Chapter 17
Ben was dozing peacefully when Benjy came in like a mini tornado which hardly stopped to climb up on the bed.
Maria and Meg smiled as Ben recovered from the onslaught and Benjy got his breath back.
"Hi Ben. That's an interesting way to wake up! We've got lunch. Tyus have any news?" Meg asked as she put the food on the table.
Benjy scrabbled around on the bed trying to get in a position to show Ben his scrap book, Ben put his arm a round his shoulders to stop him from falling off the edge of the bed and replied "Yes, he's kicking me out tomorrow morning providing I promise to return to every day life slowly and he or Dr Estrada are around when I give my full statement to Ricardo. I thought I'd do that this afternoon get it over with. Now young man what have you got there?"
He turned his attention to Benjy's book and then food, which was eaten amongst lots of laughter. They were packing things up, Meg and Maria putting things in a bin outside in the corridor, when Benjy held back and went silent Ben patted the side of the bed and Benjy climbed back up and sat close to Ben. "What's wrong?"
Benjy said hesitantly. "Can I still love Daddy and Mummy?"
Ben his arm put around Benjy's shoulders bringing him close to him. "Yes. They loved you. What they did was wrong but it had nothing to do with you. The time you've had with Daddy was good that's all you need to remember. The bad things were to do with him and me from a long time ago. Sometimes children in families don't get on that's Ok but is should be worked out nicely, Derek and I never could. Tess gave birth to you and loved you very much. I think she was trying to do the best for you and now you have a new mother who loves you very much. At present things are confusing just remember you are loved."
Benjy nodded and said quietly. "Do you love me?"
Ben hugged him, "Yes. I do very much; remember we are connected that is something special."
Benjy wriggled to be released saying, "But you will leave as Tess said and go to Meg."
Ben still holding him but loosely said gently but firmly, "When I've sorted things out I hope to marry Meg, which will mean you will have a bigger family because it will include her parents and sister. I'm not going to leave you or Maria totally. I'm sure Maria will find someone special and he will want to help and become part of your family and that's all right. We can all be friends; I expect you will still keep in touch with your father no one is going to stop you from doing that. We are not going to leave you alone we love you too much for that..." Ben kissed him lightly on his forehead and ruffled his hair. "Now go to Meg for a moment I need a quick word with Maria. All right?"
Benjy nodded and slid off the bed and ran to Meg who was standing in the doorway with Maria.
Maria came over to him saying "Thank you for that."
Ben smiled he knew she was till coming to terms with everything. "It's all true. I know it hurts you at the moment I hope time will heal. When you've found a house you like let Charles know and he will arrange the finance for it. The Ocean Drive house is yours so you will have the money from it. Any money you need for Benjy or yourself till you get on your feet it's there for you, it's not charity or guilt money you understand that."
Maria smiled and came closer, but still out of reach, for the first time she was starting to feel at ease in his company. "Yes I know. I've moved my things into the guest room. I can still feel his presence in the house but Benjy is happy there, so I will see what happens. I have Mama and my brothers to help me. I'm sorry I did not see the difference I should have after our talk and you went to Meg before you left for Seattle."
Ben shook his head "It would have been dangerous if you had. Part of me is glad you did not the other is greatly ashamed for what my brother did to you. I know he has always wanted to hurt me but to do the things he did to you was too cruel."
Maria replied gently. "We can't undo the past Ben. I want to try and move forward start a fresh perhaps we can both forgive and not feel guilty … in time we will be all right. I'm happy you have Meg. Yesterday when I got the ship in a bottle the owner said he was going to turn part of the shop into a gallery perhaps I will start painting again and sell them. You rest and I will pass on your message to Ricardo to call... Oh how are we going to sort out yours and Derek's things?"
Ben thought for a moment. "See Ricardo about where to send clothes and anything Derek bought since I was kidnapped. I'll sort out a few things that Meg can collect the rest can go into storage. I'll need some things for tomorrow then I can buy the rest later." She nodded and smiled then joined Meg and Benjy who were waiting just outside to give them privacy. Meg blew him a kiss and waved Ben watched till she had gone then rested back on the pillows and closed his eyes.
oxoxo
When Tyus and Ricardo came into his room Ben greeted them with a causal smile trying to sound cheerful. "Glad you brought refreshments with you I was just going to ring for room service. You know Ricardo I was thinking about Derek's request for payment. I could offer a dollar a day if he wants. You could tell him I would pay more but I've taken out everyday expenses along with payment for the men who kept me and that's what's left. It will stop me having to waste money on lawyers, which is what he wants...
Oh yes! I want make a food complaint if you could find out where the crappie food they gave me came from. It was cardboard and things that were meant to be fries were unmentionable, just as well they only feed me that stuff once a day, twice would have killed me, mind you the soup wasn't any better either."
Ricardo laughed understanding the cover Ben was trying to pull; none of this was easy considering the history they had and said. "I'll look into it. I spoke to a Judge about Derek's idea and it brightened up his day, he gave a ruling against Derek so he is sulking in his isolation cell. The Judge also decided Derek's a risk to other people and officers so he has a cell all to himself and takes exercise by himself as well.
Your watch and ring are being cleared through the system and should be able back with you tomorrow. Still sorting out your finances though but we're allowing Maria to use the account you gave her at the beginning. So if you're ready to tell us about Seattle we should start … get it over with." Ricardo put the tape machine on the table.
Ben took a drink of the tea they brought in with them and gave a resigned smile, the moment couldn't be put off any longer. He gave a shrug of his shoulders and started.
"It was all too easy actually...Because the trip was done on the spur of the moment I asked at Seattle Airport for a suitable hotel. When I arrived at it I rang Sara and got Meg … that was nice to hear her voice even if things were strained. Then had a quick meal before leaving to go to the registry office and a general look round. You know that was the last decent meal I had!
I did not get far, turned off the busy street and down a quiet one with cars parked on both sides but few people around. The man I now know as Josh came towards me I think Jake must have been behind me, possibly in a car. Anyway as Josh passed me he swung something into my back and knocking my legs from under me and I was down on the ground before I could protect myself. I heard Jake's voice call my name as he knocked me out with a stun gun. How I hate those things!...
The next thing I knew, I was being dragged out of the car by my brother, the garage was part of the house so no-one could see me…. He gave me a warm welcome, … while I was getting my breath back he presented me with a present of chains, then we toured the house finishing in the basement... we had a bit of an argument about the seating arrangement. ... With the help of some drugs we had several little chats about everything I thought, felt, you know the kind of thing … put the world to rights... Time past with my pals... complained about the food got nowhere ... Tried to go for a walk Tim came ... Big bang and flight home... End of story." Ben ended hopefully with half a smile.
Ricardo shook his head with a sad smile, knowing in spite the lightness of Ben's tone there was a lot of hurt hiding. "Good try but I'm sorry Ben we need all the details so Jake and Josh get full terms in a suitable jail. We don't want their lawyers bargaining that they did it under Derek's threat or Derek claiming they threatened him with your death to get the money for themselves. We have to show they could have got help for you at any time no matter what Derek's threats were."
Ben nodded sighing said. "Pity it would save you a lot of typing... No... Okay then but remember I have no idea of time. Page 1 chapter 1..."
oxoxo
Half listening to the laughter coming from the decking as Carmen played with Benjy, Maria sat on the sofa reading the divorce papers she had asked Charles to bring over and her mind kept drifting over what they'd done so far. They had finished packing things for Meg to collect and Carmen had packed all things to be sent off for Derek to save Maria the pain. Benjy still wanted to stay but had started to think about moving when she had shown him a picture of a house near his friend's Zack's apartment and explained Zack could pop round after school for tea most days as his mother had just started working. The doorbell rang, the laughter stopped and they came in from the decking as she went to answer it.
Ross stood at the door with a parcel in his hands; he smiled at Maria "I told my father-in-law about our findings and conversation. He gave me these dairies of a relation of his. It turns out to be the lad who was rescued; I thought you might like to read them. The captain's family was British, he never said anything about his family and he never married and no papers were found. Oh yes. The ship in the bottle was made by a man from Captain Johnson's ship but later possibly a sister ship, there were several made around that time."
Maria turned to her mother as she showed Ross in. "This is Ross English, Mama. I told you about him last night. His daughter will be starting at Benjy's school next week I think she may be in Benjy's year."
Ross nodded yes and held out a smaller parcel to Benjy saying. "They are similar to the ones you liked playing with in the shop." Benjy said thanks and took them over to the steps at the end of the room sat on them and started to open the parcel.
Carmen shook Ross's hand and smiled warmly at him saying "I'll get some drinks then we can look through the books together. It looks as if saying nothing about the past runs in the family!"
Maria smiled and laughed, Ross looked puzzled. "Don't ask how but we know Ben is related to Frederick Johnson. I think he might start checking what he knows in a few days time, when he's got over his ordeal. Perhaps we could get together on that?"
Ross smiled liking the idea very much. "Sounds good. More ghosts no doubt." He saw Maria grin, Carmen came in from the kitchen. "Can I help you with the tray Carmen?"
"Thank you Ross." she said warmly, although she hadn't actually seen anything form their first contact she knew he would be good for the family.
They settled down and talked and looked through the books till Carmen sighed showing Maria a name saying. "It seems one of our relations were also under the care of the captain. I was right it is a spiritual payment!"
"Mama! Stop seeing things that aren't there. The ghost maybe but nothing else please!" Maria exclaimed her mother's so called sixth sense was just too much sometimes.
Carmen gave a gentle laugh her Spanish accent coming through making her words gentle adding to the fortune-teller feeling she could cast around her when she plied her trade. "Sometimes it takes years or centuries to right a wrong and pay a debit Maria and sometimes they don't get paid I know.
Captain Johnson was a giver like Ben, he took care of his crew and families then he gave his life for a boy. You can see how the boy regretted the Captain's death, he made a success of his life in order to pay back that debit, but he still felt bad about it. There is also Sophie's love and regret they all come together. Now the Captain is at rest with the ones he loves and we have closed the chain. We have also closed another chain for Ben and soon for you, I can feel it. I will leave you for a while I'm free this evening if you want me to look after Benjy."
Maria laughed as she showed her mother to the door. "Mama stop it." Carmen looked back at her daughter with pure innocence then slowly smiling. "Si Maria. Give it time but not too long! You have lost a lot of time already."
Ross smiled when she came back. "Mother's and Mother's-in-law are all the same they mean well. I'll leave the books with you for a while if you want to show Ben. I am sorry I can't stay I have to collect my daughter from the school bus. This is my phone number I'll collect the books or you can return them to the shop when you've finished with them. It's been a pleasure meeting you and Benjy." He added almost tentatively knowing she could back out if need be and not wanting her too. "I'm going to start clearing the back of the shop for the gallery next week if you are interested."
Maria smiled and accepted the card and walked him to the door. "Thank you, I'm sure I'll look in I think Benjy's got the collecting bug and I shall be looking for some bits for a house I'm thinking of buying." She watched him walk to his car smiling at her mother's words and hearing Benjy's laughter.