Page 25 of Cups of You

Sometimes when Olivia was gone to her mother’s and the house’s silence was overwhelming, Benjamin found himself back at the café, sipping coffee in the back kitchen with the quiet of the night and the soft sound of jazz to keep him company.

“Anyway. Mrs. Jacobs called the sheriff who was with me, and we rushed over there to get her. I don’t think I have been that scared in my entire life.”

“I think we both cried,” Amber added. She took a sip of her wine. “I felt so bad when I saw you crying. I made sure to leave a note after that.”

Jackie smiled and leaned over putting a hand on Amber’s cheek. “You sure did, baby. It all worked out in the end even if I did have a few more gray hairs to show for it.” She dropped her hand and leaned back. “What about you, Bennie? You ever run away from home and scare your poor parents half to death?”

He chuckled. “Not exactly. I’ve never run away from home or anything, but I did try to mail my baby brother back to the hospital after he was born.”

Amber dropped her fork and tossed her head back with a peal of laughter. Her eyes were bright when she looked back at him.

“No way.”

Benjamin nodded. “It’s true. My older sister and I are only two years apart, and since she’s older, it was fine right? But my brother, Patrick, came like ten years after me. I had been the youngest for so long that I didn’t want to share the spotlight.”

Jackie shook her head, her grin wide and full of amusement. “That good old sibling rivalry.”

“I just can’t believe it.”

“Believe it,” he asserted. “I even got a box and everything. I was just about to tape him up when our mom walked in.”

“Oh no, what did she do?”

“There was a lot of yelling to be sure. My dad talked a lot about family and responsibility, and my mom didn’t leave me alone with my brother until he was too large to fit in a regular sized box. Our sister, Shannon, found the whole thing hilarious.”

Amber snorted. “I’m surprised you’re still alive to tell the story. I didn’t have any siblings, so I never had to deal with that.”

“Yeah, well, the worst part was it wasn’t even my idea,” Benjamin insisted. “Shannon told me I had to do it because only boys could mail back boys. I was young and didn’t know any better. I tried to tell our folks, but she denied everything and let me take the fall.”

Amber’s laugh was sunshine, and Benjamin was drawn to it like a sunflower in the light of day. The wine kept him flushed and warm masking his reaction as Amber’s amusement washed over him. He wanted to bathe in her happiness for as long as he could, but the cheerful atmosphere was broken by the sound of a phone ringing. Jackie looked at Amber who sighed.

“Baby? Can’t it wait?”

Benjamin frowned. Amber’s whole demeanor had changed and with each ring, her smile grew dimmer until her lips were flattened in a line. It was a painful change to witness. She was as beautiful as ever, but as she stood up from her chair, Benjamin noted something new.

She looked tired.

No.

Weary.

It was the same look that Benjamin had seen from himself so many years ago. It made him want to reach out and draw her in; cover her so that nothing could get to her. It was a selfish want. He didn’t even know how she would respond if he offered a tenth of that. Still, he couldn’t help but wish he could turn back time to their easy conversation.

“Sorry auntie, but I should probably…” Amber’s voice trailed off. She didn’t glance over at Benjamin once before stepping away from the table. “I’ll be back in just a bit.”

Benjamin watched her leave the room and felt something inside him leave with her.

“I hope she finally cuts his behind loose.”

“Who?”

Jackie frowned as she stabbed her fork onto her plate. “That guys she’s seeing…Jeremy, or something.”

“You mean Josiah?”

“Whatever his name is. I don’t like him.”

Benjamin knew he shouldn’t pry, but he couldn’t help it. He selfishly wanted to know more about the guy who was lucky enough to have Amber in his life.

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