I walk from the Lafayette Avenue stop of the A train with a spring in my step; I’m almost jogging by the time I reach Mom and Dad’s place. For once, I don’t have to sit and listen to Henry and Dad discussing a big case, or how well it’s going for Camila working with Noah at Luxe, or how Adam and Maya are settling into their new apartment in Prospect Park, or how Cory is single-handedly revolutionizing Denise’s business plan. Tonight, I have news of my own.
I know over a decade playing professional basketball is no small feat. I know some players train hard, play hard, and have nothing to show for it but shit grades on their college transcripts when basketball falls through. I know all this…and yet it’s been hard to feel successful with my brothers jumping leaps and bounds ahead.
I run up the steps to my childhood home, out of breath when Mom opens the door.
“Damon!” She pulls me in for a hug, then pushes me back to inspect me. “What’s gotten into you? Your eyes are bright, and you look like you ran here.”
I pull her into another hug, lifting her off the ground with my enthusiasm, and she blushes like she always does. I peck her on the cheek.
“I’ve got news, Mom.”
She smooths her apron after I put her down and gestures for me to enter.
“Well, come in. Your brothers are already here, and the bulgogi is almost ready.”
I walk through the door and close it behind me, my mouth watering from the aroma. Mom can throw down in the kitchen, trying out different cuisines for family dinner each week, but I still love when she makes Korean the most. I follow the sounds of arguing to the dining room. Henry and Dad are seated next to each other, and without Camila to mellow Henry out, the conversation has devolved into the dreaded law talk.
“Judge Danvers is a joke, Dad. He ruled the housekeeper’s recordings inadmissible even though they provided glaring evidence that my client’s husband planned to commit fraud.”
I take a seat across from Adam, who rolls his eyes at the conversation. Dad and Henry are always poking at each other. I pile my plate with mandu and settle in for the show.
“That may be, but she obtained those recordings illegally and without her employer’s consent,” Dad argues. Henry shakes his head, clearly irritated at Dad’s shortsightedness.
“The videos were hardly obtained illegally when they came from cameras her employers gave her express permission to set up. She was trying to figure out what was eating through the pantry.”
“But that’s exactly why Judge Danvers was right to rule the way he did,” Dad counters, gesticulating with a dumpling on his fork. “She got permission to look into a pest problem, not to record private conversations.”
Henry’s about to argue when Mom comes into the room with the platter of bulgogi, setting it down next to the steaming white rice.
“Henry? Henry, Jr.?” She looks sternly between Dad and Henry. “What have I said about law talk at the table?”
“Sorry, Mom.” Henry apologizes, clearly still planning to press the issue once the meal is over.
Mom sits next to Dad, who pulls her into his side and kisses her cheek.
“Sorry, Marie,” he mutters, still nuzzling her nose. Despite how scary Dad can be in the courtroom, and whenever one of his sons gets on his bad side, he’s a cuddly bear where Mom’s concerned.
“It looks delicious, Mom,” Noah cuts in, steering the conversation to safer topics, as usual. Everyone around the table hums in agreement, loading their plates with rice, bulgogi, more mandu, and stir-fried vegetables. Mom even made kimchi-jjigae, which I waste no time ladling into my bowl.
I’m normally the first to dig into my food, but I’m way too excited. I ding my knife on my water glass when everyone’s been served.
“Sorry to interrupt the great meal Mom made for us,” I start, noting Noah’s annoyed expression, “but I couldn’t wait to share my news.” I pause for dramatic effect. “I just found out this afternoon that I got the coaching job I’ve been interviewing for! You’re looking at the new assistant coach for the Centerpoint High Eagles!”
Adam claps me on the back in congratulations while my other brothers raise a glass or a fork. Mom breaks into applause, which makes me smile. She’s always been my biggest cheerleader.
“That’s wonderful, Damon,” she says teary-eyed.
“Isn’t that the school a few blocks from here?” Adam asks. I nod.
“Yep!” I’m beaming, but I can’t help it. This job is the next step I needed to get my life back on track. “I’ll even be able to stop by sometimes, since I’ll be in the neighborhood.”
Dad grunts his disapproval, and Noah coughs to cover his chuckle.
“Henry. Behave!” Mom chastises Dad, then squeezes my hand warmly. “We’d love to see you more often, honey.”
“Speak for yourself, Marie.” Dad grumbles. “We’ve got our weekly dinners. The rest of the week should be reserved for married-people business.”
Noah can’t cover his laugh this time, and Mom looks chagrined. Obviously, we know Mom and Dad get down with five sons, but from the looks on my brothers’ faces, I’m not the only one feeling a little uncomfortable talking about it over dinner.
