Rose Garden [JAEYONG]

Chapter Two [Mulberry Bush]

━━━━━━━☆☆━━━━━━━

[June 2000]

Taeyong was out in the front yard with his father sitting on the front steps. He had a big grin as he watched his son toddle to pick up the bright yellow ball he'd thrown. Taeyong picked up the ball and with a squeal, ran back to his father.

"Good job, buddy!" His father ruffled the top of his head, making Taeyong giggle. "Want to take Ruby for a walk around the block?"

"Around the block!" Taeyong happily responded, hopping up the steps. He reached up on his tiptoes and pulled open the front door. Almost immediately, claws against the hardwood flooring came for him. A tiny puppy speeded around the corner and jumping up at Taeyong's legs. Giggling, Taeyong bent down and let the small dog lick his face. "You're making me wet, Ruby."

Taeyong's father stood up with a sigh and walked up the stairs, patting his son's head as he passed by the pair. Rudy turned her attention to the father and trotted behind him as he went into the kitchen. Taeyong followed behind with a big grin.

The click of Ruby's leash made Taeyong begin to bounce. He stretched out his arms and made grabby hands for it. His father laughed and handed him the pink leash. The young father followed closely behind as his son bounded toward their open front door. Ruby began to bark as they began their daily walk.

"Around the block, around the block," Taeyong began to sing, his steps with the beat of his singing. Ruby barked along with him, "Around the block with Ruby!"

His dad chuckled from behind. The sky had a peachy glow. The hot summer air was cooling down. The sun was setting and the soft buzz of cicadas made the mood more pleasant. They were nearing a stop sign when a high pitched voice came from across the street.

"Puppy!" A little body in a stroller screamed. "Out! See puppy!" he begged, wiggling in his chair.

He was accompanied by a slender, young woman with light brown hair swept to the side. She wore a blue sundress that matched with the boy in the stroller's blue corduroy overalls. Taeyong took notice of the little boy almost immediately and with him, Ruby began to cross the street toward the pair. A bit stressed, Taeyong's father rushed to catch up and walk with him.

"Jae, look at the pretty puppy," The woman said, releasing the boy from the stroller and allowing him to stand up. The boy's eyes shimmered as Ruby licked at his palms. He was shorter than Taeyong and appeared to be much younger. He had messy black hair that covered his ears. His cheeks were puffy and had a faint rosiness to them.

"Her name is Ruby!" Taeyong announced like a proud father, "She likes kisses."

"I like kisses," The boy said as he bent down. He puckered his lips and planted a sloppy kiss on Ruby's forehead. "Pretty puppy,"