Page 35 of Melt His Heart

So I’ll just sit here and cry instead, nuzzling into the bear Carson won me that smells like him now. My eyes are burning with tears, the first time in a while I’ve had a good cry. My phone lights up with a call; it’s from my mom.

I wipe my tears and grab my phone to answer the call. It’s so late there she usually never calls around this time.

“Mom?”

“Juyeon-ah…” She croaks.

“Mom! What’s wrong!” I sit up straight with worry.

“Your dad, he’s in the hospital.”

Chapter 11

Seoul, South Korea — 4:00PM

It’s freezing back home as I step outside the airport. The car my coach sent for me is waiting when I arrive, and I get in. I ask him to take me straight to the hospital where my dad is. I spent the entire flight unable to sleep or eat. My throat is dry from dehydration, and my hands are shaking. I need to eat something soon, but I need to see my dad.

We arrive at the hospital, and I check in before going to find my dad’s room. My mom is waiting there. She embraces me when I enter. The room is grey and cold.

“Dad…” I say softly and approach his bedside.

“I’m ok! Why’d you come home? You should be training.” He says. I knew he’d be like this, but I don’t care. I would always come, even if it were every day. This isn’t his first heart attack; his health had started deteriorating when I was a teenager, leaving him unable to work.

And, me as our sole provider.

I don’t mind it, I just want them to be happy and healthy, I’d give up anything.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m still here.” He says, looking away from me, “Did you eat?”

I sit in the chair next to his bed and lay my head on his hand.

“I will.”

“Let’s get you something.” My mom softly pats my back before leaving the room. The silence between us is comfortable.

“Should’ve stayed in America. I told your mom not to call you!” He says.

“Dad, you had a heart attack.”

“People have them every day.” I shake my head. He’s impossible, so I don’t even try. We sit quietly until my mom returns with a tray of food, enough to feed an entire family. I don’t try to argue with her either because it’s the same song and dance of love and care.

“Juyeon-ah, come eat.” She sets the tray down on the table in the dining area. I made sure they got the best and most private room in the hospital, so this one came with a little space for your family to visit.

“Thanks, mom.”

I try to eat most of what my mom has brought, and I take a long sip from my cup. My mom smiles from the seat across from me. She puts more meat on my plate and pours me more tea.

“Mom, please, have some.”

“No, no! Eat. I already ate.” She smiles, “I’m just happy to see you.” She says, and I almost want to cry.

I missed them so much.

* * *

I’ve woken up to my alarm in my old room for a few weeks now. After my father was discharged, he wanted to return to our home in Hongcheon instead of their home in Seoul. Our house here is much more traditional and cozy than their luxury apartment; even the smell is familiar and soft.

I roll over and press snooze with a sigh, inhaling the pleasant scent of flowers; the flowers Carson has been sending daily. He’s created an ever-growing garden in my childhood bedroom.