Suzie’s House 71: The Outsider

 Suzie's House

Ben walked the same route he’d walked before, going home to Mom’s house from Dad’s apartment, hoping the red haired man – the one who had tried to give him a ride – would come by. Ben wasn’t sure what he would do when he saw the man, but he’d do something. He would. He really would.

He got all the way home, and nothing. He should go back to Dad’s apartment, but he didn’t want to. It wasn’t like his dad was going to notice he was gone. Instead, Ben stood on the sidewalk across the street, and tried to look in through the windows.

Mom was inside. But if Mom saw him, she would probably just make him go back to Dad’s place.

He kicked the side of one shoe with the toe of the other, one hand on the trunk of a tree while he tried to figure out what to do. What if she really wanted him? What if she’d tried to get him back, but Dad wouldn’t let her. Ben wouldn’t put it past him. He did stuff like that whenever he thought he could get away with it.

But no. If Mom really wanted him, she’d find a way. She always did. He’d only make her mad, standing out here like this. He turned toward Dad’s place, and gave home one last look.

Then there she was, standing in the window with one hand on the glass. She’d seen him. Ben took off running.

“Ben! Ben, come here!” His mom called from their porch.

Come here? She wanted him to go inside? Ben slowed down. He hopped a little when he stopped, but was still ready to run. Mom waved at him as if she could make the air drag him to her just by flapping her hands. He took a step toward her. She looked over her shoulder, then flapped some more. Feeling more confident, even though he knew he shouldn’t, he ran back.

“Quickly! Get inside!” She looked around like a conspirator in a movie, but there wasn’t anything up or down the street for her to see. He let her shove him into the hallway.

As soon as the door closed, she wrapped her arms around him in a bear hug. He didn’t hug her back. He just stood there with his arms dangling and his back stiff and let her hug him.

“Oh God, I have missed you.” She sniffled. She was crying.

He wanted to ask if he could stay, and live here again. He was too afraid to. She would only say no. Then he might cry. Besides, he was still to mad at her for sending him away in the first place.

She touched him on the shoulders, then held his face while she tried not to cry. It felt good, but kind of hurt too, like a scratch, only where blood never showed.

“How are you doing in school?”

He shrugged, and looked away.

“Has your father done anything about Mrs. D?”

“No.”

“That man.” She sighed and rolled her eyes up like she cared. “I suppose it should be no surprise the one time I really need him he would let me down. I’ve been trying to find a better place for you, but it’s been hard.”

Which meant no one wanted him. How about her? Did she want him? Really?

“How many times has he left you home alone since you went to live with him?”

“I’m never home now.” He wouldn’t be home again until he could go up to his room and do whatever he wanted. “Dad… he goes out a lot.”

“I know. I ran into him in the Cardinal….”

“You went to a bar?” He couldn’t remember his mother ever going to a bar. He waited for her to deny it, needed for her to laugh him off, but she didn’t “What were you doing at a bar?”

Mom kind of pulled back like she was surprised. Ben thought maybe he shouldn’t have said anything. A few months ago, he wouldn’t have dared. Now he was too angry to hold it back.

“You were there having fun, weren’t you. Now that I’m not around you don’t have to worry about babysitters or anything. You can do whatever you want. You like it better with me gone.”

“No! No, Ben. It isn’t like that at all.” She reached for him, but he moved back.

Voices came from upstairs – Vin and Miranda. They were laughing.

It seemed everyone was having a good time except him.

“Ben. I went to the Cardinal to find the men who did this to us.”

“You found them?! Does this mean I can stay?”

“No. I wish. With all my heart, I wish you could, but you can’t. It’s too dangerous. They never showed up, and they weren’t in the house we followed Christina to either. It’s going to take a little longer. But as soon as we catch them, you can come home. I promise.”

She reached for him again, but he shoved past her. He opened the door and went out, headed for the apartment. He didn’t want her to see the tears in his eyes. She yelled for him to wait, that she’d give him a ride, so he went faster. He cut through a yard where she couldn’t follow. He’d already walked several blocks before he realized she’d never even let him past the front hall.

 

 

 

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11 Responses to Suzie’s House 71: The Outsider

  1. Pingback: Suzie’s House 72: If the Shoe Fits « Alice’s Restaurant

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