Under The Mistletoe

Part 29

Ben

"Yep." I got up and grabbed my jacket and my purse and I let him lead me out to the car. He loaded his things into the back and then helped me into the front. I fidgeted all the way there. I wasn't quite sure why I was nervous. Ben seemed very nice and Avi had no qualms at all about this get together.

"Nervous?"

"A little, but I don't know why." I continued to fidget until he took my hand.

"I wanna say it's only Ben, but I get that. It will be fine. Ben has known me from the very beginning. He knows just about aspect of my personality and has seen my behavior at its worst. I think I have more to worry about than you do. You can speak openly with him. I don't really know about Ari, but they are public. It is very different for them. Be careful though. She and Aleen actually like each other. I used to think that was cool, now I just wonder why."

"Hmmm. Okay." I took a deep breath and settled in my seat. "I've got this."

"Yes. You do. Let's I do as well." I smiled and put both hands on the wheel so I could navigate int the traffic that I hate. I let my mind drift to the conversation I had on the phone this morning then started talking to the Bluetooth in my car. "Call Mom." I looked at Lizzie. "I owe her a call. Hope it's alright."

"Go right ahead. I don't mind."

"Hi Mom. We are headed to Ben's so we're in the car."

"You are not driving are you?"

"It's hands-free mom. You have both of us here. We can both hear you. I just wanted to check in. I love you. Are you doing okay?"

"Oh. Good. Hi. Hi, Lizzie. Howa re you two doing?"

"I'm good. Lizzie?"

"I'm doing well. Thank you for asking."

"That is good to hear. You guys are going to see Ben?"

"Yeah."

"Please give him my love."

"We will."

"Your father and I are doing well. He's off somewhere around here. I was beading. How are auditions going?"

"Good. They are amazing. It is so hard to choose. I guess that is why we assign points. There are so many."

"That is awesome, son. Will you be up again before Christmas?"

"We can come up. Lizzie. What are we doing for Christmas Eve or Christmas day? Mom always did the planning. Oh, what are the cousins doing?" I looked at Lizzie. I wasn't able to interpret her expression.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't think we have planned that far ahead. I know I will call my parents at some point. I thought we might wake up together Christmas morning and do gifts and stockings."

And there was that slight sound of disappointment I hate hearing from my mother. "There is family dinner out at Gran's on Christmas day at 4. Shall I tell her that the two of you are coming?"

"Yes. Do we need to bring anything?"

"That would be good. Let me know later what you'll be bringing and I'll relay that too. Your father is calling for me. I need to go. I love you. Call me later, okay."

"Love you too." I left space for Lizzie to say goodbye in and waited until she did before ending the call. "Ugh."

"I'm sorry. I hope I didn't say anything out of line." I began fidgeting again. "Did that have anything to do with the phone call this morning."