little revelations

Joon knew for a while now, something was a little off. Not so much with him and Natalie with the new apartment, but with Ivy's mother and her new guests at the house. She finally told him about his brother Dole.

"I finally asked your father about it." She told him over Easter brunch. "Of course, he didn't want to talk about it, and he wasn't all that happy to hear he had a granddaughter, either."

Ivy's mother looked sad about it. Joon knew she couldn't wait to be a grandmother.

"It's not your fault." Joon did his best to smile. He told himself this from time to time when it came to his parents. Of course, he felt he'd been a bad son, too. He knew he hadn't accomplished anything in life like his mom wanted.

Dole didn't look worried about it. He got on at the mega grocery pharmacy so there was an extra celebration going on. He didn't talk about their father and he didn't address Joon as his brother, either. Still, they talked. Joon guessed they might be friends. What more could he ask for?

Besides, it was the little one they were all amused with. Watching her laugh and play. For the first time, Joon felt he was in a real family. There was laughter.

Ivy and Will enjoyed Dole and Winnie's baby as much as he and Natalie did.

Of course, he knew he should call his Mom, but it would be late.

"Look at the video message your mom sent me earlier." Ivy's mother showed him after they were clearing the table of leftover pancakes and fruit.

It startled Joon who forgot Leila was so close to his mother.

In the message, his mother was smiling. She was not alone. She was with someone, and he had a daughter.

"I got married." His mom was full of smiles, holding up her wedding ring hand.

Joon stared at the new family. He had a new sister. Oddly, he already knew her. She wasn't his first love, but he knew Bom quite well.

He winced. It was another blast from the past. She was a first.

Joon cleared his throat, thinking no way would he ever want to go home now. Especially, with Natalie. He'd hate for her to meet the first girl he'd ever been with.