Special [Jenlisa]

Ch.40: It just happens

Sometimes you got to bleed,
to know

That you are alive
and have a soul

But it takes someone
to come around

To show you how

•••

There are moments in life when everything is tested for its importance and in the mere assumptions of loss.

There are those who believe and those who doubt the capacity or chance.

When the most basic and unusual thing can shape your entire person in a subtly abrupt way.

Jennie, for example, might not be altruistic enough to take her attention away from the panel presenting the flight schedules and return to the bubble forming a few meters away from her. Her eyes wandered around her until they settled on the scene that made her heart freeze in a mixture of feelings.

She stood up, leaving her suitcase and the rest of her belongings on the seat, and began walking with quick steps, occasionally bumping into someone's shoulder.

"Theo," she called, hoping the boy would hear her. "Hey, Theo!"

The boy was alone. Well, not totally. A man who Jennie could swear had no good intentions at all, held the child's thin little arm firmly, and seemed to be trying to convince him of something.

"Excuse me," She cleared her throat as she approached. She got the attention of the only man, who looked her up and down, hint of a smile appearing on her face as soon as her eyes met the Korean's.

"Hello, girl," and when that hoarse voice entered Jennie's ears, the confirmation that he really didn't mean well only increased. "Do you know him?"

In a somewhat rude gesture, the man turned the boy's body with the intention that she could see his face. However, Theo remained with his head bowed, but Jennie could see his reddish, tear-stained cheeks.

Jennie sighed, suddenly struggling to assume a firm stance. "He's my son, he let go of my hand and walked away... I was desperately looking for him, thank you."

With a low murmur, the man stood up, and Jennie took that as an opportunity to pull the boy towards her, holding him firmly in her trembling, sweaty hand, taking care not to hurt him.

"You look too young to be a mother..."

Jennie sighed and lifted Theo into her arms, keeping the trembling little body as close to hers as possible. The boy looked up, and his face lit up when he recognized the Korean woman. She gave the boy a welcoming smile, internally praying that he wouldn't let something slip that would ruin the whole scene, but her features stiffened as soon as she looked after the man again.

"Well, and it seems I don't owe you any explanations either." Jennie replied, stroking the boy's curls who now made her neck a hiding place for her own face.

The Korean tried hard not to break her firm stance, but both the situation and Theo's hiccups stifled whimpers didn't make anything easier.

"So... have a good time, and ah, thanks for keeping him... here."

Without bothering to get an answer, Jennie hurried away, tending the child in her lap so carefully it seemed maternal.

And then, as the robotic voice echoed through the room, announcing the call of her flight, Jennie began to feel a lump of pure despair grow in her throat.