Page 51 of Born Into Trouble (Occupy Yourself)
“You’ll get this, Bethy,” he gave her assurances he felt were needed, and she laughed.
“I know I will, Ben. This ain’t my first rodeo.” Warmth suffused her voice when she asked, “My nephew doing well? He never calls his aunt these days.”
The smile faded from Benny’s face. This was the one thing he didn’t have a handle on. Chase. The boy was remote and surly by turns, making Benny worry he’d started drinking again, or something worse, but careful questioning had only turned up the volume on the crabby without providing evidence for Benny’s fears, so he’d backed off. Chase was short-tempered even with Lucia, someone who, next to Benny, was his best friend. He shook his head. “Boy’s got something going on, Bethy. He’s playing well, practicing all the time.” He hesitated before offering, “Almost obsessively. I can’t get a handle on him.”
“He loves Lucia.” Mercedes’ quiet voice came from behind him, and he swung to look at her, a scoffed laugh breaking from him when she rolled her eyes at his shock.
From the phone, he heard a slow, drawled, “Maybe I’ll talk to Mason.” Bethy paused, cautious. “See what he knows.”
Eyes to Mercedes, he answered, “Would be good, I think. His dad would know him best.” He frowned at the face Mercedes pulled as she gave a little jump, settling herself on top of the desk in the corner. “Someone walked in, Bethy. I gotta go.” Goodbyes said, he disconnected the phone and stared at Mercedes. With one contribution to a conversation she wasn’t part of, she had provided a piece to a puzzle he’d been worrying about for weeks. He was incredulous he hadn’t seen it before, and wanted to be sure of what she was saying. “What do you mean?”
“He’s loved her as long as I’ve been around, probably as long as he’s known her.” She tipped her head, gaze moving to the doorway past Benny. “It’s nothing you did, Lucia. The young man’s done a good job masking it with the close friendship you have.” Without turning, Benny held his hand out and, moments later, felt the heat of Lucia’s grip as she snuggled into his back. He used her arm around his belly to pull her in front of him, folding her into his arms as Mercedes continued, “But he hasn’t missed the change in this relationship,”—her waving finger indicated the two of them—“and he’s now coming to terms with unrequited love.”
Sadness stole across Lucia’s features, and he leaned down, touching his mouth to hers in a quick brush. “You fucking see everything, Mercedes. I didn’t see it,” he said, angling his eyes to where Mercedes sat. “How did I not see?”
“He didn’t want you to. You were vocal about your affection for Lucia.” She grinned. “I’m not telling tales now. Luce knows exactly how you love her, but you never once hid what you wanted, except from her.” With a shake of her head, she said, “Best guess? He wanted this for you, in an abstract ‘I want my friends happy’ way, because Luce, you weren’t trying to hide what you wanted, either, so he knew his affection wasn’t to be. But the heart wants what the heart wants.” Another grin lifted her lips. “Woody was right. There’s no logic.”
“The cartoon character?” Benny shook his head, having a hard time following Mercedes, as usual.
She threw back her head and laughed, loud and long, corded muscles in her neck working. Without thinking, he dropped his arms and made his way to the desk, scrabbling at the surface for a paper and pencil.Laughter ringing in the air, firm friendships forged in fire. Solid, holding tight. Memories of times we both share, strong faith because you inspire. He made a face at the last line, shaking his head.Fire. I could change that. He underlined the word, then drew a quick line down to inspire. At laughter in the room, he looked up, startled, having lost himself in the words, which had been flowing fast and easy since he stopped fighting his love for Lucia.
“Allen.” Mercedes’ laughter rang in the room again because he was so clearly confused.
“What does my nephew have to do with anything?” It could be frustrating, how she jumped from topic to topic in a way it that made it hard to keep up, but from the beginning, she’d challenged him in ways he needed. Still did.
“Woody Allen,” Lucia provided, and laughed, leaning her ass against the desk on the other side of Mercedes. He looked at her and shook his head. The two women had developed a close friendship since the night of the show at Marie’s.
“What?”Fire. Forged in the fire. Firm friendships wrapped with bonds of steel. Bending to the paper, he reorganized lines, scratching through words and phrases nearly as quickly as he jotted them down.My faith in you coloring all I feel. Coloring. Shading. Sheltering. My faith in you sheltering all we feel.
“Let me hear it.” That was Mercedes, and it was the same phrase she always used. Non-judgmental, patient, but demanding nothing less than his full participation. Always.
“Laughter ringing through thin air. Memories of times we both share. Strong, promises circled round with love. Solid, holding tight. Firm friendships wrapped with bonds of steel, Faith in us sheltering all we feel. Loving this, feels so right.” He looked up to see two feminine sets of eyes trained on him, and he paused a moment, unreasonably nervous. With a shrug, he muttered, “Doesn’t suck.”
“No, Bibi.” Mercedes reached out, gripping Luce’s fingers tightly. The connection between these two women—women who meant so much to him in very different ways—was something he didn’t understand but loved seeing. “That doesn’t suck.”
