(A/N Birthdays updated at end of chapter.)
A/N ahhh my mood has been so low these past couple days, 🥺 so I hope the chapter makes sense. 🩷 I just felt so depressed, so I needed to write and get a pick me up. *sigh*
~Spring break 2051~
"So, you feel like this move has been the right decision, then?" The therapist asked.
Minho nodded. "Yeah. I think so. But I'm still afraid that it was selfish of me."
"Why's that?" The therapist asked calmly.
"Well, just because it definitely uprooted everyone. And because I left two of my brothers in Korea. I feel like I left them behind." Minho sighed.
"Am I right in understanding that they're adults?"
Minho nodded.
"Then it could be that you're putting an unnecessary burden on yourself. If they wanted to move, they could, right?"
"Yes." Minho confirmed.
"So maybe you feel you can't support them if they are so far away, but maybe they can actually support each other."
"Yeah. That's what I keep telling myself. I guess I don't feel as bad about it anymore. I think I'm getting over it. I'm trying to focus on the positives." Minho said, taking a deep breath.
"So what have been the biggest positives?" The therapist asked with a slight smile.
"Well, even if it may be selfish, I think the biggest positive is that I feel happier. I've been spending more time with my older brother, and he's really calm and chatty... It kind of rubs off on me. I feel like I can rely on him a little bit. And that's been good because I've been more calm and chatty with my own family. My wife seems less stressed because... because she doesn't have to act like my therapist anymore..." Minho chuckled shamefully. "I used to get up early and go for a run by myself to kind of escape.... But now, I wait for my wife to wake up, and we go for a walk together, and it's nice. And every weekend, without me even prodding, my daughter has come and found me when I'm just relaxing, and she sits with me and tells me about the drama at her new school. She tells me about the friends she's made. That was my biggest dream before. I never thought it would actually happen. She used to be afraid that I would judge her, I think. And my son is doing better, too. He used to act a bit more clingy because I think he didn't get enough of my attention, but now he seems more confident. And he'll come to me and ask me if I want to do whatever he's doing. We've been riding bikes together on the weekends since the snow melted. And my kids have both been spending a lot of time with their cousins. That's been good. I think they're good influences on my kids. Although my brother is this weird type of Christian, and his family is a bit brainwashed. My nephew has two babies, and the 3 year old is already blabbing about God and stuff. But honestly, I'm starting to think that maybe this being a bad thing is just my opinion. Maybe there's actually nothing wrong with it. Maybe I'm just being controlling because I don't like hearing when they talk about it. Anyway, they're all good people, and my kids really like spending time with them...... Honestly, I would be really angry if my kids ever started listening to this stuff about God. But I would be more angry if we stayed in Korea because my son would get drafted in the military involuntarily. So, I have to just accept that I can't control what others believe, even if what they believe is stupid. And this weekend will be interesting, because our whole family is getting together at my brother's house. I don't exactly have the best track record at keeping these things peaceful. I tend to get annoyed with my younger brother.... But, I'm going to try not to this time."
YOU ARE READING
Our Family
Fiksi Penggemar*Sequel* What would it be like to be the patriarch of a family of eight boys? Christopher knows all too well. His parents were out of the picture at a young age, and since then, he's been in charge of the family. He's raised his brothers as if they...
