Page 35 of Something Like Summer
“Hey,” Tim said as heslowed to a stop in front of Ben, panting happily.
“Ankle still doing allright?” Ben asked without smiling.
“Yeah. Still a little sorebut as good as can be expected.” He beamed at Ben, who still failedto respond. “You look like you wouldn’t mind spraining itagain.”
“Not really,” Ben answeredevenly. “I’m just not in a good mood.”
“Well, maybe I can cheeryou up,” Tim offered. “Let’s go up to your room.”
His intent was clear as hestood with his hands on each hip, still breathing heavily fromrunning and flashing his winner’s smile. He smelled of sweat andfreshly cut grass. Ben wanted nothing more than to strip off thosedamp clothes, but his frustration prevailed.
“Why don’t you call Kristaif you’re so horny?” he spat.
“Not this again,” Timgroaned. “Jesus Christ! What does it matter?”
“It matters to me! Why areyou even with her? You never have anything nice to say about her.She doesn’t put out; she’s not even the prettiest girl inschool.”
“Yeah, Bryce already hasthat one.”
Ben scowled at this andconsidered walking away, but before he did he gave it one lastshot. He dropped the anger from his voice, and asked sincerely,“Who do you like more, Krista or me?”
“You,” Tim shrugged. “Ilike you more. When you’re not pissed at me at least.”
“Who do you sleep with?It’s not Krista, is it?”
“No.” Tim made sure thestreet was empty. “I sleep with you.”
“So why do you need herwhen you have me?”
Tim looked off into thedistance, shaking his head slowly, a frown forming on his face. Hebrushed the sweat out of his eyes and looked back at Ben,considering him for a moment before he turned away.
“I’ll see you around,” Timsaid as he resumed jogging down the street.
Ben waited for him tochange his mind, to come back and apologize. When he didn’t, Benswore and laid into the trashcans, knocking them over and spillingtheir contents into the street. He kept kicking them until hisanger was purged and he was exhausted. Then he began tocry.
* * * * *
Ben’s birthday fell on thetwenty-seventh, just a few days before Halloween. Ben wasn’t robbedof any extra presents, like those poor unfortunate souls who hadbirthdays close to Christmas, but there were a few parties in hischildhood where everyone dressed in their costumes early. He alsotended to receive more horror-themed presents due to the uniqueshopping opportunities of the season.
This year his big day wason a Sunday, meaning his relatives were all free to turn anotherwise private celebration into a circus. Ben was glad for itthis time. Not only did it mean more gifts, but it helped keep hismood high. He hadn’t talked to Tim since their argument, which toreat his heart, but lately he was feeling better. Much of this wasdue to Allison, who had temporarily thwarted the ban against theirfriendship and was able to attend his party.
“This is supposed to be adate with Ronnie, so I expect you to put out,” she teased him uponher arrival.
They needed this daytogether. The talent show had recently been pushed back until theend of the school year. The reasoning behind this was that freshmenmight feel excluded from entering since it was too early in theyear for them to have adjusted. Mrs. Hammond was distraught, butBen and Allison were relieved because they still hadn’t chosen asong. The downside was the loss of their private time in theauditorium.
Presents took top priorityin the Bentley family, even preceding the traditional cake andcandles. So far Ben had received clothes from his parents, a wad ofcash from his grandmother, a new Discman and CDs to go with it, ajournal he could write in that he would probably never use becauseit wasn’t electronic, and a couple of PlayStation games from hissister. He didn’t have a PlayStation yet, but he could tell fromhis mom’s sly look that he was only two months away from gettingone.
Allison bought him a suitjacket they had discovered at a secondhand store earlier in theyear. The jacket had been too expensive for him at the time and wasmissing most of its buttons. Not only had she sprung for it asgift, but she bought some suave new buttons and put those home ecskills to use by sewing them on. The end result was retro-chic anddelightfully unique. He couldn’t wait to wear it when the weatherbecame cooler.
Ben’s mother was about tolight the candles on the cake when the doorbell rang. Thinking arelative had arrived late, Ben ran to answer it, happy to leave allthe fuss behind for a moment. His heart lurched when the dooropened to reveal Tim. Of course he had been invited, but that wasbefore they had fought. Even before their falling out, he hadn’texpected Tim to actually show up.
“Hey!” Ben said, notmasking his surprise. “Uh, come on in!”
“That’s okay. I justwanted to bring this by.”
Ben looked down to see athin present about three feet tall. Unless it was the largest bookin the world, Ben guessed it might be art or a framedposter.
“Oh, hi!” came Mrs.Bentley’s voice from behind. “I was wondering when you’d show up!Come in and grab some cake.”
