Page 25 of Live Like There's No Tomorrow
Ben nodded. “Okay.”
Joe grasped his shoulder. “I just want you to be happy.”
“Thanks.”
As he drove back into town, Ben wondered what reaction he’d get from Missy. He was going to stop in to see her and Dan before he went anywhere else. He was going to call Pete too. Out of all his friends, he expected Pete to be least enthusiastic about his news. Pete and Charlotte were so different. Charlotte used to tell Pete he wasn’t her favorite—and Pete had always agreed that she wasn’t his either. They put up with each other for Ben’s sake, but that was all.
He smiled. At least Emma was thrilled for him. He could always count on her.
He parked the car in the driveway at Dan and Missy’s house and sat there for a moment. It was still so strange to come here to visit them. This house had belonged to Charlotte’s grandparents. She’d stayed here every summer of their childhood. He swallowed as a memory hit him and a wave of emotion crashed over him. The last time they’d ever been together as a couple, the last time he’d held her in his arms, they’d been sitting here, in his car, on the driveway.
He blinked away the tears that stung behind his eyes. That was the night she’d wondered whether they should get rid of the baby. The night before she left for Mexico. The last time he’d held her. He’d been so stunned that she’d even consider not having the baby. He drew in a deep breath to steady himself. He couldn’t open that box up right now. He was here to see Missy and Dan, to tell them his good news that she was coming back. He and Charlotte would no doubt revisit that time of their lives over the coming weeks. He felt as though they still needed to grieve together. But this wasn’t the time for him to be thinking about it. He opened the car door and climbed out.
“Hey, Uncle Ben!”
“Hey, Scotty. How you doing, bud?”
Scot nodded. “Great, thanks. I’m just on my way out. It’s good to see you.”
Ben watched him hitch his backpack higher and plug his headphones into his ears. He smiled and gave a little wave as he walked up the path and closed the gate behind him before walking off down Main.
Scot was growing up so fast. Not so long ago he still used to greet Ben with a hug. He’d still behaved like a little kid just a year ago. Now he was all teenager. Ben watched him as he walked away, head down, cell phone in his hand. The time went so fast. He had to close his eyes again as another wave of emotion hit him. He couldn’t help it. Whenever he saw Scotty, he had to wonder what his own child would be like. No. He could not go there right now. He took a deep breath and went to knock on the front door. He was supposed to be happy; he was here to share his good news. He couldn’t go breaking down now!
“Hey, hon!” Missy greeted him with a smile as she opened the front door. “I didn’t expect to see you till later. Come on in.”
Ben followed her through to the kitchen where Dan was sitting at the counter. “Hi.”
“Hey, Dan. I’m not interrupting anything, am I? I just saw Scotty on his way out. Is this precious alone time for you and I’m landing myself in the middle of it?”
Missy laughed. “Not at all. In fact, I’ll bet Dan’s glad you’re here. I was just chattering on about my coursework and how excited I am that I get to start at Summer Lake High after Christmas.”
Dan’s eyes twinkled when he smiled at Ben and shrugged.
Missy laughed. “Anyway. What do you want to drink? There’s beer or Dan was just about to open a bottle of wine.”
Dan smiled. “I was, wasn’t I?” He got down from his seat and went to the pantry.
“Are you going to tell me what’s up?” asked Missy. “Dan wouldn’t mind going to hang out with his computer, if you like.”
Ben laughed. “Thanks, Miss. But this is something I want to share with both of you. It’s good news.”
Missy wrinkled her nose and eyed him warily. “Am I going to think it’s good news?”
“I hope so.”
Dan came back with a Cab Franc and held it up for Ben’s inspection. “What do you think?”
Ben nodded. “That’s great, thanks.”
Missy pulled herself up onto one of the stools and indicated that Ben should do the same. He sat and took the glass that Dan handed him. Once they all had a drink, Missy poked his shin with her toe. “Come on then. Put me out of my misery.”
“I talked to Charlie this morning. She’ll be here by the weekend.”
Missy’s mouth fell open.
Dan smiled at him uncertainly.
“Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you lost for words before, Miss.”
