My Sunshine Boy - Chapter 2

Back then, after school, he’d come home, have a snack, and relax, then have dinner with his Mom and Dad, laughing together.

After dinner, a tutor would come twice a week, and on weekends, he’d sleep in. When there was nothing much to do, like now, he’d lie on the bed, watch movies on the big TV, or call friends out to play together.

He had no worries, and every day was happy. Jong-yoon was always smiling, and everyone who looked at him smiled too.

Jong-yoon shook his head as he thought back on those times, which felt completely unreal now. There was no point in dwelling on it, as it was all in the past, gone.

When things went bad at home and Dad passed away, he used to cry just thinking about those happy days. The more he did, the harder it became to breathe, the more he denied reality, and the harder it was to handle what was right in front of him. He couldn’t do anything, nor did he want to.

But even in that situation, he had to earn money. He couldn’t rest for even a moment. In a precarious state, he wavered through part-time jobs, facing unfamiliar situations and the changed attitudes of people he once knew, leaving him helplessly in tears. Just thinking about those few months was enough to bring Jong-yoon pain; they had been such a distressing time. Having already gone through that, he didn’t want to sink into that kind of suffocating sorrow again. Rather than despair, he preferred to hold onto vague hope, and instead of curling up in helplessness, he would rather stay busy, running around and keeping himself occupied.

He let out a short breath, clearing his mind of lingering thoughts. The wide, comfortable, sunlit room he remembered had changed into a damp basement room with a musty smell, but he didn’t feel sad or depressed. After all, he was still living with his mom.

These days, he was trying his best to think positively. Before, he only ever thought things would be endlessly difficult, but now he had decided not to remain helplessly trapped in the darkness. Working meant he could earn money, and even though 15 years was a long time, he knew that after those 15 years, the debt could disappear. As he thought that, a small light flickered in his mind.

“Reality” had taken everything from him, but even within that pain, Jong-yoon’s light hadn’t vanished completely. That brightness—once like sunlight, always smiling, always with open arms ready to take on anything—was merely hidden by shadows, never truly gone. So each time he consciously cleared away the darkness clouding his reality, he revealed that unique brightness within him.

Maybe it was because he’d been lost in thought for so long, or maybe it was just the utter silence of the room, but Jong-yoon’s eyes started to close again. He lay down on the bedding he had spread out. Although it was June, so the weather outside wasn’t cool at all, his basement room—which didn’t let in a hint of light—was always dark, and there was a slight chill in the air, even at midday. Feeling the clammy dampness cling to his body, he shivered slightly and pulled the thin blanket up over himself. Soon, he felt all the strength drain from his body. Finally, he had a moment free of all thought.

—

“Jong-yoon, let’s eat and then you can go back to sleep. It’s time for dinner.”

Jong-yoon opened his eyes to the gentle touch of a hand stroking his face, and as he saw his mom smiling down at him, he smiled back. Spreading his arms wide, he moved closer and wrapped them around her waist. His mom, as if used to his affectionate gestures, stroked his hair and patted his back with warmth.

“Mom, why are you home so early today? You usually don’t finish until after nine. I’m so happy you’re home early”

“I quit that job today.”

“Why? Did something happen?”

Startled by her sudden announcement, Jong-yoon sat up, feeling the drowsiness disappear. Worried that his sensitive mom might have been hurt in some way, he searched her face for signs of distress. But to his surprise, she was smiling.

“Something good happened, Jong-yoon.”

“Something good?”

“Yes. I’ll tell you while we eat. Since today was my last day, the lady I worked for packed some meat and fruit for us, so I made bulgogi. My Jong-yoon loves bulgogi, and it’s been a while since I could make it for you. Eat slowly and eat a lot. Once you’re done, I’ll bring out some mango and melon, too.”

“that sounds delicious.”

Smiling, Jong-yoon sat down in front of the small table. Just the white rice, bulgogi, and clear soup made for a fantastic dinner. After watching his mom pick up her spoon, he finally took a piece of bulgogi and put it in his mouth. Maybe it was because he hadn’t had bulgogi in so long, but it tasted even better than he remembered.

“What’s the good news? I’m curious, Mom.”

“It looks like I’ll be able to work for the TK Group family. Mrs. Oh from Ohguk Foods introduced me. She’s helped me out a lot before, you know.”

“…The TK Group?”

“Yes. The person who had been working there for over 20 years had to leave due to personal reasons. So, there was an opening, but since it’s a job that involves being in their home, they didn’t want just anyone. They were discussing it, and since Mrs. Oh from Ohguk Foods knows them well, she mentioned me. They gladly accepted, so it looks like I’ll be able to work there.”

The TK Group was a leading company with hotel chains not only in Korea but also abroad. Beyond that, they owned all the trendy and popular spots, setting trends throughout the country. It was one of those names everyone knew, regardless of age or background. Chances were, the department stores, restaurants, and cafes people visited, as well as the cars they drove and even the phones they used, were all connected to TK Group in some way.

“Mom, are you sure you’re okay with it? Isn’t it someone you know well? Working for someone you know can be even harder.”

“She’s not someone I know that well. I met her a few times during volunteer work, but it was just a few greetings and shared meals with everyone. She’s such a wonderful person, someone I’ve learned a lot from, and honestly, I really wanted to meet her again… I never imagined it would happen like this.”

Her voice grew softer, carrying a hint of sadness, but Jong-yoon smiled as if he hadn’t noticed, not wanting to let any more sorrow settle in his mom.

“It’s good she’s a nice person. Honestly, the family you work for now… it’s been hard for you, right? They’re always late, even after they say they’ll be back at a certain time, and they keep leaving the baby with you even though you’re not a babysitter…”

“You were worried about me?”

“Of course…”

“You don’t have to worry anymore. I’ll handle things better from now on. I won’t be a burden to you, Jong-yoon.”

“What do you mean by that…? I’m so grateful you’re here, Mom. How could you ever be a burden? It makes me sad when you say things like that… And what do you mean, ‘handle things better’? How could you possibly do more than you already are?”

Seeing Jong-yoon on the verge of tears, his mom’s expression softened with guilt, and she gently patted his back in apology. Jong-yoon quickly hugged her tightly, nuzzling his face against her shoulder. It had already been two years, but she still hadn’t fully come to terms with him having to work part-time. She still felt deeply sorry for not being able to manage everything herself, forcing him to help with the burden.

“Mom, take back what you said about being a burden…”

“Alright. I was wrong. I take it back. I’m not a burden.”

“…Right. You’re not a burden.”

His response, muffled against her shoulder, sounded like a gentle murmur, bringing a warm smile to his mother’s face. Hearing that comforting sound, Jong-yoon rubbed his cheek against hers and closed his eyes. Though he had slept all day, her embrace was so warm that drowsiness washed over him again.

“I’m sleepy… again…”

“Oh, look at me! You haven’t eaten dinner yet. It must’ve gone cold. I’ll heat up the bulgogi.”

His mom, realizing this as she stroked his back, gently pulled away in surprise. But before she could get up, Jong-yoon stopped her, took a spoonful of still-warm rice, and popped a piece of bulgogi into his mouth.

“It’s still warm. It’s delicious. You should eat, too, Mom. It tastes better when we eat together.”

“Eat a lot, my son.”

“Okay. You eat a lot too, Mom.”

Smiling, Jong-yoon took another spoonful of rice and brought it to his mouth. With his mom getting a new job, he felt the urge to secretly find another part-time job himself. He hoped that something “good” would come his way as well, something that could ease his mom’s burden, even just a little. The deliciously sweet and savory bulgogi contrasted with the bittersweet thoughts swirling in his mind.

—

After returning from the TK Group house, his mom came home with her hands full. Inside the bags were fruits, and wrapped up in cloth were containers filled with soup and side dishes.

In the box left by the driver who had taken his mom home was a cake from “The Blanc,” which Jong-yoon used to love. Just looking at the cake, adorned with thin slices of white chocolate, made the sweetness spread on his tongue.

“This is all from the lady of the house. She said it was for you, Jong-yoon. The seafood soup and side dishes were made for tasting today, and she told me to take half of it home for us to enjoy. I’ll heat it up right away.”

“I’ll do it. You should go change your clothes and wash your hands.”

“Then can you just transfer it to the pot and put it on the stove?”

“Sure. So, does that mean you’ll be working there now? How was it today? Was the atmosphere nice?”

“Yeah, it was really nice. The lady of the house is such a wonderful person. She was considerate in so many ways and spoke so kindly…”

As Jong-yoon smiled at his mom, who was taking out clothes to change into, he carefully transferred the seafood soup from the container to the pot.