Page 31 of Becoming Ben

“Hello?”

“Holden? It’s Mandy. Hey, I’m looking for Trey. Have you seen him?”

I hear some scuffling and a hissed voice, and then Holden comes back. “Look, Trey says he’s fine.”

“That’s bullshit. He broke up with my dad, who he's in love with. He’s not fine.” I am all but hands-on-my-hips indignant, and the way Holden sucks in air told me he hears it loud and clear.

“I–” Holden starts to say, but I don’t let him get more than a single word in edgewise.

“Tell me where you are, and then you tell Trey that I’m coming for him, and if he knows what’s good for him, he’ll be waiting for me,” I say.

“Trey said that–”

“I don’t care what Trey said; this isn’t optional. Now, what’s the address?”

And half an hour later, I’m knocking on Holden’s door.

Holden lets me in, wearing a sweatshirt and a beanie over his shaggy hair. “Mandy, look, I don’t know what you wanna say to him, but–”

I smile at him. “I’m just here to explain reality,” I say sweetly, and Holden backs up a full two steps, blue eyes going wide. He raises his hand and points to the living room, where Trey is curled around a pillow on the couch.

“Mandy, what are you doing?” Trey asks, looking at him.

“I came to bring you home, you dickhead,” I say. “You ran out and left Daddy wondering what he did wrong.”

Trey frowns. “He didn’t do anything wrong. I got him fired. What if more of his clients are angry that he’s with a man? I can’t let him throw his life away for me.”

I shake my head. “If they showed themselves as homophobic, Daddy wouldn’t have worked for them. He told me that he told the one who fired him today not to recommend him. He wouldn’t work for the likes of him.”

“Nice ideals, but life isn’t always so neat and tidy,” Trey says. “I lo– I really like your dad. I don’t want him to get hurt or worse.”

“If you really lo-like him, you’d treat him like an adult who can make his own decisions. You’re hurting both of you right now. Look at you. You’re miserable, and he’s no better. He thought that he ruined it like he ruined his marriage to my mom. He thinks he deserves to be alone.” It’s a low blow, but it’s not a lie. If my mom hadn’t reassured him, I’m sure he would be planning his eternal solitude.

Trey sat up straight, anger and hurt on his face. “That’s not true! He deserves to be with someone he’s in love with! He’s funny and sweet, and he’s the most amazing man I’ve ever known–”

I’m smirking at him, and he realizes it after he rants for a minute. “Oh yeah? So, who is he in love with?” I ask when he stops, and he stares at me with his mouth open.

“No,” Trey says, shaking his head. “He can’t be, he’s not– I’m not–,” He stops and breathes deeply. “Look,” he starts again, “I’m not worth him ruining his whole life over.”

“You are! And he’s not ruining his life. I told you, he doesn’t want anything to do with those people anyway.” I plant my hands on my hips and look at him. “I’d be a lot more patient if it were just you hurting, but you two need to work this out together. Now grab your stuff and come with me. I’m taking you home to my dad and putting the both of you out of your misery.”

Holden, who has been watching this back and forth like he was at a tennis match, takes a step forward. “Hey, I don’t want Trey to do something he doesn’t want to,” he begins, and I turn to him with a smile.

“Holden, I knew you were a sweetheart. Trust me; he wants to. He and my dad are made for each other. I love how much you care, and I think you should come out with us again soon. For now, though, we need to go.” I blow him a kiss, grab Trey’s backpack in one hand and his wrist in the other, and drag him to my car.

Trey slouches in my front seat, and I hear his phone go off. He unlocks it and snorts. “Mandy, Holden just told me to text him if I need him to call the police for me.”

I laugh and wave at Holden, who is looking out the window. “I knew I liked him. We’ll keep him. For now, though, you have something to do.”

22

Trey

Iride silently. I really don’t want to have to face Ben again, especially so soon, but refusing Mandy is like standing on your porch and ordering a twister not to rip up your shit; you get blown over, and people who know better just shake their head and ask why you didn’t pay attention in the first place.

Ben is outside with the dogs when we get to his house, and they tumble over Mandy and me for pets and love. I give them each a thorough scratch, but I can feel Ben’s eyes on me, and I have to measure my breathing to stay calm.

“Here he is,” Mandy announces, gesturing. Mandy never just talks with her words or even her hands; she talks with her entire body.

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