Confucius Jane (44 page)

“What are you thinking about?” Jane leaned down to brush their lips together. “You just looked a million miles away.”

“I was thinking about your graduation weekend. And meeting your parents. And those pictures of the last time you were in Sweden.”

“Oh, God.” Jane made a face and her arms dropped to her sides. “I'll never forgive them for exposing you to my awkward teenage self.”

“Speaking of teenagers, do you think we should find Min? We're ready, right?” Sutton turned to survey the small space that had been Jane's office for the past year. Almost every available inch of wall was covered.

“I'll text her to come up.”

While Jane bent over her phone, Sutton walked to the window and looked across the street. The sunlight illuminated the first row of tables in Noodle Treasure, and she watched fondly as Benny wiped down one of them with a cloth, while Mei refilled the teacup of a nearby customer. Benny and Mei, Sue, Giancarlo, Jane's family: she would miss them all. But fortunately, she was taking the best part of Chinatown with her.

“I stared at you out that window for … I don't even know how many hours.” Jane had come up beside her, and now nudged her shoulder. “Do you forgive me for being a total creeper?”

Sutton felt herself blush. Even now, it was exhilarating to know just how much Jane had wanted her, and desired her still. “That depends. How do you plan to make it up to me?”

Jane's eyes darkened, and she opened her mouth to reply, only to close it again at the sound of hurried footsteps outside.

“Hellooooo? Jane? You know, you can't just
summon
me anytime you want. You're not the only writer in this family, and I was in the
zone
just now, and if this is some kind of joke—” Min appeared in the doorway, index finger raised in the mirror image of her sister Hester chiding her children.

“It's no joke,” Jane said. “Welcome to your new office.”

Min's shock was endearing. Her mouth fell open, and several seconds passed before she finally found her words. It was the first time Sutton had ever witnessed her speechless, and she bit her lower lip to keep from laughing.

“A lava lamp! And awww, look at that face!” She bounced on her toes, drinking in the brightly decorated space. “You—you guys did all this?”

“It was Jane's idea,” Sutton said. “Since you're taking over writing the fortunes, she thought some inspiration might help.”

“So you don't have to resort to hunting down all your sisters' old diaries.” Jane's voice dripped with sarcasm.

Min stuck out her tongue. “You're not really mad.”

Sutton glanced over at Jane and they shared a smile. More than once, they had laughed over Min's role in helping them find their way back to each other.

“No. I'm not.” Jane stepped forward to ruffle her hair. “Have fun, okay? Who knows—maybe your chi will be even more powerful than mine.”

“Obviously.” Min perched on the folding chair, tapped experimentally on the surface of the lamp, and then flipped open the notebook. “Ooh, a fountain pen! I've always wanted one.”

“We'll let you work,” Sutton said, resting one hand on her shoulder and squeezing briefly. “It's time for me to go get ready, anyway.”

But Min turned in her chair, her expression suddenly serious. “I'm going to miss you. Both of you.”

Jane reached for Sutton's hand. “We'll miss you, too, kiddo. But you can come for a visit as soon as we're settled, okay?”

Min's eyes were brighter than usual, and she swallowed before nodding.

“Besides,” Sutton chimed in, touched by her uncharacteristic display of emotion, “we still have the rest of the day to celebrate. You're coming to my graduation, right?”

“Of course!” Min directed a skeptical glance in Jane's direction. “It's going to be a classy event. Someone has to keep her out of trouble.”

*   *   *

JANE STOOD AT THE
appointed meeting place, holding a half-empty champagne flute in one hand and a bouquet of red roses in the other. She had considered getting something more exotic, but Minetta had convinced her to go with the classic arrangement. Having had several hours now to contemplate her choice, she was glad she had followed Min's advice. There was nothing ambiguous about a dozen red roses. They telegraphed exactly what she felt for Sutton.

She smiled as she looked out the windows onto the plaza of Lincoln Center, where the choreographed water jets of the fountain gave the illusion that they were dancing to some unheard music. The day was perfect—clear and calm, warm without being too hot. A good omen, if you believed in that sort of thing. But Jane had had enough of astrology and fortunes. She and Sutton were going to make their own destiny now—starting tomorrow, when they would board a plane at JFK and begin their Swedish adventure.

“What's taking so long?” Min fidgeted at her side, torn between peering down at her phone and staring out into the crowd. A few graduates had already emerged in their purple robes and puffy black hats, but most of them were still inside the auditorium.

“She's probably talking to some of her friends and professors. Don't worry. She'll be here.”

“I'm dying of boredom.” Min, wearing a simple black dress that came down to her knees, might have looked older than her eleven years today, but she certainly wasn't acting like it. “I just want the party to start already.”

Sutton's commencement celebration wasn't going to be in a swanky Midtown hotel, or even in her family's townhouse, but in Noodle Treasure. The decision had angered her parents, but Sutton had refused to budge. Jane could remember, with crystal clarity, the phone conversation between Sutton and her irate father several weeks before.

“It's my graduation and my decision, Dad. This is what I want.” Sutton's voice had been strong and steady as she paced across the floor while Jane had watched from her bed. “You're welcome to come if you'd like, but I'm not going to debate this anymore.”

Jane felt her smile widen at the memory. Sutton had been so certain, so self-possessed. Later, when they had curled up under the covers, she had told Jane that she wanted to spend the day of her graduation with the people who loved and respected her for who she was, not those who wanted to transform her into something else.

A waiter interrupted her introspection to proffer a tray of hors d'oeuvres. “Crab salad canapé?” he asked with a bland smile.

“Thank you,” Jane said as both she and Min reached for the elegantly presented appetizer. Min sniffed it as he moved away, then took a small bite. Immediately, she made a face.

“I liked your graduation better.”

Jane had to laugh. Her own commencement had been held last weekend at Radio City, and Minetta had taken the opportunity to stuff herself with popcorn. Jane was just relieved that she had been able to resolve her incomplete transcript and finally graduate. It had taken a lengthy conversation with the English Department chair, along with several less than enjoyable meetings with Professor Ryan, but ultimately he had accepted her senior thesis. She had Sutton to thank for both the inspiration and motivation to finish. The poem Min had dismembered for the fortune cookies had ended up being the centerpiece of her project.

Her lingering amusement faded as she caught sight of Sutton's parents approaching. Squaring her shoulders, she nudged Min with one elbow. “Look sharp.”

Mrs. St. James clung to her husband's arm as they moved slowly through the crowd, and Jane wondered whether she ever felt a twinge of regret about her life decisions. Did she wish she had confronted her husband about his infidelities? Did she wish she had reached out to Sutton in compassion instead of in judgment?

“Hello, Dr. and Mrs. St. James.” Jane spoke when they were still a few feet away, wanting the first word.

“Good afternoon,” Priscilla said stiffly. Reginald said nothing.

“How did you enjoy the ceremony?”

“It was lovely,” Priscilla said after a beat. Reginald remained silent.

At that moment, Jane's phone vibrated. Text from Sutton St. James. As always, her heart skipped a beat.
Heading to our meeting spot. See you soon. Love you.

“That was Sutton,” she said. “She'll be here soon.”

An awkward silence fell between them then, and Jane was just about to make some asinine comment about the weather, when Reginald rounded on her. “I understand you'll be accompanying Sutton overseas.”

Shocked that he'd brought it up, Jane needed a moment to muster an answer. “Yes, that's right. I lived in Stockholm for a few years as a teenager, and I'm eager to show her the city.”

Reginald's face darkened. “Surely you can't believe this course of action is prudent. You live in completely different worlds, with completely different priorities. Your relationship is doomed to fail.”

His words were meant to bait her, and only a few months ago, they would have found their mark. But not now. As she opened her mouth to respond, Jane caught sight of Sutton walking briskly toward them. She remembered waking up together this morning, one arm wrapped around Sutton's waist. She remembered the sense of accomplishment they had shared while decorating Min's office, and the excitement in Sutton's voice every time they imagined what their new apartment would be like. Her father couldn't have been more wrong on every count.

“Dr. St. James, you're wrong. And nothing you could say right now will change my mind.”

When Reginald's mouth opened and closed silently, rather like a fish, Jane felt a surge of satisfaction that was trumped only by Sutton's arrival. She joined them in a rush of energy, cheeks flushed and eyes bright with joy, flaxen hair tumbling across her shoulders like spun gold. The floppy black hat didn't look ridiculous at all.

“Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. Hi, Min.” She had smiles for them all, but the broadest was for Jane. As their gazes locked, Sutton took one step forward, and then another, until they were separated by mere inches. “Hello, love,” she said softly.

And then, in the sight of everyone, she curled one hand around Jane's neck, rose up onto her toes, and joined their lips together.

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A Conversation with Katie Lynch

Where did the idea for
Confucius Jane
come from?

Confucius Jane
emerges from my relationship with my wife, who is second-generation Chinese American. The process of falling in love and building a life together has involved amalgamating my northern European–derived traditions with aspects of her Chinese culture. From her and her family, I have learned so much about a part of the world I previously knew nothing about. For example, the scene where Sutton, Jane, and Min go out to dim sum together is lifted almost exactly from my first dim sum experience with my wife in Chinatown. Like Sutton, I was willing to try anything once, and Sutton's reactions to chicken feet and tripe are true to my own. This cultural intersection has informed all aspects of
Confucius Jane,
which tells the story of people who are defined both by the communities in which they participate and by the new connections they make with others. This theme plays out in the lives of primary and secondary characters within the novel.

How did you do your research for the novel?

While planning the book, I would make frequent visits to Chinatown. Often, I spent my time aimlessly walking the streets—observing, listening, and taking notes that would inform my descriptions of the setting. My family made a trip to the Museum of Chinese in America, where we went on a historical walking tour of the neighborhood. Since food is a central element of the story, we also made a point of dining in Chinatown frequently, which made the research process especially delicious!

As you mentioned, your wife is Chinese American, much like Jane. How did she influence Jane's character?

My wife was indispensable during the writing process, both as my muse and as my consultant on all things Chinese American. While she isn't hapa (multiracial), like Jane, her upbringing as a child of Chinese descent growing up in suburban America produced many of the cultural and generational insights that I integrated into the story. For example, I am always amazed at the way she seamlessly alternates between Mandarin Chinese and English when she talks with her parents. She has also introduced a range of herbal medicines into our winter germ-fighting routine. During my writing process, she helped me to imagine the cast of supporting characters around Jane derived from the “aunties” and “uncles” she grew up with in her community. My wife and her family were particularly useful resources when I had questions about Chinese-American cultural traditions surrounding the lunar new year.

What is the inspiration behind the elements of Chinese astrology in the story?