A Lost Christmas Eve Part 2
Ben hung up and thought about what he had just said. He repeated it, "I've missed you." He more than missed her though he thought he might be in love. It hadn't been easy getting back together either. He pulling his stunt at the play with Sue, and Monica sleeping with his brother had seriously damaged any trust they had. It was only when Ms. Young said he would be receiving and 'F' in her class, and he threatened to tell the principle about their relationship that things changed. As they planned to destroy each other they both realized that all they wanted was - each other. In the beginning they argued endlessly about who had hurt the other more. Finally one day as they screamed at each other, Ms. Young was broken down, and crying. She asked Ben to remember the night behind the tent, and how this all began. They were then able to forgive each other. It had not been an easy reconciliation, as Ben still doesn't talk to his brother, and the couple still hasn't made love since Ben ended their relationship at the home coming dance. They both thought to themselves that they might turn a corner tonight, and might finally be able to move on. He didn't know how or if this relationship would work, but he didn't care about the future, just the here and now.
He refocused and continued searching through his closet. "C'mon man there's got be something here, no, no..."
"…Ben," his mother knocked on his door as she said his name.
He walked over to the door, and opened it, "Yeah?"
"I wanted to go over a few chores that need to be done before your father and I get back."
"Oh man, now? I was just…"
She interrupted, "…lets just get it over with, ok?" She turned and headed down the hallway. He put his head down and followed her. She led him through the house while pointing out things. "Ok, the kitchen floor. It needs to be washed and waxed." Ben sighed. She continued explaining, "The carpet; the whole house needs to be vacuumed." He exhaled in disgust. "Oh and the back yard lawn needs to be mowed."
Ben laughed, "It's going to rain."
His mother looked at him, and then out the sliding glass door. It was gloomy out there, and was definitely going to rain. She turned to face him, "Yeah I think your right. You better get on it," she smiled as she walked away.
"Ha, ha, funny." He walked out into the yard. It started to lightly sprinkle about halfway through the job. He suddenly realized his phone was ringing. He opened it and studied the display. "Dino," he hit the talk button as he shut the mower off. "Hey what's going on dude?"
"Hey, not much. I got your message," Dino replied.
"Listen, can you do me a massive favor," his eye's widened as he asked.
"Massive? I don't know; what do need?"
"When my parents call your dad's place later tonight, can you tell them I'm in the bathroom, and call my cell?" He winced when he finished.
Dino laughed, "HA! What's up?"
With a huge grin Ben answered, "Ms. Young is making me dinner tonight."
"Really," Dino asked in a slightly sad voice.
"What? What's wrong?"
"No, nothing, that sounds, well hot. I'm happy for you dude, and yes I'll cover your ass.
"Thanks. Is there something wrong," Ben inquired.
Dino didn't answer right away. "It's this crap between my mom and dad you know. Things just aren't the same. We're going to open a few presents at my mom's for my bother. Then it's me and my dad for dinner at his place. It's kind of depressing really."
"I'm sorry man; wish I could help."
"Me too. Don't worry I'll make it. You enjoy yourself tonight."
"Oh I will." Ben raised his hand as the light sprinkle had become a light rain. "Listen dude? Do know what aphrodisiac means?"
Dino thought to himself for a second. "No, you know my Spanish is terrible."
"Spanish, is that Spanish?"
"You're totally asking the wrong guy," Dino stated.
"Ok, thanks for everything. Bye." Ben turned the mower back on, and continued the job.
Ms. Young quickly pulled into a parking slot of her favorite gourmet food store. She loved this store even if it was a bit pricy. She hadn't been in this good a mood in a very long time, and it showed with her beaming appearance. She took a deep breath of the cold air as she walked from the car to the entrance. As she entered the store she could feel the warm rush of the heated air surround her, while it whipped her ponytail around her face. Instantly she could sense the different smells of the store; breads, spices, and others. She stopped and looked at the numerous aisles of goods, the holiday decorations, the Christmas music playing throughout the store. She took a moment to take it all in, and she thought it was perfectly beautiful. Wow, she thought, love is so powerful. Her mother couldn't even ruin this high.
Ben was finishing the kitchen floor when his phone rang. "Jonathan," he said as he hit the talk button. "Hey what's going on?"
Jonathan was sitting in his room at his computer checking his email. "Oh not much. I thought I would see what you were up to tonight. Oh, Debra and her mom agreed to come to dinner with my parents," Jonathan happily declared.
Ben stood up off the floor while laughing. "Oh my God; no way? Are you nervous?"
Jonathan thought to himself for a second, "Yes."
"Yeah, Deb's mom is kind of out there?"
"Uh, yeah that's how I would put it. She's always bringing up weird subjects, and I never know what to say. I was thinking though she should get along with my parents pretty well."
"Yeah they're a little different too. Hey Jonathan do you know what Aphrodisiac means?"
"Uh, yeah, I think it's some kind of sex enhancer. Why?"
Ben's eyes went wide when he heard that. Damn Monica is unbelievable he thought. "Oh no reason; I'm just working on vocab."
"So I never heard what you were doing tonight."
"Have you talked to Dino," Ben asked.
"No. Why?"
"All right I'll tell you; but please be quiet about it."
"Does Dino already know? Why am I always the last to know," Jonathan wined.
"You're not," Ben replied in an annoyed voice. "I just talked to him a couple of hours ago, so it came up." Ben smiled to himself, "Ms. Young is going to cook dinner for me tonight."
Jonathan grinned at that. "No way? I wonder if Debra would do that for me? That's awesome! So your parents decided to let you stay home?"
"Yeah, I was kind of surprised that they went for it. Of course when they got the ticket prices from the airline, it kind of convinced my dad."
"Expensive huh," Jonathan asked.
"Are you kidding?"
"So what did you get her?"
Ben was confused. "Get, what do you mean?"
"A present of some kind? Aren't you going to exchange gifts or something?"
Ben slapped himself, "Oh crap your right. What the hell was I thinking; I wasn't thinking. Dude I have absolutely nothing for her!"
"Well that's ok. She didn't say you would be exchanging gifts." He continued in an unconfident voice, "So your…probably ok. I mean I would be worried…talk about embarrassing…"
Annoyed Ben interrupted, "…oh shit I have to get her something."
"Sorry. Forget I brought it up."
"Dude I've gotta go. I've got to find her something quick. Bye."
Ms. Young was basically finished picking up everything she needed for tonight. She decided to look over the store's large wine selection. She picked out a nice red and placed it in the basket. She then thought Ben probably isn't much of a wine drinker. She knew he didn't object to drinking at parties so she picked up some wine coolers for him. She moved the shopping basket up to the cash register. She said hello to the clerk, and smiled as she flipped through a tabloid magazine laughing at the ridiculous articles.
"Excuse me?" A woman in line behind Ms. Young was looking at her.
"Ms. Young looked up. "I'm sorry were you talking to me?"
"Yes I was. I know you," the woman stated as she walked up to her.
Ms. Young's smile was replaced with a slight look of worry. "No I don't think so," she replied while placing the magazine back.
"Yes, yes you are a teacher in one my son's classes."
Ms. Young tried to stay calm. Maybe this woman had mistaken her for someone else. It's true the school was less than three miles away so maybe she was correct. "Ok well who is your son?" She kept saying to herself please don't be Ben's mother; please don't be Ben's mother. That's all she would be thinking about each time Ben looked at her tonight – his mother.
"Dino Whitman. Hi I'm Annie," she stretched her hand out to shake Ms. Young's hand.
Ms. Young closed her eyes in relief for just a second. Jesus that was close she thought. The chance of running into Dino's mother was incredulous as it was. She put her hand out, and shook Annie's hand. "Monica Young. Nice to meet you Annie. Dino, yes I know your son."
"What subject do you teach?"
"English."
"Oh I'm so sorry," Annie winced, and wined.
Ms. Young was confused, but smiled, "Excuse me?"
Annie started placing items on the counter. "That's not one of Dino's strong subjects."
Ms. Young laughed, "Yes well I have several students, and I don't have their grades memorized. However I do know Dino needs to work on his papers more."
Annie sighed as she continued placing grocery items on the counter. "Ah, teenage boys, never enough time for school. Just time for young girls and sex," she laughed after she said it.
Ms. Young's face went blank at that statement. She responded in a monotone voice, "Yes I guess your right." She started thinking about Ben being with Sue at the dance.
"$73.50 ma'am," the male clerk stated in Ms. Young's direction.
She quickly turned her head towards him with an intense stare, and in a firm voice, "Doesn't anyone use Miss. anymore?"
The clerk actually felt weak in her ice cold stare. "Uh, sorry, Miss. $73.50 for everything." Ms. Young promptly pulled out her checkbook from her purse, and began writing out a check.
Annie thought that exchange was a bit odd, but ignored it. "So any plans for the holiday?"
Ms. Young continued writing her check. "Uh yes, I'm making dinner," she hesitated for a moment, "…for my boyfriend." She looked up feeling somewhat guilty, but smiled to cover it.
"Oh that sounds nice, romantic."
Ms. Young handed the clerk the check. "How about you; family get together," she asked. Annie hesitated, and cringed at that question. Ms. Young noticed this, "I'm sorry did I say…"
"…no, no. My husband and I are separated right now."
"Oh I'm sorry, that must be tough, especially now."
Annie looked down, "Yes, it is."
They both felt uncomfortable now. "Ok well I better get going. It was nice meeting you Annie." Ms. Young smiled as she headed for the shopping basket.
"Yes nice meeting you Monica. I'll tell Dino I ran into you."
She whispered to herself, "Please don't," as she continued pushing the basket out of the store.