Chapter 42: Get Together
Ari and Jamie continued joking around as they drove to drop off the trumpet, then to the church for Ari to wipe the makeup from his face and put on his snail mask, and finally to the bathhouse and the restaurant next door.
As Ari walked in, seeing Grandma Lisa and Grandma Kim dressed in matching red tracksuits this time while holding a mini congratulations banner and balloons for him and Granny Choi standing beside them, tears began to well up in his eyes.
"My baby Ari! Congratulations. Oh, what a strange mask you're wearing. Is this what's trending these days?" Grandma Lisa immediately ran over to give him a hug.
"You don't even know if I made it." Ari sniffed a bit before hugging her back as she began patting his face mask all around.
"Of course, you made it. You're so pretty and talented, who wouldn't love you. And even if you didn't, we're proud of you for trying it anyway."
As Grandma Lisa clung to him, her blond hair flying everywhere, Grandma Kim and Granny Choi nodded approvingly before staring at Jamie, who was awkwardly standing behind him.
"Is that your friend? The one you've been spending a lot of time with?"
Granny Choi asked with narrowed eyes as she looked Jamie over.
He was still wearing his cowboy boots but had removed his cowboy hat and put his hair up in a half-up, half-down bun style to keep the hair out of his face.
"Yes, this is Jamie, the friend who has helped me so much throughout this whole process. Jamie, Grandma Kim, Granny Choi, and Grandma Lisa, who have taken care of me more than I can thank them for." Ari pointed to each one in turn.
"Nice to meet you, ma'ams. You all look lovely tonight. My name is Jamie Jones the third. But you can call me Jamie." Jamie tipped his head politely as he held his hand out for a handshake.