EXAMPLE PAGE - EBOOKS - THE PROMISE OF THE TEA GODS - Flipbook - Page 42
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H. K. O'HARA
Soo-kang shot him a dark look, then picked up the bottle and turned
it around so he could see the label. A puzzled look came over his face.
“Binnie, this is apple juice. You want me to apologize with a bottle of
apple juice?”
Binnie laughed. “It’s not apple juice. It’s sparkling apple juice. And
K happens to like it. So give it a try—she’s been down there for a while
and she’s probably thirsty. Don’t stress out over this. Just be your usual
wonderful self and all will be well. Meet me back up here when you’re
done if you’d like. We can have an afternoon snack and sit for a while.”
Soo-kang stood up with the bottle in his hand. “Okay, I’m off to
apologize with apple juice. And I’ll remember not to call her a girl.”
Wishing he were part of a better story, he headed down the hill to
meet the woman who was sitting on a high rock—wearing a yellow
sweater.
Slowly, he walked across the sand. The ocean was calm. His thoughts
were not. The sun was warm. The wind was cool. The woman sitting on
the high rock was still—her back to the world, and him. He kept walking. Almost there. Just a few steps to go. Suddenly, she turned her head.
Looked at him. And smiled. Soo-kang looked up at her. Amazed.
She was beautifully unexpected. Sitting there. On a rock. Peaceful
as morning. Looking at him with eyes that seemed to be made of music,
and a smile that reminded him of something sacred and quiet—like a
beautiful secret, silently kept. Or a whispered promise, sliding off the
moon . . .
The word “timeless” floated through his mind. Followed by “indescribable” and “undefinable.” Something ancient. Something new. Part
of the ocean. Part of the sky. Her mahogany hair, with a river of red
running through it, tumbled down in soft waves of wild abandon. The
wind seemed to like it. He liked it too.
He could only stand and stare. Where was his voice? Where was the
humble apology he had practiced saying on his way down the hill?
Where was the “hello” he desperately wanted to find? He took another
step. So close. One more. He was there. For some reason, he wanted to
