Page 122 of The Bartender Special

He was also intertwined with Jack.

“Oh—uh, sorry,” Benny blurted out. He’d managed to hook himself around Jack’s arm. “I know it’s cheesy to say, but I’m kind of afraid of the dark, especially when it’s storming.”

Benny might have apologized, but he didn’t move.

Jack’s voice was matter-of-fact.

“A little rain and darkness never hurt anyone. Don’t worry.”

Benny knew Jack meant well, but his words stabbed.

“No,” he agreed. “But if you put them together, they can kill.”

The rain finally hit, as if underlining the sentiment. Benny’s hold on Jack tightened. Jack’s voice dropped into a seriousness that made Benny turn towards him.

“Well, I can't do anything about the rain, but let’s see if I can’t make us some light.”

Benny let himself be de-tangled and led into the kitchen. He was parked by the kitchen sink as Jack started pulling out the drawers.

Benny didn’t know why, but it seemed the best time to finally talk about the worst time of his life.

“My mom loved ice cream. I mean, really loved it. Couldn't go a day without at least a spoonful.” Benny couldn’t see the man’s expression, but he knew Jack was listening as he rummaged. He continued, rubbing at his own arms while the rain pelted the window at his back. “My dad loved it too, but he told me that was only because it made Mom so happy. So, every day or night when she sat down to have that spoonful or bowl, Dad made it a point to sit with her and join in too. They were like that together, you know? Lovesick teenagers who always seemed to be touching and swooning over each other.”

Despite himself, Benny smiled a little.

“At the time, it was a little annoying to Callum and me. We'd just be out in public and they’d be giggling or they'd be standing next to the kitchen sink eating ice cream, still just giggling like teenagers.”

Benny let out a slow breath.

The tension in his chest didn’t ease.

He continued as the clattering of Jack’s self-appointed search fell away.

“That day there was no ice cream in the house. So, like they’d done hundreds of times before, they went out to the store to get some. They were so lovey-dovey then that Cal and I decided to stay home, joking around that it was all too much for us kids.”

His parents had laughed at that.

It wasn’t a detail that was needed for what happened next.

“The rain really picked up. It was as dark as it was now and, well, everyone seems to think they never saw the truck going the wrong way.”

Benny took a moment.

He knew he wasn't going to cry, but that didn't mean it didn't still hurt.

“They died instantly, is what we were told,” he continued. “Same as the truck driver. The sheriff came and told us in person but, to this day, I can't remember what he actually said. Do you know the real reason why I love Ms. Peggy the way I do? She stayed with us for a month after that. Right here in the house. She took my room and I bunked with Cal. He became my legal guardian after that. I was fifteen, he was eighteen, and we were lucky that the life insurance paid off this house and covered the bills until I left for college.” Benny trailed one hand from his arm to the tile of the countertop. Even in the dark he knew exactly how it looked.

“Before I left, I told Callum he could leave too. Sell the house, use the money for college, chase his dreams, all of it. As you probably know though, he didn’t do any of that.”

Benny told a truth he hadn’t ever told anyone before. Not even his blog.

“Which, I hate to admit, I'm grateful for,” he said. “This house was the last place we ever saw our parents, and I know it might sound silly, but sometimes I can walk by the kitchen sink and still hear them giggling like schoolkids. Even when it’s dark like this, it’s not hard to imagine they’re here.”

Benny hadn’t heard Jack moving in a bit.

He was surprised he didn’t jump when the man reached out and touched his shoulder.

“I didn’t ever think anyone would read my blog when I started it, but I still never wrote them into it,” Benny admitted. “I guess part of me wanted them to stay just mine. One woman who loved ice cream, even if it was melted, and one man who loved his wife, even if he never really cared about ice cream.”