Benjamin
I was thinking about Andrea, wondering if she was enjoying her trip, when the phone rang. Sharon, who had come home for the weekend, yelled, “Ben,” It’s for you.”
I picked up the kitchen phone. “Hello.”
“Hi, I wanted to let you know I’m going to spend the night here in Summerville.” It was Andrea.
“Why?”
“Freezing rain. It’s not safe to drive.”
“Oh okay.” I slumped into a kitchen chair. “How’s the house?”
“It’s great! Eugene found a good architect. The ideas Carolyn had about the pocket doors and ceramic tile instead of carpeting worked out well.”
“Sounds nice.”
“I love it. I hope you’ll see it one day.”
“I’d like to see it. What does Gloria think?”
“Gloria didn’t make it. Her mom woke up sick, so she decided leaving her alone was not a good idea.”
“Oh?” Going alone to see Eugene was not a good idea either. I shook my head.
“I’ve made the drive plenty of times before to visit with Mrs. Sherwood. It wasn’t a big deal.”
Andrea had to know the drive was not my issue. I found something in the corner of my eye to pick at while I phrased my next question. “Did many people get caught by the weather?”
“Well, yes and no. The ones that live close by are going to inch their way home, and the others from St. Louis left earlier. They probably missed most of it.”
“It’s just you spending the night with Eugene?” It was 5:44. Shaking my head again at the answer I knew was coming, I turned away from the clock. Too angry to bring myself to ask why she hadn’t left when the others did, I remained silent.
“Don’t say it that way. Don’t be angry. I know I should have left earlier, but—”
“But what?”
“He had letters from Carolyn. I read them, and by the time I pulled myself together it was after five. Time just got away from me.”
The raw emotion in her voice told me the letters had been difficult for her. I guess being in the house had been a mixture of joy and sorrow. Though I understood why she needed to go, why she needed this closure, I couldn’t ignore the fact that this was her ex. “Andrea, why can’t he take you to a hotel?”
“I’ll be fine. With the weather like it is, we shouldn’t go anyplace we don’t absolutely have to go.”
“What about his mother? Why can’t you stay with her?”
“The woman’s dying. I’m sorry, but I’m don’t feel right imposing on her.”
“Let me speak to him.”
“What?”
“I want to speak to Eugene.” I stood as if standing could calm my increasing anxiety. Speaking with him was as close as I could get to guarding what was mine at this point.
“He’s outside putting down salt.”
“I’ll call back then. I want to thank him for taking care of you.”
When she paused, I hoped she was thinking twice, but no such luck. “I’ll be fine. I love you, Benjamin. Nothing’s going to happen.”
Famous last words. “I’ll call back in ten minutes,” I said and pressed end on the phone to hang up.
“She’s stuck in Kentucky at Eugene’s house I gather?” Sharon asked. She’d come early to babysit for Roy tomorrow while I went to work. My mother and Mr. Elrod had taken a weekend trip.
“Yeah.”
“Are you worried?”
“Nah.” I shrugged. “I guess not. It’s just, I know Eugene was crazy about her. He’s got two degrees, this fabulous sounding home, and what do I have?”
“Yeah, but, if Andrea had wanted him, she could have had him years ago.” Sharon stood behind the cook island, folding dishtowels that had been washed and needed to be put away.
“But who knows what would have happened between them if Carolyn hadn’t been so needy? And now Andrea has Roy and me, and I make and spread tar for a living.”
“You do a damn fine job of it, too,” she said with mock seriousness.
“Can’t argue that, although I’m sure my supervisor would.”
“Ben, you’ll be taking classes next month when the new semester starts, and you’ll have your degree in May.”
“It will be about time, too. I’m going to call Eugene back.” It rang six times and nobody picked up.
“Try her cell phone,” Sharon said.
I held the phone up so Sharon could hear what I was hearing. “Sorry I missed your call. I’ll check my messages soon and get back with you. Leave your name and number.”
“From years of counseling, I’m told it comes down to trust when it comes to relationships.”
“Trust, huh? I guess I don’t have a lot of experience putting that into play.”
“Me either. I’m more of a hands-on kind of gal.” She put the pile of folded dishcloths into a drawer. “I’m going to check on Roy. Why don’t you pick a movie? The popcorn’s ready.”
“Okay,” I said. But first, I’d have to check the weather channel.