Mathematicians and Scientists (Saanvi×Ben)

Chapter 4: An Unexpected Visitor

Saanvi

I open up the door and Ben is standing there. He looks upset.

"Ben! Are you okay? Please come in," I say as I move out of the way."

He walks in and sits on the ground. I sit down beside him, but he just stares at the ground like he's in another world.

"Hey, what's going on Ben?"

He finally looks at me and weakly says, "Grace and I are getting divorced."

"Oh my word, Ben, I'm so sorry."

"Yeah...there's nothing anyone can do about it. Grace has her mind set on the idea that our marriage can't be fixed. I'm not sure if she's right, but she's stubborn and I know there's no fixing that. I just needed someone to talk to. Michaela's not answering. I'm sorry to just burst in here like this."

"No! It's okay! It's good that you came here. You need to talk to someone."

I put my hand on his shoulder and look at him sympathetically.  I really don't have much more to say. He looks up at me sadly, and I see tears in his eyes.

"She said we can work something out about the kids, so I'm glad for that, but I can't pretend like I don't love her after 15/20 years of marriage! A month ago, we were in Jamaica trying to repair our marriage. I thought we had, but clearly not if it only took her 2 years to start a relationship with a new guy. She didn't even have the decency to tell me about him. Olive was the one who told me. "

"Ben, I can't even imagine. My reentry wasn't easy, and I just came back to my parents. That sounds terrible. Obviously it will take time to let go of her. She's your wife! You guys were in love. But, she was unfair to you. She doesn't understand what it was like to come back and find out it's 5 years later and everyone has moved on."

We sit there for a minute, and I can tell Ben is trying not to cry. He's the kind of person that thinks they always have to be okay. That strength is part of what I admire about him. I try to ignore any feelings I have from my hand that is still touching his back. It's a very friendly gesture for someone who's going through a lot, I tell myself. This is not the time to be feeling romantic feelings. 

I look up at him and see the sadness on his face.  I wish so badly I could make it go away. I hate seeing him like that. He notices me looking at him and looks at me. I can't help but have feelings when he looks into my eyes. He holds my glance for a few seconds before his phone starts ringing.

It looks like he jumps out of his skin when it rings.

"You should get that." I say as he pulls his phone out of his pocket.

"It's Michaela...I should go, but thank you. I needed someone who would understand."

"Of course, come by anytime - whenever you need anything,  I'm here. "

As the door shuts behind him, I think about that shared glance. What was that? Does he feel something too or is he just upset. I can't think. My blood is racing through my veins just like every other time I see him.

I look at the time. It's nearly 9. He was here for almost an hour. I should go home.  Hopefully my parents aren't worried.

I lock up my research and leave.

***

I get home and my parents don't seem too worried. My mom is sitting on the couch watching tv. My dad must have already gone to bed.

"Hey sweetheart, there's dinner in the fridge that you can warm up. How was your day?"

"It was alright.  I'm not getting far in the area of research right now."

"Alright,  well I hope it gets better. You're smart hon. I'm sure you'll figure it out.  "

I warm up my food and head upstairs to my room. I peak in my closet at the mouse I have been giving shots of the DNA that contains the blood marker. He's still alive and doing well. I take a sample from him and run it through the machine. The results show negative for the blood marker.

"That's impossible..." I don't understand.  How can he be negative for it if I gave him part of my DNA. It has to be transferred genetically. Unless, whatever caused the plane to reappear is not genetic and has no interest in being tested on.