Jungkook blushes. He actually blushes as his eyes descend to the floor. He shrugs again. “Just a girl I like.”
What?! I need all the details! Is she a nice girl? Is she cute? Smart? Funny? Will she be good to you? You’ll stay out of trouble with this girl, right?
A million thoughts fly through my mind. I settle on one. Kookie has a crush on a girl! How cute is that? He looks so adorable right now as he stares at the tile floor.
“Is she nice?”
His eyes meet mine. “She’s wonderful, Mom! You would love her. Actually, she reminds me a little bit of you. Only, she’s super cute!”
“Hold on, buddy! Are you saying I’m not super cute?”
Kookie considers me. “Well, you’re my mom.”
Yes, yes, I am. In this strange, new world I am Jungkookie’s mom. And it’s awesome!
But I guess Abs is the only one of my kids who calls me, “Cute Mommy.”
“I’ll have you know that your father thought I was super cute!”
Kookie smiles. “I would hope so. He married you!”
I smack him playfully on the shoulder before showing him how to use the washing machine.
—
After he tosses his clothes in to wash, he heads for the kitchen. He’s still hungry all the time. I know he’s taking advantage of this opportunity to eat yet another snack before he heads back to school. I follow him to the table after he grabs a milk jug, a box of Honey Nut Cheerios, a bowl, and a spoon.
“So…” I begin. “Tell me more about Melody.”
I’m thinking about how well her name fits her. My son, the vocal artist – ahem, I mean, singer – falling for a girl named Melody!
He’s meticulously studying his bowl now. He ignores me momentarily as he pours milk into that bowl before returning the jug to the fridge. At least he’s mastered this skill. I remember all the years it took me to train him to put the gallon back into the refrigerator when he was done pouring his milk. I’m still trying to get my other sons to do that!
He returns to the table and picks up the box of cereal. He dumps way too much into the bowl, then he sits down and picks up his spoon. He shovels a big bite into his mouth before he glances across the table at me. Yes, he pours his milk first. He gets that from me. Neither of us likes soggy cereal.
“Well?” I prod him.
“She’s nice. She’s cute. She’s really smart.” Now he grins, revealing his cute, bunny teeth. “I’m hoping she’ll help me with my homework.” His mouth closes around another mammoth bite of Cheerios.
“At the kitchen table,” the mom in me replies. No bedroom tutoring sessions. Not with my adorable son!
He blinks at me. “Where else would we do our homework?” He asks it innocently enough, but there’s a twinkle in his eye that reminds me of the Jungkook who stood at Muster performing while sweat dampened his hair into a myriad of curls that had all the girls and their mothers fainting.
He’s chewing now as he just stares at me.
Realizing that he’s stopped communicating, I ask, “But is she funny? A sense of humor is one of the most important traits in a life partner.”
Jungkook refrains from rolling his eyes at me. “Mom, I didn’t say I was going to marry her!”
“Hey! Every girlfriend is potential wife material, so choose—”
“Wisely,” he finishes my sentence as he shakes his head and laughs ruefully. “I know, I know, Mom! You’ve told me like a hundred times!”
“Hey! That’s Nana’s line!” I reply and as our eyes collide, we both laugh. “Can I meet this Melody?”
Kookie assesses me for a moment. He knows I won’t embarrass him. He inhales sharply and blows out a deep breath. “Maybe. I want to ask her to homecoming, but I haven’t had the nerve yet.”
“Write her a poem.”
He had looked back down at his bowl of cereal as he began to shovel another huge bite into his mouth. Now his eyes dart to mine as he exclaims over a mouthful of cereal, “What?!”
“Girls love to be wooed. You’re a wordsmith. Write her a poem.”
His eyes narrow as he looks at me suspiciously. “How do you know that I write poetry?”
“You’re a musician. You’re a singer. Of course, lyrics are playing in your head. It’s only natural to write them down. I’m assuming this means you’ve already written her a song?”
His face goes blank before he nods. I can tell he’s feeling very vulnerable right now. He has always worn that poker face every time he feels threatened in any way. He’s a master at schooling his features.
“Did you compose music for it too?” Kookie plays the guitar and the piano.
He nods again.
“Kookie!” I exclaim, my romantic heart loving this boy. “That’s wonderful! Would you play it for me? And sing too?”
He looks up at me sharply, alarmed, so I quickly add, “If it’s not too personal.”
“Ok,” he sighs. “You can tell me if it’s any good.”
He wolfs down the rest of his cereal before retrieving his guitar. I make myself a caramel macchiato while I wait for him. Smiling to myself, I reflect on my new coffee habit. It’s actually all Kookie’s fault. I never used to drink coffee. Then one day I heard BTS singing their sweet song Coffee. Kookie’s harmonious voice wrapped around me as he sang “car-a-mel ma-cchi-a-to” in the cutest way ever. I just had to try one! I wonder how much the coffee industry has been impacted by BTS and Jungkook in yesterday’s universe!
I sit back down at the table, my iced drink flowing over my tongue while communicating sweetness and delight to my taste buds. Kookie slips into his chair with his guitar and begins to play the sweetest tune. Then he opens his mouth and releases a song of such beauty that I begin to cry, silent tears slipping down my cheeks as my talented son bends his head over his guitar, his eyes closed, his whole soul lost in his love song.
“Melody, Melody – The sweetest name,
Melody, Melody – You’re always playing in my head
Even when I’m lying in my bed.
“Melody, Melody – You’re my love song
Melody, Melody – You keep me awake all night long.
Please don’t tell me my feelings are wrong.
“Melody, Melody – Recalling your face,
Melody, Melody – I long for your gentle embrace,
And I would follow you any place.
“Melody, Melody – Don’t turn me down.
Melody, Melody – You’re the best girl I’ve ever found.
I can’t handle your unhappy frown.
“Melody, Melody – Wanna make you sing.
Melody, Melody – There isn’t a gift I wouldn’t bring.
I’d give you the whole wide world, anything.
“Melody, Melody – Would you please be mine?
Melody, Melody – Please – You can call me anytime.
You’re my reason, and you are my rhyme.”
The guitar keeps singing even as Kookie stops. He looks up at me, and as he notices the tears slipping down my cheeks, a look of gentle surprise crosses his features.
“Kookie! That was absolutely beautiful! Is there a chorus?”
He shakes his head.
“She’s going to love it!”
“What?!” His midnight eyes widen as he shakes his head vigorously. “No! I’m not going to play it for her!”
“Why not?”
“Because… What if she hates it?”
“Then she isn’t the girl for you. I don’t know a single girl that wouldn’t love to have a boy write her such a beautiful love song. And the fact that you’re the composer – well, I would be absolutely stunned if she turned you down!”
Just now, the washer buzzes. Kookie smiles at me. “Thanks, Mom. You really think she’d like it?”
“No.” His face falls as I say it, but I continue without taking a breath, “she’s going to love it!”
He grins, and those white teeth light up his whole face. I love to see joy on his countenance. He’s still smiling as he puts his guitar back in the case before he heads for the laundry room.
I’m suddenly so thankful that he wore a skirt to school today. I wouldn’t have had this time with him otherwise. Our family is so big, we rarely have time alone. And I know Kookie would never have played this song for anyone else. I smile thinking of how Jungkook has serenaded me twice today. I even got to hear brand new, original music. I am the first person to ever hear Kookie’s love song for Melody! I’m no longer missing yesterday’s universe. This one is simply awesome!
