Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Paisley
I really didn’t want to go, but Ben did, so I agreed. As the meeting was about to start, we walked into the room and took our seats in the last row, except this time, we sat next to each other. My eyes scanned the beige-colored walls and the different pictures that sat upon them that I hadn’t noticed the last time. The pictures were all different quotes. There were quotes about life, strength, sickness, and faith. Tears sprang to my eyes as we sat there and listened to some people talk. Their stories and words were so similar to mine that hearing it from someone else was heartbreaking. Jessica had asked if anyone else would like to go up and say a few words, and when nobody else volunteered, she said it was mingling time. Ben looked over and smiled at me.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“Yeah. Coffee sounds good.”
We got up, walked over to the white linen table, and poured some coffee. There was an array of cookies that sat on a white platter. As Ben and I took one, Jessica, the counselor, walked up to us.
“Welcome back. I haven’t seen the two of you since that night you introduced yourselves.” She smiled.
“Thank you. I’ve been busy.”
“Me too,” I replied.
“Did the two of you come together? I saw you walk in.”
“Yeah. We did,” Ben spoke. “We’re coffee buddies.”
She looked at him and then at me with a sly grin. “That’s great. I hope to see the two of you again soon.”
As she turned and walked away, I looked at Ben, and he smiled. “Did you see that look?” I asked.
“Yeah. I can only imagine what was going through her head.”
An older woman who appeared to be in her sixties approached the table and poured some coffee. When she went to put a packet of sugar in her cup, she accidentally knocked it off, and coffee spilled everywhere.
“Let me help you,” Ben said as he grabbed several napkins.
“Oh no. I’m such a klutz.”
She seemed really upset, so I poured her another cup while Ben cleaned up the mess.
“Do you only take one sugar?” I asked.
“Yes. You’re very kind.” She smiled. “My husband always said I was the clumsiest person he’d ever met. God rest his soul. I miss him terribly.”
I handed her a cup of coffee, and before taking it from me, she gently placed her hand on mine. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m sorry about your husband. When did he pass away?”
“Twelve years ago.”
I gulped, looked at Ben, and then back at her. “Twelve years, and you’re still coming to these meetings?”
“Yes. It’s become my ritual and routine now. There’s no place I’d rather be. I’ve watched so many people come and go through the years and have heard so many stories. It’s sad but comforting at the same time.”
An older woman came up behind her and took her over to the other side of the room.
“Did you hear that? Twelve years, Ben.”
He chuckled. “I heard. That’s just crazy.”
I shook my head and didn’t want to return here ever again. We headed to the parking lot, and Ben opened the truck door for me. As soon as he climbed in, he shut it, reached over, and grabbed my hand. He held it the whole way home.
I sat at my desk, sipping on my hazelnut latte from Starbucks, when a text message from Ben came through.
“Good morning. I just wanted to tell you that.”
I smiled.
“Good morning. Are you at the station?”
“Yeah. I’ve been here since six a.m. How about you?”
“Yep. I’m sitting at my desk.”
Carly walked by my office, and I abruptly stopped her.
“Carly, can you take my picture?”
She stopped and gave me a funny look. “Sure, Paisley.”
I handed her my phone, and I hopped on my desk, holding up my Starbucks cup as she snapped a picture.
“Oh, look how cute you look.” She smiled as she showed me the picture.
“Thank you, Carly.”
“Any time, Paisley.”
I sent the picture to Ben.
“You look beautiful, Paisley. Thanks for sending that.”
“Thank you. Your turn.”
A few moments later, his picture came through. He had a great smile and perfect teeth.
“There’s that smile again,” Kenny said as he sat down across from my desk.
“Hi, Kenny.”
“I just wanted to give you an update on your sex column. It’s doing really well. People seem to be eating it up as much as your relationship column. I’ve noticed a big difference in you in the past month, and I have to say I like it. I’m just going to come right out and ask you. Is there someone special that’s responsible for this change?”
As I sat there and stared at him, I didn’t know quite what to say. “Well, I have a new friend.”
He nodded. “A new friend, eh? What’s his name?”
“Ben,” I replied with a grin.
“I like Ben. Do you like Ben?” he asked.
“You don’t even know Ben, so how can you say you like him?” I laughed.
He got up from his seat and stopped when he reached the doorway. “He makes you smile again, so, therefore, I like him.” He winked as he walked down the hall.
I softly smiled and dialed my mom. I needed to tell her that Ben and Leah would be coming for Thanksgiving.
“Hello, darling.”
“Hi, Mom. I wanted to let you know that Ben and his sister will be coming over for Thanksgiving if that’s all right.”
“Of course, it’s all right, Paisley. I didn’t know Ben had a sister.”
“She’s seventeen, and it’s a long story. Are you cooking tonight?”
“Yes. Would you like to come for dinner? I’m making Rosemary Chicken.”
“Yep. I’ll be there. I have to go, Mom. I’ll tell you more about Ben’s sister later.”
“Bye, darling.”
I turned to my laptop and began working. The day went by rather quickly. I stopped by Kenny’s office before leaving to say goodbye and to have a happy Thanksgiving, for I would work from home tomorrow.
“Hey, I didn’t know you were coming over today,” Keaton said as he kissed my cheek.
“Mom didn’t tell you I was coming for dinner?”
“No.”
“Surprise.” I smiled.
The aroma of chicken filled the kitchen, and I was starving.
“Are you eating with us?” I asked him.
“I will now that you’re here.”
“Hi, darling.” My mom smiled when she walked into the kitchen. “Dinner will be ready in five minutes. Keaton, take the salad to the table. Paisley, why don’t you go to the wine cellar and pick a bottle of wine? Your father will be home in a few minutes.”
I brought the wine up and set it on the table. I kissed my dad hello and then took my seat at the table.
“So tell me more about Ben’s sister,” my mom spoke as she passed around the chicken.
“Ben has a sister?” Keaton interrupted.
“Yep. She’s seventeen, and she lives in Texas with her mom. Ben’s mom and dad had separated years ago for a while, and his dad went to Texas on a fishing trip and had a one-night stand.”
“Oh dear,” my mom said with a twisted face.
“Sounds like my kind of trip minus the fishing and the kid.” Keaton smiled.
I threw a roll at him. He chuckled.
“Anyway, her name is Leah, and she’ll be staying with Ben for a couple of weeks while her mom trains for a new job in Arizona. She’s deaf.”
“Who? The mom or sister?” Keaton asked.
“Leah, Ben’s sister. Ben studied sign language so he could communicate with her. His dad, not so much, I guess. From what Ben has told me, they aren’t close.”
“Well, I’m happy to have both of them here for Thanksgiving, and we’ll make it one they’ll never forget.”
Oh boy. A sick feeling suddenly erupted inside me.