AAE -- For Better For Worse

Part 2 -- Chapter 14

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

The next morning, Sun-Mi is waiting at her gate when Hyung-Chul drives up in his dark blue BMW 728iL.

 

Waving her welcome, Sun-Mi walks out into the lane as Hyung-Chul alights from the car. Garbed in a sleeveless cream-white A-line dress and nude slingback heels, she is a picture of loveliness, and his eyes busy themselves snapping an album full of pictures.

 

"You're quite dapper this morning," she compliments his dark gray pinstriped suit, white shirt, and blue-on-blue striped tie.

 

He circles the car and opens the passenger front side door.

 

"And you look absolutely lovely," he compliments her in return.

 

She accepts his courtesy and gets in. He closes the door and returns to the driver's seat.

 

 

"Why your insistence on getting dressed up? It's a day off work, and we're just going to breakfast."

 

"Wrong. We're going to church first," she unveils her surprise.

 

"Church? What for?"

 

"Your mother's hope was that you would marry in the Church, and raise your children to follow in the Faith," Sun-Mi reminds him.

 

 

Hyung-Chul is surprised at Sun-Mi's sincerity in following through on what he'd told her the day before. He had expected her to forget it and move on, not take it seriously.

 

"All that means is having a church ceremony, and baptizing our children," he offers a minimalist interpretation of his mother's words.

 

 

But Sun-Mi is not satisfied. "Is that truly what your mother intended? All good Catholics I know go to church on Sunday -- every Sunday."

 

He quickly questions her presumption with an honest assessment. "But I'm not a good Catholic. I haven't been to church in years. And you're not even Catholic to start with!"

 

Her reply carries a tone of exasperation. "All the more reason to go! Hurry, or we'll be late. Here's the address."

 

She hands him a slip of paper with written directions to a nearby Catholic church.

 

Conceding to her wishes, Hyung-Chul starts the car and drives off, wondering where her decision will take them.

 

 

AN HOUR LATER ...

 

 

As an organist plays the closing hymn of the Mass, Sun-Mi whispers to Hyung-Chul, "Let's wait until everyone leaves."

 

They remain seated until the pews are empty, then Sun-Mi stands and urges Hyung-Chul to walk with her up the aisle to the altar. Standing at the Communion rail, under the image of Jesus crucified, they are surrounded by a rainbow of brilliant colors in the sunlit stained glass windows expressing the glory of almighty God.

 

Her serious expression piques his curiosity. "What is it, Sun-Mi?"

 

"I'm not certain about the proper way to do this," she confides.

 

"Do what?"

 

"Pray to God."

 

"Kneel first," he tells her, "and hold your hands, like this."

 

 

He kneels at the cushioned rail to demonstrate, and she imitates him.

 

"First you make the Sign of the Cross," he informs her, recalling the ritual from his childhood days. "Like this..."

 

He performs the motions as he speaks. "Touch your forehead with your right hand fingers and say, 'In the name of the Father,' then move down to touch your heart, saying 'and of the Son,' and finally touch your left and right shoulders, saying 'and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.' Do this before you pray, and afterward, too, okay?"

 

 

"Yes, I think so," she replies, dubious of remembering the words correctly on the first try. "I hope I don't offend God by making a mistake."

 

"Don't worry if it's right or not," he assures her. "I don't think God cares about doing things a certain way, but being sincere in your heart."

 

 

She follows his lead as he bows his head, makes the Sign, and closes his eyes.

 

Sun-Mi prays aloud, "God, I'm not a good person. I'm not even a Catholic! You have no reason to listen to me, or do anything for me. But I do love Yoon Hyung-Chul with all my heart, and want to marry him, and so I want to become a good Catholic to receive his mother's -- your faithful servant's -- blessing. Please lead me to do the right things, and respect the teachings of your Church."

 

"Psst ..." she hisses to get his attention, then whispers, "Senior, tell God you want to become a good Catholic, too!"

 

Hyung-Chul entertains second thoughts about the way things are headed, but with Sun-Mi's insistence, he goes along. "Father God, like Sun-Mi says, I want to do the right thing, too," he makes the most innocuous promise he can think of.

 

Then they make the Sign again, and open their eyes.

 

 

"Do you think God heard our prayers?" Sun-Mi asks, wondering if it had made any difference. "How do we know? He must be very busy with all the people everywhere praying at the same time."

 

"You have to trust that God is great enough," Hyung-Chul shrugs, unused to discussing religious matters. "I suppose the Priest would know how it all works."

 

 

When they stand up and start back down the aisle toward the door, Hyung-Chul notes that Sun-Mi is smiling contentedly. Intrigued by her cheerful mood he asks, "Why so happy?"

 

"You were right, I can sense your mother's approval," she replies, "so tomorrow, I'm going to visit the priest, and find out what I need to do to become a Catholic."

 

"That's easy," he answers. "You just get baptized."

 

Sun-Mi shakes her head. "NO, I meant a GOOD Catholic. While you were praying, I thought about Young-Mi, and how she has dedicated her life to serving God."

 

"You're not thinking of becoming a nun, too, like Young-Mi?" he jokes.

 

Sun-Mi smiles and laughs, "That's an idea! Do you really think I should?"

 

"No way!" Hyung-Chul bursts out, alarmed at the smallest possibility of losing her to this newly-found religious fervor. "You promised yourself to me first, and I'm not giving you up, even to God!"

 

Sun-Mi squeezes his hand tightly. "And I'm not giving you up, either."

 

"Then, are we settled on getting married?" he asks hopefully.

 

"Not yet," she replies, her mood turning more somber. "There's one more person I need to speak with first ..."