Lifetime

Resolutions

The holiday weekend and short break from my dad's treatment passed quickly. On the ride home from Christmas dinner at Seokjin's I was sure to reiterate that I didn't want him making attempts to bring us together, even subtlely. He rolled his eyes at me from the other side of the back seat and crossed his arms over his chest for the rest of the ride like I'd just popped his favorite balloon.

At the top of the week I was back to passing snacks and bottled drinks down the line to my dad and Seokjin. Seokjin seemed tired, tucking the crisps into his bag and leaning back in his seat with a drawn out sigh.

He slept for an hour, through my dad's chainsaw snoring next to him and until I'd read through half of the final book I was squeezing in before the end of the year.

I didn't realize he was awake until I heard him giggle, peeking over my dad to catch him covering his mouth to stifle his response to the way my dad's lips fluttered together with every exhale, letting out an admittedly humorous sound.

His eyes widened momentarily when they met mine, relaxing when I acknowledged the hilarity of my dad's snore with a low chuckle.

We sat back in our seats but were unable to stop the laughter that bubbled over our lips every time dad's puttered, going back and forth until my dad sputtered awake at the sound.

"What's funny?" He smacked his lips together a few times, Seokjin and I going into full denial that we were laughing.

He took a few minutes to fully wake, broaching another topic I was keen to ignore as soon as he was alert enough.

"We need to start working on our resolutions." He looked over to me, bringing forth our annual tradition. We only missed one year in my life, the year after losing mom when it felt too difficult to set any intention outside of getting by.

"The only resolution we should have is to keep you as healthy as possible." I claimed, keeping my sight on the line of my book I stopped at so I wouldn't lose it.

He waved his hand through the air, rejecting my sentiment. "That's phooey. We've got more to look forward to than that. Lets come up with something fun." He turned to Seokjin. "Jin, we come up with three resolutions every year. My wife used to believe three good things could make a year great."

"I've never really made resolutions." Seokjin replied, his attention set on replying to a text message.

"Well now you do. You always say you wish you had stories like the ones I tell. Most of my stories and accomplishments were born out of setting intentions and seeing them through every year." He used the same fatherly tone that was typically reserved only for me.

Jin scoffed at the screen, setting his phone face down. "I'd be happy just to get my mom off my back about this whole dating thing for a year." He ran a hand through his hair, sending fluffed strands in varying directions on his head.

"We'll get you a date this year." My dad chuckled, reaching out to squeeze Seokjin's shoulder.

"I don't even want a date, just enough proof for her to stop worrying that I'm lonely all the time." Seokjin retorted, ignoring the buzz of his phone with two new messages. "Maybe I'll hire someone to go with me to Jaesang's wedding so she'll relax."

My dad nearly snorted at his response. "You're not paying someone for a date, unless that's your resolution. Seline will go with you."

"Don't invite me to stranger's wedding dad." I scolded, attempting to provide a silent reminder of my post Christmas dinner request through my expression.

"I'm sure Jin has a plus one option." He insisted, ignoring the way I nudged his arm. "Plus, one of your resolutions needs to be to get out more this year. You barely leave the block we live on."