Chapter 24
End of November
Dating Ben is strange. It isn’t strange in a way that it’s cause for alarm. It’s strange in the way that it’s the complete opposite of anything I ever experienced with Tyler. I know that it’s wrong to compare when I have a limited number of samples. However, comparison is a journalistic staple. With Tyler, we had fun. However, my initial attraction to him, as bad as it seems, is that he showed interest. No boy had ever called me pretty or asked me out on a date. It was nice to feel wanted. My advanced intelligence had not caught up to the social awareness needed to discern a douchebag.
Almost a year of experience with a subpar partner and now about a month and a half of dating an honest-to-goodness good guy has given me perspective. Tyler was immature, selfish, and DUMB. How did I not realize he was so unforgivably dumb? Most of our conversations surrounded town events, recent movies, or other people from high school. Sure, going to basketball games to watch him play or dates to the local theater was fun, but it was all surface level.
Dating Ben is like finding my intellectual equal. We get into full debates over the topics of my articles. Sometimes I think he actually agrees with me but just wants to play devil’s advocate to get me flustered. We went on a date to an art museum for crying out loud! In all fairness, I think he was trying to impress Sarah Mae. The date was the result of her calling him uncultured when he commented on a video she was watching. It was about an artist who had been building sculptures out of trash at recycling centers to protest how much goes to waste.
I thought it would be the end for him, but then he suggested a group excursion to a new museum a few towns over. Sarah Mae relented that he may not be completely uncultured but that is only be because he surprised us all by showing the director some of her art. Now she has an up-and-coming spotlight at the museum. I think it is exactly what the Spice Girl’s meant if you want to get with me you have to get with my friends.
We spend time with our families too. What is that? Tyler never wanted to do a movie night with my mom. He always wanted our dates to be alone. Hindsight and all of that. I have learned recently that family is incredibly important to Ben. His mom was diagnosed with breast cancer a little over a year ago. They found it too late, and it had progressed. He was incredibly broken up about it, which led to some issues he hasn’t really gone into detail about. With that being said. The Ben lunchtime mystery has been solved.
He goes home.
To have lunch with his mom.
You have got to be kidding me! Not only does he surpass Tyler in range of intellect, but also has an advanced emotional intelligence that cannot be normal for the typical teenage boy to possess. So here we are in the dining room on a Friday afternoon with his mom, Alyssa, and a deck of cards playing spades. While it feels like I’m winning in every other aspect of my life right now, I’m not at cards.
Alyssa and Grace have to be cheating. They”ve won three straight games.
“That’s it. I give up. I’m going back to school because clearly that’s the only place I’ll have success in my life.” I say slapping my cards down.
Ben, an equally sore loser, says, “Seriously, are there hidden mirrors somewhere?” He winks at me.
Grace, the ever-gracious winner, responds, “Oh now, you two may not be out for taking Vegas by storm, but I’m sure you’ll win a hand eventually.” Alyssa laughs.
“I’ll take my loss as usual, with a to-go cup of coffee mixed with a scoop of shame. Thank you ladies, it’s been fun.” I stand, partially sore we lost. Again. Also, partially because I have to go meet Lisa to finalize our article submissions for the conference. That whole situation has been going as well as it can. The girl is abrasive at best. I do have to give it to her; she can write.
“Oh, come now, one more game,” Alyssa pleads, smiling because in the sweet interior is a fiend when it comes to playing cards.
Ben saves the day, “No, we really do have to get back to campus.” He rounds the table and kisses his mom on the head. He’s delicate and sweet with her. However, their interactions are always laced with an unsaid sadness. The doctors gave her 6 months. It isn’t something Ben likes to talk about. It’s the reason he’s desperate to come home every day.
We’re out the door and pulling off in Brody’s truck that he lets Ben drive permanently. I’m sure that the classic truck isn’t meant to have as much mileage as Ben has put on it driving back and forth from Magnolia Manor and Briarwood. According to Alyssa, Brody is willing to make the sacrifice to see Ben happy.
“Tell me, what is the war plan for today?” Ben asks as we turn onto the road.
“I don’t need a war plan to meet with Lisa. We’re just finalizing the submission packet,” I roll my eyes.
“Oh sure. So that wasn’t the two of you that got into such a heated argument over font size that freshmen ran from the library in terror?”
“It was a disagreement and we handled it.” I shrug.
“You know, I’m starting to think you like arguing with her. It’s like some weird form of anger management you have,” his analysis isn’t unfounded. As much as I hate to admit it, working with Lisa does make me angry, but it’s also cathartic. Don’t get me wrong. We are far from friends. More frenemies.
“It’ll be fine.” I assure him.
“Well, as much as I don’t trust that and would love to play referee, I have an appointment with the counseling department. Can you manage not to kill her without me?” I know he’s kidding, but if I asked, he would come with me to the library and sit while we worked.
“I promise. I’ll refrain from homicide.” I pretend to pout resting my elbow on the door’s armrest.
“Good girl” he smirks. I look out the window so he can’t see me blushing.