Episode 92 - Families Decide Together

Taitai was as quiet as he could be, for a six-year-old child who was now completely awake. Amari closed his eyes, pretending to sleep, and listened to him sneaking around the room. First, he went for his books. He could only read the words if he spoke them out loud, so he sat in the corner trying to make out the sounds he knew and giggling at the pictures. Then, he grabbed his firetruck and quietly vroomed around, whispering the siren's cry as he put out fires and saved people. Finally, he pulled out his art supplies, dumping crayons and markers across the floor, and crawling under his bed and desk to retrieve them. Then he scribbled away, kicking his legs and mumbling to himself as he drew.

With a sigh, Amari rolled over toward Taitai, hanging his head off the edge of the bed. "What're you drawing?" he asked, his voice groggy. "Sounds like you're having a good time down there."

"Li gēge, did I wake you up?" It was apologetic, but he also sounded worried that he would be in trouble.

Amari nodded but smiled. "Actually, I never fell back asleep." He waved Taitai over and scooped him up, pulling him under the covers with him. "Wanna listen to a book while we wait for your ba to wake up?"

"Okay," Taitai agreed in his best whisper, and Amari navigated to his children's books, letting him select one. He pulled the covers up over their heads to muffle the sound as the narrator began speaking.

They were on their third book when there was a light knock on the door and Yangyang's head poked in. "What's going on in here?"

Amari pulled down the covers and Taitai giggled, still listening to the story. "I was attacked early in the morning, which somehow led to this." Taitai gave his ba a quick, absentminded hello. "We didn't wake anyone, did we?"

Yangyang joined them, sitting on the edge of the bed and giving Amari a quick kiss. "No. I have to go to work early today, so I set my alarm. Jiě already left."

"Did you make coffee?" Amari sniffed the air as the smell drifted into the room. He let out a sigh of relief and sat up straight, lifting Taitai up with him. "Li gēge's gonna get some coffee."

Taitai didn't respond, still absorbed in his book, so he walked out with Yangyang to the kitchen. He poured them both a cup, then sat at the dining table, yawning. "Did you sleep? You were exhausted last night."

"Yeah, I slept pretty well, actually." Leaning down, Yangyang wrapped his arms around Amari and kissed him on the cheek. "Would have been better if you weren't on the couch." He sat down next to him and sipped at his coffee. "Are you taking Taitai to school?"

"Yeah, I can. I don't have classes until late morning. I'll talk to Miss Julie about Friday when I drop him off, I guess."

Quickly finishing his coffee, Yangyang exhaled in satisfaction and slouched down into his chair. Amari moved to sit on his lap, resting his head against Yangyang's broad shoulder.

"Uh... So tired." His arms circled Yangyang's waist, who copied and pulled him in tight.

There were footsteps and Amari jolted up, but Yangyang didn't release his grasp.

"Morning boys," Yangyang's mother greeted on her way into the kitchen, and Yangyang kissed him on the cheek, chuckling as he blushed.

They were ignored as she grabbed the giant bin of rice, scooping some out and rinsing it well before adding it to the cooker. After a few beeps, the lid sealed itself and the machine started steaming.

"Are you eating breakfast here?" she asked, rummaging through cupboards and drawers.

"I don't have time," Yangyang answered, rubbing Amari's back before sliding him to the floor. "I have to go into the shop early this morning."

Amari grabbed their mugs and brought them to the sink as Yangyang headed to the bathroom.

"You know I'm always happy to eat," he said with a smile, rinsing out the dishes. "I'm taking Taitai to school, so I'll be here a little longer."

"Hǎo a, Xiao Li." Her tone was sweet as she bustled around the kitchen, preparing a few dishes to eat with the rice. "Taitai said he wants you to be his show-and-tell. Are you ready for that?"

"Yeah, we talked about it last night." Taking some bowls and silverware, he began setting the dining table. "I think it'll be fun."

She chuckled. "You think everything will be fun."

Amari joined her in the kitchen again, leaning up against the counter since there was nothing else to help with.

He waited to be sure the water was running in the shower, then frowned. "Yang ge's been working really hard the past few months," he said firmly, crossing his arms over his chest. "Can't you just praise him a little? He's exhausted all the time."

"He has you for that, Xiao Li." She gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder. "We talked about this already."

Amari huffed, frustrated with the back and forth. "That doesn't make it right. He's like any kid. He just wants his ma to be proud of him and tell him he's doing a good job."

"When he gets to a point where he should be praised, then I will praise him."

Amari sighed and shook his head, knowing this conversation wasn't going anywhere. He had brought it up a few times before, but she was determined to play the disappointed-mother role until the end.

Before he made it past the dining table, two little arms wrapped around his waist.

"Finish your book?" Taitai made a little sound to confirm and Amari ruffled his hair, taking his phone back. "Let's let nǎinai finish making breakfast. How about you show me what you've been learning on the piano?"

Taitai rushed over, calling Amari to sit with him, then started pounding at the keys. A rough version of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star rang out, and every time there was a mistake, he would start the whole song over again from the beginning. After the fifth or sixth repeat, Amari giggled, and Taitai poked him for laughing.

"No, you're doing very well," he assured him, ruffling his hair again. "I was just thinking that your nǎinai must be a saint."

"Why?"

Amari just shook his head, not answering, and encouraged him to try again. After many minutes of the song playing over and over, they were interrupted by large footsteps and a deep chuckle.

"Ba!" Taitai jumped off the piano bench and into his father's arms. "Did you hear me play?"

Yangyang chuckled again. "I did. It was very good, and you're so good at practicing." Amari sighed and rolled his eyes, standing from the bench. "Li gēge looked like he was enjoying your song."

"Yeah?" Amari could only smile and nod, and Yangyang snorted. "Oh, ba! Are we gonna talk? Can Li gēge be my show-and-tell?"

"Well, Li gēge is a person, not a thing. So you're inviting him to come with you to show-and-tell. Not bringing him, like a toy." Taitai quickly agreed. "What did Li gēge say when you asked?"

"He said families talk about things. And decide together." Taitai sounded serious, as if this was an important rule to follow, and Amari couldn't help grinning.

Yangyang hummed and there was a short pause. Amari knew by now that short pauses from him equaled staring. "We talked about it last night, but what do you think? Why do you want him to come to show-and-tell?"

"Uh, 'cause Miss Julie said to bring things we like. So we can show our friends..." Taitai paused, unsure how to repeat the explanation his teacher gave him. "And Li gēge is fire, 'cause he's blind and teaches blind kids, tsé? And the kids are fire and the school is fire..."

It was clear he wanted to say more, but wasn't sure how to express it, so Yangyang stopped him. "Alright. I think that's a good reason. Those are very nice things to say. You like your friends at the VIBE center, yeah?"

"Yeah. Those gēges and jiějiěs are really nice! And the teachers too." Amari stepped closer and took Taitai from his dad, hooking the child's legs around his waist.

"Well, I think it'll be fun." He bounced him a few times on his hip. "I'll talk to Miss Julie when we go to school today, okay?"

"So you're gonna come?"

Amari nodded and set him down, patting him toward the bathroom to wash his hands before breakfast. Before he could follow, Yangyang pulled him into a tight embrace, kissing his forehead.

"Ah... I don't want to go to work." Amari only returned the hug and smiled in response. "You have a late night tonight?"

"Yeah," he said with a frown. "I've got a lot of recording to make up, actually. And I'll need to shift my hours, so I can be free on Friday."

Yangyang squeezed his shoulders, then released, giving him a long kiss before heading to the door. "I'll ask Minwoo to watch Taitai then. He's still on break, so he should have time."

Amari sighed. "Yang ge, he's got a girlfriend and he's in college. You don't think he's got plans for his break?"

"Minwoo?" Yangyang chuckled, opening the door. "Taitai is his best friend, and was apparently a big hit with the girl. Why would he say no?"

He wasn't wrong and Amari giggled, giving Yangyang a wave as the door shut behind him.

"Li gēge!" Taitai shouted from the dining table. "Breakfast!"