"Why do you look so confuse?"
Lisa shoved the salad into her mouth and grimaced. She was not a big fan of grass. The thing was, the whole family had to eat vegan stuff for one day in a week. For a better health, Aorta said. Good reason, although not very enjoyable. Knowing everyone would object, the oldest boy decided to make a lunch box exclusively for vegan day for the family members. Lisa would cheat every once in a while but recently she had tried to bear it harder.
"My daughter got her first period this morning."
"I don't see why you must be so confused, though. You're an ob-gyn. It's your expertise."
"She bang on our door at dawn, crying out of the blue, saying she's dying because there's so much bleeding."
The cardio surgeon lifted her eyebrow. "Sasha said that? Like. . . for real?"
"Yeah." Sana sighed. "It took us two hours to calm her down. She demanded explanation on how on earth did it happen to her. Dahyun gave an illustration but it never reached a point. It made me confuse, too, actually. So I tried to do the speaking then I ended up explained it in the most specific way which made her even terrified."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing much, honestly." Sana avoided Lisa's eyes.
"Sana."
"The menstrual cycle, it's not much." She insisted.
"Start form ovarian cycle which consist follicular phase, ovulation, lut-"
"Okay, so it's too much. You don't have to point it out like that." The younger woman sulked. "I just don't know how to explain it, okay? It's the basic physiology of female reproductive system. It's constantly in my brain. I'm a doctor-"
"Talk to her like how you talk to your patients. You don't have to explain the process. As long as she understands that she's not dying and the process is normal, it's enough."
Sana only heaved a deep breath "How did you do it? You've done it, right?"
"We're started it way before they reached the age, Sana. It was around when they were eight, I guess? It was not my idea, it was Nini's. We discussed about it and we agreed to introduce the whole um. . . how do I say it? Human anatomy and its nature – especially the reproductive system. We want them to understand themselves, to explore more, to feel comfortable about their soul and body. It was not a big talk. We just explained the difference between boys and girls in general but we didn't restrict it. We let them wonder. Aorta and Artery were dumbstruck during it, meanwhile Venous asked a lot of questions because that's just how she is. Over the years, little by little the talk grows more and deeper. When Venous got her first period, she calmly spoke to us saying "I think I have my period. What do I do now?"
"Really?"
"Yeah. Then a few months later, Artery came to Jennie, I was not at home that time. . . he said that he's sorry for peeing on the bed but in the brighter side, it didn't smell like pee. Jennie laughed really hard when she told me that."
Sana laughed along. "He's so cute! What about Aorta?"
"He didn't tell us straight after. Probably around two months after."
"What did he say?"
"We were watching Miss Universe, right... when it showed the bikini photo shoot, he uncomfortably looked away. As always, Artery made a joke and he replied very seriously 'I'm a full-grown man.' It got us perplexed, afterwards he whispered 'I have to keep my eyes from beautiful women because they're beautiful and I do not want to think weird stuff.' Then Artery said 'you get wet dream seeing them?' Aorta's answer was a very quiet 'yes.'
"That one is so polite." Sana shook her head in amusement. "He's probably the polite guy I've ever known and he's just what? Fifteen, right?"
Lisa nodded as she chewed the food. "Jennie and me, we don't want any awkward between the kids and us. Sex talk can be very sensitive and embarrassing. I have my moment, too."
"I bet Jennie did most of it."
"Correct." Lisa winked. "But I sit through. I can bear it. The kids have it tougher than me."
"Thanks, Lisa Unnie." Sana smiled genuinely.
"For what?"
"For inspiring me. I learn a lot from you and Jennie. Dahyun and I don't discuss this topic a lot. But its our responsibility to prepare them."
"Yeah, it is." Lisa squeezed Sana's shoulder. "Take you time to learn, too."
"Will do, Unnie."
---
"No, Dahyun. I can't go to Bangkok next week. We're going to Hong Kong." Lisa closed the door behind her. "Look, I've-"
"Just take your family with you, Unnie. All you have to do is show up and present it. I've done the paper. You know this at the back of your head."
"That is the reason I can't go. The last time I brought my kids to Sydney for that symposium, they didn't talk to me for days!"
"Why?"
"I told them it was a vacation when I barely spent time with them. The four of them strolled the city and I stuck at the conference."
Dahyun sighed at the end of the phone. "Can you like. . . postpone the trip?"
"I've bought the ticket, Dubu. I can't refund it. The kids have school after this vacation. Call Do or Jonwoo. Ask them."
"Okay, then. Thanks, Unnie."
"Alright. Sorry, Dubu."
Lisa hung up.
"We're going to Hong Kong?!"
"What? Say who?" Lisa shrugged off her backpack. She seat beside Jennie and kissed her.
"Welcome home." She smiled sweetly.
"You did!" Artery spoke eagerly. "You're a terrible liar!"
Lisa pulled a face. "Give me Aorta, Artery, and Venous' report."
Artery's face fell. Venous and Aorta lightly went to their respective room to get their Dada's order.
"Before you complain, that A- was given by that annoying English teacher I once talked about. I'm very fluent in English. Frankly, I don't deserve this. Just because I'm smarter than him, he can't do this. I will take this matter to the headmaster-"
"No, sweetheart, don't." Lisa didn't have to look twice. She didn't even notice that minus if her daughter didn't mention it.
"Why not?" She demanded.
"We don't have to win in everything. He's way older than you. There's this thing called respect. It's an A-, it's fine. You've worked very well. Come here, give me a kiss."
She did as she told.
"Let's see Aorta's. . . well, not bad." There were plenty of As and Bs, no C. "Can you work on this B minus?"
He groaned. "I hate history. It's more like a lullaby than a subject to learn."
"Hang in there, buddy. Kiss."
Their tradition never changed over the years. Kids were often embarrassed when their parents kiss them, thinking it was not cool and childish. Aorta and Venous had their moment, too. They once protested when their mothers kissed them in public. But as Artery explained that time, "We love each other. Why would the two of you make a big fuss about it? We're lucky enough that till this day, we're still as close as ever. Don't you guys see other's family? Do you want to be like that?"
That got the two of them tongue-tied. Ever since, they never complained anymore.
"Artery?"
"You can't leave me alone." The boy said brokenheartedly.
Lisa glanced at her wife who only nodded and signaled her to take Artery's report.
"Artery, what the – what it this?" Jennie squeezed Lisa's thigh. "Sweetheart, there are a lot of C in it. Wh – what happened?"
"I'm sorry," was all he can say.
"This is. . ." Lisa opened and closed her mouth but nothing came out.
"Really bad, I know. But Dada, I will work harder next semester. I promise, really."
"Okay. I believe you. Just. . . this."
Artery hugged his Dada. His gesture melted her a little. Her boy was very affectionate. From how he embraced her, Lisa knew how guilty he felt.
"I'm really sorry."
"Okay. Kiss Dada."
Venous cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. Besides her, stood a flip chart with written calendar and schedule on it.
"What is that?" Aorta looked at his sister as if she had gone mad.
"It's my schedule for the next six months. You guys don't have to understand all of it. But what I want to bring to the spotlight is this." She pointed 19.30 – 20.30. "Especially for you, Artery."
"Why me?"
"I will personally tutor you. Your report is horrible. I'm ashamed, aren't you?"
"Mommy. . ." He whined.
"I've talked to Mommy and she is agreed with me. I'm sure Dada is also with us. Right, Dada?"
"Who would be a better to tutor for you if it's not Venous?" Lisa patted the boy's head.
"Anyone is better than her! She's scary!"
"Only if you're too slow."
"I will join." Aorta encouraged his brother.
"Thank you, big brother. Now you have a company for face my wrath." She smiled sarcastically.
"You're not helping." Artery hissed as he narrowed his eyes at Aorta.
"You need her help." Aorta said as low. "I do, too."
"But I have a program I want to watch during that!"
"Not anymore." Venous folded her arms. "I'm not going to let you fail your life only for temporary fun. That show does nothing good for you."
"It's funny!"
"That's show name is No Brainer. Need I say more?" She glared at her brother.
Artery rolled his eyes.
"Besides, I will be busier next year."
"Why?"
She exhaled a deep breath. "Alright, here's the thing. I've decide where I want to go after high school."
"You have?!" Artery gasped. "Why so fast?"
"You have to prepare your future. It doesn't work in an instant, Artery." She rolled her eyes. "I'm going to take aerospace engineering for my major and computer science for my minor in MIT."
"Europe?"
"U.S., Artery." She glared at her brother. "You're unbelievable."
"Aerospace engineering? You don't want to be a doctor instead? Aw!" Lisa flinched when Jennie pinched her waist. "What?"
"We've talked about this, Hon."
"I'm just saying."
Jennie increased her brow.
"Fine. I'll keep quiet."
"Isn't it too much, though? Aerospace engineering and computer science seemed. . . too much."
"I have decided to work with NASA."
"Why?"
"So we can move to another planet. Earth is not safe anymore."
"Excuse me?! What are you talking about sweetheart?"
"I'm telling the truth, Dada. In no time, the Pole will melt till no more left. It's the global warming and stuff. We have to find a place to live. I'm doing this for all of us."
"But – aw!"
"I'm proud of you, baby." Jennie stood up after she pinched Lisa for the second time and hugged the girl.
"Thank you, Mommy." She smiled sheepishly.
"What about Aorta?"
"I'll be a great chef. I'll have many restaurants. Dada, Mommy, Artery, and Venous will get free food for a lifetime."
"Chef? Not a-"
"Hon." Jennie shot a warning glare.
"Artery" Lisa sounded so hopeful. He was her last hope to be her successor.
"I have not given it a thought." He mumbled under his breath. "I mean, I'm only freshman. I thought it's not going to happen till senior year."
"It's okay too, Baby." Jennie said kindly. "Everyone has their time."
"Really?
"Yeah, take your time."
---
"You've got to be kidding me." Lisa paced back and forth anxiously.
"Why are you so stressed?"
"Your daughter wants to go to outer space, that doesn't stress you?"
"She's a high school freshman, Baby."
"We have to change her mind. It can't be happening. She was a baby yesterday, I lullabied her to sleep, I carried her around. Now she wants to leave? Not on my watch."
Jennie only watched her wife without giving any comments.
"You should talk to her. She's so alike like you. You know how to deal with her."
"But you said you know me better than I know myself?"
"She argues like you. I can't argue with both of you because that's a fight I can't win. Talk to her, please? She doesn't have to be a doctor just. . . do not go to the outer space."
"A question. What do I normally do if you tell me that I can't do something?"
"You'll work harder just to prove me wrong." Lisa said as matter of fact.
"And you said Venous is alike like me."
"What on earth are you talking about?"
"Say no to her, she will work harder just to prove you wrong." Lisa was taken aback with the statement. "She's fifteen, baby. Her dream can change in a week. For all I know she probably wants to be a Vlogger next week. Let her dream. Don't crush it by saying it's impossible. It is not. We know our daughter."
Lisa lifelessly slumped on the bed. "Why did they grow up so fast?"
"I wish they're still babies, too."
A knock on the door making both women looked up.
"Come in!"
"Moms, we're running out of ice cream." Aorta delivered the news in all seriousness. "Can we go buy a bucket?"
"Right now?"
"Venous is craving for it. She's lecturing Artery and me on how important ice cream for our happiness. I've told her to ask Dada directly but then she scolds me because she's the youngest and well. . . I don't exactly know how but she can convince me that it's my responsibility as the oldest to provide what she needs."
"That doesn't any make sense, Baby."
"I forgot her exact speech, Mommy. But that's the point. I lost the argument so. . . here I am."
Lisa and Jennie had to laugh at his explanation. Venous can be very persuasive. Although without that ability, they were sure Aorta and Artery would give in for their baby sister.
"Alright. Let's go buy it." Lisa hopped off from the bed. "You want to go?" She turned to her wife.
"I think I'm going to stay home. I have paperwork to do."
"Okay. We won't be long." She bent down to kiss her wife.
"Venous! Artery!" Aorta shouted. "Let's go!"
"Let's go where?" Artery yawned sleepily.
"Buy ice cream, of course."
"You guys go ahead."
"Okay, then. Accompany Mommy. Come on, Ve."
After Artery closed the front door with soft click, he went back to his Moms' room. He sat on the bed, watching his Mommy typing very fast on her laptop. He played with the hem of his shirt nervously.
"Something on your mind, Baby?" Jennie asked kindly when she sensed restlessness.
"Are you disappointed in me?" Artery spoke lowly.
"What? Where's that coming from?"
"Aorta and Venous have set their goals already. While me. . ." He paused. "I don't have any idea what I'm doing now. School is a mess, our basketball team didn't make it to the quarter final. It feels like I'm losing my place. I don't know." He shrugged frustratingly.
Jennie locked the laptop and moved near to Artery's feet. She put her hand on his leg and squeezed it gently. "Never even for one second I ever disappointed in you. The three of you are my pride. Everyone has their own time, Artery. I wanted to be a lawyer for so long. However, when I got accepted to the law school, most of the time, I didn't know what I was doing. Things always changed, Baby. It would never stay the same, that's why we adapt, we make effort to cope up. This semester maybe suck for you but you can change. You can study harder, practice basketball more for the better result."
"What if it never gets better?"
"Then try harder and harder. It's never too late to try, sweetheart." Jennie pulled her boy to her embrace.
"But Aorta and Venous-"
"Your Dada and I never compare the three of you. So you also should not." Jennie cut. "We believe in you three have your own charms and abilities, You three are always different ever since you were babies, sweetheart. But you get along so well. Unity in diversity, remember?"
"That sounds like our school motto, Mom." Artery smiled a little.
"There it goes my favorite smile." She tapped Artery's nose making the boy giggled.
"Mommy is the best." Artery snuggled comfortably to his Mommy. "Don't tell Dada that."
The two of them laughed out loud.