1 family

  I walk quietly down the long never ending sidewalk passing almost empty bars, clubs and small businesses. The cool autumn air attacking my exposed face and hands as I go, Usually I would have worn a mask and gloves but I was in too much of a rush this morning, you see I was up all night because of certain someone who wont leave me alone. luckily I put on my black turtle neck and just as black skinny jeans before rushing out the door with my long black coat, sense a pattern? yes I love black but I am not emo or goth I just don't like lots of color, I wear only black, white, brown and a light peach/tan sorta color. 

      I shove my hands in my pocket to hopefully warm them up, I sense I'm getting close to 'park chicken' aka my family restaurant where I work, I look up from my feet and see the very familiar two story building, the first floor is the restaurant while the second is where my parents live. out of the corner of my eye I spot the once for sale building having men in jumpsuits going in the building with furniture they are obviously movers, I wonder what business that place is gonna be, in the past it has been just about everything but whatever it was it always went out of business within a year. everyone says its because 13 people died from a shooting when it was a popular club about 15 years ago, I kind of believe it that place is odd I've always hated it being right next to my mom and dads restaurant, I don't want to be near that place it tempts me too much like its luring me in with its dark aura and I hate that. I know he wants to go but he usually gets distracted or lazy thank god. 

      I have only been in that building once when I was 10 or 11 It had become a bar owned by a rich man who looked in his mid 20's he was very scary, I believe his name was Kim namjoon or lee hanjoon, its been too long but I still remember his cold black eyes not a hint of emotion in them, he seemed soulless. I hadn't noticed that I was staring at the building until a girl walks out and waves at me wearily she is obviously wondering why I was looking at what I would guess is her building considering she is the only person in there that isn't a mover, well at least I think she is the only one. 

      She tilts her head at me "are you okay sir?" she asked in a semi yelling but concerned voice, I take my hand and brush my black hair back as I turn away embarrassed, "dammit I was staring at her I didn't even realize, I have got to leave quick." so I turn around and go into the chicken shop not even sparing her a glance, she probably will never come over here anyway. girls watch their weight too much in this country and she looked skinny like the perfect amount of skinny so she defiantly wouldn't eat here. right?

      I toss these thoughts aside as I enter the building and head for the employee room to get dressed I see my father passed out on one of the bars stools at the counter I look around for my mom but she must be in the back preparing the ingredients, I sigh and take the empty soju bottle from in between his clammy hands, I don't dare wake him up knowing I would get screamed at by my drunk father and oblivious mother. she always picks his side she is blind by her so called 'love' don't get me wrong I love my mother she just wants him to love her as much as she loves him. 

      I get into my locker and grab the red apron with are logo of two drumsticks crossed over like swords, it sounds weird but it has meaning behind it, when two swords are crossed upwards is also known as Two of Swords. Two of Swords' Meaning Like crossed blades, the II of Swords represents a balance of forces. Not necessarily an absence of struggle, but an equal distribution of force in opposition. basically it represents that our chicken has the perfect balance of flavor. i usually explain this whenever a customer gets bold enough to ask either as a joke or being serious.

      "Jimin!!" I hear my mother call I throw my jacket in the locker and as I'm walking to her I am tying the apron on me "I'm here" she looks at me with a stern expression "why are you late, you know I need you in here a hour early to help prepare" I look at the ground "I'm sorry I was-" but I was quickly cut off before I could explain "nope I don't want to hear any excuses, you need to get some responsibility! I thought I raised you better than this all you do is sleep and eat I mean look at you your getting fat!" she says as she pinches the fat on my cheeks "you are almost 19! what man has this cubby of a face!" I feel tears falling but I don't make a sound "just go cut the chicken if all your gonna do is cry" she turns heading in the opposite direction whispering some insults under her breath about how worthless I am. "I deserved that, it was my fault I was late I should have just forced myself to sleep" I think even though I know last night was not under my control.