Just Be True To Me

“I do like her. We’re good friends. She’s been a really big help.”

“No. You like her like her. You want her to be your girlfriend.” He ran off toward the house before Clifford had a chance to explain. “Uncle Cliffy has a girlfriend. Uncle Cliffy has a girlfriend.”

Clifford handed Dale his portion of the money. “Go get your dad for me.” They did they secret handshake before he sent him off. There was no hiding how happy he was when he got back into the truck. “Well, Benji knows about us. And he thinks you’re pretty.”

“Two for two. I’m doing pretty good on this trip,” Mia said.

He kissed the back of her hand. “I’m glad you’re having a good time.” He explained that the man she would be meeting was his best friend. “He might as well be my brother. He was there for me when…he was there for me.”

Benji came shooting out of the house. He stood on his tippy toes, his tongue protruding from his lips as he pulled Clifford’s door open. He wasted no time jumping into his arms, turning and squirming around as he tried to catch another lightning bug.

***

“Look what the wind blew in.”

The man stood half a head taller than Clifford, reaching a humungous 6’8” tall. Benji looked even smaller as Clifford handed him over. He instructed the precocious little boy to fetch his mother, afterward pulling Clifford into a hug. His back slaps caused the birds to flee the trees. “Didn’t think you would be back so soon.”

Mia caught Clifford’s glance in her direction.

“I had to come see the boys.” He stepped aside. “This is who I told you about.”

Jeremy looked at her twice. “Wow. This is the lawyer.” He hugged her instead of shaking her hand. “TV doesn’t do you justice.” Removing his hat, he said, “My name is Jeremy. You can call me any time this one starts acting up.”

Clifford’s breath rushed from his chest after Jeremy’s massive elbow pushed into his stomach. “You been talking to Irene?”

“Every day at lunch.” Jeremy opened the door for them. “Rachel just started dinner. Mia, I hope you like clam chowder.”

The familial atmosphere was something she’d been missing. Watching the family talk and laugh reminded her of her own childhood. Though she didn’t have a sibling, the affection her parents rained on her daily more than made up for it. Being there, surrounded by the cheerful laughs and smiling faces gave rise to questions of whether she wanted a family of her own. With her mind so focused on work, she hadn’t even considered it. She thanked God that Darren didn’t get her pregnant, the mere thought making her stomach flip. A swallow of lemonade turned her mouth back to sweet.

She pushed the bowl away, her fourth, and patted her stomach.

“Did you get enough?” Rachel asked.

“More than enough. And it was delicious. Thank you so much for making it.”

“It’s no problem. I’m glad we finally have someone to share it with.”

“Movie time,” Benji said. He pushed his chair back just enough to hop off, his tiny feet pattering on the tile as he ran into the living room. The TV came on shortly thereafter.

“Dishes, Benji.”

“Can I do it after—”

“Now.”

His chin was touching his chest when he reentered the room. He didn’t make eye contact with anyone as he and Dale gathered the plates.

“How about I help,” Mia said.

“You don’t have to do that,” Clifford said.

“Yeah, you don’t have to do that. He’s acting sad, but Benji loves washing the dishes. Any time that boy gets to be around water he takes it.” Jeremy pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, popping one between his lips. “Cliffy, let’s go out back and have a drink. Babe, you need anything else from me for the night?”

Rachel tapped her cheek twice.

“Can’t forget that.” He kissed it before kissing her forehead and expressing his love, Benji voicing his disgust afterward.

“I’m going to take a shower right quick,” Rachel said. “The boys will do whatever you tell them, so they shouldn’t be much trouble.”

“I got it covered.” Mia waited until she was gone to enter the kitchen. She was impressed by how well the boys worked together, Dale washing and Benji drying, his small pink tongue making an appearance as he wiped circles around the center of the plate.

She wondered if her kids would be that well behaved. And if they would get along so well. She had no doubt that they were a product of love between their parents. That gave her hope.

“How can I help, fellas?”

Dale pointed to the top shelf. “Glasses go up there. Mom doesn’t want us climbing the counter anymore ‘cause Benji almost broke his neck.”

“I slipped. But I’m okay now.”

Henry Ford would have been proud of their assembly line; they finished the task in less than ten minutes.

Benji hopped from his stool and pumped his fists toward the ceiling. “Movie time.” Grabbing Mia’s hand, he led her into the living room, patting the floor next to him. “These are all our movies. You get to pick since you’re our guest.”

“What’s your favorite?”

“Lion King,” Dale said. “We watched it the last three movie nights. Please, for my sanity, pick something with some action in it.” He stretched out on the couch, tucking an arm under his head and closed his eyes.

“You better not be going to sleep.”

“Just resting my eyes.”

“Pick Lion King,” Benji whispered.

“We watched it already. You know all the songs by heart.”

Mia sang along to Benji’s rendition of Hakuna Matata. They eventually settled on How to Train Your Dragon. She granted him permission to sit in her lap and didn’t resist when he pulled her arms around him. Within 15 minutes he was beginning to nod off. Another ten passed before he began snoring.

“Happens every time.” Dale’s swift movements demonstrated that he was well versed in the routine. He switched the movie out for The Avengers. He then scooped Benji into his arms and skipped up the stairs to put him to bed.

Mia, getting a glass of lemonade, was able to see the men from the back door, which was close enough for her to hear their conversation.