“What’s with all the boxes?” Ben indicated the piles of open and unopened boxes that were scattered around. “Unpack and move in already.”
“It’s fine the way it is.” Sam opened the beers and handed one to Ben. “I unpacked the essentials.”
They did the cursory clinking of the bottles, but before Sam could take a sip, Ben stopped him. “Wait. First, a toast.” Sam rolled his eyes. “To my big brother for causing so much family drama that my mother doesn’t even care that I’ve been in Africa for close to nine months.” Ben cackled.
“Technically, I did notcausedrama.” Sam chuckled softly. “She came to me.”
“Whatever. Better you than me. Where were you?” He tilted his head toward the bathroom. “Her soccer game?”
“Yes. She’s a goalie.” Sam could not help the ear-to-ear grin that took over his face in fatherly pride. “I just wish I’d known her when she was little. She’s all grown up. She’ll be sixteen in a couple months.”
“News flash—fifteen isn’t grown up. Don’t you remember me at fifteen? A lot of growing up still to be done.”
Sam nodded as he remembered Ben’s adventurous teen years. He smiled. “How many times did I have to bail you out of jail?”
Ben laughed. “Twice. But come on, is it my fault the protests got out of hand? Don’t make it sound like the Howard County police had a cot for me.” Ben took a swig of his beer and grinned into the past.
“Do you remember—” Sam darted his eyes toward the bathroom, as he lowered his voice and leaned toward Ben.
“Yes.” Ben rolled his eyes and started laughing. Thus began a round of recounting Ben’s minor offenses as a growing teen.
“See?” Ben spread his arms wide again. “All of that is behind me. Thanks to your tutelage, I am now a productive member of society.”
Sam settled back into his chair, comfortable and content. Ben had always had that effect on him, even as a child. “That you are.” He waited a beat before continuing. “I heard from Niki that Divya is looking for you.”
“I heard that, too.” Ben’s voice was flat and the mischievous grin was history. He looked down at his hands for a moment, before countering, “I also heard about Maya.”
“What about Maya?” Sam tried to keep his voice neutral. He checked the bathroom again.
“You tell me. She’s your daughter’s mother.”
“Nothing to tell.”
“Oh, come on.” Ben leaned in toward Sam, his face filled with anticipation. “Give me something. She’s still hot, right? I mean, she still looks good, right?”
Ben was on the edge of his seat, his eyes filled with all the excitement and anticipation of a teenage boy waiting to hear the details of hot date. Sam grinned broadly. “Better.” It was the truth.
Ben threw himself back on the sofa. “I knew it.”
The door buzzer interrupted, letting them know the pizza had arrived. Ben opened two more beers as Sam got the pizza. He set it on the island and went down the hall to get Samantha. She was fast asleep on top of her bed, her hair still wrapped in a towel. She looked like a little kid. Kind of reminded him of Niki when she was that age. Maybe Ben was right: maybe Samantha wasn’t quite all grown up. He wrapped a blanket around her and gently shut the door.
Ben had already downed one slice. “Um, sorry. I was so hungry and it smelled so good.”
“No problem.” Sam helped himself to a slice. “She’s out cold. You’ll have to hang with her tomorrow.”
Ben nodded, his mouth full.
Sam finished his first slice and reached for another. “How was Africa?”
Ben lit up. “Amazing! Sammy, next time I go, you have got to come.” He sipped his beer. “There’s nothing like it. The work is—” he paused and smiled at something Sam couldn’t see “—rewarding. I know it’s cliché, but that’s the only word. They think you’re helping them, but those kids, they’re helping you.” He picked up another slice.
“It’s a great place to hide, too.” Sam pushed a bit.
Ben shrugged, avoiding Sam’s gaze. “If that’s what you need.” He busied himself with eating his pizza.
“Do they feed you at all over there?” Maybe time to lighten up a little.
“Yes. But it’s not this. If I could take this pizza with me, life would be perfect.” He closed his eyes and chewed slowly, savoring his food.
