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CHAPTER 4 EVIE

The Paul Hom Asian Clinic had always existed at the edge of her world. Classmates and friends had volunteered at the clinic, which was founded in the seventies to provide affordable medical access to the nearby Asian community. Like Evie’s dad, who only grudgingly went to his doctor’s appointments—favoring herbal medicine over Western medicine or taking care of any small injury at home—so many people in the Sacramento community didn’t have a kind opinion of or faith in the medicinal field.

They had a fair point: Sometimes there was a language barrier; Evie had heard from regulars at her parents’ restaurants saying they were waiting for their son or daughter to get off work to bring them to this or that appointment. And honestly, many times—as one professor argued—the systems actively worked against people who weren’t white.

That professor was Dr. Iona, who Evie decided to visit while Jake was with Spain. They chatted about their summers first—Dr. Iona had explored the coral reefs of South Africa while Evie mentioned working at the restaurant and taking shifts at a pediatrics hospital.

Dr. Iona said she wouldn’t be a good mentor if she didn’t tell Evie about the clinic. Her grades were great, and she already had relevant working experience.

The application was due in about a month, and then qualifying candidates were invited to an interview. The deadline seemed far, but the first week on campus was a blur. It wasn’t until the following Friday night, at Jake’s apartment, that Evie was able to really look at the application and consider the opportunity.

Jake’s roommate, Kerem, was elsewhere—he was part of the theater group, and they often had improv sessions or plans together. Out of all Jake’s friends, Evie liked the lanky brown-haired Turkish American boy the most. He didn’t get into nearly as much trouble as the others, and he was also STEM like her and Jake. One time, she spilled coffee all over her CHEM 2B notes, and he readily offered her his. Not to say he wasn’t wild: Several emergency signs had gone missing when he lived in their first-year dorms. She wasn’t sure what he intended to do with them—and if he kept them at all.

His absence gave the illusion that Jake had this apartment all to himself. Once inside, Evie sank into the farther end of the living room sofa and pulled out the clinic application to consider it.

Dr. Iona was right; on paper Evie looked like a promising candidate. If she were accepted, she could gain valuable experience and even brush up on her Vietnamese, since volunteers were also encouraged to show proficiency in a foreign language. Evie didn’t have plans to join other campus clubs either, so applying felt like a good next step. The right step.

Jake lingered nearby. He gestured to his phone between his ear and shoulder. “Mom,” he mouthed, and immediately Evie understood the frown on his face.

Evie had met Jake’s mother on a campus visit, when they were a couple for only a few weeks. Mrs. Phan was formidable, with her perfect posture, piercing eyes, and carefully ironed and tastefully coordinated outfit. Evie didn’t have to spend much time with her since they were with a larger friend group. But since she and Jake had been dating for a while now, perhaps they would need to meet again soon.

“Okay, okay. I will,” Jake was saying. A pause. “Yes, Mom, I know… I’ll do it.” He glanced up at the ceiling like it could save him from the conversation. “Look, I got to go. Can I please talk to you later?” His mother relented. He pressed end and quickly pocketed his cell.

He flopped onto the couch, and when Evie patted her lap, he crawled forward to rest his head there. She threaded her hand through his hair still damp from the shower.

“They’re already nagging me. Make sure to send Dad’s regards to this or that professor. Attend a university event on his behalf. Introduce yourself to a board member’s grandson and become their mentor and friend.” He moaned. “As if I wasn’t already busy.”

“That sucks. Do you really have to do all that?”

He sighed. “If I want my mom to be off my case.”

Jake and his parents, especially his mother, had a tenuous relationship. She seemed to dote on the first son, Henry, and used him as the standard in their household. Evie had grown used to Jake’s sour mood after finishing a phone call only because he recovered fairly quickly.

“Also, Henry might be proposing to his girlfriend,” Jake revealed.

Henry had graduated at the top of his class, opened up his own clinic. Mrs. Phan’s calls were also an opportunity to update Jake on Henry’s latest accomplishments. It was pure luck that Evie and Linh had chosen disparate majors and interests; she couldn’t imagine constantly competing with a sibling.

“That’s great for your brother. Your parents must be happy.”

“Nah, they hate her,” Jake said. “She wears too much color, is into horoscopes, and owns a pottery shop, a small one in our hometown.” He closed his eyes. “My parents think she’s just after Henry’s money.”

“Do you agree with them?”

“I don’t care, really. Can’t see her being the breadwinner in the family since arts majors won’t make any money—” Evie flinched, thinking of her sister, who wanted to paint for a living. “Anyways, me and Henry and my other brothers—we stay out of each other’s business.”

Knowing his family, she understood why he’d talk badly about an arts career. But she imagined Linh making a name for herself, in some way. Every time she showed her a new canvas, Evie felt her little sister’s happiness, her freedom.

If anyone could support herself with creating the art she loves, she bet it’d be her sister.

“So you don’t talk to your brothers about me?” Evie teased, tilting her head down.

“No.” She frowned, then Jake raised his hand to cup her cheek. “I just want you all to myself.”

Jake had it hard, in some ways, and she wanted to help him worry less, even if it was just by sitting here, stroking his hair while he aired out his frustration. “I’m here for you. You know that, Jake.”

“Yep, and we’ll get to spend even more time together, especially when we both get spots in the Paul Hom program.” He pointed to the flyer on the coffee table.

“You’re going to apply too?” Perhaps Spain encouraged him at their earlier meeting.

Jake shrugged. “My dad knows one of the preceptors. It won’t be hard to get an interview.”

Evie bit back her jealousy. As much as Jake complained about having to schmooze on his father’s behalf, he never undermined or refused Leo Phan’s immense influence. That was how he got away with missing a few lab report deadlines. She didn’t want to fault anyone for being born into the right family, with the right connections. That wasn’t up to anyone; Evie couldn’t predict that she’d be born here, instead of Switzerland, or Australia, or France, or other countries that accepted refugees like her parents during the eighties. But Jake acted like it was normal to use his father’s connections.

His advantages were different than hers. As the youngest, he had his brothers to guide him through each crucial period of his life. He had his rich parents as his defensive team—and, it seemed, his offensive team. Evie benefitted from the labor of her own parents so her worries would not be of war and poverty. Still, she was their first daughter who was launched into the world—with no instruction manual, no proper training. They were financially secure, but not well-off; academic scholarships and loans made college possible for her.

“I said something idiotic just now, didn’t I?”

Jake had been watching her. She had stopped stroking his hair.

She sighed. “It’s nothing.”

“No, it wasn’t nothing.”

“Fine. It’s just… some of us don’t have parents with friends in high places.”

Jake winced. “Okay, I deserved that. My brain caught up to my mouth. I shouldn’t have mentioned my dad.”

“I know that you don’t need to use your dad or anyone else to make it through the program,” Evie continued. “You already have—no, you already exceed the qualifications.”

“I swear I’m gonna apply just like everyone else.” He sat up and put his arm around her shoulder. “So I’m sorry, okay? I’d hate for you to be mad at me.”

Evie softened, realizing his apology was genuine. “No. I’m not mad.” At least, maybe not at Jake, but more at whatever entity that had created such disparate lives for him, for her, and for billions of people out there.

“We’ll get in,” Jake agreed. He kissed her temple. “Without any outside influence. Because we’re us. And I believe in us. Wouldn’t that be cool? The two of us volunteering together?” Evie snuggled closer to her boyfriend.

Us. Together. She liked the sound of that. In her mind’s eye, she imagined driving to the clinic together in the early morning, ready with their coffees. Did they get to wear white coats? Well, in her imagination they did, and they looked great. Their work would begin the minute they stepped in. Their day might get hectic, Evie might grow tired from the rapid pace, but then she’d look up and find Jake across the room, just as focused as her, and she knew they would get through the day.