Page 44 of The Waiting Game

“Yes, yes,” she said, disappearing through the glass patio doors. “You worry too much.”

Jonah sighed, exasperated. “Ugh. She’s so stubborn.”

“It definitely doesn’t run in the family,” Felix said drily, picking up his chopsticks again and filching the last bite of stir-fried zucchini Jonah had been reaching for.

Jonah squawked and snapped at the food with his chopstick, trying to steal it from Felix.

They were still engaged in battle by the time Grandma Ji-min returned and Jonah was distracted enough for Felix to steal the bite.

He ate it, then stuck out his tongue.

“Will you two never grow up?” she asked with a sigh.

“No,” they said in unison and beamed at each other.

But Grandma Ji-min cleared away his plate and replaced it with a small box, wrapped in dark green cloth which had been tied into a decorative bow.

Felix carefully disassembled the bow and opened the box. His breath caught at the sight.

A gold tie clip gleamed against the black velvet. It had three narrow rows of gold metal in a twisted rope-like texture with a small circle of green stone.

Jade, Felix presumed.

“That belonged to Cho,” Grandma Ji-min said softly. “He wore it for years until the clip on the back came loose. He always meant to take it to a jeweler to get it repaired. After he was gone, I meant to do the same but I forgot about it. I was sorting through some things a few weeks ago and found it. It’s been repaired now and I’d like you to have it. I know he would like that as well.”

Felix’s throat felt thick as he lifted the jewelry out of the case, rubbing his thumb across the gold. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want,” she assured him.

Felix hugged it to his chest. “Of course I will. I love it. It means so much to me to have something of his.”

“Jade is lucky too, no?” Jonah asked.

She nodded. “Many people believe it has healing powers and wards off future illness and improves the health of the wearer.”

“I could certainly use that,” Felix said with a laugh, thinking of the perpetual vague ache in his wrists, ever-present despite the surgeries he’d had.

It wasn’t that he really believed some piece of rock could magically fix everything wrong with him. He didn’t even think Grandma Ji-min believed it.

But knowing the intent behind it, knowing she wanted to look after him, knowing she wanted to give him a piece that had belonged to the person she’d loved so much meant everything to him.

“I love it,” Felix whispered again, his eyes stinging.

Under the table, Jonah pressed his ankle against Felix’s. He couldn’t look up. If he did and he saw Jonah’s earnest dark eyes, he’d lose his composure completely.

He was already mentally picking out a suit to wear it with for the next game. Maybe the dark charcoal with his pale green shirt, and a subtly patterned green tie.

Grandma Ji-min smiled at him. “I’m glad. I’ll go get the cake now.”

“Do you need any help?” Jonah asked.

“No.” She passed by Felix, stopping to press a kiss to the top of his head. “I’ll only be a few. You start the fire, Jo-nah.”

The temperature had dropped and it was growing chilly.

“We’ll take care of dishes after dessert,” Felix promised.

He was surprised when she didn’t argue.

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