Catch 22 - JJK (21+)

Chapter 3 - Foundation

JUNGKOOK

Dr. Taylor picked up my paper from her desk before swiveling in her chair and grabbing the document from her printer, holding them out to me dismissively.

"Actually, I think we've covered everything. As I was saying before we were interrupted by your phone call, your paper only needs a few minor adjustments. You normally do well on your assignments, so I'm confident in your abilities. Coming back tomorrow shouldn't be necessary.

If you do decide to make the corrections and can get your report back to me within the next seven days, I'll adjust your score. You can use the rubric I gave you as your guide, and then if for some reason you have further questions, you can come back to see me."

Okay, clearly she can't stand me, but it didn't really matter in that moment what she felt about me. I had bigger things to worry about.  I took the papers from her hand and bolted from her office in a hurry.

"Thanks for your help," I called over my shoulder as I rushed out the door.

The only thing on my mind was getting to my mom as quickly as possible.  It wasn't like her to call me so early in the afternoon and especially not that upset.  The fact that she wouldn't tell me specifically what was wrong and only that she needed to talk to me about something important concerned me even more.

Thankfully, the distance from my school to my parents' house was short. As I pulled into the driveway, I took a deep breath to prepare myself for whatever it was my mom was about to tell me before running into the house and rushing over to kneel in front of her where she sat, still crying at the kitchen table.

"Eomma, please tell me what's wrong," I pleaded, my own eyes threatening to spill over with fear and upset. "Where's dad? Is he okay?"

I didn't know what to think. There were so many possible scenarios running through my mind that I had been praying were not about to become my reality, but nothing could have prepared me for what she said next.

"Yes, yes... he's fine.  He's working and will be in LA until Friday, but I called you because I needed to tell you that..." she paused, sniffling a few times in an attempt to gather herself, "I won't be here when he returns... I'm... I'm leaving him."

She grabbed ahold of my shoulders as the floodgates opened, breaking down even further no sooner than the words left her lips as if they had been a dam holding the overflow of her tears captive.

"What do you mean leaving him?  You mean you want a divorce? But why?"

I needed clarification.  I needed someone to explain to me what the fuck was happening because if my mom was trying to tell me that she and my dad were parting ways, I hadn't the slightest idea where that would leave me.  It's always only been just the three of us, so they are and have always been the center of my world.  My parents were my foundation, and I didn't think I could handle a life without them in it together.

"Koo-ah, it's complicated, but to make it as simple as I possibly can right now, we're just not happy being married anymore. We haven't been for a very long time."

I honestly could not believe my ears.  This had to be some cruel joke someone was playing on me.  No, this was a horrendous nightmare that I was somehow trapped in, and I desperately needed for someone to wake me.

"What do you mean not happy, Eomma?! You and dad have always seemed happy for as long as I can remember! Your marriage was perfect! What you're saying to me is not even making sense!"