“In here!”His mother’s muffled words came from the kitchen.Located at the back of the house, behind the stairs, he was met with more abandoned shoes as he made his way there.
“You left the door open again,” he repeated, stepping into the cheery yellow kitchen, overflowing with knick-knacks and inspirational wooden signs.Amid the chaos, his petite, white-haired mother bustled around, trying to craft cookies in the sliver of counter space left.He sighed, casting a glance back toward the front door.“Anyone could walk in, Ma.Please lock it.”
Bright eyes locked onto him as she lifted her head, her familiar smile quickly spreading.“I knew you were coming over, so I opened it.”She shrugged.“Saves you time fumbling with all those keys you have.”
Benny scoffed.He had exactly three keys, one for his house, one for his parents’, and one for his car.Hardly enough to qualify as a janitor.But this was classic Mom, always looking for the smallest ways to make his life easier, whether he needed it or not.
Rounding the counter, his arm snaked around her shoulders as he placed a kiss on her head.“What ya making?”
After offering up his assistance, his mother went from talking cookies to launching into a full report on Auntie Jane’s neighbor’s son.More classic Mom.Never one to turn down a good story, Benny settled in to hear all about Mark.A man who apparently, he met once, though he had no memory of it.He went on to hear all about how Mark went from a big job in the city to living in his parents’ basement.Poor guy.The best part of the story was how Auntie Jane had spotted him on a dating app.Benny had so many questions.The first being, what on earth was hisvery marriedauntie doing on a dating app.Followed closely by what the hell kind of profile settings did she have on that app that she was being matched with thirty-year old men?
Sometimes it’s better not to know.
True.He did need to be able to sleep at night.
“Talking of people who are new in town.”His mother shot him a quick glance before turning her attention to the oven.“Are we going to talk about Bethany Mayer being back...and any of themany storiesI’ve heard about her wedding day?”
Jesus.Benny dragged a hand down his face.“Many stories?”
So much for the two versions his friends recounted yesterday.
“Yes, Benjamin.Many.”His mother tried for a stern glare as she placed the cookie tray on the counter but didn’t quite pull it off.“Is it too much to ask that you give your mother a heads up before you storm the local church, declare your love for the bride and carry her off into the sunset?”
He couldn’t stop his eyes rolling if his life depended on it.“I think you know I didn’t storm the church, Ma, or do any of the unhinged things the town gossips are claiming I did.”
His mom’s eyebrow raised.“So, Bethany Mayerdidn’tspend her wedding night at your house?”
Shit.
Okay.So, he was guilty of one unhinged action.
Just one?
Benny was starting to miss the days when his head didn’t talk back.No mocking.Commentating.Critiquing.Just quiet.Pure, beautiful, silence.
“Benjamin?”
“Yeah, uh,” he coughed, “I guess that part is kinda true.”
“Kinda?”He could tell his mother was trying not to smile.“So, are you going to tell me what happened of your own free will, or do I have to bribe you with cookies?”
He’d take the cookies.If he was going to admit what a dumbass he was out loud.To his mother.Then he needed compensation.
