#soochen

He watched Jongdae throw the paper and then move on to the next neighbor’s house, not quite believing that it was his childhood friend that was his newspaper boy. Kyungsoo hadn’t seen or heard from Jongdae since Jongdae’s dad was caught in embezzlement charges.

Four years ago Jongdae’s family was rich like Kyungsoo’s, then his dad was found withholding money from his partner. They had lost everything, and after that, Kyungsoo had lost touch. As the maid brought Kyungsoo his coffee, he vowed to talk to Jongdae the next morning.

—

Kyungsoo stood outside, having quickly put on a button down shirt and slacks, foregoing his polished black shoes and keeping his house shoes on. It made for a not quite put together look, but Kyungsoo was satisfied. At least he wasn’t standing outside in his pajamas or underwear.

The weather was cool, clouds keeping the dawn sky dark. Kyungsoo was sure he got outside in time. Sure enough, he heard the spinning of bicycle wheels coming down the sidewalk. He walked closer to the sidewalk as Jongdae came up, making Jongdae slow down, newspaper in his hand.

“Hey, Jongdae.” Jongdae’s mouth was slightly agape. “It’s been awhile.”

Jongdae recovered himself. “Yeah, yeah it has.” He looked to the ground, then realizing the newspaper was in his hand, held it up to Kyungsoo. “Here’s your newspaper.”

“How’ve you been?” Kyungsoo asked, taking the newspaper and tucking it under his arm.

“Um, good, I’ve been good. Working a lot of odd jobs to build up my resume to show I have work ethic.” He put his left hand in his pocket, the other on the handlebar. “Wouldn’t want them to think of me like my father.”

Kyungsoo felt a sinking feeling in his gut. He felt sorry for Jongdae, but before he could say another word, Jongdae says, “I’ve got to go. I’ve got more papers to deliver.” He pats the bag on his back. “It was nice talking to you.”

Kyungsoo nodded. “You too.” It didn’t feel nice. It felt awkward, sorrowful. As Chen moved to start pedaling, Kyungsoo blurted out, “Want to go get some lunch today? Would you be able to break away from your schedule?”

Jongdae looked torn, and replied, “I can’t. My schedule’s too packed. I’ll see you tomorrow?” He started pedaling to Kyungsoo’s neighbor’s house, Joonmyun.

“See you!” Kyungsoo shouted, watching Jongdae slow down to talk to the elderly man. He stood there for a moment and watched them converse, noticing the ease in Jongdae’s face as the two talked. Kyungsoo sighed, wishing it were that easy.

—

Although it wasn’t easy, Kyungsoo continued getting up early to catch Jongdae as he gave him his newspaper, trying to get back the conversation and ease that they had those years ago, but it proved difficult. Jongdae was awkward, and Kyungsoo couldn’t figure out why he didn’t want to talk as much as he did.

At the start of the next week he decided to ask Jongdae why, seeing if he would get a straight answer.

“I’m busy,” Jongdae tried, but Kyungsoo saw through that.

“No you’re not. You always have time to talk to Mr. Kim when you hand him his paper.”

“That’s different.” Jongdae shuffled, his face turning slightly pink. “He’s always asking about my well being, and always hands me some extra money. I always insist he keep it, and he always insists I take it, so I do.”

“So you would talk to me if I gave you money?” Kyungsoo frowned slightly, cocking his head to the side.

Jongdae sighed, frustrated. “No! That’s just how Mr. Kim is. This…this is different because you know where I come from, and I feel like you’re mocking me or something.”

Kyungsoo was alarmed. “Mock you? Why would I do that? I just miss talking to you, and when I saw you that morning I was surprised, and since you’re always busy this is the only time I can see you.”

“So many people that I’ve known and that my family’s known have turned us away, or when they didn’t would only be civil to our faces and then turn around and gossip. I know what my dad did was wrong, and we’re facing the consequences for it.” Jongdae looked very ashamed, but Kyungsoo also noticed a conviction in his voice. “That’s why I’m doing this job in the morning. I’ve got two other part time jobs and don’t get home until nine or ten at night, and then it’s up in the morning to do it all over again.”

Kyungsoo was at a loss for what to say. He had a job too, but it was just a nine hour job, and then he’s back home for the day. It was nothing like the hours Jongdae was probably clocking in. “I’m sorry if it came off that way, but we were friends, and I had hoped we could become that again.” Kyungsoo chuckled a little. “I admit I’m kind of jealous of how easily you talk to Mr. Kim.”

Jongdae smiled a little. “He’s a smooth talker in his old age, yammering about the days when he was a Literature professor and his late husband Yifan.”

“Ah, I didn’t know he was a professor! I knew about Yifan though. The heart disease took him two or so years ago.” Kyungsoo paused. “I’ve never thought of your family as betrayers or bad people. You were always my friend, and I never understood why you stopped coming around, but I guess I know now.”
 “Well, I’ll see you around. Don’t need to be late.” He smiled, the ends of his lips curling.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Jongdae nodded. “Take care!”

“You too!” Jongdae replied as he pedaled to Mr. Kim’s and beyond.

—

“So what are your other two jobs besides this one?” Kyungsoo asked Jongdae one morning. The morning was cool, the sun peeking out over the houses as it rose.

Jongdae opened the kickstand and sat more comfortably on his bike. “I work at Cafe Casablanca downtown during the day after this shift, and then when I’m done with that at five I go and work at a Pharmacy ringing up customers.”

“Do you ever get a break? Like an off day?” Kyungsoo couldn’t quite wrap his head around how busy Jongdae’s schedule was. “I do on the weekends. The pharmacy has a weekend crew, and the cafe knows of my other jobs and insist I’m off on the weekends, so at least I can sleep then.” He leaned forward, propping his arms on the handlebars. He did look tired, dark circles infinite under his eyes.

Kyungsoo nodded. Jongdae told him of having to fit in the rest of what working has to offer, like food, laundry, and bills, and he felt like all of that would break him, but for Jongdae, he just kept going. Needing to work so much to live comes at a heavy price.

—

Kyungsoo felt lighter the morning after, excited to hopefully give Jongdae the break he deserved. He had asked his father if Jongdae could be his own assistant, since he knew his father had money to spare to pay someone well. His father had agreed, since Kyungsoo’s job consisted of piles upon piles of paperwork, and he could use the help to keep caught up during the week.

He explained this to Jongdae, and he asked, “So what is it I would be doing?”

“You would help me by sorting paperwork, and I’d teach you how to fill out the paperwork for the company. I’d give you half of the day’s work and I’d do the other half, and towards the end of the day I can look over yours for the first few weeks until you get the hang of it, unless you rather I just do that always.”

“And you said your dad would pay me well?”

Kyungsoo nodded. “I did tell him how much time you had to spend working, and that you’ve worked so many jobs. I know you have good work ethic, and he said he’d only need your resume and just to talk to you for it to be final.” He paused for a second, and then added, “And he would pay you three-fourth’s of what he pays me.” Kyungsoo pointed to his house. “It’s just me living there, if that’s any indication.”

Jongdae bit his lip. “Does he have the same opinion of me that you do?”

“I think he does. If he thought you weren’t fit for it, that you would do something bad, he would’ve said so.” Kyungsoo shook his head slowly. “He’s no pushover.”

“That does seem better than the crazy schedule I have now. I’ll have to think about it, but I do like the idea of it.” Jongdae looked over at Mr. Kim’s house and smiled. “I’d miss talking to Mr. Kim the most, I think.”

Kyungsoo chuckled. “You’d be able to see him more than you do now if you took the job. You could actually visit him and check up on him.”

Jongdae smiled. “I think I’ll send Mr. Do the resume, then.” He adjusted the newspapers on his back. “See you tomorrow?”