A Step from Heaven by An Na

then becomes quiet again.
    I watch the open kitchen door and do not say anything. I like rainy days.

Strong Is a Man
    Joon and Spencer sit sweating under the sun in the middle of the outside cement patio. Pieces of a Lego village are scattered all around them. They are so busy clicking the small gray blocks together that they do not hear me slide open the backyard glass door. They have one tower built, and Spencer checks the box to make sure they are building the second tower just like in the medieval castle in the picture.
    â€œJoon,” I call from the doorway, “we have to go to Gomo’s house now.”
    Joon looks up at the sound of my voice, but then with a scowl focuses back on the blocks in his hands.
    I hear Apa calling to me from the living room, Is Joon Ho ready to go?
    â€œJoon,” I say again, “it’s time to go.”
    Joon stays kneeling on the cement floor. Apa comes from behind me to the sliding glass doorway.
    Joon, clean up, Apa says.
    Joon pretends he does not hear and busily snaps a block into place. Apa grabs the edge of the open door frame, the smell of bleach and Windex from cleaning the lawyers’ offices last night still lingering on his hands. He pushes me aside and walks over to Joon.
    Joon still does not look up from the Legos but begins to complain, I hate going to Gomo’s house for lunch. Why do we have to go? It is so boring. All we do is sit. There is nothing for us to play with there. I have no fun.
    I stand in the doorway, unable to leave even though I know what is going to happen next.
    Joon Ho, get up, Apa orders, standing over him.
    Joon tilts his head back and then scrambles up on his feet.
    You are whining like a girl, Apa says and cuffs Joon on the head.
    Joon’s eyes squint against the pain, but more than that, the humiliation of being punished in public, in front of his friend.
    Spencer turns away, rubs the side of his crewcut white-blond hair with the back of his knuckles. He has had the same haircut for as long as he and Joon have been friends.
    Apa notices Spencer’s movements and gives him a wide, only-for-guests smile. “Shu-pen-cher,” Apa says. “Time you go home now. Joon Ho back soon.”
    â€œSure, Mr. Park,” Spencer says, ducking his head and rubbing the fuzz above his ear.
    â€œGood boy,” Apa says, the same smile stuck to his face.
    â€œSee ya, Joon.” Spencer takes off around the side of the house, leaving behind his Lego set.
    Apa waits for Spencer to disappear and then turns back to Joon. The smile flies off his lips faster than a door slamming.
    Joon keeps his head bowed, his hands clenching and unclenching by his side.
    Apa steps closer to Joon. Yah, look at me when I am talking to you.
    Joon lifts his face. His eyes glower.
    Wipe that look off your face, Apa orders.
    Joon’s face twitches as he tries to recompose himself, tries torelax the corners of his eyes and focus on something over Apa’s shoulder. I know the technique, how to look blank and as if you are listening when really you are trying to fly away from your body. You can’t let Apa know what you are thinking or it will be worse.
    What have I told you about whining?
    Do not whine, Joon repeats from a well-heard speech.
    What else? Apa asks, stepping even closer.
    Only girls whine. Men are stronger than that.
    Good. Then why were you acting like a girl?
    I do not know, Joon says, his eyes holding a corner of the sky.
    You mean you forgot, Apa says and pokes Joon in the chest with the tip of his finger.
    Joon stumbles back for a second and then rights himself.
    You forgot, Apa says again, stepping in closer, making up for the lost ground.
    Joon nods, his eyes tearing over even though he is holding on to that corner of sky like it is a line to heaven.
    Say the truth, Apa orders.
    I forgot, Joon drones.
    Say it all, Apa snarls, biting down on his lower lip.
    I forgot how to be a man, Joon says. A betraying tear slides down his