Surprisingly it was a quiet and peaceful night. Their father had not come home, which Minzy was super grateful for as she rose in the morning. Making Zelo and her some breakfast, she went in search for the morning paper. "Zelo do you wanna go with me job searching today?"

"Job searching sounds like fun," he smiled brightly. 

Smiling over at him, she ruffled his hair, "I knew I could count on you!" The pair finished their breakfast before getting ready for their day adventure. With a newspaper in hand, they set out on their journey of finding Minzy a Summer job. As Minzy drove, Zelo would read the various job descriptions and locations. This allowed her time to map out their route. "Let's try this waitress job real quick," Minzy said as she pulled into the parking lot. "Alright wish me luck," she said before getting out the car. Making her way into the small restaurant, she made her way over to the desk. "Hi I'm here to apply for the waitress position..."

The small woman looked Minzy up and down to size her up, "How old are you?"

"I just graduated from high school..."

"Have you had a waiting job before," the woman cut her off. 

"No, but..."

"No thanks," the small woman gave her courtesy smile to end the conversation. 

Minzy didn't know what to say, as she turned to leave, "That was quick." 

"Wow that was fast," Zelo smiled at her. 

She shrugged, "Whatever, let's try elsewhere."

It turned out to be a very long day of rejections left and right. Some being a little more harsh than necessary to the point that Minzy was starting to feel a little down. "I'm not getting anywhere," she groaned as she layed her head upon the steering wheel. 

"Don't worry big sis, this is just you weeding out all the bad jobs," her brother said encouragingly. "How about we take a break and get something to eat," he suggested.

Looking at the time her frown deepened seeing that it was almost five and the last thing they had eaten was this morning, "Zelo, I'm sorry baby boy. Why didn't you tell me what time it was?" 

"That's okay, I think I'm holding it together better than you are," he teased. 

"Ha. Ha," she said dryly. "Alright let's go get something to eat!"

The pair parked at a park and decided to eat out on the grass. "You know why you haven't found anything yet," Zelo chimed as he sipped on his drink.

"What," she mumbled as she stuffed her face with a couple of fries.

"Because you haven't found something that you want to do. What do you want to do Minzy?"

Minzy chewed her food quietly as she stared out at the park. She thought deeply to herself. She knew she wanted to work to pay for school, but she didn't really think as far as to what she wanted to study and do for a living. "You know...I honestly don't know."

Zelo chuckled, "No wonder why people have been turning you down. You don't know what you want! Why would they hire someone that is unsure of themselves?"

"Okay Mr. Smarty-pants, just because I don't know what I want to do for work doesn't mean that I'm unsure of myself." She sighed knowing her heart, "I just...I want to have a job yes, but I don't want my life to be my job. What I want in life is to be able to take care of the both of us. I don't care if it's some kind of humble job like a custodian, I just want to live a happy life you know?"

He smiled and nodded in understanding, "Then let's brush up on your plunging skills because I'm tired of you always asking me to do it for you!"

Minzy laughed as she teasingly hit her brother, "Hey that's your job at home, not mine."

"Whatever you say future custodian," he laughed as they continued to finish their meal.

"Let's stop at this last place," Minzy said as they pulled up to a cute little cafe. She didn't know why she was so drawn to it, but she couldn't deny the sign hanging in the window saying that help was wanted.

"Good luck," Zelo waved to his sister as she exited. 

"Thanks I need it," she waved back before she stepped up to the cafe. The strong aroma of coffee filled her senses, encouraging her to enter. Walking into the cafe she instantly fell in love with the unique look. It was as if she walked into a secret garden with the beautiful flowers and green adorning the walls. But the aroma of coffee along with delicious sweet smell of freshly baked goods brought her towards the counter. There she was met by a smiling sweet old woman.

"Well hello there sweetie, how may I help you," she sounded just as sweet as she looked.

Minzy couldn't help but match her contagious smile, "Hi ma'am I'm here to look for a job." 

"Goodie! You're hired," the sweet old lady sang as she clapped her hands together. 

"I'm hired," Minzy squealed. "You're not going to ask me any questions like if I have experience?"

She shook her head and grinned, "I have a feeling that you are exactly what we need here. When can you start?"

Minzy was in shock, "Thank you...I'm just so...thank you so much! I can start tomorrow if that's alright. I have my brother waiting in the car for me." 

"Well invite him in so we can get acquainted," the old woman smiled. 

"Umm...okay, I'll be right back," Minzy quickly made her way out to her brother to bring him in. To her surprise she returned with the old woman seting up a table of treats. 

"Come on now, I want you guys to get familiar with the goods we sell here," the old woman waved for them to come sit by her. 

"My goodness you don't have to...sorry I don't know your name yet," Minzy smiled.

"Grandma, you can call me grandma," she smiled sweetly. 

Zelo took a seat next to her, "Grandma? We never knew our grandparents." 

The old woman gasped as she placed her hand over her chest, "You poor things never knew your grandparents?" 

"It's really just me and my sister since my mother left us with our..." Zelo's mouth was quickly clasped. 

"I'm so sorry, my brother is a chatter box," Minzy chuckled. 

The old woman softly nudged at Minzy's hand, "You don't need to be ashamed of anything here. After all, grandma isn't just a name it's who I am. Now both of you sit and try these desserts for me." 

It was a bit awkward calling the old woman Grandma, but that odd feeling faded seeing how her brother's face lit up as he stared wide eyed at the sweets.The old woman encouraged them to eat them all, to which Zelo gladly did causing both women to laugh with admiration at his care free nature. Soon they all began to talk and laugh so effortlessly, that the time flew by. "Oh my goodness it's time for me to lock up," Grandma smiled looking at the time. 

"Oh my, really," Minzy looked to see how dark it was outside. "Let us help you lock up. It's the least we can do for all the delicious desserts."

"Yes, please let us know what we need to do," Zelo jumped up ready to be put to work. 

This made the old woman laugh as she instructed the siblings on what to do. They were so fast, that they had cleaned up in half the time she was used to. "My I think I want to offer you both a job here. You both work so well here."

"It's from a lot of experience," Zelo half heartedly answered. 

Minzy gave her brother a side hug before looking to Grandma who stood with expecting eyes, "We depend on each other." 

The old woman nodded in understanding, not wanting to push the issue any further, "Well in that case, then I think I'm going to need both of you. Zelo would you like to work here as well?" 

"Yes ma'am," he said cheerfully. "I promise I'll hard to make you proud." 

"My dear child your energy makes anyone proud of you," Grandma laughed as she watched Zelo prance around happily. 

"Thank you Grandma, you didn't have to," Minzy laughed along with her. 

Grandma gazed over to Minzy and smiled softly, "Of course I did." 

Minzy smiled thankful for such a sweet soul, "Do you live near by? We could drive or walk you home."

Grandma shook her head, "No no child, I'll be alright. My son always comes to pick me up after work. You both go on and I'll see you guys bright and early tomorrow." 

"You can count on it," Zelo said before hugging the old woman. "Thank you." 

"You're welcome," the old woman hugged him back before looking over to Minzy. "Are you going to be an ungrateful child or are you going to give me some sugar too?"

Minzy chuckled as she followed suit, giving Grandma a big hug, "Thank you grandma." 

"You're welcome my child," the old woman whispered as she held Minzy in her arms. Though she didn't want to admit it, she felt so safe in her arms. She barely knew this old woman, yet here she was hugging her and calling her Grandma. But that didn't seem to bother the old woman as she continued to hold Minzy in her arms. "You both travel home safely okay?"

Minzy reluctantly released the old woman and nodded, "We will. Good night."

"Good night my sweet children," grandma walked them to the door and waved waiting until they left. 

The siblings laughed as they entered the house. They were so happy to have met such a sweet old woman like grandma, to notice the eerie feel of the house. "Where the have you two been," their father growled as he flipped on the lights to the living room. 

"Looking for a job," she said flatly as she pushed her brother along to walk faster. 

"Don't you ing walk away from me when I'm talking to you," Minzy felt herself being yanked back by the hair. She stumbled to the ground to see her father standing with a hard look on his face. "Why did you go looking for another job?!"

"Because I know your sorry won't pay for my ing school," she barked as she rose to her feet. 

Their father stepped closer to her, not before Zelo stood in the way, "Dad stop!" 

Shoving her brother out the way, he stood face to face with her, "You already have a ing job! You work at the construction site remember or did your dumb forget." 

"I declined or were you not paying attention," Minzy said through gritted teeth.

He sighed before grasping tightly onto her neck and slamming her into the wall, "Are you out of your ing mind?! Are you trying to embarass me?!"

Zelo tried to shove his father off of Minzy to be elbowed hard in the gut, "Dad!"

"Listen here you little ...are you listening," he yelled as he slammed her into the wall again. 

"What," she cried in a gasp for air as she tried to pull his fingers that were digging into her neck. 

"You're going to apologize to both Mr. Park and his daughter you here me," he said shaking her. "You're gonna apologize and then beg for your job back!" 

Tears stung her eyes as she grew light headed, "Over...my ing...dead body!" She spit as hard as could in his face before kicking hard at his stomach and groin area. She felt the pressure around her neck being released as she tumbled to the floor. Coughing and choking as she crawled away, she was aided by her brother who picked her up and rushed to his room. There he quickly locked the door and began to move his room furniture in front of it. 

Shaking and crying as she tried to control her breathing, she did her best to ignore the hurtful slurs as their father pounded hard on the door. "You're going to ing do what I say. Do you hear me?! You ing !" 

"Leave me the alone," she screamed as she started to pound back. "Just leave me alone!" 

Zelo took his sister in his arms, knowing very well it would only encourage their father to continue his rage, "Minzy calm down! Calm down!" 

"I want him to ing die," she cried as she yelled. "Did you hear that you ing prick?! I want you to die!" 

There was a loud crack and they both jumped to see their father punching his way through the door. The fear and amazement crossed their faces as they stood watching bloody knuckles punching their way through the door. "Come say that to my ing face you little !" 

Minzy glanced around in fear, looking for something to arm herself with. Grabbing one of Zelo's hard bound school books, she begant to swing it at the door as her father tried to reach for them. "Get the away!" 

"I'm gonna show you...what ing respect is," her father roared through the door as he got ahold of her shirt. Pulling away, she ripped her shirt before she threw the book hitting him right in the face, "!"

"Minzy let's go," Zelo whispered loudly over at her through his open window. There he was able to help Minzy out of the window as they rushed through the front and out to her car. With trembling hands gripping the wheel tightly, she speed off with the only thought to escape. Before she knew it, she found herself parking in front of the little cafe they had left an hour ago. Tears streaming down her face, Minzy cried. Her injuries were deeper than the physical pain. She was hurting emotionally as she cried harder when her brother pulled her into his arms. Crying together the siblings wanted nothing more than to feel safe. 

Minzy awoke to the soft tapping. Slowly coming to, she saw the old woman she had met the day before. "Good morning sweetheart, would you like to join me for some tea?" 

The thoughts of last night came to mind as she realized that she must probably look like a hot mess. Making her way out of the car, she stood embarassed before the woman, "I...I'm so..."

"Tell me over a cup of tea dear," the old woman took Minzy by the arm and led her into the cafe. Minzy took a seat as she watched the old woman prepare them each tea. "Here we go," she chimed as she placed the two mugs onto the table. 

"I'm so sorry I parked in front of your cafe. I didn't mean to, I didn't know where to go. I just needed to get away...I'm so sorry. I understand if you don't want us to work here," Minzy blurted out.

The old woman took the mug into her hands and chuckled, "Someone is in a rush to get fired." 

"No that's the last thing I want..." Minzy said in a panic

The woman went quiet before standing to her feet, "Okay, then follow me." 

Minzy followed the woman quietly to the back of the shop where it had a flight of stairs. Heading up the stairs, there was a short hall that led to a door. There the woman took out a key and opened it. "It's not much, but I think it'd be wise to have my employees watch over the cafe."

Minzy gasped in surprise at the cute little studio. There was a bed, small kitchen and bathroom with boxes stacked all over. It was kind of cramped together and out of date, none the less, they seemed to look useable. Being at loss for words and definitely drained from the night before, she found herself falling to her knees. "I...I..." Tears spilled into her hands as she found herself crying. As much as she hated crying, she had never felt and seen such compassion from a mere stranger. 

"My dear you and your brother deserve better," the old woman sat down next to her. Taking Minzy in her arms, she cooed softly, "It'll all work out baby girl you'll see." 

Minzy was able to convince Grandma that she and Zelo would be okay. Driving back to their home, they quickly gathered as much of their belongings they could before making their way back to the cafe. There Minzy was able to take out a fresh pair of clothing and change before her and Zelo headed out to the cafe. Pushing open the doors, the warm aroma of freshly made bagels and muffins hit her right in the face. Inhaling the new smell of delicious hope, she made her way to where Grandma was popping out the muffins onto a pretty glass platter. "What can we do to help?"

Grandma glanced up with a smile on her face, "I want you both to be my shadow. Learn by watching what I do and if you have any questions feel free to ask okay?" Minzy nodded in understanding as Grandma started to explain how to set the muffins on the platter. 

As Minzy went throughout the day shadowing Grandma, she noticed just how sincere Grandma was towards everyone. It seemed as though she knew her customers, but not only did she know them she treated them as if they were good friends. Every customer was precious to Grandma and she gave them such treatment right when they walked through the door. This woman was of some kind of different species in Minzy’s eyes. Grinning as she watched Grandma’s interactions with a current customer. She didn’t notice the person who entered. A small cough was heard to catch her attention and without thinking she quickly turned with a smile plastered on her face. “Hi how can I…” she stopped in her tracks and chuckled. “Teddy?!" Flustered by his sudden appearance, she couldn't help but chuckle. "Uh...how may I help you today?”

He shrugged as he gazed at her, “Come back and be my assistant?”

“I was only there for a few days, I don’t think I made that much of a difference,” she politely shook her head.

Sighing he leaned up onto the counter, “But those few days were the best few days I’ve had. I’ve never been so ahead in my work until you came along.”

“You’re so sweet, thank you. I appreciate your encouraging words. But what can I get you today,” she said changing the subject.

He huffed in disappointment before gazing over towards the delicious selection of sweets and pastries, “If you change your mind…”

“Teddy are you trying to steal my employee’s from me,” Grandma chimed in as she stood next to Minzy.

He laughed while shrugging, “It didn’t work. I think you worked your magic on her.”

Grandma turned to wink at Minzy, “I have my ways.” The three laughed as Grandma continued to tease Teddy. When he bid his farewell, Minzy stood with Grandma watching him walk out, "He's handsome isn't he?" 

"Yeah I guess," Minzy nodded. 

"Maybe we can convince him to come and work for me," Grandma teased making Minzy giggle. 

After all the long hours of hard work, Minzy awarded herself by snuggling up in her blankets. Sighing as she got the chance to finally sleep in, she lay quietly in the studio. But that peace and quiet was short lived when a knock came at the door. Laying quietly she hoped that it was figment of her imagination, but a second knock followed. Groaning as she left her haven of blankets, she stumbled over to the door thinking that Zelo had forgotten his key. Flinging the door open, she was surprised to see that it was none other than Teddy standing at her door way.

“Morn…” His sudden appearance startled her and she subconsciously shut the door. Snapping her head towards the mirror, she ran her fingers through her hair before dashing towards the sink to splash some water on her face and toss on a robe to cover her indecency. “Sorry for showing up unexpectedly,” he apologized through the door. “I was just told…”

Minzy quickly made her way to the door and plastered a smile onto her face, “Morning, how can I help you?”

He lifted a bag and cup, “I brought you some breakfast. Can I come in?”

“Uh…sure,” she turned quickly making her way in and snatching up her bra lying on the couch and tucking it into her robe. “Sorry it’s a small studio.”

“No worries, I just wanted to come and check out the place. Grandma asked me to come by and check out the studio and see if you and I can come up with some plans on remodeling the place.”

“What? I don’t know anything about remodeling. Zelo and I just moved in and I don’t think I can afford…”

He shook his head and handed the bag and cup to her, “Don’t worry about the money. Grandma and I have it covered. You just have to promise me that you can help out where you can.”

She watched him gaze around the studio somewhat confused, “I don’t understand. Everything is fine as is. I don’t need…”

He held his hand up as he walked over to the kitchen area and turned the faucet to the sink, “You don’t have to understand, just know that remodeling this studio was something Grandma had been bugging me about for ages. So it’s not so much about you but me finally keeping my promise. Do you have any recommendations since you are living here?”

“Well…I do like to cook, so if at all possible updating the kitchen area? Then in the restroom if it’s not too much trouble pulling out the carpet and making it wood or tile it would be easier to maintain. My last suggestion would be to have some way to separate beds for Zelo and I. He's a growning young man that needs his space.”

Teddy raised his eyebrows and nodded, “I knew you were opinionated, but I didn’t know you were that opinionated.”

“You asked,” she shrugged as she folded her arms over her chest.

“You’re right,” he smiled.

“So when are you going to start?”

He pointed in between them and grinned, “We are going to start today.”

“Today,” she repeated in disbelief. “Like when today?”

“Now, we’re going to clear out the studio the best we can,” he chimed before heading towards the door. “I only have limited amount of time, so I’ll be working on the studio on my days off.”

As much as she wanted to disagree she couldn’t, he was going to be working on the studio on his days off which meant it was out of the goodness of his heart. Sighing she closed the door behind him and quickly went about getting dressed to help out. Clearing out the studio became an all-day event. Minzy realized she needed to start working out after today. She could have sworn she had sweat from every pore in her body as she slid down onto the floor. Sighing deeply as she gazed around the emptied room it seemed so much bigger.

“Here,” Teddy sat next to her as he handed her a bottle of water.

Graciously taking the bottle in hand, she took a big gulp and grinned, “I didn’t think there was that much stuff in here.”

“I know, you said that the entire day,” he teased.

“I’m sorry,” she laughed. “I didn’t realize how much of a complainer I’ve been.”

“Oh we’ll see just how much of a complainer you’ll be over the Summer,” he continued to tease.

“Huh? This remodeling is going to take the entire Summer,” she asked in disbelief.

He nodded as he looked around, “Yup we’ll be spending the whole summer together.” Groaning as she rubbed her temples and wondered just how she would make it. Today was pure exhaustion and experiencing it week after week for an entire season was just too much to think about. She wanted to put in over-time to help pay for the coming school year, but this was going to throw a dent in her plans. “C’mon don’t be too sad that we have to spend this summer together,” he teasingly bumped his shoulder against hers.

Sighing she shook her head for his misunderstanding, “No it’s not you…”

“It’s me,” he laughed.

“Yeah that’s part of it,” she joined in. “No, I’m super grateful for you. I just wasn’t planning on this.”

“What were you planning? Hot dates and vacations,” he chuckled.

Grinning she shook her head, “No that’s not a luxury I can afford. More like lots of over-time to make money for school.”

“That’s admirable. Do you know what you want to go to school for,” he nodded, surprised by her answer.

She shrugged not really thinking on it, “No, but I’m sure I’ll find out with time.”

“Well that’s good, I better head out. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Teddy said as he stood to his feet.

“Okay,” she waved as she watched him let himself out. Leaving her alone in the quiet studio, she laid on her back and stared up at the ceiling. It was her first time truly being alone to soak in her thoughts since her and Zelo left home. The past week came rushing in her mind as she thought of just how truly blessed she was. Grandma literally had saved both her and Zelo’s life when she took them in. Now she wasn’t just taking them in, she treated them with so much love and care it was just so overwhelming. A tear fell from her eyes as she closed them, pushing out the thoughts that were making her feel so emotional she cleared her mind and focused on the quiet air that surrounded her.