June 8, 2012
Bellwood Junior High School; 3:00 pm
The final bell rang for the school year. While the other students began to file out of the room, Ben approached his teacher's desk. "Do you have a moment, Mrs. Jones?" Ben asked.
"Of course," the woman answered, ushering Ben to take a nearby seat. Mrs. Jones was Ben's eighth-grade English teacher and, up until a couple of months ago, seemed to be out to get him. She would constantly call on him during class and was extra critical when grading his assignments. However, it soon became clear that she had seen the potential in him much in the same way as Mr. Saito had. So when Ben had asked if there were any extra credit assignments to boost his poor grades, she happily obliged. "If you want to know your grade for the book report, I haven't finished it yet. But, from what I've read so far, I think you have nothing to worry about."
Ben was ecstatic, "thank you so much, Mrs. Jones!"
"Don't thank me yet, Ben. One report isn't going to be enough to save your GPA."
"I understand." Ben knew that straight A's was nothing but a pipe dream, but he could still strive for mostly B's and C's. "Still, thank you for the opportunity."
His teacher smiled softly, "You know it's students like you that make this all worth it." She motions to the pile of tests that she needs to grade. "Now, go on and enjoy your Summer.
With a smile plastered on his face, Ben walked out of the classroom and made his way through the halls. He stopped at his locker to collect the rest of his things, feeling a little sad that he would no longer be in this school come Fall. Though he had next to no fond memories here, his time here did help shape the person he had become. He took a deep breath and shut his locker for the final time.
As he made his way for the exit, he saw a familiar face. "Mr. Saito," he called out.
"Benjamin," the math teacher replied, "how did you do on the rest of your exams?" Mr. Saito had been the teen's biggest supporter since he returned from his suspension. There had been many times when he would offer tutoring after school, but Ben would usually turn it down.
"I think I did okay," Ben said.
"Have you reconsidered joining my dojo? It could help with your unresolved anger.
"Thanks, but no thanks. Karate just isn't for me."
"Well, if you change your mind, there will always be a spot for you."
The two soon said their goodbyes, and Ben made his way home. He quickly stopped at the trailer park, hoping to see his grandfather, but the Rust Bucket was nowhere to be seen. It had been well over a month since he had last seen him, which was nothing new. Still, though, he had hoped that the old man would be there to celebrate with him.
His parents would be off work soon, so he continued walking home. He had an hour at most to himself before they would interrogate him about his exams just as they had done the previous days. He debated turning into XLR8 or Jetray so that he could secure a few more precious minutes of solitude, but he had done well to avoid using the watch up until that point. "It'll be all worth it soon," he told himself. Once home, Ben took a long hot shower before looking over the contents of his duffle bag. He had yet to talk to his parents about the trip with his grandfather, but he was certain he would convince them.
The sound of the garage opening caught his attention. He made his way downstairs to see both his parents walking in.
"Hey, sport," Carl said, "how'd your finals go?"
"Good," Ben said sincerely. "With all the extra credit I've been doing, I should have at least a high C on everything."
"If that book report is anything to go off, I think you're looking at B's," Sandra said as she hugged her son. "I'm so proud of you."
"So am I," Frank said, patting Ben on the shoulder. "I even got us reservations at that fancy Italian place downtown. How's that sound?"
"That sounds great, Dad," Ben said warmly. So it may not have been the good cop bad cop treatment Ben had been expecting, but he couldn't let his guard down just yet. He'll hold off on dropping the bomb on them for a while longer. "At least until after dinner."
Ben wasn't surprised by how packed the restaurant had been. There were a number of other families most likely celebrating their children passing another year, just as his family was. What he didn't expect was how pushy his father was about ordering what they wanted. He wouldn't say that his family was struggling financially, but they were never quite as well off as his cousins. It was something that became more apparent as he grew older and realized just how hard both his parents had to work to support their simple life.
They ordered their meals and even got an order of the fancy triangle-shaped mozzarella sticks. They talked and joked about life, and everything felt right. It was the first time they felt like a real family in years. By the time they finished eating, Ben had almost forgotten what he wanted to talk to them about. Almost.
Ben spoke up, "Mom, Dad. I want to go back on the Summer trips with Grandpa Max."
The two parents were caught off guard. "I don't think that's such a good idea," Sandra said.
"Why not?" Ben asked. "You've seen how hard I was working these last few months. Shouldn't that count for something?"
"And it does, don't get me wrong, but I think it's still too soon."
"What, so that's it!?" Ben could feel his temper bubbling over. "I'm going to High School now. It's about time you start giving me back my freedom."
"Freedom!?" Sandra scoffed. "You make it sound like you're some kind of prisoner."
"What difference does it make? You already treat me like some kind of criminal."
"Hey!" Carl shouted. "You don't get to talk to your mother like that."
"Or what," Ben asked, "you're going to take my games away? Oh wait, you already did, which I still haven't gotten back."
"That's enough," Sandra ordered. By now, the other patrons were beginning to stare at them. "We can talk about this when we get home."
Ben wanted nothing more than to make a scene, but he knew nothing good would come from it. He was supposed to show them that he deserved to regain their trust, but all he's done is show why they were right not to. So, he took a deep breath and simply said, "Fine."
Carl paid the bill, and the three drove home in silence. Even after walking inside the house, not a word was spoken. It seemed they were in a game of chicken that the one to speak up first would lose. The silent treatment was Sandra's go-to, but Ben had learned from the best. Between his cousin and Aunt, there was no intimidation act his mother could do to get him to crack. So not surprising anyone, Carl was the first to break the silence.
"You best start explaining yourself, young man!" Carl ordered.
"Explain what?" Ben asked.
"You know what. Why were you acting up at the restaurant? I thought we were past this."
"Past what exactly? You want to pretend everything's okay, but you still don't trust me."
"How're we supposed to trust you when you act like this?" Sandra asked.
"Because you don't give me any other choice!" Ben shouted. How stormed upstairs before either of his parents could say anything. It took everything within him not to activate the watch and fly out his bedroom window. He knew that he had messed up his chance, but running away again would only seal his fate. So, he threw himself onto his bed, waiting for his anger to subside.
It wasn't long until he heard a knock at his door. "Ben," Sandra said, "can I come in?" After taking a moment to calm himself, Ben opened the door for her. Sandra took a seat on the bed, observing her son's room. "I guess I never really thought about how clean you've kept it in here. It feels like yesterday that I would have to drag you to the bathroom just to brush your teeth."
Ben stayed silent as he stood by the window. The thought of running away crept up once again, but he shook the thought as he realized he was fidgeting with the Omnitrix.
Sandra, noticing her son's uneasiness, spoke up. "I'm not going to yell at you. I promise." Though it did little to comfort him, her words did seem to draw his attention, at the least. "I want to say I'm sorry for how your dad and I have been acting lately. We never planned for it to go on this long, but after you kept running away…." She sighed heavily, "we didn't know what to do anymore."
"At any point did you think to ask why I ran away?" Ben scoffed, "No, of course not. That would mean that you'd have to accept what kind of monster your son was."
"That's not-" Sandra started but quickly stopped herself. "No, you're right." Ben hadn't expected that response. He questioned if he heard her correctly, but then she continued speaking. "When Frank called us that night, we just couldn't believe it, and then your aunt started spouting off about all these awful things you did to your cousin. I was this close to throttling that woman when she grabbed you."
Sandra had to take a moment to calm down. Ben had never seen his mother like this, and it was beginning to worry him where the conversation was heading. Still, he stood silently by the window as his hand twisted and turned the dial on his wrist.
After a few minutes of tense silence, Sandra began to speak again. "I was so certain that there had to be some kind of misunderstanding, but then you ran. Those three days were the worst days of my life, Ben. And then you up and ran away again. Honestly, I still have no idea how your grandpa found you, but I am thankful that he did." She was crying now. Ben rushed over and handed her a box of tissues from the hallway. "Thank you," she said before blowing her nose. "I knew that what we were doing was wrong, but I was so afraid that if we took our eyes off you, you'd never come back. And sure enough, after Ken was born, you were gone, and you've never been the same since."
Sandra grabbed her son's hands, causing him to flinch but not pull away. "I'm so sorry, Ben. I can't change what we've done, but I can do better. And for starters, I want to hear your side of the story."
Ben was taken aback. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that the night would go this way. This was his chance to clear his name. To make it known just what kind of relationship he had shared with Gwen.
But then the resentment returned. "There isn't anything to tell," he said. "I made a mistake, and now I have to deal with the consequences."
Sandra knew that couldn't be the whole story, but now wasn't the time to push him. So instead, she said "okay" and hugged him. One that he did not return. "I'll talk with your Dad about letting you go on the trip. I think some space apart will do us all some good."
"Really?" Ben asked again, bewildered by the turn of events.
"Yeah. And when you get back, we can talk about giving you some more freedom." Ben returned the hug, the most affection the two had shared in years. But then, guilt settled in as Sandra realized just how much of her son's life she missed. She only hoped she could continue to do right by him from now on.
Carl was sitting at the kitchen table nursing a now lukewarm beer. He was never much of a drinker, but after the fiasco at dinner, he needed something to help him decompress. Unfortunately for him, it did little to help.
The sound of his wife walking in drew him from his thoughts. "How was it?" he asked.
"It was a lot," she confirmed. "If anything, I left with more questions than answers."
"Story of our lives," Carl took another sip from his can. "How could we let it get this bad?"
"I don't know, but it needs to stop," Sandra grabbed the beer from her husband's hand, "now."
Carl grimaced, "Does this mean you'll let him go with Dad?"
"Yeah. He seems to be the only one left that Ben can rely on."
Carl slumps over, "I can't believe my Dad is a better father figure to my son than he ever was to us."
Sandra runs her hand through her husband's hair. "You're doing your best, Carl. You've worked so hard to support this family, and no one can take that away from you."
"Be real. This family would have imploded a long time ago if it wasn't for you." The two began to laugh. "You're an amazing mother, Sandy."
"Not as amazing as Verdona…."
Carl was saddened at the mention of his mother. "What do you think she would have done if she was still here?"
"She wouldn't have let this family fall apart the way it did. Your mom always knew just what to say to pull everyone back together."
"Everyone except dad…." Carl was stunned by his own words. "I'm sorry. I think the beer's getting to me."
Carl got up to leave, but Sandra grabbed ahold of him. "Listen to me, Carl. I know your dad wasn't there when you needed him, but he's trying to be there for Ben. So the least we can do is make it easier for them."
"Yeah, you're right," Carl said, taking his wife's hand. "I'll call him in the morning."
The two embraced under the fluorescent glow of the lights. They swayed to a song unsung and prayed that they were finally making the right choice.
AN: So it's been a while since I've made any notes on here. Aside from this story I've pretty much completely switched over to AO3 but I decided to start bringing the fics I have there over here and I'll crosspost all future fics between here and there. I also started taking a programming class so between that and my other projects there will be more delays between chapters but I won't be giving up on this story. Thank you to everyone that leaves reviews they always make my day every time I see them!