Crying with a Smile Ch. 10
Key adjusted Yoogeun on his hip, who was taking in his surroundings of a small town. He knocked on the door again.
“Yes, can I - Kibum-ah.” The old woman looked up at the young man.
Kibum smiled, “Hello Grandma.” He bowed his hand a little.
The old woman moved aside and Key let Yoogeun loose to explore the new house. “It’s been a while. Sorry for not calling.” Key leaned down to hug her tight.
“Kibum, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in an interview or on the television?
“Did you…happen to hear the news about me?” Key shifted from foot to foot.
Kim-halmoni twitched and she moved them into the kitchen, to the table. “Kibum, why didn’t you tell anyone? Why didn’t you call your family?”
“I was scared, Grandma. I didn’t want to worry anyone. That’s why I talked to Noona and Hyungs.”
“Who?”
“Liza-noona, Kibum-Hyung, Kevin-Hyung, and Yoochun-Hyung; they all helped me get better. They speak English, just like me. They talked to me.”
“But what does this have to do with why you’re here?”
“My company isn’t letting me do anything, so I wanted to see how you’re doing with everything that’s going on. Are the ahjummas giving you a hard time?”
Kim-halmoni smiled. “Kibum, I raised you. Sure, the ladies talk, but they always want something to talk about. Don’t worry about me.”
Kibum laughed and bowed his head. “Grandma…about that…” The grandmother’s face fell serious. “I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused when I was little.”
The old woman covered his hands with her own. “Kibum, you are my grandson. If you were really that much trouble, what stopped me from forcing your mother to step up.”
Key smiled back and held her hands. “Thank you, Grandmother.”
“Key-appa.” The adults looked to the kitchen doorway. “I need to go potty.”
Key smiled and took Yoogeun by the hand, searching his memory for the bathroom.
“Kibum, who is that?” Kim-halmoni questioned outside the bathroom.
Key leaned against the door, facing the woman. “My son.” The old woman’s eyes bugged and Key laughed. “Grandma, I’m kidding.”
“Aish! Kim Kibum, are you trying to give me a heart attack!” The old woman slapped his shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Grandma, I couldn’t help myself.”
“Explain.”
“A TV station put us in a house where we - my members and I - had to take care of him for a few months. It was around the time of New Years when Taesoon-noona got married. I thought I told you about him.”
“Key-appa!” Key turned around and swooped Yoogeun up. “Who is she?”
Key smiled brightly. “This is Key’s Grandma. She’s the woman that raised Key-appa. Can you say ‘Hi’ to her?”
Yoogeun nodded his head. “Anneygsayo, Key-noona. I’m Jung Yoogeun.” The two adults cooed and Key kissed his cheek.
“Can she hold you?” Yoogeun let his finger slip into his mouth and nodded shyly.
Kim-halmoni smiled wide and opened her arms. “Yoogeun-shi, do you like chocolate muffins?” Yoogeun nodded fiercly and Key laughed and brushed his son’s hair. The trio disappeared into the kitchen.
When Key was driving home, Yoogeun was napping snug in the backseat with 10 muffins in a bag. And Key was shining with love of his Grandmother.