Euijoo

“Joo, do you have to go now?” Livvy tugs at my arm and whines.

The twins’ dad came home a little after breakfast. It surprised him to see Nicholas was already there.

“I have to work at the restaurant today,” I tell her. “This is my regular Saturday routine, as you know.”

In the corner of my eye, I can see Nicholas watching me. He’s standing next to his dad, talking about his flight here. We’re all standing at the front door—the twins saying their goodbyes to me.

North hugs me, looking sad. I pat him on the back and kneel facing him.

“North, cheer up,” I say. “You have your dad and your big brother here. You don’t need me anymore.”

“But I wanted to play with you today.”

“We can play next time,” I reassure him. “And you can always play with your gē.”

He looks over at Nicholas, who smiles at him.

“I can play with you, buddy,” he says.

North grabs my shirt while nodding his head at his brother. “You have to be as good as Euijoo,” he says.

“I can be better than Euijoo and twice as fun,” Nicholas smirks.

I scrunch my face at him. Is he rage-baiting me right now?

“Alright, since that’s settled,” I say. “I need to go now.”

I head outside, walking home to change.

“Mom, I’m home,” I yell as I walk in the door. I can smell something simmering in the kitchen. Music is playing from down the hall. Her voice singing along. I laugh.

“In here,” she responds from the laundry room.