The Picture Bride, page 14
Taewan took Willow’s face in his hands and kissed it all over. She could feel with her whole body how fond he was of her. Willow was also utterly happy.
“What are you doing? I’m pregnant like any other…” Willow spoke bashfully, pushing Taewan away because she was feeling nauseous.
Songhwa tried hard to keep Willow well fed, making something different for each meal. Once it was porridge boiled with pine nuts. Even the smell was enough to make Willow’s stomach churn, but at the thought of the child in her womb she put a spoonful in her mouth, and swallowed it like bitter medicine. Songhwa watched with anxious eyes. Willow had only eaten three spoonfuls before she pushed the bowl away.
Songhwa sighed.
“Truly, I’m only staying alive thanks to you,” said Willow with a haggard face. She wondered who would have cared for her if it weren’t for Songhwa. To say nothing of Taewan, even Julie’s mother would not have been as relaxed as her friend.
Songhwa giggled.
Three days after they had taken her home with them, old Sokbo had come visiting. Instead of Songhwa, Willow and Taewan, Julie’s mother and Jaesong met with him. Songhwa hid in Willow’s room, trembling like a cornered animal.
“At first I tried to give up my bad habits and live a good life. But even then, she wouldn’t come near me. She gave up doing housework and went out when night fell…”
At Sokbo’s empty excuses Willow lost her temper and raised her voice. “How can an old man like you expect her to love you right away? You have to try even harder, not beat her. Don’t you have any human feelings, or do you just walk around like a soulless corpse?”
“She says that she’d rather die than go back with you. What do you have to say for yourself?” asked Taewan.
Visibly shamed, Sokbo said that if Songhwa wanted to stay here, he would also like to work in this camp. Taewan and Jaesong only accepted him, with Songhwa’s approval, after receiving a signed agreement that he would never again beat her, he would quit drinking and gambling, and would work hard on the plantation. They also provided a place for the two to live.
“Songhwa is like a younger sister from my hometown. If you ever so much as lay a finger on her again, you’ll be sorry,” Julie’s mother threatened.
With Willow at her side and the camp’s wives taking care of her, Songhwa gradually recovered. When any of the women was ill or had a headache, Songhwa would treat them with acupuncture. They said she was better than the doctor at the clinic. Songhwa also worked well at the canteen under the Kaesong ajumoni and James’s mother. During this time, Sokbo kept to his agreement, and Songhwa’s attitude toward him changed. Rather than considering Sokbo as her husband, she pitied him as an old man.
9
1919, CAMP SEVEN
In mid-March, agitation grew within the Korean community in Hawaiʻi as news of the Korean Independence Movement reached them. The Manse movement that had started in the large cities including Gyongsong was spreading all over the country. Men, women, old people, children, students, peasants, workers, even gisaengs, all shouted “Manse! Long live independence!” with a single heart. Now the cry that had spread across all the provinces of Korea was echoing on the far side of the sea, all the way to Hawaiʻi. Even the American newspapers gave major coverage to the Korean Declaration of Independence.
Whenever the workers from the camp who attended rallies in Honolulu came together, all they talked about was the Manse movement. Although thousands of people had been killed or injured by the Japanese forces, and prisons were filled with protesters, the movement still burned strong. On hearing how a student whose arm had been severed by a Japanese police officer’s sword had picked up a Taegukgi flag with her other arm and went on shouting, “Dongnip manse!,” all Koreans clenched their fists in solidarity.
Willow’s morning sickness passed, but her physical discomfort was replaced by anxiety that her younger brothers might have been among the protesters. Although Gwangsik and Chunsik would likely be safe in remote Ojin Village, she worried about Gyusik in Kimhae. There had surely been a Manse protest there. Gyusik had good reason to hold a deep grudge against Japan. Willow finally understood what her mother had said to Hongju’s mother on the night she came back from burying her brother:
“How can they talk of vanquishing the Japanese when even our king couldn’t do it? That’s how their aboji died, and now they’ve killed my son, but I won’t hate them or blame them. And I’m not going to tell my remaining sons to take revenge on the enemy.”
Japan, which had murdered the empress of Korea in 1896, taken over the country, and poisoned its emperor, grew stronger after the Great War. Willow worried, not only about her brothers, but also about Taewan, here in Hawaiʻi.
On March 3, Yongman Park, who had heard in advance of the plans for the March 1 declaration of independence, held the opening ceremony of the Korean National Independence League with about 350 people gathered from each island of Hawaiʻi. Taewan, who became the representative of the northern region of Oʻahu, was often away, not only on Sundays but also on weekdays when he was supposed to be working. The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea was established in Shanghai, China, with Syngman Rhee as prime minister and Yongman Park as foreign minister. Now that they were no longer a king’s subjects or stateless people, but citizens of the new Republic of Korea, people flocked to make donations to the Provisional Government.
However, the difference of viewpoint between the two leaders remained. Depending on which leader they followed, the Koreans in Hawaiʻi had long been divided into factions, and the emotional gulf was growing deeper. Taewan was outraged that Syngman Rhee, who had petitioned U.S. president Wilson to grant him the mandate to rule over Korea, had become the head of the Provisional Government. Several workers on the plantation who were supporters of Dr. Rhee left after an argument with Taewan. He had even raised his voice to Jaesong.
Willow, who did not usually meddle in plantation matters, could not help speaking up. “Korea’s independence is important, of course, but at the same time earning a living is also important, isn’t it? If you abandon the work on the plantation like this, what will become of us?”
“It’s not for our children that we’re seeking our country’s independence, it’s for ourselves.” Taewan said, eyes blazing. “In that way we become worthy parents for our children.”
Willow could not sleep at night for fear that Taewan might suddenly leave for China, where Yongman Park was.
“Isn’t it a matter of small fish getting hurt when whales are fighting? Taewan is only supporting Yongman Park’s side, but isn’t either side wrong on its own? Both hands have to come together in order to clap. Leaders are like parents, they should set a good example for their children, shouldn’t they?” Willow asked her father-in-law after three more supporters of Syngman Rhee left the plantation. Even Julie’s mother had lost her temper.
“Those so-called leaders are not a patch on you. However, Syngman Rhee was the first to divide our people. Chairman Park is the one who got him a job as editor in a newspaper allowing him to settle in Hawaiʻi, so it’s wrong of Dr. Rhee to act as he does.”
Seeing even Mr. So supporting Yongman Park, Willow grew yet more troubled. The women were not to be held back either. Members of the Korean Women’s Association, which had existed before the announcement, set up a new Korean Women’s Relief Society, designed to help those who had supported the Independence Movement and suffered injuries or imprisonment in the aftermath.
Willow’s eyes widened as she read the names of the members of each region’s delegation in the newspaper. Jang Myongok was among the names for Big Island. Unless there was someone else of the same name on Big Island, that must be the same Jang Myongok who had accompanied them after they met at the inn in Kobe. She recalled Myongok crying in despair on seeing her old husband, so unlike his photo, in the hallway of the immigration building. It was hard to imagine her working for her country. In Kahuku, Julie’s mother had long been active, unlike her husband, who was not involved in political activities.
“I don’t want to go back to Korea,” she explained, “I want my daughters to study as much as they want and live freely. Even though Korea has never given me anything, if you ask why I’ve got involved, it’s because Korea is like a married woman’s family home. Unless her family is strong, people will take advantage, right? That’s why the Japanese workers here so often go on strike. It’s because they have a strong country supporting them that they can stand up to the haole.”
As Julie’s mother said, the Japanese workers often went on strike, demanding higher wages and improved working conditions. Whenever that happened, the white plantation owners tried to break the strike by bringing in Korean or Filipino workers instead of meeting the demands of the Japanese. The pay, although temporary, was high and sentiment toward Japan was poor, so the Korean workers were perfectly willing to participate in crushing the strike.
Her words resonated in Willow’s heart. If Hongju was able to live anywhere, as she was and as she wished, that might have been due to her strong family, who had been able to rescue their widowed daughter from her in-laws’ home. Her own mother had told her not to think of Korea, and to enjoy life, but once she had left, just as she could never forget her home, the same was true of Korea.
Willow wanted the independence of Korea as much as anyone. If the country became independent, there would be no need to worry about her brothers being injured or what might happen to her husband. On the other hand, she did not wish to sacrifice her family or herself any further for the country. She felt that by joining the Korean Women’s Relief Society she would only be encouraging Taewan. Keeping her distance and pretending not to know what her husband was up to was the only way she could think to express her feelings on the matter.
Willow told Julie’s mother that even if she didn’t join the Relief Society, she would do anything she could to help.
Julie’s mother said they were going to embroider the Korean flag on pillowcases and handkerchiefs and send them to Honolulu headquarters. “Then our members there can sell them to raise funds.”
The women gathered in Dusun’s mother’s room once the day’s work was over to embroider. Willow completed three while the others made two. Songhwa, who was doing embroidery for the very first time, gradually improved. The sewing also gave them a chance for idle conversation. As stories of hard times on first arriving brought tears to their eyes, and they laughed at embarrassing mistakes, they didn’t notice how time was passing.
It was only when Taewan came in asking “What are you doing? Aboji’s worried about you” that the women finally realized how late it was and quickly left for home.
“Aigo, how lonely I am without a husband,” Dusun’s mother lamented. “Off you all go to your men. I’ll just stab my thighs with a needle and sleep alone.”
James’s mother countered, “There’s any number of men, so why stab your thighs? Shall I send one in?”
Willow and Songhwa blushed.
* * *
Willow liked to walk along the road at night, listening to the sugarcane leaves swaying in the wind. As she walked holding Taewan’s arm, pretending it was so dark that she could not see where she was putting her feet, the thought struck her that she was happy. Still, she looked around, feeling that misfortune might be lurking, on the lookout for an opportunity.
* * *
July came, bringing a letter from Hongju saying she had given birth to a son in May. The clinic told Willow that her delivery would be in late September.
“That man shook at the thought of buying me an orange, but the moment he saw his son he threw a party for everyone in the camp. I was the one who suffered, I don’t know why he was so happy. The baby’s name is Songgil. Later, when he goes to school, he’ll use the American name Donald. He’s good-looking, not like his aboji. Fate has twisted and turned to get me here, but I’m really glad my first baby looks like me. I have to say that I treat Jo Doksam well. Although he’s just the same now as he was before, now that I call him Songgil’s aboji, I feel fonder of him. Now I only have one worry. His aboji has to stay healthy until Songgil is grown up, but he’s already a wrinkled old gourd.”
Hongju’s personality was no different after she’d given birth. Willow smiled as she read the letter to Songhwa, then suddenly felt sorry. If she had still not been pregnant, she wouldn’t have been able to smile like that. Willow controlled her happiness and asked, “Songhwa, do you want to have a baby soon?”
Songhwa shook her head. “Not at all.”
“Why?”
“I’d be no good as an omma.”
Willow recalled Okhwa. She had been crazy as far back as Willow remembered, always taking Songhwa about with her. Songhwa must remember how her mother would keep laughing even while people were throwing stones at them. She must remember her mother’s life and death. Willow’s heart ached.
Songhwa added in a soft voice, “Once the old man is dead, I’ll leave here in a flash.”
“But where would you go?” asked Willow. “We should go on living as we are. Hongju says that later she’ll come to live in Oʻahu too. It will be so nice to talk about the old days together. Besides, once your old man dies you might meet someone you like and begin a new life. There are bridegrooms all over Hawaiʻi. I’ll act as matchmaker.”
* * *
The women in the camp observed Willow’s morning sickness or the shape of her stomach and tried to deduce if it would be a son or a daughter. For the same reasons, some said it would be a son, others a daughter. As her due date approached, she didn’t care whether it was a son or a daughter, but secretly worried because her father-in-law and Taewan probably wanted a son. But the old man eased her worries when he said, “A son is good because he’s a son, a daughter is good because she’s a daughter. Don’t worry about it, just have a safe delivery.” He told her that Taewan felt the same.
Willow kept asking the other women for advice as she prepared for childbirth. She bought cloth in Honolulu, made diapers and blankets, as well as two more sets of baby clothes, copying those her mother had made. When making some handkerchiefs, she was hesitating as to what color she should use for the hems, and Songhwa picked up some blue thread and handed it to her.
“Use this. It’s a son.” Her eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“Is that true? Can you tell?” Willow asked in amazement. When Willow kept asking if it was true, Songhwa pretended she had never said anything of the kind.
Not only Willow, also Taewan and her father-in-law prepared to welcome the baby. Taewan got hold of a dry koa tree and made a stout crib for the baby, while the old man kept walking round the yard with his cane, saying that he had to have strength to look after his grandchild. He prepared names, Jongho if a grandson and Jonghwa if a granddaughter.
Once they were in bed, Willow said to Taewan, “If we’re to go on living here, don’t you think the baby should also have an English name? If it’s a daughter, I’ll choose the name, and if it’s a son you can give him a name.”
“I haven’t thought about it … Richard or David sound good.”
“I like David.”
“And have you thought about your daughter’s name?”
“Yes, if we have a daughter I shall call her Pearl.”
“Pearl? Pearl?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve never heard a name like that.… What’s wrong with Mary or Elizabeth? If she’s called Pearl what will you do if she’s teased and called Pearl Harbor?”
Taewan disapproved. The original name of Pearl Harbor, that lay to the west of Honolulu, in Hawaiian was “Wai Momi,” which meant “waters of pearl,” since it was a place with many pearls, but now it was more famous as a U.S. naval base and a shipyard.
“It’ll be okay if we tell the child the meaning of her name from a young age, don’t worry.”
After meeting Esther Kim in Kobe, Willow sometimes used to wonder why her own father had given her the name she had. The pussy willow is the first herald of coming spring, and willow trees take root and grow well everywhere. Did he mean that she should bring happiness to those around her and live well wherever she might end up? She wished she could have asked him. She felt that from pregnancy until the children were all grown up, it was the parent’s role to stay alive and answer all their children’s questions.
“Why do you want to give her that name?” Taewan asked, laying his hand on her bulging stomach.
“Do you remember when you went to Honolulu for work and I went to buy cloth for diapers? I saw a pearl as I was passing a jewelry store. It looked fine and delicate, prettier than gold or diamonds. I want our daughter to grow up like that, so I want to call her Pearl.”
Willow laid her hand over Taewan’s on her stomach. Actually, if she could have chosen her own name as Esther had done, it was the name she would have chosen as her own. Instead, she wanted to give that name to her first daughter.
“In that case I reckon it’s a good name. Let’s use it if we have a daughter. Still, judging by how strongly he’s kicking it must be a son. David, enjoy your stay in your omma’s womb and come out healthy.”
They both laughed.
Although he had decided on the baby’s names, and wept at the sight of the baby’s clothes and diapers hung out after washing, and painfully made his way round the yard, one step after another, old Mr. So did not see the birth of his grandchild. One day Willow went to the kitchen at dawn and was puzzled to not see her father-in-law already up as usual. She went to wake him, carrying his breakfast, and when there was no answer, cautiously opened the door of his room. The old man was still asleep. Willow closed the door again before a thought struck her; her legs gave way and she collapsed. Taewan came rushing to the kitchen on hearing a clatter of dishes, and saw Willow on the floor. Trembling, Willow pointed toward the old man’s room.
“Oh, Aboji, Aboji…”
