# 11
Magician
Shimkoong is at the Parks'. Without Leeteuk. She's already growling...
"Koongie, did you poop today?"
"Babe, don't do that to her..." Donghae tells Hyukjae.
"Hae, it's because she likes to scold me..." Hyukjae's crouched in front of her. "Did Teukkie not give you any kisses?"
The little dog barks. Tries to bite Hyukjae's toes. He giggles. Gives her his sleeve instead.
"Are you sad because Teukkie's left you?"
Koongie gets louder.
"He's having fun without you, isn't he?" Hyukjae says. Picks Koongie up. She's still trying. To rip his sleeve off. "Do you want to bite my fingers, Koongie? Will that make you feel better?"
"Aw," Mrs. Park says. "He'll come get you tomorrow, Koongie. Hi Donghae, dear." She passes by them. "One moment, I need to show you something."
"Oh!" Hyukjae says. "Is it those cards--" He's moved to hurry after her. Donghae grabs his arm. Pulls him back.
"She said one moment," Donghae mutters. "That means wait."
"I knoow what that means, and she always lets me -- Koongie, stop now, I like this shirt."
Mr. Park chuckles from the kitchen. Donghae moves Hyukjae to the couch. Embarrassed. Koongie jumps out of Hyukjae's arms. Scurries away.
"What cards, babe?" Donghae asks Hyukjae. There was a picture of a little cardboard box. In the groupchat. Donghae wasn't sure who the message was for.
"Oooh, right, you weren't here -- Mama Park once said she knows someone who handwrites invitations because I told her you always say I have nice writing so -- oh!"
Mrs. Park has returned. She's holding a small box. It's the same one from the picture.
"I got this today," she says. She pulls a side table closer. Sets the box on it. Sits beside them. She opens it up. "I just want you to see them so you get an idea. These are the kinds of invites he makes, and it's all by hand."
Mrs. Park lays out several cards. Envelopes. Pages. Of different designs. They all have a distinct style. Donghae's still confused.
What's this about?
"Oh..." Hyukjae says.
"What's the matter, Hyukkie?" Mrs. Park says.
"But Mama Park, I don't write like this..." he mumbles. "I m-mean I could try copying, but it won't be perfect unless I use magic..."
"Oh, no, sweetie, you don't have to copy it exactly," Mrs. Park says. "You'd just write it your way."
"But my handwriting isn't pretty... I guess it's just neat..."
"Hyukkie, here, I want you to try this." Mrs. Park reaches into the box. She takes out a few blank designed sheets. "Why don't you take these home and write something on them -- however you'd like -- and I'll show them to my friend? If her son likes them, then you can help him write some."
"Oh," Donghae says. "Is this for a job?"
Mrs. Park smiles. "Not for certain... it was just an idea, so I thought he could try... if he wants."
Donghae's suddenly excited. He reaches for the invites. Examines them.
"Hyukjae, this is a great idea -- I could even design some templates for you, and then you can just copy them and write everything else on them by hand."
Hyukjae gasps. "Copy them by magic?"
"It's the same result, Hyukkie -- but if you're not comfortable, we could send them to a print shop."
Mrs. Park nods enthusiastically. "I think you'd be great at it, Hyukkie. If you'd like to do it yourself, we could set up an online account for you, and you would just accept orders."
"Okay, it's great, yes," Mr. Park says. He's joined too. "But let's leave him to think about it." He smiles down at Hyukjae. "Just try writing on a few, check out what others are doing online, and then see how you feel."
Donghae places the envelopes back. Hyukjae's still pouting unsuredly.
"He's right. Just think about it."
"Yeah, there's no pressure, dear," Mrs. Park says. "We're still going to look around for any other little jobs you could do."
Hyukjae smiles a bit then. "Oh. Okay. Thank you." He blinks up at Mr. Park. "But I don't know how to check out the online..."
The man laughs. He leans down to ruffle Hyukjae's hair.
"That's alright, son. You tell any of us and we'll help."
Hyukjae's smile gets bigger. His gums shine. "Okay! Thank you!" He gets to his feet. "Is Mama Saeron okay? Can I see her? I want to know what she thinks!"
"Yes, she's in her room -- but dinner's in half an hour. Actually, why don't you bring her out and sit here?"
"Okay!"
---
Donghae helps Mr. and Mrs. Park prepare dinner. Hyukjae's managed to calm Koongie. The dog's quiet now. She sits on the couch. Glares at Hyukjae. Then at Grandma Park. Who's conversing with Hyukjae. She appears a little tired. But she has a smile on her face.
"Hyukkie..." Donghae hears her say. "I've made you so many dumplings, dear."
"Oh, I love your dumplings!" Hyukjae says. "Are there enough for Papa Sangchul?"
Donghae glances around quickly. There are no dumplings. Mr. Park notices him. Gives him a smile. Shakes his head lightly.
"Just go along with it," he says. "We've learned that's best for her."
"Did the doctor say anything?" Donghae asks. Quietly.
"Yeah, she's actually not too bad," Mr. Park murmurs. He looks up towards his mother. "Her physical health is better. If she's kept in a good mood, we can get her to do more, and then she's almost fine." He places a few dishes down. "Hyukjae must look the same as when she had him... and he understands what she's talking about when she recalls that time."
Donghae nods slowly. Smiles.
"Mother?" Mr. Park calls. "Dinner's ready. Koongie, princess, you come and sit right here, okay?"
The dog turns her head away. Hyukjae laughs. Pecks her head.
"If you act like a brat, no one will like you, Koongie. Even if you're cute. Right, Mama Saeron?"
Donghae goes to them. He holds Grandma Park's arm gently. Helps her to her feet.
"Oh, what a beautiful man..." she says. Pats his hand. "I can get up myself, but thank you, dear."
Donghae blinks. Realizes. She doesn't recognize him. Hyukjae's stood too. His eyes are on them. They appear sad.
"Thank you, grandma," Donghae says. "You're beautiful too."
"What's your name?"
"Donghae. I'm Leeteuk's friend."
"Leeteuk...?" Grandma Park frowns. She turns to Hyukjae. "Do you know this handsome man, Hyukkie?"
Hyukjae replaces his worried expression. Smiles gummily.
"This is my Donghae, Mama Saeron! I love him soo much!"
Grandma Park looks at Donghae again. Her face brightens. "Oh, then you should love my Hyukkie, too. He needs a lot of love."
"You're right, grandma," Donghae says. He leads her to the table. "And I do love him a lot."
Hyukjae places Koongie in her dog bed. Pets her head. To keep her calm. Donghae helps Grandma Park into her seat.
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