Ben lay in his bed; his bedroom light was turned out. As the setting sun passed below the horizon darkness enshrouded him more and more. Ben didn't notice, he was far too lost in his thoughts. The conversation he'd overheard had told him several things. However one piece had really burned into his mind: If it still doesn't work then you'll be grieving something that is well and truly gone. Maybe then at least some of this misery would be well spent. For some reason those words popped everything into place for Ben. He realized that nothing was well and truly gone. Ben began to make a mental checklist. The feelings Monica and I have: certainly those aren't gone. Monica and I aren't gone: last time I checked we were both still breathing. Circumstances? Circumstances change, they're never really gone, Ben thought to himself. "Circumstances change, they're never really gone." Ben repeated out loud.
When Ben Conner was very young he liked to play with magnets, or so his dad had told him. Roland would purposely turn the magnets so they would repel each other. Then he would watch as his son tried endlessly to push them together. Until one day Ben figured out that all he had to do was flip them over. This night was turning out to be a night just like that. Circumstances change, they're never really gone. The thought consumed his brain as he went to his desk and flipped on his computer.
"Ben supper is on the table," Amanda shouted up at him from the kitchen. Ben thundered down the stairs to the dinner table. "Lemon Pepper Chicken," she announced as this was the first time Ben had come out of his room since being handed the phone number.
Ben attacked his meal with zeal his parents had never seen before. 'That's got to mean something good.' Roland and Amanda communicated to one another through a glance. "So did you call Miss Young," Amanda asked? Roland dropped his fork when he heard the question and whipped his head around toward his wife. It hit the floor with a loud metallic clank. Ben ignored both of them and continued ravaging his food.
"Son, BEN," Roland raised his voice trying to get his son's attention.
"Yes," Ben snapped back from wherever he was and raised his eyes to meet those of his parents.
Roland and Amanda studied their son for some time before trying again to start conversation. "You okay son, you ah, have a very determined look on your face," Roland finally asked?
Ben eyes darted back and fourth between his parents, his mind pondering his next statement. "Mom, Dad, I know I'm all set up and enrolled at UW, but I was thinking about Denver University.
"Thinking about it: as in intending to go there instead?" Roland set his fork down and held his head in his hand. Bracing for his son's answer.
"So you can be close to Miss Young again," Amanda continued?
"Yeah, I decided today that's what I want to do."
Both parents drew heavy breaths before discussion continued. "Tell us about this college," Amanda ordered, waving her hand in an 'I give up' gesture.
"Small private college, around 4500 students. Full range of majors and degree programs. Very good academic reputation. The problem is it'll be out of state tuition which makes it expensive with a capital e." Ben was remarkably calm relaying such life changing news.
"How expensive," Roland was still bracing?
"North of thirty-five thousand a year." Ben felt guilty as he said it. Roland and Amanda took a moment to get over the sticker shock.
"Okay let's look at this a minute. Even with the scholarship you got from the chess club and the money we have set aside for you, there is no where near enough to cover that. You're not likely to qualify for any kind of financial aid either. Your mother and I make too much. So that would leave a job and student loans to cover the rest of the expense." Roland's tone was clearly meant to scare Ben out of the decision.
"Son of course if this is what you really want, we'll support you," Amanda shocked everyone. Roland now leaned on the dining table and placed his hand under his chin. He was sure it was the only thing keeping his jaw attached at the moment.
"Wait, wait slow down here Amanda. This is one hell of a sacrifice for an eighteen-year-old kid to make for a girl. Excuse me a woman." Roland Conner was now talking with his hands as he paced circles around the dining table.
Amanda measured her next words carefully. "Roland he's our son, but we can't keep him forever. What I saw on those steps in New York was real, much as I still hate admitting it. It's not like he doesn't want to attend college, he just wants to leave Washington. Besides I think he's pretty serious about doing this, whether we help him or not." Amanda nodded toward Ben as she finished her speech.
"I can't believe you of all people are supporting this. You who wanted to have Miss Young strung up by her toenails, have her drawn and quartered, and then have the pieces arrested." Roland finally lost his cool.
"Look dad mom's right, I'm going to do this, with or without you. It would be easier with though." Ben yelled but then decided to back off a little.
"Alright let's everyone just calm down here. We don't have to settle this tonight. Amanda, Ben we've got three weeks until school starts. If this is a good idea now it'll be a good idea in the morning. Can we all just agree to sleep on it please?" Roland crossed his arms while Ben and Amanda nodded approval. "Remember I said, if, this is a good idea." Roland waved an index finger back and forth between his wife and son and left the kitchen. The three went their separate ways for the night. Ben was satisfied, the fight wasn't over, but at least his parents hadn't said no.