Page 61 of A Good Book

“I want to see Ben,” I said, staring out the window as we passed fields of browns and gold.

“Your sisters want to see you,” Mom said.

“They can see me after I see Ben.”

“I have some things to do this afternoon, Gabby. As much as I’d like to visit with Ben and his family, I need to get home.” Dad gave me a quick glance in the rearview mirror.

I shrugged. “Just drop me off. I’ll call when I need a ride home. Sarah or Eve will come get me.”

My parents exchanged a look.

“What?” I asked.

Mom cleared her throat. “Ben’s still having a rough time.”

“He’s still sick?”

“No. He’s having a rough time dealing with his hearing loss.”

“So.” I shrugged. “I’ll talk with him.”

“That’s just it. I talked with Carmen yesterday morning, and she said he’s not up for company.”

“Well, they don’t usually have family in town for Thanksgiving anyway.”

Again, my parents exchanged a look.

“Jeez, what? Just tell me.”

“Ben doesn’t wantanyvisitors, including you. I’m sorry, honey. Carmen said you shouldn’t take it personally.”

Visitors? I wasn’t a visitor. I was his best friend. And there was no way I would not take it personally. There was also no way I wasn’t going to see him. “I will not let him sit in his room and rot. Just like I didn’t let those stray animals die when Dad used to tell me to let them perish the way nature intended. So take me to his house.”

Again, Dad looked in the rearview mirror.

I returned a toothy grin. “Please.”

“You’re acting like your sisters now. I knew public college was a bad idea,” he said.

“I’m acting like an adult caring about people. How is that acting like my sisters? And I said please. Did they say please?”

“Fine, we’ll stop by his house. But your mom and I will wait in the car while you run up to the door, and when Ben’s parents politely tell you Ben doesn’t want to see you or anyone else right now, you can turn around and get back in the car,” Dad said.

“We won’t even say ‘I told you so.’” My mom shot me a grin that was just as toothy and sarcastic as the one I gave my dad.

“Fine. But when I disappear into the house, go home. I’ll be a while because I’m not taking no for an answer.”

As we pulled down Ben’s gravel drive, I unbuckled and hopped out the second the car came to a stop. Carmen opened the door after I rang the doorbell twice.

“Gabriella.” She gave me a smile, but it was more reserved than the one I was used to getting from her.

“Hi.” I stepped inside before she could say anything. “Is Ben upstairs?” I headed for the stairs.

“Gabby?”

I stopped halfway up and took a deep breath while glancing back at her. “Yeah?” I smiled.

“I’m sorry. He’s not in the mood for visitors.”

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