A Step from Heaven Read Online Free Page B

shoes that Gomo and Uncle Tim picked out just for me. Where are Apa and Uncle Tim? They said they would be back soon with Uhmma and the new baby.
    Gomo picks up a blue shirt and holds it up. Young Ju, Gomo says and turns to me. Did you know that when you were born you had a blue spot right above your little butt? Gomo leans forward and points behind her back at the spot.
    No, I did not know, Gomo, I say and kick out my feet again. Stupid baby bows.
    Gomo keeps talking. She says, Naturally, you do not have the spot now. It disappears as you get older. But when you were firstborn, it was there. Every Han Gook baby has that spot. It is the mark of our blood. Our heritage. A long, long time ago, all Han Gook people came from Mongolia.
    If I did not have the bows, my shoes would look just like the ones the dancers have on TV.
    Did you know, Young Ju, Gomo says and folds the baby shirt in a square, Genghis Khan—
    Outside, a car door slams. Gomo and I turn to the door. They are here. I jump off the couch and run to the front door. Apa opens the door and walks inside, carefully holding a blanket. I stand on my toes to see what is in the blanket, but Apa is too tall. Uhmma comes from behind me and pats my head.
    Young Ju, were you a good girl while I was away? Uhmma asks. Her eyes are sleepy and there is no more balloon stomach. I jump up and try to make her pick me up.
    Apa calls out, Young Ju, do not worry your Uhmma. She is too tired to carry you. Besides, you are not a baby anymore.
    Uncle Tim comes inside with a bag in each of his hands. He puts one bag by the couch and then takes the other bag to Uhmma.
    What is this? Uhmma asks.
    A surprise, Uncle Tim says. Here, sit down and open it.
    Before Uhmma sits down, she calls out to Apa, Let Young Ju look at the baby.
    Apa nods and then bends down. Look, Young Ju, Apa says. This is your new brother, Park Joon Ho. Is he not beautiful?
    Inside there is a wiggly worm with no hair. I touch his head and feel only a little fur. I ask Apa, Where is his hair?
    It will grow in later, Apa says.
    I look back at the worm. Maybe his hair will be curly because he was born in Mi Gook.
    Uhmma is calling out to Uncle Tim, “Tank uh, Theem.” Uhmma holds a big bottle in her hands.
    Champagne is for a celebration, Uncle Tim says. For important times.
    Apa says, Yes, there is much to celebrate. “Tank you, Tim.”
    Gomo walks over to Apa and says, Let me hold the baby now.
    Apa gives her the blanket with the worm. Gomo makes animal noises. Cluck cluck like a chicken. Woo woo like an owl. Apa stands next to Gomo and makes his finger into a baby snake saying hello. The snake tickles the worm’s head.
    Look, Apa says, pointing. Look at my son yawning. Only one day old and he yawns with the concentration of a wise man.
    Uhmma stands up and walks over to the other side of Gomo. She puts her face close to the worm. Closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Uhmma looks up at Apa and says, Someday he could be a doctor or a lawyer.
    Gomo adds, Someday he could be president.
    Apa’s eyes find the window by the front door. They stare past the old brown grass, past the crisscross metal fence. They travel far, far away. Someday, Apa says, my son will make me proud.
    I can be president, Apa, I call out.
    Apa’s eyes are back home. Pointing at me. He laughs. You are a girl, Young Ju.
    Yuhboh, Uhmma says. Leave her to dream. Do not be so harsh.
    Uncle Tim picks me up. “Young Ju,” he whispers into my hair, “in America, women can do almost anything men can do.”
    His words do not make the hurt in my heart go away. The cut of Apa’s laugh is still open. Uncle Tim bounces me in his arms. Look, he says to Apa and Uhmma. Two beautiful children.
    One of the beautiful children, Uhmma says, needs to be changed. Uhmma picks up the bag by the couch and takes out a white square.
    I will change him, Apa says and takes the worm from Gomo.
    Uhmma’s eyes open wide. She asks, Do