Page 88 of Hello Stranger

He didn’t disagree. Just glanced in the direction of the roof. “Technically, nobody’s even up there.”

“Fair enough,” I said.

Mr. Kim could fix anything, and that was a point of pride with him. He had it working again in record time—and I wasn’t sure if I was glad or disappointed.

Before he left, Mr. Kim leaned in to tell me something. “When Sue calls you with her news, don’t worry. He got our permission.”

“Who got your permission?” I asked.

But Mr. Kim shook his head and made a little key-locking gesture at his mouth. “I’ve said too much already. But trust me. It’s okay. They have our blessing.”

“Who has what blessing?”

But he just shook his head.

Then he started down the hallway, waving goodbye, before remembering: “Mrs. Kim has some homemade kimchi for you! I’ll bring it up tomorrow.”

“I can come down and get it!” I offered.

But he waved the idea away, likePshaw.

Just as he disappeared into the elevator, my phone rang.

It was his daughter.

“Hey, Sue,” I said. “Your dad was just here.”

“Don’t tell him I’m on the phone!” she said.

“He’s gone already,” I said. “Why do you sound freaky?”

Sue regrouped. “I’m calling with news.”

“Good news, I hope,” I said.

Sue didn’t comment on that. “I know I’m supposed to come over tonight—”

I checked the time. I’d completely forgotten about her. “Yes! And you’re an hour late!”

“But I have a conflict,” Sue said.

“Youcannothave a conflict,” I said.

“But I do,” Sue said, in a voice that was just begging me to ask her what it was.

I sighed. “What’s the conflict?”

And so she burst out, “I’m eloping!”

“You’re…?”

“Eloping!” Sue said again—because it was so fun to say.

“Eloping?” It didn’t compute. “WithWitt?”

“Guess what he got for us?”

Did she really want me to guess?

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