NEIGHBOURS | RYEJI

11.

-flashback-

Yeji POV

Age Fourteen

My sister is having a baby.

A baby boy, to be exact.

She won't tell me who the father is, but I've heard her scream at him and demand money over the phone.

Since Joohyun doesn't know anything about babies, I checked out books from the library for her, receiving quite the curious look from the assistant librarian. Joohyun threw them across the room and said she'd know how to take care of her baby when he got here. So, I took them to my room and read them myself.

Someone in this house needs to be educated on what to do with a newborn.

Sam's visits are limited now. All they do is argue when he comes over. Him not coming around makes me sad. He is nice to me and helps me with my homework. He cares about my interests and never tells me my dreams are stupid. Sam is who I want my father to be.

A month later, Sam stops coming over permanently.

______

Age Fifteen

"Hey there, stranger."

My head flies up at the sound of the voice I've missed.

Sam stands in my doorway, looking clean-cut in a suit and with a ball cap over his head. It's rare seeing him without a hat on.

"Hi," I answer in surprise, unable to hide my excitement. "Long time no see."

He has been nonexistent in our lives for nearly a year. I thought he was gone for good, so the sight of him brings nothing but joy to my face. He's never met Mingsoon, who came into the world three months ago. He did send a care package with no return address. A note was attached, saying he wanted Mingsoon to have the baby essentials.

"Sorry about that," he answers. "Life gets in the way sometimes."

I nod, though I don't understand. Something I've come to learn is, if someone wants time with someone, they make it, no matter what. That means Sam didn't want to spend time with anyone in our home-including me.

Having men come and go isn't out of the ordinary. I've never met my father. My knowledge of him is through old photographs and the few choice words my mother shouts when I ask about him.

Sam steps farther into my room. "Your sister said you're very helpful with Mingsoon."

The baby books I read have been put to good use since I'm Mingsoon's main caretaker. Not his mother. I get up with him at night and change all his diapers, and since she refuses to breastfeed, in fear it will mess up her "good tits," I feed him his formula.

I shrug and hold back the urge to tell Sam that. I want him to be proud of me, but Joohyun will kill me. "I try."

He smiles. "You're such a good girl, Yeji. I'm sure she appreciates your help greatly."

I snort. "Joohyun doesn't appreciate anything."

"That's the understatement of the year."

I tuck my legs underneath my butt. "So then, why do you like her? Why don't you find a nicer girlfriend?"

It's been a while since I've asked him, but I don't understand how a decent man like him can like her. There must be something wrong with him. Broken people seek out other broken people. I see it every day of my life and wonder how I'm ever going to find someone nice to take on the job of being with someone as broken as I am.