The Reluctant Manny

Episode Ten

The walk back to the house took a bit longer because the twins were now tired from their playtime and from being introduced to so many new people. Even Jin was ready to admit he felt the need for a nap coming on.

As they walked, Jin took the time to praise the boys on their behavior at the park. "You did so well! You played well too!"

Seojun smiled up at him, as did Yejun.

"We pway again?" asked Seojun, the toes of his shoes scuffing the ground because his feet were dragging.

"Sure, as long as the weather permits," replied Jin.

"What weather?" Yejun said with curiosity.

"It's...like sunshine, or rain, hot or cold." Jin felt his explanation was sufficient.

"Oh," was all Yejun replied.

"Hungwy," sighed Seojun.

Yejun grunted in agreement, yawning afterwards.

"Perhaps a snack?" Jin offered.

The two little heads bobbed. The twins were sufficiently exhausted.

Jin smiled, tugging the boys along. He felt like he had handled this first outing quite well, even meeting some new people. Except for the group of desperate women, the outing was fun and had gone rather smoothly.

They arrived back at Minji's home and walked in. Both boys flopped onto the floor and tugged at their shoes, hampered by their coats and tiny hands lacking the dexterity to handle such complex shoe strings. Jin removed his own with the ease of a man with years of experience with the custom. After setting his shoes together in a neat pair, he helped the twins.

He instructed them to put their shoes neatly next to his. They did so as best they could, with what little patience they had left for such mundane tasks that unfortunately did not involve food. Jin removed their coats and hung them on the hooks on the wall.

"There's my boys!" Minji came walking by the entryway and smiled as the twins trudged tiredly over to her.

"My tired boys I should say!" She knelt down and hugged the twins, patting their backs.

"Snack," mumbled Seojun, his face nestled against her shoulder.

"Snack?" Minji looked up at Jin.

He shrugged. "They said they were hungry. I told them we could have a snack when we got back. Boys, tell Aunt Minji where we went today while I get your snack ready."

He walked past the little family and made his way to the kitchen. Pulling out an apple he began to remove the shiny red peel from the apple and onto a small plate on the counter.

His eyes saw the trio walk into the dining room and sit down at the table. His ears tuned into the conversation that grew in volume the more excited the boys got. Even as tired as they were, they were quite animated in their speech. He was glad the kitchen was open to the dining area so he could watch them talk with Minji.

"Yejun 'n me went down slide!" Seojun smiled, quite proud of himself.

"You did? Yejunnie, was it fun?"

"Tummy felt funny," said Yejun, a cute pout on his lips.

"There is a sandbox!" Seojun's eyes got bigger as he relayed the tales of their adventures through the playground.

Yejun was more ready to speak of the people he met; the other children they played with. But he was quite bereft over the fact he had to be the bad guy when he only wanted to be the prince who saved the princess.