The Wedding Banquet Page #6

There has been so much pain and joy...

I've wanted to share with you, but I couldn't.

Sometimes I wanted to tell you everything...

but I couldn't burden you

with what has been with me so long.

I don't get it.

Why didn't you tell us

Wei Wei was pregnant?

What is all this?

Ma, I want to tell you.

I've known it for a few days.

After you guys fought this morning...

I told her that judging by her bad mood...

she's carrying a boy.

Congratulations, son.

My marriage is a fraud.

Simon is my real friend.

Friend?

Friend. Lover.

Ma, I'm gay, and Simon is my lover.

We've been living together for five years.

Simon led you astray?

How could it happen?

Nobody led me astray. I was born this way.

Nonsense.

You had girlfriends in college.

Jean. Lei Lei.

You were intimate with them.

That was the thing to do.

Every guy had a girl. I was no exception.

It's hard for a gay man...

to find someone compatible to be with.

That's why I treasure Simon so much.

Look around you.

How many so-called normal couples

are fighting, divorced?

They only wish they could be

as loving as Simon and me.

How can you accuse Simon

of leading me astray?

If it weren't for Pa's need of a grandchild...

and your constant matchmaking...

I'd be very happy the way it was.

Is the child yours?

Yes.

That fake marriage

was to get her a green card...

and to make you happy...

but things got out of hand.

What a mess.

Your father must not know.

I know.

It would kill him.

What went wrong?

He really told her?

Yes, but it's to be a secret from his father.

Damn.

Stretch.

That's good. Not too much.

That's all right. You got it.

What a pain. I wish I could have a cigarette.

Right.

Okay, good. Want to walk?

My mother is in Boston,

and my father is, I think, in Arizona.

Mother in Boston, father in Arizona.

How tragic. Where's Arizona?

Texas.

Any brothers?

Do you have any brothers?

My father, who's quite old now,

did have a son by a first marriage.

I never met him. He died in the Vietnam War.

No.

Any sisters?

You have two sisters?

They both live in San Francisco.

Yes, in San Francisco.

Are they straight?

Simon cooked for us today.

Pa, don't serve me,

there's plenty of meat. Eat.

I have hypertension.

I mustn't eat fat meat like that.

We must send her something

when we get back home.

Sure.

I'll do the dishes.

Why?

Just eat. Later, I'll do the dishes.

Simon cooked, I'll wash.

Just leave it.

Let me do it.

- I'll take a bath.

- I'll help you.

No, I'll do it myself.

Just one more week...

and then they're gone.

And then what?

Everything goes back to the way it was?

What about Wei Wei?

First they go, then we'll figure it out.

When they go,

I think I might have to go, too.

I know.

Oh, it's you.

Come here.

Looking at pictures, Ma?

Sit down with me.

He was so cute.

So cute.

And, Ma, you look so beautiful.

Not really.

I had a hard time with Wai Tung.

He was a cesarian birth.

I almost died.

The doctor told me

I couldn't have any more.

He weighed so little.

I don't know how I raised him...

his father always away with the military.

God knows how such a weak child grew...

into such a big, able and handsome man.

He always did well in school.

I never worried about his grades.

I always bragged that I couldn't spoil him,

no matter what.

Forgive me, I want to return these.

When a son grows up, mother is forgotten.

I'm sorry.

I didn't know

things were going to turn out like this.

I didn't want to hurt you.

You can return the gifts.

But what about our love?

How can you return that?

I can't. I can only ask for forgiveness.

But my love for you is real.

- I don't want them back.

- I can't accept them.

I want my daughter-in-law, my grandchild.

I can't do it. I also have a future.

We old women sometimes envy

young women like you.

Independent, well-educated,

with your own life.

You don't depend on men.

You do as you please.

We pay a price, too.

It's not easy living here by yourself.

That's why Pa and you became my parents.

A woman is still a woman.

Husbands and children

are still most important to us, right?

Not really.

You're young. You still don't understand.

Will you go to the clinic with me tomorrow?

So you've made up your mind?

I made the appointment for 2:30.

They asked me to bring someone.

I said yes.

It won't take long.

Will you come with me?

I gave up too much for a green card.

Don't say that.

Maybe there are more important things

in life than hiding in America.

We are so selfish.

For our own interests,

we planned this bogus marriage.

We let Simon down...

your parents, too.

If we continued, we'd let the kid down, too.

As of tomorrow, the lie will be over.

I'll return to China.

You'll make up with Simon.

We won't have to live this lie anymore.

Promise one thing:

Pa won't ever know.

I promise.

Nothing.

Where are you going?

- Shopping.

- I'll come, too.

Stay and watch over Pa.

If I stay here I'll go mad.

I'm coming with you.

Wait for me, I'll get my purse.

Don't leave without me.

Where's my purse?

You're hungry already? You just had lunch.

I'm craving a hamburger.

Can't it wait? It's almost 2:00.

No. I've got to have one now.

Happy birthday, Simon.

Mr. Gao? You speak English?

Please. Happy birthday.

My birthday.

Even I forgot.

Then you know, you've known...

I watch, I hear, I learn.

Wai Tung is my son.

So you're my son, also.

Why, you...

Thank you.

Thank you.

- When Wai Tung...

- No.

Not Wai Tung, not Mother,

not Wei Wei shall know.

Our secret.

Why?

For the family.

If I didn't let them lie...

I'd never have gotten my grandchild.

I don't understand.

I don't understand.

It's late. You eat, I'll drive.

Don't rush me.

You can go by yourself if you want.

I'm feeding my baby.

You changed your mind?

You're keeping the baby?

What happens

if you want to get married one day?

And the kid?

I don't think I could stand

another wedding banquet.

It's my child. I'll find a way.

Painter and mother? Can you be both?

I'll find a way. A tough man takes

responsibility for his actions.

If you want to help,

get me a decent apartment, no rent.

Otherwise just get out of the way.

I'm gonna be a father.

I better ask the other tough guy first.

Okay, let's talk to Simon.

So they can pick them up at the airport

counter when they check their luggage.

Two hours before departure? Really?

That's one low sodium,

and one healthy-heart meal. Right.

Okay, thanks.

How did it go?

You okay?

Wei Wei wants to know...

if you will be one of the fathers of her child.

Sure.

Then you'll stay?

You must, for the sake of the child.

Now that I'm keeping the baby...

we'd better go tell Pa

he's going to be a grandfather.

He'll be so happy.

What's so funny?

Nothing.

Go tell him.

I'll be here.

We might as well tell him one true thing.

Wei Wei is having a baby.

That's true.

Maybe it's only temporary.

He may get over it.

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