a few phone calls. Naturally, I was angry. I had failed and John - -” Tang’s voice cracked. “John was - - I had nightmares for days. Everything was lost in the crash. And I refused to believe it was just an accident. The brakes were fine when we started- -”
“Tang, move forward a bit. Get to the San Francisco part.”
“Huh? I’m getting there. It all came together with the phone calls I made, while recovering. I couldn’t move around much, so I called a friend of mine in Portland and asked him to do some investigation for me. He was the one who found out that Ng was maneuvering things behind the scenes and had family ties back to the Gray Society here. He was also the one, who got me a car and some money, so I could make it back to San Francisco. He told me that apparently, in retaliation for our action against Lem and Alfred, Ng ordered Kai to organize the assassination. That’s why when I returned to San Francisco, I took out Ng, Larry and the others. Because I found out, they were using us to establish a Gray tong at our expense. Now since Kai is the new dai low dai, I assigned James to figure out how to deal with him and Beard. George, James - -” Tang looked frustrated and more than a bit uncomfortable.
“Speak honestly about James, Tang.”
“George, anyone who betrays the oath deserves death. There is no question about that. There should be no question about that. James allowed the gang leader from L.A. to convince him that Beard was innocently just doing a job he was hired to do. How was he supposed to know John was a fellow brother, or that I was his Hong Kong uncle? I mean really, George, where the hell is James’ brain? Given the number of times that I’ve been with him on errands in L.A., you would think he learned something. I mean, really. James, the stupid fool, says okay, but to straighten out the mess and ease tension, Beard must kill Kai. Another oath violation. Anyway, the kid figures its okay to do it, since Kai was the one who betrayed him. He figured he could convince everyone, who no longer trusts, or believe a thing he says since Charlie, will believe him. So Beard comes up and James arranges to have a peace lunch with Kai. Of course, things go haywire. He couldn’t even get something as simple as a restaurant choice, right. James picks the one restaurant where a busload of tourists eat nearly every day and I’ll bet anything, he let Kai pick the place.
“There they are eating in a crowded restaurant, in the middle of the day, at the height of lunch hour, with the busload of tourists. Beard walks in, words are exchanged, and who shot first, I don’t know, but what I do know is that Beard ended up dead, Kai was wounded and James was photographed by the tourist with a gun in his hand pointed straight at Kai. It was in all the papers. I was halfway to that other assignment when I found out what happened and had to return to San Francisco. It took me nearly a week and a very expensive lawyer, to convince the cops that James had wrestled the gun away from Beard in self-defense. You should have seen what it took for me to get Kai to back up that story. George, your sons are going to be the death of me. One dies and nearly gets me killed and the other one- -”
George looked up and saw Ho listening intently. “I see. I hadn’t realized. Rose said there was trouble, but failed to mention most of this when she asked for a lawyer.”
“Which reminds me George; Rose gave me a personal message, which she asked me to deliver in private.”
“In a moment Tang, I need to think something out first. Hmmmm. Ho, make a call to L.A. and speak to Hom. Tell him to bring that gang of his under control. Tell him if he succeeds, I’ll need him in San Francisco, to straighten things out there.”
“Yes, Mr. Choi.” Ho bowed slightly, left the room and closed the door.
George waited until he saw the light on the phone lit indicating Ho was on the extension.
“Who is he?”
“He’s one of our younger brothers from Taipei, who’s anxious to prove himself to me. He’s Richard’s temporary replacement. In any case, now I understand why Rose has been frantically trying to reach me. I trust you told her she can return next month?”
“Yes, George. She also wanted me to make sure you understand how much she loves you, misses talking to you and wishes she was by your bedside helping you recover. She blames James’ recent failure on your recent lack of communication.”
“She said this?”
“No George. It’s based on what I saw and heard. I surmised as much. There has been
one interesting turn of events.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, James has finally stood up for himself and told Rose to butt out of his business.”
“That’s good, but it may be too late. We shall see how well he manages the storm he’s in and what direction he chooses to take. If he can regain the community’s trust, then he just might succeed. I’ll have to talk to him when he comes next month, I suppose. What else?”
“What else indeed?” Tang hesitated. He knew he promised John, but he also could see the pain on George’s face. “George- - George,” Tang got up walked to the bar, poured a drink and gulped it down. He made another before he returned to his chair and sat down.
George watched Tang with patience.
“There’s no easy way to broach this.” He took out the letter, photograph and stared.
George’s attention focused on Tang’s struggle. He watched the man down the last of his drink and rattled the ice cubes. So that was where John had picked up the habit, he thought. Remorseful, his thoughts drifted to John.
“George, I’m sorry but I had to lie to you, to protect the family.”
“I’m sure, Tang that whatever you did, you did with diligence and good cause.”
“I’m bound by secrecy so I can’t say anything but perhaps this picture can speak since I cannot.” Tang placed the photo on George’s desk, picked up George’s empty glass, went to the bar and refilled both before turning. He saw George looking, but not fully understanding what he was seeing. “That was taken after the accident, while I stayed with my Uncle Robert.”
George looked at the photo, heard what Tang said and felt his heart skip a beat. “Then?”
“He’s not coming back, but wrote this letter to explain everything.” He placed George’s drink and John’s letter down in front of the man before returning to his chair. There, he did it.
“We will need to burn that photo.”
Chapter Eighty-Two
The Buddhist ceremony to honor John’s passing was simple and held for the immediate family only. His photo was added to the family altar next to that of his grandfather and only the briefest mention was seen in the papers.
Each night at the end of the day, George would pull out John’s letter from his private safe and read it over and over again, along with the two letters from Richard to Rose that John had found in James’ apartment. It wasn’t an angry letter but it did show two very important things. One, it detailed how he had let down his son and two that John had some wisdom. In a way, the letter made him feel pride for it showed John took not only responsibility for his own actions but was now able to make good decisions. It also sadden him, because some of the things John thought were his fault, were, if he were man enough to face it, his own. John also wrote about James and the truth there was hurtful. All in all, there were five pages and on each page he spoke eloquently which surprised him. He only wished he could share the secret with Catherine, but of course he had promised and understood the need to keep it secret. He knew only too well what kind of danger still lurked about. He replaced the letter in its envelope and put it back into the private safe in his dressing room.
Catherine sat at her dressing table brushing her hair. She saw George emerge from the dressing room, take off his robe and get ready for bed. “When are you going to share the letter with me?”
“What letter?”
“The one you started reading each night since John’s memorial.”
“You know? I can’t hide anything from you, can I?”
“Could you ever? Talk to me, George. Share with me.”
“Please, Catherine, the letter must remain secret. It is a matter of life and death. I must ask you to be understanding and let me have time with this.”
“George, what is in it that touches you so much? Is it from Rose?”
“No. I can honestly say it isn’t from Rose. But - -”
Catherine put down her brush, got up and walked over to their bed. “What, George?”
George took Catherine’s hand and looked into her eyes. “You are going to be mad.”
“What is it, George?”
“Before I say anything, I want you to promise to let me finish speaking before you react.”
Catherine saw something in George’s face and knew this was a distraction tactic of his. “All right, George. I promise to be silent till the end.”
“I told Rose, she could visit here in Hong Kong, next month an- -”
“WHAT?!?! You’re going to let Rose come here! She cost me my son and you’re letting her come back here.” Catherine started walking around the room waving her arms repeating, “I don’t believe it. I just don’t believe it, George.”
“Catherine. Catherine, please. Catherine? Where are you going?” George got up, put on his robe and followed Catherine out onto the porch. She was crying. “Shush. Catherine, you promised to wait until I finished. Please don’t cry.”
“How come George? How can you do this to me? Her son cost me my son, our son.”
“Catherine, don’t say that. It didn’t happen that way.”
“Oh please, George. Don’t take me for a fool. I know Rose. I know how- -”
“How manipulative and conniving she can be?”
Catherine looked up astounded and accepted George’s handkerchief. “I was going to say I know how she can be.”
“Same thing,” George gently touched Catherine’s face with his hand. “Listen to what I was going to say. Yes, I read a letter each night. A letter you cannot now, or ever, read. A letter no one must know exists. But, what is in that letter has convinced me that my love for you is true. That I’ve failed in the raising of my children, and if it wasn’t for your love and guidance, they would have been lost.” Catherine’s watery eyes held his heart prisoner. He could feel its beating in his throat. “Cathy, I’m letting Rose come for two reasons. First, because I promised her she could, and second, because I want to tell her in person, as a courtesy, that I will be divorcing her. And, yes, Catherine, if it will make you happy, I will buy you all the dead roses you want.”
Catherine could barely hear George over the pounding in her heart. She embraced him and they kissed. It was a kiss that lead to a passion unseen for many years.
Chapter Eighty-Three
James struggled through the month of August. Everywhere he went people stared and gossiped while pointing at him. It was difficult to face people, but he knew if he didn’t, then their preconceived notions of what happened would destroy all his credibility. What made it worse, he had to go out and be seen having a good time with Kai, as if they were the best of friends. He wondered often, if that was how his father had felt all those years with Richard. In a way, it gave him greater insight into his father, but it also created a distance.
He compared himself to John constantly, and as much as he hated to admit it, he realized he did care about his brother. Although when John screwed up and hurt others, he managed to come out with his reputation dented but still intact and in some cases even made to look stronger. He was going to miss him. He had read John’s brief obituary in the papers and arranged for a small service for the guys with Kai, but it was hard to be around them. They didn’t trust him completely anymore, primarily because they knew Kai didn’t trust him. He wondered how he was going to rebuild all that he lost.
James walked along side his mother as they boarded the plane. He was hoping the trip to Hong Kong would lift his spirits. He was really looking forward to seeing his father again. He tried chatting with his mother, but all Rose said, ‘is now you want to talk, when we’re in public?’
*
John reported each day to the small delicatessen that Fan owned, but really didn’t feel like he fitted in with the people working there. He knew that to make it, he was going to have to start his own business, but with limited funds that wasn’t going to be easy. He had about eight thousand from his work with the gang, and what Tang had given him and about four and a half thousand from Rober
t. And, as much as he wanted his own apartment, rent in New York City was very expensive.
Each day after work, he would walk through the streets of Manhattan’s Chinatown, through the courthouses and down Broadway into the heart of the financial district, staring at the Woolworth building, the original tallest structure and the World Trade Center site, which was in the process of being built. He was absorbed with the concept that it was to become the tallest structure. Sometimes he would listen to the traders emerging from the canyons of Wall Street, as they entered bars talking about their day’s trades and the strategy they were using. Some of the topics were beyond his reach, but his curiosity was peaked. He was fascinated with the city.
At night he would sit with Tom Fan, and share a simple dinner. It took a few weeks for him to feel comfortable enough to open up and express himself, but he felt if he wasn’t honest, he wasn’t going to get anywhere. He explained his fascination with the traders and with the vibrancy of the city. He mentioned he wanted to make it big and a lot of money.
Tom Fan sat listening to John talk and waited until the man was finished. After exploring John’s dreams, he asked if he knew how he was going to get there. That, to John, was the hardest part. He discussed with John his unhappiness and told him that to be successful, you must be happy with what you are doing. Having the money doesn’t make you happy, which John already knew was true. Enjoying what you are doing is what will bring you good fortune, because when you enjoy your work, it spreads and those around you pick it up. Together, they worked out a plan. If John agreed and went to Pace University, for example, and worked in-between at the delicatessen, then Tom would help finance his first business venture. Astounded by the man’s generosity, John wanted to learn how a man who appeared to be of meager means could make such an offer. Apparently, Tom had a few more assets than one would think. Tom explained how happy a modest life style made him feel. He thoroughly enjoyed being a shop owner, because he got to meet people each day and that was enough for him.
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