It Ain't Easy

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Apostrophe - main spoken language is Korean.

Single Dashes - English

Back Slashes - person on the phone

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Posh totally wanted my baby to show he was a fatherly type guy.. the type of guy that women could marry.

'That bastard..' Tae huffed beside me as we walked together in the mall while Posh flirted with every girl within the four-meter circle around him.

'Why be mad?' I teased. 'Because he used your idea first?'

He rolled his eyes and blushed deep, all the way to the roots of his hair. I laughed and held open my arms for the crying baby. I haven't had him but a day and he already knew to look for me when he was upset.

'It's poop,' announced Posh with a smirk.

Tae gagged. 'His shit smells worse than hot cow shit.'

'You'd know, huh? You spent so much time up cow's asses..'

'For the sake of my favorite nephew, I will not kill you today,' threatened Tae as he jiggled teary-eyed baby's cheeks.

I took little Joonie and his diaper bag to the family restroom. When I re-emerged, both of his supposed uncles were engaged in conversation with two very bubbly women. They each had shopping bags indicating they had been hanging out at the mall a while. Posh moved close and did his famous move of tucking hair behind her ear and sliding his fingers along her jaw to her chin. He stopped her from tucking her chin down while staring into her eyes. It's a good move to get a date. It also helped that he is good looking.

Tae on the other hand played the cute card. He wasn't suave as Posh, but he had no trouble pulling women. They chose him due to his idol looks. Coupled with his sweet personality, women tend to turn into puddy in his hands.

Instead of joining them being the awkward third wheel with a baby, I moved past them heading toward the escalator to the upper floors. The map showed a baby store. I couldn't keep carrying Joonie forever. He was the illusion of light. After a while, he felt like a lead block.

Baby Cheeks was a store with a good reputation that had higher end baby items at discounted prices. I knew this through some quick research on headNovel and joined a couple of groups for single parents and new parents. Some of the older moms, grandmas, aunties, and new moms made decent posts about their favorite shops, doctors, child friendly restaurants, and discounts on just about everything. It was amazing to see such an outstanding, supportive community - just at first glance. It made me feel that I wasn't truly alone.

'Hello, sir.' I jumped at the soft voice to my left. 'Welcome to Baby Cheeks; your home for everything baby!'

She had a genuine smile on her face as she looked up at me. 'Ooh!' 

She covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. 'What a cutie you have here! You and your wife must be quite proud.'

'Oh. I am a single father.' Her eyes went wide as if this was an unheard concept for her, but she quickly recovered.

'It isn't easy raising a child, but we are here to help you along the way. How old is your baby?'

'He's fresh.' I gave a smartass answer and smile. She just looked at me with an "are you kidding me look" and I chuckled.

'Thank you,' I told her and shifted Joonwoo from one shoulder to the other. The salesgirl looked confused and I added more, 'for breaking character and treating me like a person.'

'Oh that?' She snickered. 'My manager is at lunch and the whole store relaxes. Anyway, I am Shin-hye. I do work for commission, just to let you know, but I don't care about that, right now. Can I hold your baby?'

I let her. My little lead weight stretched in her arms. I swore I saw literal hearts in her eyes. She cooed and awed every move he made while she held him.

'Awww, little Joon, you are such a good baby! The best baby I've held! Joon's dad is so lucky!'

I snorted and muttered, 'Not so lucky to keep getting shit on.'

I didn't think she heard me, but she snorted with a small grin on her face.

Down an aisle, she followed me as she cooed the baby and explained different strollers. I already had one in mind from the new parents' group.

'Oh, please..' Shin-hye snorted. 'Do not get this one. I'm telling you. Yeah, it is expensive, but you aren't getting your money's worth.'

I raised an eyebrow, my heart all set on this one. The salesgirl lowered her voice and switched Joonie to the other shoulder. 'I'm not supposed to say so, but I have so many of these in the back as returns. They need to be recalled; they crack on the cross bar where the car seat rest. Any good jostle and the whole thing topples over.'

'Wow..' My eyes widened as I thought about the possibility of my baby getting hurt. No way. My bun must be protected. Determined, I nodded to myself and look at her. 'Show me what you would recommend to your favorite sister..'

She laughed as she patted Joon's back. 'Follow me.'

*** an hour later ***

I had gathered the three options before me, each unopened in their boxes: babē TRAM, for jogging; ä lä mödë, a stylish brand not really for function; hi-babï. The latter was kinda ugly but it came with a car seat and came with an assortment of attachments, like a weather liner for rain and larger wheels for different terrain.

'I would give my sister all three,' she told me as she burped the now sated baby. He cried on cue when her manager came over to check on us. She was a squirrelly looking woman with her eyes too close together. I wanted to laugh, but I bit my lip instead.

'I kinda don't care, but I want something that is going to last with him as he grows.'

'Of course. I feel like this little cutie is going to be as tall as you. The hi-babï is rated for longer slash bigger kids. That one might be the way to go.'

I mulled over her words until my phone blew up. Gentle vibrations I chose to ignore became more urgent and panicked in my back pocket.

'Do you mind if I step away a moment?'

'Oh no!' She snuggled into the baby's neck. 'I'll keep an eye on him.'

'I will take the hi-babï as well.'

She smiled.

'Why the he--'

/Where the hell are you?!/ /Why are you ignoring our calls?/ Both were yelling at me, like my parents and I rolled my eyes.

'I didn't want to interrupt your little flirting feast.'

/Ahh-shheeeee!/ said Tae

Posh made a "pft" noise and chuckled darkly. /What the wife jealous? Don't worry, baby. You will always be my bottom bitch./

I whispered, -Fuck you, man!-

/Where are you?/ asked Tae with attitude clear in his voice, but it sounded like his voice was further away, like Posh was holding the phone away from him.

'I'm at the baby place on the fourth floor.'

/Got it. And you better be there when we get there!/ he warned with Posh seconding me warning in the background.

Before heading back to Shin-hye, I checked my phone. A thousand and one texts from those knuckle heads showed up, but a couple notifications stood out.

Unknown number:

Mr. Blacksted, this is Mr. Park.

I wanted to update you on the situation. Paperwork had been filed on your behalf. Miss Kwon has denied your request for a reduction in the monetary compensation. She states "this is nothing but pocket change" to her and would insist. That amendment has been fixed and will not be changed.

You have a deposit sent to the account indicated in the paperwork. You will continue to receive them throughout the paperwork processing as outlined in the contract, which a copy will be couriered to the address listed as well.

I will update you time to time. Sincerely, Mr. Park.

Old Hanseong Bank:

Deposit of ₩ 1,314,195,000.00 received. To view full bank statement, please open OHB App or visit website, here via hyperlink.

My legs felt like jello. I never took this child for her money. I never cared who Reggie's family was. I cared for her and only her. That's why I changed the support payment down to ₩ 100,000. It would have been enough to get started, but Reggie was as stubborn as ever and never listened to the wants or needs of others.

Shin-hye waited for me patiently, still in the same place as I left her, but the odd-looking manager was there too. My son had the look of disgust on his face; it was the very same look he got right before..

'Wah! Waahh! Waaaahh!' He screamed and rubbed his gloved hands across his face. I'm glad I remembered to put them on this time. He got deep scratches this morning because I was too scared to cut his nails. They were already long for a fresh baby as himself.

'Aw. He is adorable,' the manager tried to sooth him, but Shin-hye moved past her to give him back to me. In my arms, he settled, but not instantly. Strong cries and body shakes rattled his little body still, but he seemed calmer and maybe comforted by me. It made me happy and feel a little proud of this nearly instant attachment.

'Miss Shin,' I called to her while I rocked Joonie. 'I'd like to take the hi-babï. And add in a couple extra dollars, if you put it together for me, too.'

She narrowed her eyes more specifically darting them toward her manager and spoke lowly. 'We can do that. It isn't an added service despite with others say.'

'Do you mind to take him again? Little Joon seems to like you. I'll take the box and diaper bag.'

She shook her head vigorously. 'I can't allow the customer to do that!'

But I already beat her to it, hoisting the box up and over my shoulder while motioning her to lead the way. As we walk back to the front of the store, two knuckle head were waiting on us.