Crossing the Line

Copyright 2016 Byron Rider

Published by Byron Rider at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

Thank you for downloading this e-book. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Disclaimer

The locations, movies, products, and such, are mostly all real. I looked up much of these using internet search engine, Google. The active story characters, however, are not. If I accidentally managed to make any one of my characters seem like you, it was not intentional, and I hope they are the good guys.

Dedication

Our veterans are returning from horrible wars in foreign lands with so many hidden injuries. I dedicate this book to those men and women who suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; the enemy within that causes them so much pain that no one else can even begin to understand. I respect and honor each warrior who returns home as much as I do those who were lost to the cause of freedom.

I dedicate this book to those who have taken the time to love us all enough to offer their very lives and wellbeing for the rest of us.

Acknowledgements

First, I would like to thank anyone who has given me a chance to share my words with them. I love to write and hope that my stories resonate in the minds of my readers.

Second, I would like to thank my relatives. Those who supported me have been invaluable. Those who chose to turn their backs on me? Without you I would never have been able to say Watch me.

Third, I would like to thank anyone and everyone else. I have learned a lot through reading the works of others, have learned through my experiences in day-to-day live. I appreciate the love you taught me and I hope I have brought it to life in the pages of my story.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Disclaimer

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Epilogue

To my Readers

About the Author

Prologue

Just go. She said, turning her head from Kelly Masters.

Mom. Kelly pleaded with his mother.

No. Just…I can’t look at you right now. She told him and turned her back.

When Kelly tried to touch her on the shoulder she shied away. He lowered his hand and shook his head.

I can’t change who I am, Mom. He whispered before turning away from her.

Just go. We’ll talk about this later. Clarissa Masters told her only son. She closed her eyes and a tear ran from her lashes and down the crease beside her nose. I do love you. She whispered.

Kelly looked once more at his mother; he heard what she said, knowing she loved him. She had never shown him anything else. But now that he confessed that he was gay, she seemed to be conflicted between her beliefs and her love for her son.

Clarissa had always been taught that homosexuals were an abomination. They were sinners and their acts were unforgivable, thanks to verses in Leviticus that advised that man should not lie with a man as with a woman, or something like that. She got down on her knees and prayed for guidance.

Kelly knew that he had no choice in the matter. He was gay. Girls did less than nothing for him, physically, but if he saw an attractive young man he felt his body react in a way he couldn’t explain. He didn’t want to, didn’t decide to be gay. He just was gay.

He left the living room and his mother to her thoughts. He walked up the stairs to his bedroom and closed the door quietly behind him. He turned on his laptop and started to get into his electronic diary. He wrote in it every day, loyally, for the past two years when he began to realize he was different than the other boys. He typed in his complex and very private password and then wrote his day’s entry.

‘Dear Diary. Today was a very bad day. I came out to mom and she didn’t take it very well. At least she didn’t kick me out of the house. I guess that’s something. Anyway, I don’t have much I want to add to that. I don’t have a boyfriend, I am not singularly attracted to a guy right now. I just know that if I am going to have someone in my life, it is going to be a dude.

So, there you have it. Until tomorrow, I guess this is goodnight."

Kelly.

And he closed his electronic diary, making sure the file was still password protected.

He closed the laptop and took off his jeans and T-shirt and crawled into bed. He just couldn’t understand why his mother didn’t love him enough to accept who he was—all of who he was. He hugged his full-body pillow and cried himself to sleep.

Chapter 1

Kelly woke up in the same position he had fallen asleep in; his arms and legs were wrapped tightly around the body pillow he had received as a gift on his sixteenth birthday, two years before.

His father had been a good man. He paid attention to Kelly’s needs. He knew that Kelly would curl up in a ball and try to wrap himself around a smaller pillow each night when he would look in on him, and thought the body pillow would afford him a bit more comfort.

Oh, how Kelly loved his father. The elder Masters was an accepting man. It was tragic that he was taken from him so soon. There were so many things Kelly had never been comfortable with saying to him, and now he would never get the chance. He sighed into the pillow that smelled slightly like his father, thanks to an old bottle of his father’s cologne that he would dab on the fabric, and then rolled out of bed.

He padded out of his bedroom door in nothing but his briefs, and went to the upstairs bathroom. He had full reign of the upper floor; his mother hardly ever climbed the stairs. She had her own regime: the lower half of the house. Kelly liked that fine. He could be who he was in his own inner sanctum of the upper floor of the three-bedroom house he shared with his mom.

He went to the bathroom and turned on the hot water. It always took so long for the water to get hot on the second floor. Then he pulled his briefs down enough to relieve himself, before returning to his room to gather fresh clothes.

By the time he returned to the bathroom, the water was nice and hot. He turned on the cold water to adjust the temperature, then dropped his briefs and stepped into the tub.

The hot water felt good on his back. He let it roll across sinewy muscles of his shoulders and down each crevasse on his toned adolescent body. He took great pride in being as fit as he could; lifting weights, playing on the school’s football and baseball teams, and working out at the gym on the days he didn’t have practice.

The hot water felt really good. He closed his eyes to imagine his favorite actor of the day. Every day he fantasized about a different hot, cute, or popular celebrity. In the shower he could be who he wanted to be and he was with whomever he wanted to be with.

Today’s choice was no different; he chose a swarthy Clive O. wearing an ancient knight costume. He closed his eyes tight and worked the actor’s face from his memories. Putting one hand firmly against the convenient handle that was installed when Grandma still lived there, he anchored himself; his forehead against the tiles under the shower head.

He grabbed the soap and got his other hand lathered up and then grabbed at his engorged penis. At first he just grasped and loosened his hand, but gradually he began to slowly stroke from the base up to the tip. Sometimes he would feel his fantasy actor’s fingers touch the slit that was already seeping pre-cum. He groaned and whispered the man’s name as he began to increase both pressure and speed.

After a few minutes he squatted down, put soap on the fingers of his other hand and reached behind his back. He touched the top of his crack and slowly traced down until he found the spot he was seeking. He gently rubbed the lather around the edge of his opening until his body started to buck. He dropped to his knees to be certain he would not fall over.

He put his middle finger, just barely, inside his hole and twisted it as much as he could, while still rapidly stroking his wildly twitching penis. He moaned, and felt his stomach begin to tighten. His balls pulled up against his body as he pushed his finger deeper into the hole.

He stroked and rubbed his penis until the head was purple from blood that had rushed to fill him; his finger entered and pulled out from his hole at the same time.

Suddenly, he felt his cock jerk nearly out of his hand, and he gripped it harder, pushed his finger in as deep as he could reach, glancing across his prostate. The moment he did that he groaned loudly then bit his bottom lip as streams of cum shot out of his aching penis and hit the wall in front of him. He gasped with the intensity of his orgasm.

He kept stroking and fingering himself for the next several moments; cum kept shooting out. Finally he was sated and worn out. He thanked his actor of the morning and rested his head against the shower wall again, still kneeling on the floor of the tub.

Oh, God. I need a real guy. He shuddered as he tried to stand. I’m tired of being a lone-wolf virgin.

Finally after several minutes he was able to stand up and he finished his shower. He washed his hair and then his body, taking care to wash his private areas well. One never knows when you might encounter the ‘one’. He told himself.

Finally he was clean and got out of the shower. He took one of the fat and fluffy towels his mother insisted on buying and dried himself off. He put on his clothes and then skipped down the stairs, hoping his mother was over whatever thing she felt she had to ‘go through’ last night.

Good morning, Kelly. She said in her sing-song voice.

Kelly felt instant relief. Good morning, Mom. He said and hugged her and kissed her cheek.

What do you want for breakfast? she asked.

Oh, whatever you are having is fine. Thanks.

Not much time left, huh? she asked Kelly then.

Huh?

Yes. Less than two months before graduation. Do you have any plans? What are you doing when you graduate?

Oh, I thought I’d sell my bike and travel the world. You know. Take a hot-air balloon across the globe. Travel, see the sights; maybe eat roach-encrusted goat. Just normal stuff. Kelly teased.

Oh, you. Mom said.

Kelly did not miss the subtle way his mother was not talking about his confession of the night before.

Mom. Kelly tried to speak about it again, hoping that in the morning’s light it would not seem so frightening to her.

Clarissa Masters’ back stiffened and then she spoke. Now, what I was thinking was that I might introduce you around to some of the local colleges. What do you think? she asked.

Oh? I could go to college, sure. I’m doing OK in high school, so far. But you never know. I might just blow it this last 32 days of class. Kelly told her.

I doubt that, Kel. You’ve always been a good student. You’d have to ignore your classes and botch each and every one of your tests and assignments between now and then.

It’s not unheard of. Kelly winked at her when she looked at him. She smiled.

Boys! she said, her tone feigned exasperation. She shook her head and then flipped three huge pancakes onto a plate and gave them to Kelly. Eat up, kiddo. She told him.

Mom, I’m not a ‘growing boy’ anymore. I’m done growing. Kelly complained. How am I supposed to keep my girlish figure if you keep feeding me like this? he teased.

His mom did not take the question well at all. She clearly remembered their conversation of the night before, and was not completely fine with what was said. I think you will work it off before noon. She said, her jovial tone a bit subdued, now.

Mom. I’m sorry. Kelly started. It’s not something I chose. I just can’t help my feelings. He tried to tell her.

Kelly… she started, resting her hands on her hips.

"No. We have to talk about this. I have been sure of this for two years. I don’t think it’s a phase, and it sure as Hell isn’t something I chose. Who would choose to be ostracized?"

Watch your language, young man. Clarissa said and looked at Kelly in the eye.

I’m sorry, Mom. Kelly said, looking contrite. You’re right. I shouldn’t be cursing at you.

Clarissa nodded, accepting his apology. "Now, I think if you just found the right girl…"

Mom, no. Kelly tried once more.

"Can you just try?" she asked.

He looked at the worry and concern in his mom’s eyes and caved, like he always did. Alright. I’ll try. Kelly said and put about three teaspoons of butter on the pancakes and then nearly half a cup of syrup.

And you were complaining about the pancakes? Clarissa asked, grinning again. She had won this round.

Kelly shrugged as he finished his pancakes, drank a big glass of milk, and grabbed his book bag. Thanks mom. It was great. Gotta jet. He said as he left the house for school. On his way out the door he kissed his fingertips and touched the cross that hung by the exit. It was something he had done every day since he was able to reach it at twelve years old.

Have fun, honey. Clarissa said. Little did Kelly know, but his mother had plans for that evening. She had invited a new family to dinner. They had a lovely girl who was Kelly’s age. She would try to see if she could get him back on the ‘straight and narrow’ and walk with God and not sin like the Devil.

School was school. After a less-than-inspiring forty minutes listening to the Physics teacher talk about acids and bases; stuff they had learned in extensive detail for two weeks at the beginning of the year, he went to English class.

Kelly loved English. The teacher, Mrs. Bodet’, was so full of life. She was a joy to learn from, too. She informed the class, at the beginning of the year, that she enjoyed learning so much that she would go to college every summer break and learn something else. They were now learning about famous painters. The classics and contemporary. Kelly loved seeing the words of Rembrandt and DaVinci more than a lot of the others, but he also marveled over how Norman Rockwell was able to make his paintings so lifelike. He thought he could reach in and touch the people in the paintings.

English always flew by. Kelly figured it was because he enjoyed it so much. Surely it was also a forty minute class. He left to go to the gym. Third period was Phys-ed. He always enjoyed this class. He was told he was exempt because he played in the athletics program but he truly loved the work-out. He helped out the underclassmen with their form and style when it was time to lift weights or to play the sports he loved. Right now, though, they were doing gymnastics. It was a different kind of muscles that were used and Kelly loved learning about all the muscle groups. Third period ran long, and into lunchtime, which was great because otherwise they’d only have twenty minutes for class after dressing out, then showering and getting dressed again.

Lunch was not one of his favorite times. The jocks always expected him to sit with them. Team comradery. He was not all that interested in hanging out with a bunch of guys who were always calling the smaller kids in class ‘fag’ or ‘gay’ or other negative words. Kelly was not about to tell his teammates that he was gay. He feared they would begin treating him poorly. He had a reputation to uphold.

He looked around and saw a couple of classmates he thought about sitting with, but didn’t immediately. One was a sensitive young kid in tenth grade. He seemed to want to hide under the table and kept to himself. He was sweet looking and Kelly thought he was beautiful.

There was also someone sitting by herself at a table far from everyone else. A new girl, he guessed, her appearance a little understated. She wore an oversized sweater, her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she wore a knee-length plaid skirt. He didn’t remember seeing her before.

Hey, guys. Who is that girl over there? Kelly asked the other kids at his table.

Dunno. One guy said.

A couple others shrugged.

Oh, she’s a new girl. Had her in chem this morning. Think her name is Meagan. Yeah, Meagan Benton.

What do you think of her? Kelly asked that boy.

Kelly? You like her, huh? Go on over and say ‘hi.’ Maybe she’s more to talk to than to look at. He joked, implying he did not think she was particularly cute.

I’ll just do that. Kelly said and stood up. He grasped his tray and started to turn out of his seat when the other boy grabbed his arm.

"Dude. I was kidding. You’re not really going to go and talk to that barker, are you?" he asked.

And if I do? Kelly asked and tugged his arm out of the other one’s grip.

Uh…

Yeah, what I thought. I’m going to make her feel welcome.

Kelly walked with purpose toward the young looking girl who was trying to stay invisible. He reached her table and coughed to clear his throat. The girl looked up at him. May I join you? he asked, and flashed his award-winning smile at her.

She smiled back shyly and nodded. Uh huh. She said. Meagan felt her heart beat against her ribs as she saw him smile at her.

Kelly nodded. Thank you. And sat down. My name’s Kelly. Kelly Masters. What’s yours? he asked.

M..Meagan Ben…Benton. She stuttered. He was breathtaking. His surfer-boy blond hair, blue eyes, and natural tanned skin was stunning. He looked very handsome to her. No, Meagan thought. He is pretty.

Meagan? It is very nice to meet you. Kelly said and grinned again as he put his hand out to shake hers. She put her hand out and nodded. You too. She said.

He looked away for a moment and saw the small tenth grader watching him longingly. Kelly looked to Meagan. Would it be cool if I asked that boy to join us? he asked. She grinned and nodded and Kelly waved him to their table.

At first he pointed at himself after looking behind him. When he realized Kelly was communicating with him he shook his head and looked down. I think he’s shy. Meagan said.

Kelly nodded. Yeah, probably. But you don’t mind if I try harder, do you? I hate to see people eat alone if they don’t have to.

Meagan grinned. That would be fine. You’re very nice. She added.

Kelly stood up and put his finger in the air, telling her to wait a moment. He strolled casually over to the table and sat down beside the shy young person. Hi. I think I know you. Peter, right? Kelly said.

The boy nodded. Yeah. Peter Coakley. Why are you talking to me? he asked, looking nervously at the jock table.

Well, Peter, Meagan… Kelly pointed to the girl who waved …and I were wondering if you would like to join us for lunch.

The boy looked skeptically at Kelly. You’re on the football team.

Yes…And? Kelly said.

They always tease me. Peter said.

Have I ever teased you? God, I hope not. If I did, please let me apologize by having you join us instead of you sitting here alone.

You have never teased me. Peter admitted. I’d like that. Thank you. He said.

Well, come on, then. Kelly said and picked Peter’s tray up and walked it over to Meagan’s table.

Meagan, this is Peter Coakley. Peter, Meagan Benton. Now, you each have two new friends. Kelly said and grinned as he sat back down at the table beside Meagan.

Hi. Meagan said, her stutter totally forgotten.

Hi. Peter said and smiled.

Well, lookie here. The jock, the fag, and the dog. Sounds like the beginning of a dirty joke. Two of the larger football players had come to the table to harass them.

Look guys. That isn’t necessary. Why don’t you go and pick on someone your own intellect? Oh, sorry, you aren’t allowed to go to the daycare anymore, are you? Kelly said.

Meagan snickered, but Peter’s eyes grew wide. Kelly, don’t. he whispered.

Kelly. Don’t. one of the tormentors said, raising his voice high.

Stop it. It’s not very sportsmanlike to treat people smaller than you like that. Kelly said and stood up, nose-to-nose with one of the two teammates.

They backed away, both holding their hands up in surrender. Hey, Kel. Back off. We’re only playing around.

Well, it wasn’t funny, Tim. Just go back to your own table and leave us alone. Kelly told them.

They nodded and backed away several feet before turning and leaving them alone, Tim turned one last time and eyed the younger Peter as though trying to memorize the younger boy’s face.

That was very brave. Meagan said, resting her chin on her knuckles. Peter nodded and smiled shyly.

Thank you. Kelly said.

They talked, laughed and joked around for the rest of lunch period and took their trays to the window before leaving to go to their afternoon classes.

Kelly still had three more classes that afternoon. He had to deal with advanced algebra, choir, and theater. Not too bad for an afternoon, really, if you think about it.

He got to algebra and his regular seat was taken. Instead he moved to the other side of the classroom where the view of the chalkboard was obstructed by a pole that no one could figure out the use for.

He sat down and resigned himself to the fact that he would have to rock back and forth to see everything the teacher put on the board.

The bell rang and the teacher started talking about quadratic equations. It was not difficult, per se’, but it was not the easiest thing Kelly had ever done. He was glad he’d read ahead in the book and was able to keep up.

A few minutes into class the door opened. Meagan Benton walked in and gave a note to the teacher. Very well, Meagan, you can sit over there. Yes, that’s it. By Kelly. He said and Kelly smiled and waved at her.

Meagan smiled and waved back and practically skipped to the desk, hugging her backpack. Hi. She whispered.

Hi. He mouthed back and pointed to the board. If you can’t see well, just let me know. I’ll share my notes. He offered.

Thanks. She said and then turned to see what Kelly was talking about. She frowned, and Kelly smiled and nodded.

They managed to make it through the Algebra class and vowed to make it earlier in the future to ensure good seats.

Kelly left to go to choir class and Meagan went to Art. Kelly loved to sing. He was a member of the performance choir and got to dance while he sang. They were known for their dance skills and had won several contests against other schools. The end of year program was coming up and they were doing show tunes. Kelly had what they called a ‘starring role’. Since he was a senior, he would get to sing and dance to a song of his choosing.

After choir, it was time for theatre arts class. He loved this class as much as he loved choir. He only didn’t really like two of his senior year classes—Physics and Algebra. The rest were interesting and he learned a lot.

The class all sat down and waited for their weekly assignment. Every week the teacher would assign them a scenario that they would have to adapt into a script and then act out. They usually worked in groups of two to four, depending on the scenario.

Just as the teacher began to assign roles by pulling names from a box, Meagan walked onto the stage. Yes, young lady? May I help you? he asked in his feigned snobby theatrical voice, flourishing his hands dramatically to indicate he was in the middle of teaching his class.

I…I uh… she said and then gave him the paper. Oh, I see. Very well then. Go sit down with the others. I’ll put your name in the box.

Meagan looked at the class. She recognized a few of the students from earlier classes and she sat down beside another girl. Kelly saw her and smiled. He had her for lunch, Algebra and now Theater class. He could help her get comfortable. Meagan didn’t see him in the shadows, though.

When the names were drawn, they were in groups of two and were supposed to write a script that was in the same genre as The Honeymooners. Kelly was excited. The teacher showed the class an old Jackie Gleason show. A few of the students groaned; they saw black and white and couldn’t get past that. Kelly, however, loved the old classic television shows. He had been matched up with Meagan, which thrilled her.

Several of the other girls glared at Meagan. Kelly was one of the boys that they all wished they could go out with. He was kind, strong, and very cute. All the girls liked the popular athlete.

After class, Meagan and Kelly stood near her locker and made plans to get together in the next couple of days to work on their script and their acting it out. Do you want to come to my house, or do you want me to come to yours? Maybe you want to meet up in a more public place? Kelly offered.

I think we should go to Mickey D’s or something at first. I don’t really know you and you don’t know me, so it would be less—weird. She said.

Kelly understood perfectly and he nodded. That would be great. How about tomorrow after school? You come up with some ideas tonight and I will too, and we can put our ideas together tomorrow.

It’s a deal. She said and smiled, shaking Kelly’s hand. Well, I have to get home, so I’ll see you tomorrow? she asked hopefully.

Absolutely. Kelly said and waved to her. He walked to baseball practice and spent the next few hours wondering how to put on a hundred and fifty pounds by Friday for Ralph Cramden’s character.

Kelly got home and his mom was flitting around the kitchen. Mom. What have you been drinking? Smoking? Are you alright? he asked, laughing.

Oh, I’m fine. Kel. I met the nicest couple the other day at the grocery store and invited them to dinner tonight. They’re new in town. They have a lovely daughter. I thought… she said.

That’s nice, mom. Kelly said, cutting her off. He knew she meant well, but he was just not interested in girls like that.

They’ll be here around 6:30. You’ll be ready for dinner then?

Yes, I’ll be ready. Don’t worry, mom. I’ll be my regular charming self. You’ll see. Kelly said and then turned around. As he left the kitchen he told his mother I’m going to take a shower. I want to be presentable for our guests.

Alright, dear. Wear something nice. She sang.

Kelly rolled his eyes. He was pretty conscientious regarding how he looked. He usually wore nice slacks, khakis, or clean jeans, and almost always wore shirts with a collar. His shoes were always in good condition and his hair always combed, even though it was a bit longer than the current style.

He showered quickly, put on deodorant and cologne and then dressed. He decided some pressed khakis and a green Polo shirt would be good for the evening and that is what he put on. When he was done, he powered up his laptop.

Hi. I had a good day, today. Took the time to do a good thing for others and, to tell the truth, it helped me to feel good about myself.

Made a couple new friends. A new girl, Meagan and a boy, a sophomore, Peter. He’s a sweet kit.

Gotta run. Having company tonight. Someone mom invited. Strangers. I sure hope they don’t turn out to be a family of axe murderers! (LOL)

He closed the diary, double-checked the password was still intact, and powered down his computer.

At about 6:00 Kelly went back downstairs to help his mom. She handed him five plates to put at the table. Kelly was used to leaving his father’s place empty, so he put two plates on each side, and one at what he called the foot of the table.

No, dear. You can put one plate at the head of the table. Clarissa said.

But… Kelly objected.

No, Kelly. It’s alright. I understand. She said and kissed him on the cheek. Kelly did as asked, but somehow he felt weird about it.

At 6:30 on the dot the doorbell rang. Kelly got up from the sofa and answered the door. Clarissa was still working in the kitchen. He put on a big smile and then turned the doorknob.

Hi. You must be Kelly. A lovely middle-aged woman said and held out her hand. I’m Mrs. Benton.

Hi. Kelly said, flashing his award-winning smile. "Wait. Did you say Benton?" he asked.

Yes. I’m Mr. Benton. This is my wife, and our daughter… Mr. Benton had stepped forward.

Meagan! Kelly called out and grabbed her by the arm. I had no idea. Welcome to our home. He said and pulled Meagan, and subsequently her parents, into the house.

I see you two have met, then? Mrs. Benton said and smiled.

Yeah. Yes, ma’am. We have a couple classes together. We even have to work on a theater arts project together. This is so cool! Kelly said and smiled at Meagan.

She smiled shyly. Meagan had changed her clothes, as well and was wearing a pretty pale-yellow dress and matching shoes. Her hair was tied back in a yellow ribbon. Quite a vintage look, but it suited her.

Come on in. Mom’s getting dinner out of the oven right now. I sure hope you guys like roast beef. Kelly said. It’s kind of her specialty. He whispered conspiratorially.

Mr. Benton nodded and winked at Kelly, Mrs. Benton left to follow the sounds to see if she could help in the kitchen.

Oh. I’m so sorry. We’re all just standing here. Come on into the living room. Mom will call us when she’s ready. Kelly said to Mr. Benton and Meagan.

Mr. Benton moved to sit in a wing-back chair and Kelly got serious. Um. Mr. Benton. I’m sorry, but would you mind sitting somewhere else? Kelly asked.

Huh? Oh, sure. He said and smiled. He sat on the loveseat opposite a large sofa.

Meagan looked at Kelly and wondered why he had done that. She decided she would ask him later.

Dinner’s ready. Mrs. Benton said and took her husband by the hand. Kelly put his arm out for Meagan to take and the four walked into the dining room.

Clarissa had outdone herself. There were candles lit on each side of the table and a large roast, surrounded with perfectly browned potatoes and carrots. There were green beans and a tossed salad, and rolls to balance out the meal. She put out a bottle of chilled red wine for the adults and chilled non-alcoholic sangria for the young duo.

Clarissa guided Mr. Benton to the head of the table and Mrs. Benton sat to his left. Meagan and Kelly found themselves on the same side of the table and mom sat in her regular place. Kelly felt an odd lurch in his stomach when he saw a stranger in his father’s place.

Before they ate, mom insisted they say Grace. Mr. Benton led the prayer. They all said ‘amen’ and then the food was passed around. It was all lovely and very formal.

Kelly was used to filling his plate at the stove and taking it to the table with a glass of milk. He was happy to see this other side to his mother. She had lost all her desire to be this formal when his dad