“You are such a good man, Ben!” she smiled “Of course I will do this!”
“Proving you are such a good woman, Tina!” Ben smiled.
Ben tried his best to help and not get in Tina’s way but she finally kicked him out. Well, as far as the kitchen table. There was something that was bothering Ben and he had to discuss it with Tina before their guests arrived.
“Tina, when I was inviting our neighbors to dinner I mentioned your name and I froze on how to name our relationship. These are new people who are complete strangers. Trying to explain the relationships I’m in felt too daunting.”
“What did you finally say?” she asked, her tone carefully neutral.
“I said you were my friend who lives with me with your son.” Ben said.
“A safe answer.” she said.
“But it felt wrong to me. Like I was cheating you out of acknowledging how important you are to me.” Ben looked down at his hands on the table. “I think back on the conversation we had after our first night together. We’re not boyfriend and girlfriend I said. Yet we are… aren’t we?” He looked up and Tina was standing before him trembling.
“I told you back then that I was your willing servant for as long as I lived to repay the incredible kindness you continue to show me to this day but I had not expected or even dreamed to find myself so deeply loved, ever in my life. I cannot express in words the joy that fills my heart to be included in your life to any degree. Please know that you may use any terms to describe our relationship without protest from me.”
Ben felt his heart do a flip flop and he took Tina in his arms. He kissed her passionately and she kissed him back with tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks. Finally she pushed back on his chest.
“I love this but I must finish dinner for we have company coming.” she smiled at him. She turned and rushed back to her preparations.
Ben watched her for a few seconds then finished putting his purchases away.
He put the slip cover back on ottoman and it looked good as new. He still wondered at himself. Not long ago he would have considered it an impossibility if someone said he’d have sex anywhere outside the bedroom but he seemed to be proving that it was very possible indeed.
Ben set the table. Then he tidied up a little though Tina kept the house immaculate. He snuck into the kitchen to confirm they had ice cream for dessert. Kids loved ice cream, didn’t they? Tina pushed him out again.
Ben sat in the living room banished from the kitchen. He went online and did some research on STURN Enterprises. When he got bored he reviewed the Engineering forums and became engrossed.
When the doorbell rang Ben resurfaced from his reading and Tina passed him with a smile to answer the door.
Standing outside was Ashley carrying her son and the two teen girls. They seemed startled to see the diminutive Asian opening the door. They looked nervous, like they might bolt at any time.
“Hello, you must be Mrs. Beaumont. I am Tina. Please come in.”
The ladies on the step blinked a second time when Tina said her name but they moved forward as a group and entered the foyer. Ben appeared in the entrance and smiled at the new arrivals.
“Welcome to my home and the neighborhood!” he smiled. He saw them all breathing in the heavenly scents of Tina’s cooking. “Ready for dinner?” he smiled. The teen girls returned his smile broadly and Ashley smiled timidly.
“Please come this way.” Tina directed them to the dining room and Ben followed. Christopher was playing in his playpen and giggled when he saw the other boy.
“This is my son Christopher. He will be one year old next week.” Tina said stroking her son’s hair. Ben made note to have a party for the boy.
“This is Joshua. He turned 1 year last week.” Ashley smiled. The teens were introduced as Madison, the girl with the cast, and Savannah.
“If you like the boys may play together or I could get you a highchair.” Ben said.
Ashley looked at the teens who looked nervously back. “A- a highchair would be good, thanks!”
Ben brought the chair from the kitchen and set it up next to the guest of honor position at the end of the table where Ashley would be seated. She seemed to be a little taken aback by the gesture. The teens sat next to each other on one side of the table. Ben went into the kitchen with Tina to bring out the meat and vegetables food. They shared a look about how nervous their guests appeared. They returned with large serving dishes containing the roast potatoes, corn, and biscuits. Ben then carried out the large platter of the roast which had been cut into slices. Everyone sat and Ashley and the girls clasped their hands together and bowed their heads. They said a silent prayer while Ben and Tina sat silently waiting.
Ashley looked up gratefully after they concluded their prayer.
“Dig in!” Ben smiled.
Arms reached and the food was passed around until the plates filled and forks began to carry the food to happy mouths.
Ben realized they only had a jug of water on the table. “Would you like something else to drink? We have milk, orange juice…” he looked at Tina and she was thinking too. “I’m sorry that’s about all we have except water. I guess I should have picked up a bottle of red wine for this meal but I don’t drink anymore so the house is dry.”
He saw his guests visibly relax when he mentioned he no longer drank alcohol.
Madison looked at Ashley then back to Ben and said in a timid voice. “Orange Juice?” Ben caught Savannah wincing. “Coming right up.” Tina rose first and patted him on the arm to remain seated. She returned in a moment to pour the juice into Madison’s glass. Savannah looked at her sister’s glass so Tina offered her some as well. Savannah gave her a small smile and a nod.
Soon everyone was enjoying their meals. The look of bliss on the faces of the teens was amazing. They slathered butter on the potatoes, corn, and biscuits but they certainly weren’t in danger of being overweight. In fact all of them looked a little too thin.
“There’s hot mustard for the roast beef if you’d like to try it. Start with just a dab as it can be a little too spicy for some.” Ben said pointing to the small bowl of yellow brown sauce.
Madison was the brave one and scooped a little mustard onto her plate. She dipped a piece of beef into the mustard and placed it on her tongue. Her eyes closed in happiness as she chewed and after a few seconds she swallowed and started waving at her tongue like it was on fire. Savannah and Ashley started to giggle and Ben handed her a roll. “Bread is good for neutralizing the heat.” he said with a grin. Madison chewed on the bread and the blissful look returned. Her next piece of beef was also dipped into the mustard.
“What do you do Mr. Shepherd?” Ashley said with a shaky voice.