INK~~ SKZ FF

Chapter 6

Laughing at a funny video that played on her phone, Beom and her coworker were waiting for customers to come inside, but everyone here had already ordered and were quietly drinking their coffees.

They were watching some cat videos that Beom happened to find while scrolling through her phone. After watching the first one, Beom needed to show someone else which led up to them laughing behind the counter.

The ring of the bell caught their attention as they looked to see a mother and her son waking inside. The child had a wide grin as he skipped into the café. His little hand hung onto his mother. His steps were loud as they made their way toward the counter.

Beom had seen them every once in a while. The tired looking mother was always working to provide food for her son. The dark bags underneath her eyes explained it.

She didn't ever have too much money. Whenever they came in they would order something small and it would be just the kid who would eat.

It seemed like she only ever ate every so often as her body was much skinnier than her son which had some fat on his bones. His cheeks were so chubby that it took Beom all her strength to not squeeze them.

The child ran up to the glass. His face pressed against it as his eyes flashed around looking at all the sweets that were behind it. His face in the glass made Beom want to laugh since it was being pressed into it and made the kid have a weird face.

"Mama! Look at all these," his loud voice filled the cafè as his finger repeatedly tapped the glass.

"Remember, we can only get one. Pick which one you want the most." Her voice was so gentle as she spoke with her child. Her hand rubbed against his back.

His eyes darted around looking at the different options. His brain couldn't decide which one was the best.

"How about this one," Beom pointed to a slice of cheesecake. "This is one of my favorites."

The white slice was decorated with plenty of flavoring. It had chocolate swirls with some sprinkles poured on top of it. There was also a dark chocolate drizzle layered at the bottom of the white plate.

"I want that one," he pointed to the same cheesecake Beom recommended.

"Alright, we'll have that one then. It sure does look delicious. " She dug into her purse searching for her wallet. Beom could see the few amounts of bills that were stashed in the compartment.

She smiled as she handed out the money. Beom took the cash and made sure to repay the change a little bit more than what was needed. Luckily, the mother didn't notice and slipped them right back into the wallet.

Beom went and grabbed the cheesecake slice and pulled out an extra one for the mother. She placed them on the counter.

"What's your name?" she asked the kid.

"My name is Jaeyong and I'm five," he held up his hand, showing five fingers.

"Well, you're too sweet so I'll give your mother one too. It will be on the house."

The mother was in shock, "No, you don't have to do that."

Beom shook her head and scooted the cakes closer to her. "I want to give you something. I won't get in trouble, I promise."

Beom could tell that the mother was very grateful. Her hand was placed over her heart as she took the cake slices off the counter. Jaeyong was bouncing up and down as he was handed the cheesecake. A wide grin appeared on his face.

Beom watched as she went to go sit down with Jaeyong at the table. They took the table right next to the window that had two seats on each side. Jaeyong happily dug into the cake, almost forgetting to use the fork provided.

Beom slipped from behind the counter and moved to stand next to them.

"So are you in school?" Beom leaned down and asked Jaeyong.

"Yeah, I just started. I don't have very many friends, but I like to swing on the swings by myself," he spoke as his cheesecake wasn't fully getting into his mouth.

"I have to work late, so the bus drops him off at the house and he is there until I get off. I don't have enough money for someone to watch him and I'm a single mom."

"I actually know someone who watches kids. I could give her a call and see if Jaeyong could stay with her while you're working?"

"You've done so much for us today, I don't want to trouble you even more. It is really for a couple of hours before I get out of work anyway so it isn't like he is home for too long."

Beom felt bad for the family. A five year old shouldn't be home alone for two hours without someone older present. Jaeyong didn't seem like he would do terrible things, but he didn't know what all was right or not.

"I want to help. I'll give her a call now," Beom smiled and pulled out her phone. She slid away to have a private conversation without everyone hearing her.

The phone rang a couple of times before Chaewon answered the phone. The COS:MIC member was a babysitter on the side in order to pay for bills. She was currently in school and needed something to make some income. She liked children, so she started a small daycare at her place.

"Hello?"

"Chaewon, I have a question," Beom told her.

"Alright, what is it?"

"I have a single mother here who doesn't make much money. She can hardly feed herself, but her son is five and in school. He gets out of school before his mother, so he is all home alone until she gets off."

"That's isn't good. A five year old shouldn't be home alone at that age." Beom glanced at the two as Jaeyong was watching all the people with dogs walk down the roads. He made sure to point out every person to his mother.

"I know and I was hoping you could watch him until his mother gets off. She is a very sweet lady and the child is too cute."

"You said she can't afford to pay for a babysitter."

"Yes, that is true. I was thinking I could pay you so that Jaeyong isn't all alone."

"I'll make it cheaper than just because you're a close friend."

"Thanks, Chaewon."

Hanging up the phone, Beom made her way over back to the table and delivered the good news.

"I have a babysitter for Jaeyong now. Don't worry about the pay. All of it is taken care of. Chaewon will take good care of him. She'll pick him up after school so he doesn't need to take the bus and doesn't have to be home alone anymore."

"Oh my, thank you so much," The mother stood up and hugged her. "You have such a kind soul. I don't know how to repay you."

"No need. Seeing your happiness is all I need." Beom leaned down and looked at the child. He seemed confused about the situation. "There'll be many nice kids there to play with. You'll make many friends there."

Beom pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and began to scribble her phone number on the paper. "Here is my phone number, if you ever need it."

They needed to leave now, so  Beom waved them goodbye before heading back to the counter. She felt better. Knowing that Jaeyong and his mother would be much happier. Her heart was swelling with joy.

"Wow Beom. I didn't know you had such a kind soul. Do you know them? Have they come in before?" her coworker slid up behind her and asked.

"I think they've been here a few times, but I never really had a full-on conversation. I've given some little things for the mother to eat as well since you can tell that she doesn't eat much in the day."

She nodded in agreement. "I bet they are very grateful."

"I only just wanted to help."

Beom went on with her day, but what was on her mind all day was the mother and son that she helped make their day and many more days. She hasn't felt this good in a long time. One of the last times was when she became fluent in sign language for Jieun.

Having done that today had made the rest of her day so much better. Her face shone brightly throughout the rest of the day.