YOUNG LOVE || 𝐉𝐄𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐀 ✔︎

twelve

"Pregnant? They didn't waste any time, did they?"

"I'm sure it was part of the arranged schedule her mother had planned for her," Lisa said, her tone bitter. She glanced at Seulgi, waiting for her critique.

"I'm assuming Jennie didn't work," Seulgi said. "Her degree was for show?"

Lisa nodded. "Kim women don't work," she said. She cleared her throat, nearly talked out. "I should get going. It's late."

"Oh, no. Not yet," Irene protested. "You can't leave without finishing your story."

"There's not a whole lot left to tell. I've only seen her a couple of times since then," she said.

"How about more coffee? It's decaf," Irene said.

Lisa nodded. "Okay. I'll have one more cup."

"How did you manage to avoid her all these years?" Seulgi asked. "I mean, on the occasions that you did go to Daegu."

"It was five years later that my mother first got sick. Before that, when I'd go visit, I wouldn't announce it. I would just show up. Stay one night and leave the next morning. I never saw Jennie," she said. "When my mother got sick, Bambam was already retired from the military and we'd opened our first store about six months earlier. We took turns then, being with her, taking her to doctor's appointments and whatnot."

Irene handed her another cup of coffee. "And you hadn't spoken to Jennie that whole time?"

"No. I was able to put her out of my mind. I dated. I had friends. It was only when I went to Daegu that she was front and center in my mind."

"But you did see her again?"

"Yes. I was twenty-eight."

* * *

"Are you comfortable?" Lisa asked as she fluffed the pillows under her mother's legs.

"Quit fussing," her mother said. "I'm fine."
Lisa sat in the chair beside her mother's bed, worry etched on her face. She tried to hide it, but her mother smiled reassuringly at her.

"I'm not going to die on you just yet, Lisa. Quit looking so scared."

"You've never been sick before," she said.

"Cancer is a scary thing, isn't it? But the doctors seem to think we have a handle on it. I have to believe in them."

Lisa blew out a breath. "Have you thought any more about it?"

"Retiring? Yes."

"And?"

"And you and Bambam are right. It's time. But where would I go? You were ten when we moved here. I know it's not much, but it's been home these last eighteen years."

"I know, Mom. We'll find you a house. Something bright and airy, with a small yard." She looked around. "I always kinda felt like we were in a dungeon down here."

"Yes, I know. That's why you spent most of your time outside, down in the gazebo," she said with a smile. "Or up in Jennie's room."

Lisa looked away, not wanting to think about that. Jennie wasn't a part of her life anymore. That was over with. It had been more than five years since she'd seen her. Eight years since they'd...slept together. Amazing how here, in the mansion, that memory was still so fresh.

"You haven't seen her son, have you?" her mother stated. "He's such a cute little boy. And so smart." Lisa didn't reply. Her mother knew very well that she'd never seen him. "Whatever has happened between you and Jennie, you were such good friends at one time. I don't understand why you avoid her."