“This is a good thing, though. You’ll loveEm. I promise.” He didn’t say anything in return, so I felt like I had to continue to sell the idea. “I’ll call her today and see what she thinks. I’m sure she’ll be up for it. She loves it when I set her up.” She hated it when I set her up. But I hoped she wouldn’t mind a date with Ben. She had obviously found him attractive before.
He pulled out his cellphone from his pocket. “If you give me your number, I’ll text you. Then you can pass my number along to your sister. If she’s actually interested, shecantext or call me.”
“Sounds good!”I recited my cell number and watched him punch it into his phone. When he lifted his eyes to meet mine again, he wore a cautious smile. “You’re going to have so much fun.”
“I’m sure we will.”
Uncomfortable with his intense gaze, I went back to wrestling the trash bag from the inside trash can.
“Here, let me,” Ben cut in. His hands brushed over mine as he moved to take the bag from me.
“Oh, no, it’s fine. You don’t want to get your suit all dirty.” I looked down at my workout leggings and plain black active long-sleeved T, clothes I used to hide all of the kid smudges and stains that happened all day long.
“Liz, seriously, this bag weighs more than you do. Go back to your kids.”
“My kids!”I gasped. “I have to get them ready for school! We’re going to be late again.”
His expression turned amused again and he waved me off. “Go, Liz! I’ll take care of this.”
“You’re a saint, Ben Tyler.”
“Go!” He pointed toward the door, this time I obeyed.
I rushed back inside and went to work washing little hands and little faces, making sure hair was brushed and their outfits looked decent enough for school.
By the time we had backpacks and lunches together and had piled in the van, Ben was gone. I didn’t pay attention to the trash because I had more important problems on my mind, like arriving at school in the next three minutes, but the garage seemed bigger for some reason.
It wasn’t until later in the day that I realized why my garage had felt so much larger than usual.
I had been in and out of the garage all day with the little kids. Between dropping off and picking up Lucy from pre-school, grocery shopping and running some errands in town, I had never realized that the garbage cans were missing.
Jace, Lucy and I picked up the big kids after school and grabbed some smoothies before Blake’s game and then cheered him on to win. He scored a goal and everything! I was so proud.
By the time we got home, the kids were starved again and I had at least an hour of homework to look forward to before bedtime. The day, like most others, had been exhausting.
And yet when I pulled up the driveway, I couldn’t stop the relief that rolled through me. In front of my closed garage sat my two outdoor garbage cans. The lids were closed, not propped open from too-many bags and my forgetfulness.
I parked the van, and ran to check out the cans. They were both empty.
Ben had fixed my trash problem!
I didn’t know how he did it or even want to consider the amount of work it took to solve this problem. It had to be disgusting dealing with all of those bags filled with moldy leftovers and dirty diapers.
But he had done it for me anyway. What a good guy.
I re-parked the cans in their rightful place against the far garage wall and smiled at them. I would remember next week. I wouldn’t let Ben’s kindness be for nothing.
I helped the kids from the car and made sure we brought in all of the various school bags, lunch bags and soccer bags. But I did it with a lighter spirit.
Dinner was easier too that night. And bedtime didn’t seem quite so chaotic.
By the time I crawled into bed not long after the children, I was still amazed at how Ben’s small act of generosity had impacted my day. Was I really so easy to please?
Dark thoughts followed those good ones.
I settled into my huge, empty bed and let my hand reach over to Grady’s side. It shouldn’t be this hard for me.I should have Grady here to help me.
Tears started falling at the simple mention of his name inside my head.
