AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ben pulled up to a 1970s build bungalow with a red and brown brick façade and double wide garage. Window boxes planted with colorful wave petunias gave the otherwise plain exterior a nice welcoming touch. The yard was nicely groomed and the flower beds were clean and neat.
“Wow, so this is your place. It’s nice!” she brightened in surprise. “I was expecting a total bachelor pad!”
Ben laughed, looking around. “We try to keep it nice. My mom took a lot of pride in her gardening. So, we try for her.”
“I know you said your parents had passed. How long ago?” she asked, sympathy in her eyes.
“It was three years in January. They died in a car accident. Uncontrolled intersection,” he reflected with sadness. “I am grateful each day they did not suffer, and that they went together. They were each other’s worlds, best friends. Not sure one could have survived without the other.”
“How long were they married?”
“33 years.”
Ever gave Ben a smile of appreciation and he nodded in agreement.
“How old were you when your mom passed away?” he asked.
“About two years old, I think. My dad raised me alone. I don’t know much about her, to be honest. Dad was not forthcoming and when I would ask about her, as a child, he would either change the subject or just say she was his everything.” She shared. “By the time I was a teenager, I stopped asking. Not having grandparents still alive that I could remember or any aunts or uncles, I did not have anyone to ask either. It’s sort of a mystery to me.”
“So, you never saw pictures of her?” Ben asked, his eyebrows furrowed.
“Just the one on the mantel at the Farmhouse. She is sitting on the front steps of the porch, a large bright smile, hair the same color as mine. We look very much alike from what I can tell. I would sometimes catch my dad holding the picture to his chest, but he would never say anything about her. One thing I do know is he loved her very much.” she said with a smile. “I have this hope that going through the house will provide me with answers. But I still have not gone through his room or the office.”
“Why do you think that is?” Ben asked.
“Not sure exactly.” She shrugged. “Perhaps I fear what I might find. I don’t know.”
“Do you want me to help you?” he offered, unbuckling his seat belt.
“Would you? It is so much to go through! I kind of don’t know where to begin.” she cringed with a frown.
Taking Ever’s hand, he squeezed it. “Anything you need. Just ask, okay?”
Ever leaned over and gave him a grateful kiss. “Thank you.”
Exiting the truck, Ever took the pizza box from Ben so he could unlock the door.
“After you.” He gestured, placing his hand on the small of her back as she stepped inside his home.
The front entrance was small, with hooks for jackets and a wooden bench with space underneath for shoes and boots. Immediately to the right was a large casual living room with a huge sectional, 50-inch television mounted on the wall across from it and a large coffee table holding remotes, magazines, and a few books. To the left was a hallway that Ben explained led to the bedrooms and bathroom. Ben explained that Hayden had his own space in the fully finished basement. Guiding her to the kitchen, she took in the light wood cabinets, white quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and island / breakfast bar with seating for four. The eat in kitchen looked modern and inviting, obviously having been renovated from the original.
Grabbing two plates from the cupboard, Ben reached into the fridge and grabbed two sodas, offering one to Ever. She took it and followed him into the living room with the pizza box. Ever settled into the couch and Ben offered her a plate with a few slices of pizza. Joining her on the couch, plate in hand he cued up the movie they rented with the remote.
“Jerry Maguire?” he questioned, one eyebrow raised.
She laughed, knowing this was probably not his first choice.
“I have never seen it,” he confessed.
“What?” she squawked back at him in disbelief. “It’s a classic! And it has the best movie line ever!”
“We’ll see,” he said playfully, putting his arm around her and giving her a wink as he took a bite of his pizza.
Giving him a pat on the stomach, she laughed. “I promise you will like it, Bear.”
* * *
Two hours later, Ben sat quietly on the couch, Ever’s sleeping head lay softly in his lap. She had missed the last half hour of the movie, and he did not have the heart to wake her. She breathed deeply as she slept. Running his fingers over the escaping tendrils of her ponytail, he stroked her hair tenderly as his mind wandered off to their earlier conversation about her father and mother. I hope Ever finds answers.
