In Between the Lines | Completed

Chapter Twenty-Eight | 9 Going on 90

Vivian Jones

I'm two glasses of wine deep with my feet propped in Charles' lap while he massages them. While he tries to add some relaxation into my crazed situation, I contemplate my life since moving to South Korea.

"You wanna talk—"

"No."

I take another sip of my wine and bite my lip, thinking the last couple of days over, the handsome face of Lee Young-min floating in my mind.

"Should I call Meimei?"

"No."

Sj was currently plopped down on the floor reading a new comic book when he lets out a huff and turns over to look at me.

"Eomeoni?"

"Yeah, Baby?"

"Will you go on the date with Lee?"

He sits up and shuffles over to me. I pull my legs off Charles' lap and make some room for him to sit next to me on the couch.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom," Charles excuses himself and then Sammie and I are left alone.

"Why do you ask?"

Sj shifts in his place as he mulls over his words.

"I think Lee is nice. And so is Ryan."

"They're both very nice people, but that doesn't mean I'd date them. Look at your Uncle Charlie; he's a nice person and I wouldn't date him."

"You wish! And don't call me Charlie!" Charles hollers, giving away his position of eavesdropping from the hallway.

Sj sticks his tongue out at Charles' voice and turns back to me.

"Do you want a boyfriend?"

"It's not that I don't want one." I say carefully, not wanting to get too deep into this conversation with my 9-year-old... the imaginary words of 'Danger Zone' were flashing in neon lights above Sj's head.

Oh, this could end up going badly for me...

"If I was to date, it needs to be the right person at the right time."

He nods, "Do you think Ryan or Lee is that person?"

"That's the question I'm trying to answer, Baby."

He hums in response, "Why haven't you dated since Dad died? Is it because of me?"

His questions hit me like shards of ice and a cold feeling fills me.

Danger. Danger. Danger.

I shake my head, "Of course not, Baby. I just haven't had the desire or the time to date."

"Because of me."

"Because of a lot of things. I had a busy last few years with my books taking off you know."

Sj nods again, twisting his face up in thought as he looks up at me, "You look just like your daddy when you give me that face." I mumble.

"Is Dad the reason you haven't dated? Cause you miss him?"

Another icicle to the heart...

"I do miss your dad; after all, we were high school sweethearts and loved one another a lot. But I've moved on and I hope that's alright with you."

He nods, pursing his lips.

You look so much like your dad these days.

"I meant what I told Lee."