Chapter 4

JENNIE

Time. Time is a funny thing. For example you might be late only for 3 minutes while you are going to your work and once you are there you realize that a big piano fell on the ground just the moment you were to go inside. Stupid example but I saw that commercial with George Clooney and his amazing coffee machine. But my point is that time is a funny thing. I stopped looking at time when everything happened.

If my father waited and not wanted to come home they would still be alive. And if Dahee hadn’t met the asshole she wouldn’t be pregnant and she wouldn’t die. Not that I am not happy that I have Ella. I am more than happy. But everything goes around time. And I hate it. Time and the right moment for anything.

Working at the bakery wasn’t the best job in the world. At least not something that I was hoping for. But it was a decent job and my co-workers and manager were good people and that was the most important thing. I had the money to support us and I was saving so we could go to a better place. At least they haven’t robbed us or anything. That’s a plus.

Christmas was coming and people were crazy. They were buying and buying and it made me think those people that didn’t have the money to eat or a place to stay. A year ago we were almost like these people. I just thank for my luck. And as every day my business people were coming inside to buy their donats and muffins. Other were smiling and wishing merry Christmas and other like robots they were cold. Christmas is for everyone. It’s the most beautiful day of the year. At least for some people.

The uptight brunette were here as every morning. Not once have I seen her smile and it was strange. She was always serious and cold. I believe the snow is warmer than her. And it’s such a shame. I am wondering if I was ever like her. They say money change people. I had money all my life but I don’t think I was ever like her. Sometimes I want to start a conversation with her. Like ‘hello, goodmorning. Nice weather today. Here is your three muffins’. But I don’t because she looks at us like we are nothing. And I know because she stopped wearing her sunglasses. Being cloudy outside it would be so strange wearing sunglasses. When I look at her dark eyes I feel that cold again. They say that eyes are the window to someone’s soul. And her soul is non existent.

“Hey Jennie. Meeeerrry Christmas. How are you today?”

“I am fine Mark. Merry Christmas to you too. You are cheerful today.” Mark was one of our regular clients and one of the best. He was always smiling and he was very polite to all of us. Giving the best tips.

“Are you kidding me? I may have to work 14 hours but it’s Christmas. My girlfriend had to shut me up this morning because I was singing the Carol of the bells.”

“Well Mark I understand her. No offense. But singing at 7am in the morning it’s not the best thing.”

“You and my girlfriend have no Christmas spirit.”

Mark was making me laugh. He was such a nice guy. The one that a girl is lucky to have next to her. He was a CEO in a big law firm. Next to us was a skyscraper. A building with at least 50 floors. That’s why we had so many clients with business suits every morning.

“Here is your coffee and your Christmas donat Mark”

“Jennie you are an angel. How is Ella?”

“She is okay. Tomorrow they have a party at her school.”

“But don’t you work tomorrow?”

“I asked a day off so I can go and see her.”

While talking with Mark I saw the brunette coming in. It was crowed but when she was inside it was the only person I could see. Don’t know why.

“That’s good. Ok. So since I am not going to see you tomorrow then have the best Merry Christmas ever and give a big kiss to Ella for me. Okay?” when he turned he almost fell on the brunette. Today she was wearing a black pencil skirt with a white shirt inside and a leather jacket. Mark almost spill his coffee on her and her face was the one of disgust and fear.

“Oh, I am.. Oh.. Jisoo.. Hi.. I am sorry.” He knew who she was. And her name was Jisoo. Strange name for a girl.

“Yeah, whatever.” she said coldly

“Ok. See you at the office. Bye Jennie..” he called my name while singing the Carol of the Bells. If I didn’t know any better I would swear that he wasn’t a lawyer.

I looked at her and I was debating if I should say anything. I decided against it.

“I want your Christmas offer. The muffin with the hot chocolate.”

“That would be 4.50 dollars.”

That was always our dialogue. She would tell me what she wanted and she would give me the money.

“Here you are. A muffin and a hot chocolate to go. Merry Christmas” she handed me a 5 dollar and told me to keep the change. She gave me one last look and told me “You too”. And as she came in she was out once again.

It was another busy day at the shop and especially now that it was Christmas. I wasn’t complaining though. We would be paid more. Today I had to stay at work a little bit longer than usual. Since Mr. Yanni and Mrs Maria were the closest to a family I asked him if he could take Ella from kingergarden. I could call at the kindergarden and tell them to keep her but I didn’t want for her to be all alone there. And she loved Mr. Yanni. Sometimes she would slip and call him papu (grandfather in greek). I think that he taught her to call him like that. I didn’t mind at all. He was like a grandfather to her.

It was after 8pm when I changed to my clothes and said my goodnight to everyone. When I walked outside it was so cold. It was 26F and they said that on Christmas day we would have 15 inch of snow. Ella loved the snow very much.

I was outside zipping my coat when I felt a sharp pain. All I remember was “Fuck. Oh God.” and then everything went black.

When I opened my eyes all I could see was a sharp bright light. I thought that I was dead. I saw a brunette girl standing on top of me and I knew that I was in heaven. Angels came to take me. I was thinking that I would see my family again but then I heard a voice.

“Doctor, she opened her eyes a few minutes ago.” I still couldn’t see clear but next to the brunette was a man with a white coat. And if I was in heaven why she called him Doctor? While I was in my own world I felt a hand on my eyes and a brighter light moving left and right. I had to close my eyes because I couldn’t stand it.

“She is okay. She is responding. So in a couple of minutes she will be able to see more clearly.”

“What about her wounds?”

“She has a light concussion and a broken leg. Other than that she is okay. I will write to you a prescription.”

All this time I was listening to them talking and I couldn’t understand what they were saying. A prescription? Concussion? A broken leg? Ella. Where was Ella? I tried to get up but I had things attached to my hand.

“Don’t get up.” The brunette said and I shouldn’t because my ribs hurt the moment I tried.

“Ella. I had to go.”

“You can’t. Not right away. They have to bring you your crutches first.” the brunette girl. When I was able to see better I knew who she was. Her. Jisoo.

“YOU. You hit me.”

“I didn’t see you. I am sorry.”

“I have to go. Ella. What time is it? I have to go. She will be searching for me.” I was starting to have a headache and I had to lie down again. The pain on my head was unbearable.

“Everything is okay Jennie.” How she knew my name? She never talked to me. And now she was calling me Jennie?

“How? How everything is okay when I am here and my daughter is I don’t know where? Eh? Tell me how the fuck everything is ok?” I didn’t want to snap at her but it was her fault that I was here and now I had to deal with a broken leg. A fucking broken leg

“Ella is fine. She is with some Mr. Ganni or something.”

“Yanni. His name is Yanni.”

“You are the girl from the bakery shop. I know who you are. When I hit you with my car I..” before she finish the door to my room opened and my little girl came in with Mr. Yanni”

“Mommy, mommy. You are okay? Are you hurt?”

“I am ok baby girl. Not hurting at all.”

“So why you are here mommy and what is that on your leg?”

“Well.. that.. mommy was hit by a car.” I said and I looked at Jisoo who now she was up and she was talking with Mr Yanni.

“Oh mommy. I am sorry”

“Why sorry sweetie? Mommy is ok. I am going to be ok. They will give me something to help me walk and I will be fine.”

When Ella was sure that I was ok Mr. Yanni came next to me.

“Jennie, Ms. Kim Jisoo over there told me what happened. She paid for everything. Now. I wish I could take you home with us because obviously you can’t stay where you are staying but my brother is sick and we have to go to New York with Maria. Ms. Kim is willing to take you at her home.” I didn’t know what to say. She would take me at her home? I don’t fucking think so.

“No way. I can take care of myself.” I looked at Jisoo with the cold look she was giving me every morning and said “Thank you for paying everything but it was your fault. Now where are my fu-, my crunches so I can take my daughter home and leave from this place?”

“Jennie, don’t be stubborn. You can’t help yourself and you are staying at the third floor without an elevator. How are you going to step over there?”

“If I have to walk on my ass I will. But I am not staying at a stranger’s house. Period.” Jisoo looked at me and for once I saw a different face. She seemed different.

“Jennie, I already feel sorry for what happened. Please. Just for a couple of days and once you are fine you are free to go. I won’t be able to forgive myself if something happens to you or to your daughter.” I don’t know why but her words seemed true. I really didn’t want to have other people helping me. I wasn’t used to that and I surely didn’t want the soulless blond to take care of me. But I had to think of Ella too.

“Ella is coming too.”

“Of course. Now I am sorry. I am going to go and buy your medicine.” In a second she left the room and I stayed there looking at my sleeping beauty that now was resting next to me.

“Jennie, stop being stubborn for once and let other people help you. It’s not bad asking for help and accepting help every now and then.”

Mr. Yanni was right but that was me. I wanted to be my own boss. To take care of me and Ella. I didn’t like that I couldn’t provide her with all that she needed.

The door opened again after some minutes and Jisoo was inside with my crunches. Mr. Yanni helped me to stand and he took Ella in his arms.

“So are you ready Jennie?” I was going to live with Jisoo, the cold soulless brunette from the bakery shop. Was I ready? I don’t think so.