Insomniac//KNJ

Chapter Fifteen// Family Dinner

Yoongi stopped a block away from the office building and turned to Sophie, not one to mince words, he began right away. "You should tutor my friend Taehyung in English."

Sophie was a little taken aback, and it was a few moments before she said anything.

"Well, I don't know him and I also have been so busy with work that I don't know if I will be able to do it well," Sophie frowned and Yoongi shook his head.

"It's your decision. However, I know that you are giving very flimsy excuses. Just think about it, Sophie." Yoongi smiled and then began walking again. Sophie followed. She knew Yoongi was giving a feasible idea. She could help his friend. It would grow her teaching skills, something she admired about people. Her father was a teacher, and she had always admired his patience.

Patience was something she didn't have, and she wanted to grow it.

Once they were in the office, they quickly stored their equipment and wrapped up for the night. In no time, they were saying goodbye and walking back out the doors.

Sophie was headed to dinner with her father, something she tried to schedule each week. She hailed a cab and made her way to her apartment. Yoongi's suggestion was still resounding in her mind as she unlocked the door.

She changed her clothes into a loose dress, it was an unspoken rule that these dinners required a little dressing up. Or maybe it wasn't so much of an unspoken rule as it was a persevering tradition Sophie's mother had begun during her childhood.

Grabbing her jacket and her purse, she made her way out of the door. Hailing another cab, she thought about what Yoongi had shared about Taehyung.

She knew he was studying theater at one of the universities in the city. He shared an apartment near the university with Namjoon. Yoongi always spoke about him with a gentle fondness. Sophie knew he was truly a person worth knowing if Yoongi thought highly of him.

She resolved to ask her father and see what he thought of the idea. He always gave her good advice, and even when it wasn't what she wanted to hear, it was most of the time, the best option.

It was a half-hour past six when Sophie got to her father's apartment. It was a larger unit than average ones, with two bedrooms and a spacious kitchen and dining area. This had been where Sophie had finished out her high school years and where she'd lived out her university breaks. It was one of the many places she considered home.

After a brief knock, her father answered the door.

"Hello Bumblebee, It's good to see you," her father smiled as he greeted her.

"Hey Dad," Sophie replied and wrapped her arms around her father in a hug. "What's for dinner, I'm so hungry."

"Not even in the door yet and your pestering about dinner?" Mr. Hinton smiled. "Chicken alfredo with a nice garden salad." Sophie beamed, she loved any kind of pasta, and her father knew it.

Sophie helped her father finish up with dinner, and in a few minutes, they were sitting down to dinner. 

Looking across at her father, Sophie made some observations, as she was inclined to do. Her father was getting older, with his once thick brown hair turning salt and pepper. His brown eyes were not as sharp as they used to be and he wore the classic wire-rimmed glasses every old dad seems to be drawn to. Crow's feet and smile lines showed up with his easygoing smile. Warmth emanated from him and filled the room.

She had always wanted to be like her father and maybe teaching someone else a life skill would bring her closer to him in some little way.

The chicken alfredo was delicious, something that didn't surprise Sophie. Her father was a skilled cook, and she had earned her own proficiency in the kitchen from him and his careful teaching.

"So Bumblebee, how has work been this week? What were your highlights?" Sophie's father kicked off the dinner table conversation, another thing they carried out religiously. Sophie thought for a moment and swallowed the noodle she'd shoved into her mouth seconds before.

"We did a piece on a local children's shelter, and spending the day with them was probably the highlight of my work week. A cat has been coming to my apartment balcony some mornings and I've been feeding it, and before you ask, no, it isn't feral," Sophie smiled and her dad shook his head good-naturedly. "OH, and Yoongi and I had coffee with one of his friends today, and that was rather nice too. He was a very pleasant person." Sophie looked up from her salad and knew she'd misstepped slightly. Her father was wearing the smile that hinted towards his next words.

"Ah, coffee with a male companion?"

"No."

"Yes," her father's eyes glinted in slight mischief. Sophie and her father had forged this chummy dynamic in her childhood, and it had spread to the realm of romance when Sophie had finished high school. She'd speculated that her father had lost some of his wariness about her and men after she'd turned down an invitation to the winter formal in her last year of high school so that she could attend a mock press conference being held for the journalism clubs in the area.

Sophie relished the idea of love. She adored couples and all things romantic, but when it came to herself, she just hadn't found anyone that she wanted to be with.

"Dad, Yoongi and I met him by coincidence. Most of the time I just listened to their conversation anyway." Sophie crossed her arms. "This isn't one of those Hallmark movies I always see you playing when you think I'm not paying attention." Mr. Hinton rolled his eyes.

"Okay, okay."

"What were your highlights from the week?" Sophie quickly changed the subject.

"One of the students at the university let a cat loose in the science department on Monday morning. The cute little guy ran around all morning, with faculty and students running around trying to catch it. It was refreshing to this old soul to see the head of the science department huffing and puffing after a tiny black tomcat," he laughed and Sophie joined. "Oh, and I got a letter from your Nonna, after dinner you should read it."

"Okay I will, and I'm glad you had a good week, dad." The pair smiled and were quiet for a moment. They'd had a lot of these times too, times of just being quiet with one another, content to just enjoy the simple moments they had been given.

Dinner passed relatively the same. Then, just as they had every time before, they cleared the table together and Sophie began dishwater as her father stationed himself as the designated dish dryer.

Sophie decided to use this time to ask for her father's advice.

"Hey Dad, so I've been asked by Yoongi to tutor one of his friends in English. What do you think I should do?"

"Coffee shop friend?" Sophie could hear her father's smile in his tone and she rolled her eyes.

"No, but they do all know each other. This friend is younger and studying theater in one of the universities."

"Well, dear. What are your thoughts on it?"

"I mean, I know Yoongi would suggest it if he didn't trust the guy. You know how protective he can be," Sophie paused. "It's just that, I don't think I'm a very good teacher."

"Well, I think you are probably underestimating yourself. However, if you aren't confident in your ability, maybe just give the young man a disclaimer. Agree on a rate per session, but do the first couple of sessions free. If he is satisfied with your teaching skills, then you can charge from there." Her father smiled and wiped his hands on the dishtowel after putting the last pot in the dish strainer. "I think this would be a good experience for you, Bumblebee." Sophie nodded her head and thought for a moment before answering.

"Okay, I think I will do it then. I'll let you know how it goes, Dad."

"Alright. Now, I hope you saved room for some of my homemade ice cream!" Mr. Hinton smiled and Sophie once again followed suit.

"I always do, Dad."

******

A/N:

hello loves, please do make sure you are taking care of your health and being aware of the safety of others

please eat well, rest properly, and don't give up your smiles

Love, Novie