Chapter 2: THE THRILL IS GONE
BEN BOYEKEWICH THE THRILL IS GONE
Ben went to his car angry, enraged, and most of all heart broken. He never realized how much he still loved Adrian until he saw her pulling on her clothes with his best friend sitting on the bed, after they just had sex. He couldn't believe he could feel so hurt and betrayed till that moment. He looked at his hands bruised and bloody from his assault on Henry, but he didn't mind the pain that he felt from them. He was lost now in his own world where it seemed everything and everyone was against him.
It was at that moment that Alice came from the house yelling for him to stop. He turned and faced his friend, and let a tear roll down his now red eyes. Ben, please don't go and do something stupid she said with a similar look on her face. Alice, he said with a muffled voice full of pain as if he were fighting himself from screaming. I already did, something stupid. I trusted Hank, and I fell in love, with the wrong woman and married them twice. I don't think I can do anything else more stupid for the rest of my life. He then turned opened his car door, started his silver Mercedes and drove away..
He didn't drive very far when he saw an im-pass leading to a small secluded section of road. He slowly turned his car into the section and drove half a mile until he stopped and surveyed the area to ensure he had not been followed . He then got out of his car looked around and screamed. He screamed what felt, and sounded like a wild animal hurt in the woods. He placed his hands on his head moved them through his hair as he let tears fall from his eyes.
He dropped to his knees and imagined all what Adrian and Henry had done, which made his pain feel worse. He remembered how he himself had done those very things with Adrian. He remembered asking her to marry him, and how she told him she loved him that day. He remembered Hank sitting at the diner and telling him that he needed him as a friend and to stay away from Alice. He remembered Adrian and how beautiful she looked in her wedding dress.
He remembered Hank and Alice sleeping in is room, the night they talked him into spending the first night with Adrian. He remembered calling her, and asking if her invitation to stay the night was still open. How she was shocked when she said she would wait up for him only to find him waiting at her front door. How all that night she tossed and turned and then placing his hand on her shoulder, only to move closer to him and rest so comfortably. He remembered the first time they made love in the nursery since the night they conceived Mercy. All those memories flooded to him and were erased in that image of she and Hank having sex.
Ben, then rested himself against the door of his car, and just waited. For what he was unsure, and why was still a mystery. He sat down and held his keys in his hands and played with them. He then took his wedding ring from his pocket, and played with it. Strange he thought as he began to roll it between his fingers and looked at it. Adrian was the one who chose the wedding bands, she even paid for them with her own money. They were made of titanium and laced in white gold, she said that was how strong she wanted their marriage to be. In the middle of the ring was an engraving which read, "MY HUSBAND BENNY NOW & 4 EVA".
Well he thought forever doesn't last always. He got up and balled the ring in his fists, he held it and was about to throw it away when he caught himself. He tried, but couldn't throw it away. Why he thought to himself. Why me. I can't have one little thing. I couldn't have Amy, and John. I did so much to prove myself so WHY! Why couldn't I keep them. Because they were Ricky's family he thought. So why couldn't I have Adrian, and Mercy. They were mine. I loved them both. Why couldn't I have my family. Was it because of what I said to Amy. Was it because I slept with Adrian to get back at Amy and Ricky.
Was it because I yelled at Adrian, and ran. WHY!. No matter what I do it seems as if I am meant to have nothing. I wanted to stay with her last night. I wanted to make our marriage work. I just was so angry, and sad that we lost Mercy, I wanted the pain to stop. But, this is too much. I just don't know what I can do.
Ben, stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity. He would have continued to stay like that had it not been from the ringing of his phone with his father's signature tone. Ben got up opened his car door and sent the call to voice mail. As he did this he scanned though several calls he had already missed. Four were from Grace, two were from Amy, one was from Ricky, and the last was a text message from Adrian which read.
TO BEN: I am so sorry I was just drunk & embarrassed from what happened with Ricky, and when you left I just needed to forget about what happened. Please forgive Henry even if you cannot forgive me, I don't deserve it. But, he does he is your best friend and he is truly sorry. Please call me or someone to let us know you are OK.
At the bottom there was a heart, yeah he thought typical Adrian. He turned his phone off and got back behind the wheel of his car and pulled back onto the main road. As he began to drive he noticed a gas station by the road and pulled in. As he got out of the car he looked through his wallet and pulled out fifty dollars and went inside. An elderly man by the age of sixty or more sat behind the counter, as Ben made his way to the freezer and pulled out a six pack of beer.
As Ben made his way to the counter the old man looked at him and said I'm pretty sure you aren't 21 so put it back and we can forget about it. Ben laid a twenty down on the counter and said does this make me 21. The old man looked at him and said NO this makes you eligible to get arrested by a city official. I might own the gas station and work here but I am also the county coroner, and I have seen enough dead bodies of kids like you from drunk driving to last the rest of your life time now get out of here.
As Ben took his money and made his way back to his car he breathed heavily, of all the times he needed a drink this would be it. As he walked back a younger guy around 24 made his way to his car and asked if he needed anything to take the edge off. As Ben looked at the man questionably he asked like what. You know a little pick you up if you know what I mean. How do I know you aren't a cop he asked.
Does a cop carry all this he said as he showed Ben a row of joints and dime bags, pills and powders hidden in his duffle bag. Sure he said le me buy some off you. The guy removed two joints from his bag and a dime and handed them to Ben. Here these should do you since you look like you could use them, and you look like a beginner. And here is a book of matches on the house since you are a new customer. Ben handed the guy a twenty placed the joints in his shirt pocket and began to heads toward home.
As Henry got out of Griffin's car he thanked them for their help, and headed inside his home. His face hurt as well as is head, but the doctor gave him a clean bill of health and advised him to avoid whatever truck that hit him. As he walked through the door his father, mother, and Alice were waiting on him as he opened the door and looked as though they would continue the beating Ben had given him. Mom, Dad let me explain he said as he closed the door. Henry, his father said in a cool yet harsh tone go to your room.
But, Dad, Henry right now we don't want to hear a word of what you are going to say. Alice already informed us of everything, and Leo has just called to find out your well being and chip in on the medical bills. I let him know it was unnecessary because in my opinion for what you have done you deserve worse. BUT, DAD Henry said in shock. Henry right now for what you have done to your two best friends has never made me feel more disappointed in you as I do right now.
Wait, can I talk to him in private please, as Alice spoke up. Very well, Mr. Alvarez said as he left the room. Hank looks at Alice and is about to speak, when he feels a sharp and powerful pain against his eye , and falls to the floor from Alice's punch. He rubs his eye and asks what the fuck Alice. Oww, screamed Alice as she rubs her hand.
SHUT UP! She yells as Hank begins to get up off the floor. Stay down there Henry because you definitely do not want to get knocked back down again. He looks at her still nursing his eye and stays sitting on the floor. WHY HENRY, she asked? Why her? Why last night? She asks with tears rolling down her face. I don't know we were drunk and it seemed innocent, he exclaimed. Innocent you call sleeping with BEN'S WIFE INNOCENT. You know, I know how much she means to him and you do this.
Didn't you think he was hurt by all that has happened enough! Did you do this to hurt me or something, was I that bad of a girlfriend that you had to sleep that SLUT who married our best friend! Alice, he said. SHUT UP replied Alice I don't want to hear another word from you. TEN YEARS HANK, ten years we have all been friends and you go and stab our best friend in the heart while he was still bleeding. I CAN'T BELIEVE I CHOSE YOU OVER BEN ALL THOSE YEARS AGO, I CAN'T BELIEVE I LET YOU TOUCH ME WITH THAT TINY DICK OF YOURS. I HOPE SHE GAVE YOU AN STD OR SOMETHING. You did use protection didn't you. WELL! Alice asked. Can I speak now. Of course. Yes we used protection. I SAID SHUT UP! As she hit Hank one more time and stormed out.
At that moment Ben pulled into the drive way of his home and parked his car in the garage. He carefully hid the two joints in his pocket and opened the front door hoping make his way to is room unnoticed. He had no such luck as his father stood on the other side of the door. Ben, he said looking worried about him and grasping him in a hug. As he hugged his son, Ben began to feel him sniffing at his clothes and his breath. No, DAD I haven't been drinking, I promise. I know son, but after what happened at the party.
I thought, Leo said with worry in his voice. Dad, I'm not going to lie I almost did get drunk luckily there was an old guy that refused to sell it to me behind the counter, so I guess there are still some old school fathers like you left in the world. That's good to hear, said Leo. But where have you been all this time. Dad, I'll let you know later right now I just want to get up to my room shower, and be left alone for a while. Ben. DAD! Shouted Ben let me just do this I really need to be alone for a while. Alright said Leo.
As Ben went up the stairs the door bell rang and Leo walks over to answer it. There standing at the door looking more broken and guilty than she ever had before stood Adrian Lee, with glassy eyes. As Leo stood there he looked at Adrian and remained calm, he felt sorry for Adrian for having to endure so much in her short young life. From having an absent mother, no father, and to be used by so many boys. Only too lose her child, Ben's child, his grand child to a still birth.
But, right now he had no sympathy for her. His son who although had his faults really did love Adrian, and didn't deserve to be hurt by her in that way. She looked up at him and could tell that after all she had meant to him as a daughter in law even he began to resent her now. Mr. Boykewich she said in a saddened voice is he here. Yes, Adrian he's here. But, now is not a good time. I know you probably hate me right now she said. No, Adrian I don't hate you he said. I just don't particular like you as much right now. I understand she said and gulped down a lump after hearing that.
I just wanted to know if he was okay and that he made it home safely. Well he did. Could you give him this she said as she handed him the sapphire ring that Ben had given her. Ben, wanted you to have this Adrian. I know she said, but I don't deserve it anymore. True friends don't hurt each other. Adrian, Leo asked as she turned to leave. Did you ever love my son he asked almost apologetically. Yes, a lot she said Adrian. I just don't love myself, she stated as she turned to leave. Leo closed the door and saw his son standing at the stairs having listened to the entire conversation.
