In Between the Lines | Completed

Chapter Seventeen | Home of Tarzan

Lee Young-Min

How to be a supportive friend to a single mom?

What can I do to be helpful to a single mom?

All of my internet searches were providing me few ideas with ways to be more involved and invested in Miss Jones' life. I had contemplated asking Du Shin-Il for advice, but the look he had given me when I had even said Sj's name on the production campus had frozen my blood and given it freezer burn.

Someone's sensitive...

I put my phone down and sigh.

I'm leaning against the hallway way outside Miss Jones' office, trying to figure out something to bring up for an excuse to talk to her that would also not give away the fact I know about Sj, but nothing was coming to mind.

"Maybe I should get her a gift? Something simple and casual but helpful?" I ask aloud.

"You need a simple and casual gift idea? Get a neck pillow. Super comfy and useful too!" I turn and see Gar Yung-Hee strolling down the hallway. She is wearing an oversized fluffy robe with hair rollers, and I grin at my friend's bizarre appearance.

"Prepping for the next scene?"

"Doing my job per usual. Who do you need a gift for?"

"I was just thinking it's been a month since Miss Jones arrived and that maybe it would be a nice surprise to get her a gift," I smile.

Gar Yung-Hee sends me a skeptical look but doesn't argue.

"Why don't you get her something to do then? She spends all her time here and at home working on her next novel and she barely knows Seoul. Having a tour of local sites would be a good idea. Take her to some local tourist spots and restaurants. I'm sure that would be helpful."

"You think she'd like that?"

"If she has the time, then yeah, I bet she would."

"And how does one ask—"

"Miss Jones, how are you?" Gar Yung-Hee smiles at someone behind me and I freeze.

"Good, tired, but good!" I turn and send a nod to Miss Jones who tips her coffee cup to me in acknowledgment.

Play it cool, Lee Young-min, like everything is just the same as it was yesterday.

"Did you have a good weekend?"

"It was good. Spent it writing and finally made some progress on my next book. My editor has been harping on me for weeks."

"Haven't quite found your groove here yet?"

"Not really. I had a favorite coffee shop back home in the downtown area that had a great vibe, but I haven't found something convenient here. Everything is either too quiet or has bad drinks or stiff chairs. Nothing fits just right. I'm like the Goldilocks of writers."

Gar Yung-Hee shoots me a look and I grin.

"I know a few different spots I can show you this week if you'd be interested. I have a couple of meetings at them anyways so it wouldn't be out of way!" Miss Jones looks over at me and considers my offer.

"Are you sure that's alright? I don't want to be a bother."

"No bother. Happy to help."

She nods her head and looks down at her phone, "That should be fine then. I blocked off most of my spare time this week to get some writing done so Charles' head doesn't pop off, so I can work with your meeting schedule if that works for you?"