Chapter Five
The following day, everyone in Ben’s family was home for brunch, preparing for the charity event which would officially begin at one o’clock this afternoon. Ben had spent hours supervising the viewing of the auction items earlier this morning.
When Ben saw his mom’s eyes go wide as he walked down the staircase, approaching the table where she sat with Dad, he knew that he’d succeeded in doing something he didn’t do often.
He’d surprised her.
“No polka dotted tie or pinstriped vest?” Mom asked dryly. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wearing a traditional black and white tux.”
“I’ve grown out of that phase,” he answered, giving her a wry grin.
“Since when?” Dad asked, rolling his eyes. “Alright, who is she?”
Taken aback, Ben looked at Mom. “How does he do that?”
“All I have to do is remember what I was like at your age,” Dad answered distractedly, resting his coffee back on the kitchen table as he glanced at a text message on his phone.
“I guess we should all get back over to the Inn. The entertainment is just about ready to begin,” Dad observed.
Not only Ben, but Mom and Dad had also spent the morning next door at the Inn, being sure that every aspect of the event was running smoothly. Items that would be up for auction later in the day were on display for all to view, while last minute preparations were being made for both auctioneers. There would also be entertainment set up on two different stages, so last minute details regarding lighting and equipment were being finalized.
“My hair and makeup are good to go. All I have to do is slip into my gown,” Mom said. “Where’s Lara, I wonder?”
At that moment, Lara appeared, dressed in her typical goth.
Mom continued to remain calm, glancing at Lara’s spiked black hair along with the dog collar around her neck. It was just a phase, Mom had reassured Dad. It was best not to be negative but give her their support. Ben had given the situation some thought, and it was his belief that for some reason, Lara was pretty insecure. More than likely, it was because she had both a mom and an older sister who were incredibly successful, so she didn’t feel like she fit in.
Apparently, Mom had been in an awful lot of trouble as a teenager, so she could relate. But as Mom liked to remind Dad, there was no room for regrets from the past. Without the difficulties she’d overcome, she would have never given birth to Eve.
“What?” Lara looked at Ben as if she was ready to fight. Ben was usually the only one who had something negative to say about the way she dressed.
When Mom and Dad had both asked him to ease up a little, he’d been sheepish but accepting, listening to what Mom had to say.
Mom frowned. “Have you eaten, dear? I don’t remember you having any breakfast.”
Lara sighed, looking at the bowl near the stove. “Is that potato soup?”
“It is,” Mom answered, smiling. “I made sure to scoop some up for you since I know it’s one of your favorites. It might need a quick zap in the microwave.”
“I guess I could eat,” Lara said, unaware of Mom’s sigh of relief.
“I think we’re going to head back over to the Inn,” Mom said.
“Okay,” Lara answered. “I’ll eat first and walk over once I’m finished eating.”
Mom hesitated. Ben knew that she was worried about Lara’s eating habits. Even though Mom was attempting to be subtle, Ben had noticed how she’d begun keeping food around that she knew that his little sister was fond of, worried that Lara might have an eating disorder. It was better that she ate something rather than nothing.
Supposedly, Mom had also had those kinds of issues as a teenager herself.
“I’ll wait for Lara,” Ben said. “You and Dad can head over now if you’d like. It’s not like I’ve got anything specific to do while I’m there.”
Dad patted his hand, obviously aware of what Ben was doing.
“Okay. Sounds good.” Mom smiled, rushing toward the staircase to make her way to the master bedroom.
Lara stood, heading toward the bowl of soup resting on the counter. Picking it up, she slipped the bowl into the microwave, heating it.
Once she’d settled at the island with her soup, she slowly began eating. Ben was relieved to see that her pace picked up after a few spoonfuls.
Mom walked downstairs looking Christmasy wearing an icy blue formal gown with shiny snowflake shaped jewelry.
“You look pretty, Mom,” Ben said, grinning.
“Thank you, Ben,” Mom answered.
Dad winked at Ben, yanking Mom’s arm and pulling her towards him, kissing her deeply on the mouth.
Looking flustered, Mom smiled. “Now I’ll have to fix my lip gloss.”
“But it was worth it, right?” Dad asked gently.
“Always,” Mom replied in a breathless voice.
Much to Ben’s surprise, he noticed a look of yearning in Lara’s eyes as she paused with spoon in hand.
Ben suddenly wondered if something had happened to Lara at school that he’d never heard about. At one time they’d been pretty close, and maybe the fact that they weren’t anymore had a lot more to do with him than it did with her. Sports, friends and work kept him busy, so he was rarely home. Since he’d be leaving home soon, he should probably try to remedy the fact that they’d grown apart, Ben decided as Mom and Dad put on their coats.
Once Mom and Dad had headed through the doorway to the car, Ben grabbed some water from the fridge.
“Want any coffee, Lara? I’d better shut off the coffeemaker.”
“Sure. I’ll take some,” she answered. “Is there anymore soup inside the fridge? Maybe I’ll have another bowl.”
“There is,” he answered, pulling out the pot from inside to rest it on the stovetop before grabbing his bottled water. “Give me your bowl and I’ll scoop some more out for you.”
Standing, she handed it over. “As long as you’re driving us over, let me go grab the clothing bag that I was supposed to take over to the boutique this morning. Mom finally remembered to clean out her closet yesterday, but we’re probably a little late for anyone who might have needed a formal gown to wear to the event today. There’s always next year, I guess.”
“Sure. Go grab everything you need, including your coat, and I’ll heat up another bowl of soup for you,” Ben said.
“Thanks, Ben,” she said, staring into his eyes, looking indecisive.
He paused. “Is everything okay, Lara?”
She bit her lip. “Yes. Thanks for waiting for me.”
Pretending he wasn’t concerned, he scooped more soup into her bowl and slid it into the microwave. “You’re welcome.”
Another twenty minutes later, Ben was behind the wheel of Dad’s truck while Lara sat in the passenger seat.
She was painfully thin, so he could understand why Mom and Dad were both worried. She probably hadn’t eaten a thing the day before. As much as Mom and Dad tried to keep an eye on her, they were both so busy with work, especially at this time of year.
“You know that you can come to me anytime you have a problem, Lara—alright? Just because I’m not around much anymore doesn’t mean that I don’t worry about you. I couldn’t stand it if something happened to you,” he said quietly.
When he gave her a side glance, there were tears in her eyes.
“Okay,” she answered softly, clearing her throat. “It might be easier if you dropped me off at the lobby so that I can stop by the boutique to hand over these clothes to Rene first.”
“I can do that,” he answered agreeably. “What’s on your list for this afternoon?”
“Mom didn’t give me too much to do, but I’m supposed to help hand out the costumes in the dressing rooms starting in a couple hours. Also, I’ll need to text reminders to everyone who’s performing to let them know what time they’re supposed to arrive for hair and makeup. Only for the afternoon performances though.”
“That sounds like plenty to do,” Ben replied. “I’m supposed to make sure that the auction items are in order before they’re displayed to the audience.”
“Then we’re both expected to sit with Mom and Dad at dinner.”
“I don’t mind. How about you?”
“Not really. Besides, Eve and Harry are going to be there too.”
“That’ll be nice, won’t it?” he asked.
“Yes. I’m glad we’re going to spend Christmas together. I’ve only gotten to spend a little time with their baby,” Lara said.
There was something about the way she talked about the baby that made Ben realize that something was up with that too. He wondered if Eve might have been keeping her distance because of Lara’s obvious troubles.
That could very well be. Even though it might not have been a conscious decision, Eve could have been concerned about Cam’s safety.
Which would have put Lara even more on the defensive, feeling like she didn’t fit in.
Well, everything couldn’t be solved today, but Ben was determined to find a way to help. He’d been way too wrapped up in thinking about the future while Lara had obviously been going through some kind of crisis.
Pulling up to the Dragonfly Pointe Inn lobby entrance, Ben stepped out from the driver’s seat, walking around the truck to open the passenger door for Lara as she reached for the clothing bag she’d hung over the door in the back seat.
Looking taken aback, Lara stepped out from the truck with the clothing bag in her hands.
“See you in a little while,” Ben said softly. “I love you, sis.”
She blinked, as tears came back to her eyes.
“I love you too, Ben,” she said gruffly, rushing to the double doors leading into the breezeway of the lobby.
Returning to the driver’s seat, he waited momentarily for her to step inside the breezeway and head into the lobby.
It was the midday lull before the festivities would be begin at one o’clock, so it still wasn’t terribly busy yet.
Now that he’d made a decision regarding his sister, he could think a little more clearly about what Dad had asked earlier.
Who is she?
Ben grinned. Dad’s senses were uncanny. Yesterday afternoon, Ben had called a friend who worked at the formal wear rental place in town asking if he could switch out his tux for one that was traditional. After thinking about the girl he’d seen at Rene’s, he’d decided to step it up a notch in case he ran into her today.
Ben rolled his eyes as he parked Dad’s truck in the lot reserved for management. He was thinking kind of stupidly though since he wasn’t exactly experienced at hitting on women. What would he even say to someone he’d never met?