“This was the best gelato I’ve ever had, and if this is really from those lemons? I am going there the second I can.”
“They are the lemons. I had them sent over especially. But to be sure, we’ll go one day and you can taste it for yourself.”
“I’d love to. I’d love to go there to taste the lemons, to Hawaii to taste the pineapple right off the plant. I want to see, feel and taste the world, the world I never thought I’d experience.”
They were so alike. That was one of the first things he did once he had any money was travel. “I’ll take you to the Irish countryside to taste the best Irish ale, and to Germany to have sausages that will make you insane with delight.”
Luka ducked his head a little. “It shows how…how I’ve been nowhere. I must seem so simple.”
Pinching his chin and gently forcing his head to rise, Benson’s voice was soft but sincere as he said, “Not simple at all. Just young on this world and working hard to get to all the places of your dreams.”
“You’re…there’s got to be something wrong with you.”
Wanting to lighten the mood and change the subject, Benson pulled his hand away and said, “I fart in bed.”
Luka stared at him, slack-jawed, before he burst out with laughter that soon had tears streaming from his eyes. He and Benson both laughed until Frank came back with their salads.
“Thank you, Frank,” Benson said as he caught his breath.
Frank was smiling ear to ear, and told them, “I always see you smiling, Mr. Carter, but this is different.” To Luka, he said, “You’ve made an already happy man much happier. You must be a good guy.”
Luka reached out for Benson’s hand and squeezed it. “He makes me one.”
Frank left them again, and Benson chided him. “You are a good person, Luka. You’re driven, but that doesn’t make you bad.”
“I’ve made no friends, I’ve had no relationships, I barely speak to my mother. I’m not great, believe me.”
Benson’s heart broke to hear that. “Driven, Luka, means that you’ve given yourself tunnel vision. You’re so focused on dragging yourself out of your station that you don’t have time for anyone or anything, or you think you don’t. I’ve done it, and believe me, I’ve caught myself doing the same thing a hundred times. I’d be in my dorm room, on the computer, a breath away from creating my masterpiece in software, and my roommate would remind me I hadn’t been to class in a week. I had barely eaten. You don’t have people who can do that for you. That’s okay, because you do now.”
Luka’s face glowed a little as he said, “Okay. You’re in charge of not letting me live in that…tiny dark tunnel.”
“It is rather tiny and dark, and it’s hard to see that light at the end. We both chose professions that are a long shot for success, and yet, we’re both successful. That says something.”
“That the tunnel may be tiny and dark, but we’re heading down it in the right direction?”
Benson nodded slowly. “We are. Now, let’s enjoy this meal so we can get to your big surprise.”
They ate the most delicious dinner Benson had had in a long time, and when they finished the gelato, Luka was begging to head to Italy the moment he could take a break from the play.
“I’ll plan a trip next summer. I’m sure the play can do without you for a few weeks.”
“A few weeks?”
Benson nodded and waved Frank over to the table. “Yes, you need time to fully explore such a wonderful place.” To Frank, he gushed, “Everything was perfect. My compliments to the chef, and my assistant will be by with the wine this week.”
“You’re too generous, Mr. Carter. Thank you.”
After Benson escorted Luka out, Luka asked about the wine. “Oh, well, as a tip for Frank, I’m sending him a rare vintage I found the last time I was in Italy. I have three cases of it and will part with one to show my appreciation for tonight.”
“That’s…weird. I didn’t know that was how things were done. I thought you would just pay money.”
“Oh, he was paid with money, but as I said, this was a tip.”
“Oh. Okay, well, so I should invest in that kind of thing when I’m disgustingly rich?”
“Yes. For sure,” he said with a wink.
Chapter Eleven
