It was just a few signs, but Asher took notice. He cut off clapping and turned to look over his shoulder. His expression went from delighted to annoyed when he saw Victor standing in the living room’s doorway. But I couldn’t bring myself to feel guilty. I was just so elated to see Victor there.

There were more compliments after the applause died down. Then people started asking the hard questions. Wallis wondered if this were too big of a subject for the short eight minutes I’d given it. And Wei-Chuan asked if I was trying to say that these two people falling in love made up for the horrors of their history.

“I’d hope the short length of the film would serve to magnify the scope of the large history for both Koreans and black Americans,” I answered Wallis.

And I told Wei-Chuan, “No, nothing makes up for that history. What I wanted to explore in this film was the beauty that comes despite the horrors of the past. Kind of like the flowers that grow in the cracks of concrete. I think it’s fascinating that love bloomed for my parents after everything their ancestors had gone through. Actually, I think it’s fascinating that love blooms for anyone. No matter how much pain humans cause each other.”

It wasn’t intentional, but my eyes connected with Victor’s as I said that last part.

There were a few more questions after that. Then, Elizabeth Ann Margaret, who hadn’t said a word about my project, spotted Victor standing in the doorway.

“It’s Dawn’s husband!” she announced to everyone as if a special guest star had just come through.

Everybody turned toward the doorway to thank him for the food he’d provided.

Victor just smiled and gave a humble bow.

“We’re almost done here,” I quickly signed while everyone was turned toward him. “Ice cream after I kick everyone out?”

He nodded and gave everyone a wave and a slight bow before disappearing up the stairs.

I figured that was as good of a segue to everybody leaving as any.

I was relieved that everything had gone off without a hitch. And that Victor got to see me in my element. I hoped he was proud of me. That he could see now that the money he’d given me hadn’t gone to waste.

I was also relieved to see Elizabeth Ann Margaret’s back as I held the door open for everyone to leave. She was the first to go through, claiming loudly that she had a Bumble date with a Directing grad from Brown.

But Asher, who was at the end of the line, hung back with a, “Hey, can we talk about the last few moments of Love Origins. I just had a few narrative notes.”