The Mannequin - Minsung

forty-four

The whole family's there: Hyunjin. His grandma. His mother. Kkami.

Hyunjin got mad at him, though. For barking too much.

Kkami now sits under the table. He's chewing on a ball.

The table is full. Minho sits next to Hyunjin.

JIsung is across them. He's beside Hyunjin's grandma.

Minho told himself not to be anxious. But he is. Again. Even though Jisung's so happy. He's beaming at him across the table.

"My son didn't take the pills again," Grandma Hwang says. Suddenly. She pushes her food. "I have to call him."

She gets up. And so does Mrs. Hwang. "Mother—"

"Mama Haeun," Jisung says. He takes her hand. "He took them before he left to work. I saw him. I can call him to remind him, okay?"

"Thank you, Jisung. Please do that." Grandma Hwang smiles. Sits down. "Oh, where are the dumplings?"

"Oh!" Jisung says. Gasps. He covers his mouth cutely. "I ate them all... were they for Mr. Hwang?"

Grandma Hwang laughs. She looks around the table. "Oh, Jisung... You have to help me make more for him. You know he loves them the most!"

"Yes, I will! Let's make them together!"

The old woman laughs again. Goes back to her food.

The Hwang family breathes out. 

"How is he so good with her?" Hyunjin mutters to Minho.

"I told you," Minho mutters back. "They know each other."

Mrs. Hwang looks at Minho. She smiles at him.

Minho came expecting questions. Some long talk. But after hearing Grandma Hwang... he thinks...

Maybe no one will ask him about Jisung. Or how he and Grandma Hwang know each other. Not now, anyway. Not at the table. Because anything could go wrong. Upset Grandma Hwang.

The dinner ends in peace.

Everyone's chatted lightly. About their day and work.

Later... Grandma Hwang's back in her room.

Mrs. Hwang pulls Minho aside. 

"I want to ask you about Jisung," she says. Appears serious.

"O-Oh, okay... sure..." Damn it, here it goes.

"I've not had a chance to speak with him. As you can see, mom likes to be with him the entire time he visits. I asked him to meet with me a few times so we can talk, but he always declines."

Mrs. Hwang shakes her head. She's displeased about it. "So I can only ask you, Minho. I'm sure you know that mom's mind is... not really well right now. But I've heard her and Jisung talking."

"I know her well. There's a period she remembers much better. She has trouble remembering Kkami... you... even Hyunjin! But she always recognizes Jisung. And that is peculiar."

Minho nods. Doesn't know what to say. He glances at the kitchen. Hyunjin's watching. Kkami's in his arms.

"Oh, yeah that... is strange," Minho says.

"It is," Mrs. Hwang agrees. She nods. "Because it makes me think... she knew Jisung before her health got worse. That would've been way before my husband passed away."

"And I've heard Jisung talk about my husband like he's met him and spent time with him. He cannot have gathered that much information about him from mom herself."

"It is very strange, Minho. I am thankful that Jisung comes to see her, and that she is very happy with his visits, but I just... can't understand. There's something I feel like we are missing."

"Mrs. Hwang," Minho says. Carefully. "Does it... matter?"

"What do you mean, dear?"

"Does it matter... how he knows her or not? You said she's happy, and that Jisung likes to visit her too. I don't know... but I think that's more important, isn't it?"

"Yes... perhaps..." She says. "But this is important for me. I would just like to know... When mom's getting angry at Jisung for not helping my husband... the day he died... should I be concerned for her health?"

Minho lowers his head. A lump's in his throat.

"Or should I be glad that she still has memories of past incidents?"

He feels concerned. He looks at Hyunjin again. Then he hears Jisung.

They all see him closing the door. To Grandma Hwang's room.

Kkami barks. It startles Jisung.

Hyunjin shushes his dog. Picks him up.

Jisung walks warily... with all of them watching.

Minho extends his hand to him. It makes Jisung smile. Hurry to his side.

He hugs Minho's arm. Whispers, "Do we go home now?"

Kkami growls quietly. Jisung hides behind Minho's arm.

"Jisung," Mrs. Hwang says. "I was hoping we could speak about mom."

Jisung shakes his head. "No... I'm sorry..."

Mrs. Hwang's mouth thins. She looks at Minho. Who glances at Hyunjin.

Hyunjin approaches them. He has come closer now. "Mom," he says. Nods to Minho. "I can tell you everything. But Minho really has to go now. Maybe you can speak to Jisung another day..."

To be continued...

ohohohohohoohoh, not yet ; )