Page 89 of Rules for Rule Breaking

Halmeoni cleared her throat. “We could all read and write in English, but speaking took work,” she continued. “It was hard for me. I considered going back to the Korean countryside with my parents, but my husband and I decided to do this together. I tried harder.The Price Is Rightand American soap operas still haunt me. It’s a wonder I don’t sound like Bob Barker.”

Emmy nudged Winter and whispered, “Who’s Bob Barker?”

Winter shrugged.

“Do you regret coming here?” Bobby asked.

Halmeoni steepled her fingers under her chin. “Seeing you three together tells me I made the right decision. You are going to have beautiful lives, surrounded by different people. You can do anything you want, but I don’t want you to rush to get there. I wouldn’t have made it without family, and neither will you,” she said, and then held her hands out to Emmy and Bobby. “Emmy, Soon-hee, Dae-seong, you are family. Remember that.”

“She wants you two to kiss and make up,” Emmy whispered, nudging Winter in the side.

“Shut up, Emmy,” Winter said under her breath.

“A kiss isn’t going to fix ten years of animosity,” Bobby said.

“And how long has your father not talked to his brother?” Halmeoni asked.

Bobby looked down. “Ten years.”

“And are they better off for it?”

Bobby looked over at Winter. She had her hands folded in her lap and her eyes cast down at the floor. He shook his head.

Halmeoni went to check on the stove. “You are all smart enough to make your own decisions. Make up or don’t. I’m still inviting you to bingo tonight.”

“Bingo?” Emmy laughed.

“Why would you invite us this time?” Winter asked.

“Because now I know you both like to break rules,” Halmeoni said. “And did you know in North Carolina, it’s illegal to play bingo for over five hours in a row?”

Bobby’s eyes snapped to Winter’s. She was holding back a laugh.

“You planned a five-hour game?” she asked.

“No. I planned a five-hour-and-one-minute game. What did you think these mandu were for?”

“I thought they were for me!” Emmy exclaimed. “I’m leaving tomorrow!”

“Then it’s for you,” Halmeoni replied. “We still need food.”

Bobby snorted. Halmeoni was always up to something. He excused himself from the table and texted Kai to join.

Winter Park

43. WE WILL NOT COMMENT ON EACH OTHER’S APPEARANCE

Hour One

Halmeoni picked up her bingo card and took a seat at a table with some gossiping grandmothers and bottles of champagne. She called everyone’s attention. “Say hello to my granddaughter and her friends,” she said, as if Winter were a show pony.

Mrs. Fowler rolled her eyes. “We know Winter. We see her every week.”

“Tonight she’s the guest of honor. The stakes will be the highest they’ve ever been.”

“We’re all going to go broke being friends with you.”

Winter laughed and bent down to give her grandmother a hug.