Worlds Apart - Taekook - Book 2

Chapter 271 - I Don't Want To Go

"I don't want to go." Sukmin's voice comes from under his new blanket.

Marie talks to the boy who had been hiding in his room, "Okay. That's fine, honey."

Sukmin's eye appears as he peeps out, "It's o-okay?"

Marie gives him a smile, hoping that he can see the kindness she intends. "Yes. I was asking you because we are invited. You don't have to go."

"I-I don't want to."

"Would you like to stay here? Marsha will be downstairs with Billy and Jara will be in after Phoenix gets to the apartment."

"I have to stay here."

Marie moves a little bit closer so she can sit on the end of the bed. They were invited to be shown around the new dorm that had officially, yet quietly, opened after a slight delay. Alan didn't want to draw too much attention to it so decided to keep the opening understated. Instead, he had invited people to be given a tour and Marie was looking forward to seeing what they'd done with the building.

"You don't HAVE to stay. You are welcome to do whatever you want to do... play some games, help downstairs... it's up to you, honey."

"I don't want to go."

"Sukmin, honey... why don't you want to go? Is there a reason? Maybe we could talk it through together?"

There's a quick movement as Sukmin covers his face with the blanket. "I want to come back."

"What do you mean?"

"I might stay there... I-I want t-to come back."

Marie was listening hard to the muffled words coming from beneath the gift that had already become priceless. Sukmin showed everyone, even customers knew the stories behind each photo displayed on the thick fabric.

"We are only visiting. Alan wanted to show us around now that it is open. Billy is going to take us and pick us up."

"Y-you might... l-leave me there."

And there it was... the lightbulb in Marie's head illuminated.

"I wouldn't leave you there unless you asked to stay... Sukmin... look..." she picked up a small picture frame on the table beside the bed, "... Honey... please, look... remember this? This says that you live with us so when Billy picks me up, he picks you up, too... your home is with us."

Heeju had the certificate copied and put put into a frame so that Sukmin could keep it in his room, as well as see the original hanging in the lounge. New Year was incredibly overwhelming for the young lad who hadn't ever celebrated the turn of the year before. As with most occasions, New Year was associated with negativity... 'who would celebrate another year with a son that wasn't wanted?'

Marie knew that the key to helping Sukmin feel secure, was consistency and reinforcement. She'd listened to Ara, taken on board that she was at the very least 'acting' as a parent and with that acceptance she embarked on research into parenting education courses.

So the diner owner started one and after only a couple of lessons, she was learning a lot.

"Remember that your home is with us... we want you with us." she says softly as Sukmin peers from underneath the blanket.

It's the reassurance he needs. His instincts lead to a reaction and the positive reinforcement helps bring him around.

Sukmin looks at the mini version of the certificate, his anxiety begins to calm but he remains wrapped up in the blanket. "I d-don't want to go."

"You don't have to. Would you like to go for ice-cream when I get back?"

"Can we have waffle cones?"

"We can have whatever you would like. I don't think I will be long. The tour is quite short."