when simon was eight he pulled a red wagon behind him everywhere he went, but as he walked towards his front door, leaving his journey behind as memories for later, it could be seen that the wagon was filled with goodies that he'd picked for his mom to enjoy

" MOMMY OPEN THE DOOR "

the eight year old hollered as he knocked impatiently, the whipped cream that topped his mother's fall themed drink was starting to deflate and the pumpkins were beginning to lose the glow they appeared to have when he chose them, he continued to call out for his mom as he knocked; it was only a matter of time before the apples lost their shine.

" KISEOK, BABY, WHAT'S WRONG ?! "

ms. jung ran around from the back of the house, the obviously worried tone matched the way her eyebrows attempted to become one as she followed the sound of her loud voiced son

" Oh, hi mommy ! "

kiseok greeted his frantic mother with cresent eyes and a wide grin, his grand entrance was ruined but she's here now and that means he could still surprise her with the things he gathered throughout the day

" Kiseok, "

he opened his eyes to meet his mother's, kiseok always did love the way his mom's eyes gave off an autumn feel, that's why he decided that starting today, he'd always bring her the goodies he'd gotten earlier today, even when he's thirty-two years old and lives on his own, but right now her eyes didn't remind him of chocolate milkshakes with oreo crumbs and vanilla ice cream.

" why are you banging on my door, screaming like the neighbor's dog took a bite out of your lil ? "

still, her stern tone confused the child, he brought her gifts, why was she upset ? does mommy not like pumpkins ? or maybe she's tired of star lady coffee ? the little boy pouted at these thoughts, he'd gotten up at nine this morning to go with his friendly hyung seonghwa to get them all before noon

" I'm sorry mommy, I just wanted to give you these before they lost their special twinkle.. "

ms. jung looked at the wagon behind her only child, she was surprised to see genuine starbucks cups sitting next to what seemed to be four dozen fresh apples and two huge, ripe pumpkins

" I asked hyung to take me to the pumpkin patch to get the pumpkins and then the orchard for the bestest apples and the apple guy gave me three free apples so I gave him four shiny quarters for helping me, but they were really shiny quarters mommy, so shiny they could blind the sun without any help from the sun ! "

the boy had to make her understand that these were no regular quarters before he went on with his story and when he felt she did, he continued to tell her about his adventures

" then I had to give hyung two whole dollars to get you two cups from the star coffee place with the green lady a-and then he said if I wanted extra whipped cream he'd need more money so I had to give him all my dimes ! "

kiseok spent a lot of his allowance today and he felt like he'd failed at presenting his gifts since he'd upset his mother with his over the top announcement, he looked down as his eyes began to sting and his lips began to tremble

" but I'm really sorry mommy, I really didn't mean scare you. "

it obvious to everyone in the neighborhood that ms. jung loves her son, and she hated making him feel like his attempts at being slightly independent were going to be the death of her, so, she did what any other good parent would do

" Are You Serious ?! "

kiseok looked up and nodded eagerly, he was serious, making his mother upset was his least favorite thing to do because he hated how his heart would hurt when she would tell him that it makes her sad when she has to yell at him, if kiseok had known this would happen he would've let his hyung have the gifts and just stayed home, but then again...

" You Really Spent Two Whole Dollars ? On Me ?! "

the light slowly returned to his eyes as he realized what was happening, his mom wasn't mad anymore... she actually liked the gifts ! he put up seven fingers

" And all seven of my dimes ! "

when simon was twenty-two he wished he was still eight and that the random surprises weren't required gifts that determined whether or not he could visit his mom

but oh well, because sometimes in autumn you have to buy your mom gifts that match the season

sometimes in autumn you'll ask for extra whipped cream right before you leave starbucks

and sometimes in autumn you peacefully watch leaves fall when you visit the orchard

but, sometimes in autumn your eyes catch a glimpse of a pretty, petite male and you instantly fall in love