“I would give anything to know about my grandparents,” she said quietly. “Even if it was horrible. That’s how we learn to be better, isn’t it? And I think you would want to hear her side of the story, wouldn’t you?”

She had a way of making things seem so logical, obvious. I was about to tell her so when my phone buzzed.

👵🏽👴🏻👩🏻👩🏻 🀄️!!! ️快點回來🏠🏃🏻‍♀️

“We have to go home.” I stood and picked up her gym bag.

“Is everything okay?”

“I think grandmother just realized we have four people here.”

“Is that bad luck or something?”

“It means we have the right number of people for mahjong. Have you played before?”

“No.” She stood up and kicked the volleyball into her hands. “My parents told us to stay away, since it’s gambling.”

I grinned, suddenly eager to not be the straitlaced one.

“C’mon. I’ll teach you. Or rather, my grandparents will teach you by winning all of your money. It’s okay! They’ll let you use Monopoly money for now. It’s rare that there are two other people around for them to play.”

“I don’t know.” Even so, we began to walk back. “What if I become addicted?”

“It’s good for keeping your mind active. They always say that’s how they’re still sharp at their age. All their former mahjong partners have passed away over the last few years.”

“Ah, you’re cruel to bring that up! Fine, let’s go.”

After dinner, we played deep into the night, grandmother insisting on playing a full set. The game moved slowly at first, as they explained the rules to Louise, but after the first round, tiles were flying.

Louise ended up with only a minor loss, while grandfather and I both lost a significant chunk. Grandmother came out on top, her stack of neon Monopoly money piling up throughout the night.

“I was so close to winning that last round!” Louise sighed.

“We can play again tomorrow,” grandmother said smugly, counting her fake money.

“Yes!”

“You’re not addicted, are you?” I asked.

She cast me a sly grin.

“Your fault if I am.”

“You two can play together when you’re old,” grandfather said. “Keeps your mind sharp. Mr. and Mrs. Lee stopped playing with us, and that’s why they died so soon.”

“They died in a car accident!” I exclaimed.

“Because their minds couldn’t think fast enough when it happened,” grandfather insisted. “Mahjong prevents that.”

“Well, I’ll look forward to that when we’re old, Monica.” Louise grinned, finding my hand under the table.