A Shiny Future

Chapter 46 | Eomma

The next day, mom and I took Mirae out to buy her some clothes and other things she would immediately need. We'd figure out the rest eventually, mom said.

I could tell that Mirae was uncomfortable, and I knew it was because we were spending money on her. As we both watched mom flit around through the clothing racks, I leaned over and quietly said, "You're doing her a bigger favor than she's doing you. Just so you know."

She looked at me, confusion in her eyes. "How?"

"She always wanted to be able to buy girl clothes and accessories. She always lamented that, 'There's so many more options for cute girl clothes than boys.' I mean, don't get me wrong, she's happy with me. Most of the time. And you're a little older than what she'd have expected to get with a girl. But I guarantee you she's thinking, 'Better late than never' at this exact moment."

To my relief, Mirae giggled. "My mom was the opposite. She always wanted a boy. She was really jealous of the guys' moms. But, she was at least happy that, because I hung out with them all the time, I was a tomboy."

"Well, if you ever wanted to be the stereotypical girly girl, now's your chance," I laughed.

As if on cue, mom's voice rang out from across the store. "Mirae! Do you like dresses? They have adorable sundresses on sale!"

I gave her an 'I told you so look' and she giggled again as she made her over to mom. Every once in a while, Mirae would look over at me and grin. I could tell she was eventually enjoying herself just as much as mom was.

That is, until after she tried on some clothes. She came out when she was done with a frown. Mom headed toward the counter and Mirae came over to me.

"What's wrong?" I asked. "Don't tell me you're worried about the mon – "

She shook her head. "I just realized that I don't have my necklace. I had taken it off the night before you...before you texted me. I forgot to put it back on before I went to the hospital cause I was so desperate to get there. And then mom..."

"A sentimental necklace?" I asked.

She nodded. "From my dad."

My heart sank. "Do you think she'd give it to you if you went over there and asked for just that one thing?"

She shook her head. "She said she never wanted to see me again. She'd probably slam the door in my face. If she even opened it at all."

"Then I'll try."

She blinked. "What?"

"Let's go over there after this. I'll try to talk to her."

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea."

I shrugged. "Doesn't hurt to try."

Before she could argue any further, mom walked over and I immediately explained the situation to her. Mirae tried to object. "But I don't – "

"Oh, we're definitely going over there," mom interrupted. "Let's go."

~~~~~~~~~~

*3rd Person POV*

Yoongi stood nervously on the porch, his fist raised to knock on the door. He took a deep breath, then finally rapped three times.

A few moments later, the door opened to reveal a woman of average height in her early to mid 40s. She had shoulder length light brown hair that was smartly clipped back from her face, and she wore a professional looking blouse and skirt. A few of her facial features were decidedly familiar; the slope of her nose, the shape of her eyes, the height of the apples of her cheeks.

She looked at Yoongi with a furrowed brow. 'Whoa,' he thought. 'I've definitely seen that look before.'

"Can I help you?" she asked hesitantly.

"Hello, ma'am, my name is Min Yoongi," he said with a respectful bow, hoping that his voice didn't sound as nervous as he felt. "I'm – "

"You're that boy Mirae holed up with for nearly two weeks." She scowled at him. "What do you want?"

Yoongi's eyes widened very slightly. "Yes, I was in a coma for eight days recently, and she stayed by my side at the hospital." Mrs. Song rolled her eyes, but Yoongi pressed on. "She is a very dear friend of mine, and she – "

"Look kid," her voice suddenly dangerously low. "I couldn't care less what she is to you or who you are to her. Get to the fucking point."

Yoongi did his best not to clench his jaw too tightly. "I understand that the two of you are not on the best of terms right now, but – "

"We're not on any terms right now," she spat.

Yoongi nodded. "Okay. I was just wondering if I could retrieve just one item of hers. It's something sentimental that means a great deal to her."

"It's the necklace, isn't it?"

Yoongi shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Yes, ma'am."

To his surprise, she laughed. Not a warm, inviting laugh. Not even a rude, mocking laugh. It was a low, throaty chortle that sounded malicious and downright evil. "You tell her," she said, stepping forward and leaning in toward Yoongi's face. "That she can have the necklace over my dead body."

Yoongi blinked in shock and swallowed thickly. "Ma'am, I – "

"Get out of here," she snapped. "I don't want to see you back on my property any sooner than I want to see her." Then she slammed the door in his face.

Yoongi stood, frozen in shock, for a few moments before turning around and slowly moving toward the car. He hung his head in defeat. He'd hoped he could do this one thing that meant so much to her, but he'd failed.

In the car, Mrs. Min and Mirae observed the scene from a safe distance. When the slam of the door echoed up and down the entire street, Mirae burst into tears. Mrs. Min didn't take her eyes off of the house.

"Mirae," she said quietly. "What does the necklace look like?"

"It's silver," she sniffled. "The charm on it is a part of the chain, and it's the infinity symbol." Her eyes filled with fresh tears. "There are stones in the middle. One is my birthstone and the other is my dad's."

"Where is the necklace now?" Mrs. Min continued.

Mirae looked up at her questioningly, but Mrs. Min's eyes remained trained on the house. "On top of a small jewelry box on my dresser."

"Where was your room in the house?"

Mirae started as Yoongi opened the back door and slid into the seat. "Mirae, I'm so – "

"Where was your room, Mirae?" Mrs. Min interrupted him.

Mirae looked at Yoongi, who shrugged. "Um, to the left when you go in the front door. There's a hallway there that eventually turns to the right. My room was the only one in that hallway, at the end of it."

Mrs. Min nodded very slightly, then opened her door and exited the car. Mirae and Yoongi watched with wide eyes as she marched up to the front door, raised her fist and brought it down on the door multiple times. Hard.

The door flew open moments later, and before Mrs. Song could say anything, Mrs. Min pushed past her and turned to the left.

"HEY!" Mrs. Song shrieked as Mirae and Yoongi both gasped. Mirae threw a hand over her mouth as Mrs. Song disappeared into the house behind Mrs. Min. Shrieking could be heard the entire time, and it followed Mrs. Min back out of the house.

"Give that back!" Mrs. Song screamed, stomping through the yard toward Mrs. Min.

"No," Mrs. Min said flatly, looking straight ahead at the car.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?!"

Mrs. Min finally spun around with a look on her face so dangerous that Mrs. Song stopped dead in her tracks.

"I'm her eomma."

And with that, Mrs. Min spun back around, got in the car, handed the necklace to Mirae, and then drove away without another glance at the house or Mrs. Song standing in its yard, gaping in shock.