“I should make us breakfast,” Ben mumbled self-consciously.
Gretchen sat on a stool by the kitchen island and watched Ben putter around making them breakfast. He cut up some mushrooms and fried them up. Then he shredded some cheese but paused when he dumped it in a bowl. “Do you like mushrooms and… mild cheddar in your omelette? Sorry, I should have asked.”
“Yes, I like mushrooms and cheese,” she said. She seemed surprised to be asked.
Ben nodded and finished making their breakfast. As he worked on the omelettes he spoke over his shoulder. “Do you have a suitcase? You’ll need to pack your clothes and… things you need to take with you.”
“The suitcases are in the locker and the key is in the drawer of the table by the front door. I don’t have much to pack,” she said.
Ben glanced over at her then returned to his cooking. “We’ll get you more clothes when you get home.”
“Where will I be living?” Gretchen said quietly.
He searched for plates then poured the omelettes onto the plates as he thought about that.
“I- I suppose at first you could live with me as my daughters are going to be moving into the house I renovated for them…” he tried to get the dates straight in his mind. “Today? It should be today unless there are some important items missing like their bedroom furniture. Once they are moved in there will be two bedrooms opening up in my house. One will be reserved for the new baby but the other one is available.”
“Is it a mansion? How many bedrooms does it have?” she asked as Ben set the plate before her with a knife and fork.
Ben snorted in amusement. “No, it’s not a mansion. It’s just a nice four-bedroom bungalow. The neighborhood has many larger homes. I just converted a tired, old bungalow into a modern, two story five-bedroom house for Karen and Penny and Rain, a woman we met in Costa Rica. She’s a psychologist and a really nice woman. There are spare bedrooms in that house if you’d prefer-”
“No! I mean, if it would be ok, I’d prefer to live in your house. It sounds nice.” Gretchen said hurriedly. At Ben’s considering look she redirected the conversation. “You live with this woman, Tina?”
“Yes. She was a neighbor and had a six-month old son when her husband died and left them in financial peril. Christopher is over two years old now and such a happy child,” Ben said with a smile as he began eating.
Gretchen watched Ben from the corner of her eye as she ate her breakfast. She picked up the plates and washed them when they were both done.
“So with your daughters moving out it will only be you, Tina, Christopher, and I in your home?” Gretchen asked.
“And Lucy,” Ben corrected. He saw her curious look. “We met Lucy in Paris. We brought her home with us when she discovered she wasn’t welcome at home anymore. We enrolled her in a local college for audio engineering and she is doing really well.”
“And now me.” Gretchen watched the unease on Ben’s face and tears began to pool in her lashes. “I am an unwelcome burden forced upon you. I know I should tell you to leave me behind but I’m terrified you will!”
Ben looked at her sternly. “Stop. You are not unwelcome nor are you a burden. I want you to come with me.” Ben sighed. “My relationships with women are complicated… and many. I’m in love with Tina and Lucy. I’m also in love with Gabriella, Catherine, Trish, Hanna… Lisa and Lori, and… Ashley.” Ben felt a tangible pulling sensation drawing him home to the women he missed so much. He wondered how they were.
He didn’t mention his feelings for Rochelle as she’d found her own heart’s desire. He didn’t mention Mar-
“Margaux.”
Ben winced and twitched. He closed his eyes momentarily then opened them to look into the compassionate eyes of the raven haired beauty. He nodded briefly.
“I’m sorry. I won’t mention her anymore,” Gretchen said.
“Thank you. We should get the day started. Take your shower first and I’ll go next.”
Gretchen quickly moved off to the bedroom while Ben tidied up. He would have to ask Margaret to arrange for a company to pack the contents of the condo and ship them to his place. They’d look at the locker next.
Ben’s cell rang and he glanced at it. It was Margaux. His chest tightened but he knew he shouldn’t run from this so he answered.
“Hello Margaux.”
“Ben. Are you with her?” Her voice sounded tight and controlled.
He sighed to himself. “Am I at Gretchen Hahn’s condo? Yes. Am I with her? No.”
“Semantics! You slept with her haven’t you!”
Ben felt the weight of her seething anger settling on his shoulders but he pushed ahead.
“Have I slept in the same bed as Gretchen? Yes, there’s only one bed in her condo but I haven’t had sex with her.”
There was silence at the other end of the phone. He heard a sound. A gasp. A shuddering breath.
Ben’s heart ached to hear her suffering. He wanted so badly to help her past this. To see the joy flashing in her eyes once more. To feel the excitement in her pulse when they touched. “Margaux, please-”
“You’re lying.”
Her voice fell between a harsh whisper and an anguished cry.
“I’m not-”
“LIAR!” Margaux screamed and the line went dead.
Ben rocked back, eyes pinched closed tightly, and leaned against the counter. The sharp pain was back, slicing through his heart, ripping open the wound once more. He struggled to breathe and shudders ran through his body. He forced himself to take deep breaths and opened his eyes to see Gretchen standing by the island in his black t-shirt and a white skirt from one of the outfits in the closet. Sad eyes searched his face.
“Are you ok?” she asked.
He hung his head and tried to regroup. “No… but… I think I will be, once I get home.”
He pushed himself from the counter and made himself move into the bedroom to grab some clean clothes. He headed into the shower.
In the kitchen his phone rang again. Gretchen looked at it then back to the bedroom but she could hear the shower going. She picked it up and saw Margaux’s face. Her finger touched the answer button before she could stop herself.
“BEN!”
Gretchen heard the anguish in the woman’s voice. The pain and torment. The same pain Ben was suffering because of this woman. “You hurt Ben,” she said.
There was silence then a cold voice. “Gretchen. Are you enjoying his big cock?”
“You’re wrong about him. He won’t have sex with me,” Gretchen growled as her anger flared.
“Won’t?” Margaux’s voice cracked a little. “You’ve thrown yourself at him, have you? Exposed your slutty cunt to him?”
“I- I didn’t-” Gretchen stumbled under the woman’s bitter words.
“You’re a fucking liar as well as a pathetic whore!” Margaux barked.
“I- I’m not- I’m not lying-”
“Fuck him, go ahead! Take his fat cock up your pretty little asshole until he ruins you! YOU FUCKING LIARS DESERVE EACH OTHER!” The line went dead and Gretchen put the phone back on the counter, shaken to the core by the rage in the woman’s voice.
She moved to the couch and sat to wait for Ben. She regretted answering Ben’s phone. She regretted it very much.
Tina watched Karen and Penny rushing from room to room in their new home giggling with glee. She relaxed back against the cushions of the couch with a smile on her face. Most of the furniture had been delivered on time in the last few days. Thankfully all of the bedrooms were furnished and they were only waiting on the new washer/dryer. The house was very nice and she was sure they were going to do very well in it. She was more concerned about Ben missing the energy the girls brought to his home in the morning rush to get ready for school and at night when they got home. Of course there was a new baby soon to arrive which was going to change the dynamic of the household once more.
The front door opened and Trish walked in carrying a suitcase and a duffle in her strong arms. Following her was Rain, the latest member of Ben’s extended ‘family’ who was carrying a smaller suitcase and a second duffle. Tina smiled at them and brilliant smiles came back. Rain was very excited to be moving in and still looked a little dazzled that it was actually happening.
They kicked off their shoes and went upstairs to drop off the luggage in Rain’s room. When they returned they sat in the living room with Tina.
“How are you feeling?” Rain asked Tina with a delighted smile.
“I feel like I am as big as this house!” she pouted.
Trish laughed and shook her head. “Tina, you still look sweet and petite!”
“It is how I feel,” Tina said rubbing her tummy.
“When do you get your cast removed?” Rain asked.
“In two more weeks. I cannot wait!”
“That’s just before Ben’s court date, right?” Trish asked as she tried to recall the date.
“Yes, he will be in court on the following Monday.” Tina replied.
“Have you ever met Ben’s ex-wife?” Rain asked the two women.
Tina shook her head as they had moved into the neighborhood well after Wendy had left Ben.
Trish shook her head as well. “We were living here when Ben arrived, fixed up his home then brought his new wife home but Wendy wasn’t one to participate in neighborhood activities or even say hello. We all had our own lives to lead and the rest of us didn’t really get together that often. Sometimes we’d throw a block party but Wendy never attended any. Ben sometimes would.”
Rain shook her head. “I read the article in Peeps magazine from Wendy and she says some really nasty things about Ben. Things I know have to be lies.”
“They are!” Tina and Trish said simultaneously then laughed.
Karen and Penny walked back into the living room after inspecting the basement. “We love this house!” Penny gushed as Karen nodded enthusiastically.
“I couldn’t find the game console Ben said he was going to get for the TV,” Karen said.
“Ben told me he will go out shopping with Daniel for that when he gets back,” Tina replied.
“When is he home? I have to thank him for giving me such an amazing place to live! And a wonderful place to work! And great friends to be around!” Rain gushed, counting her blessings.
“Monday night I believe! Something else I cannot wait for!” Tina said with a grin.
Trish shared a look with the petite woman who blushed and turned her attention to Karen. “So now that you have a wonderful new kitchen what are you going to make us for dinner?”
Karen flopped down on the sofa next to Tina and rested her head on the woman’s shoulder as she looked up into her eyes. “I’m exhausted! Could we order Chinese food tonight! I think that would be the best way to start living in our new home!”
Penny leaned over the back of the sofa and kissed the top of Tina’s head. “Pleeeeaaasssee!” she begged.
Trish looked at Tina’s happy smile and laughed. She knew they’d won that battle.
Tina nodded and the girls cheered. “Why don’t we invite over the others to make use of that huge dining room table Ben ordered. Maybe Daniel can bring over his game machine to hook up to the TV downstairs.”
“Ooo! I’ll call him!” Karen jumped to her feet to run upstairs to get her cell. Tina called Lucy who had taken Christopher over to Ashley’s for a play day with Joshua.
“Hi, Tina. What’s up?”