Benevolence [H.S.]

Chapter Eleven.

**Part 2 of a double update, make sure you've read chapter ten first!

August 1963

Benny

"Benny?"

I breathed out, for some reason catching myself smiling that he recognized my voice.

"Uhm, hi, sorry I'm on a pay phone and I know this is stupid but I didn't know who else to call and-"

"Look if you've just called to argue about money I'm waiting for a phone call, try again later, yeah? Or better yet never actually. Really don't enjoy getting yelled at and accused of forty different things at once."

Of course he interrupted me. I don't know what I was expecting.

His voice was strained, and I knew we weren't on the best of terms but he'd actually been the one to start a conversation with ME last time we saw one another.

"No, I'm not trying to argue Harry, I'm just in a bit of trouble and-"

He cut me off again but this time his tone immediately changed;
"What? Are you okay?"

"No, I mean yes, I'm fine I'm just stuck and-"

"Well if you're okay then call back later I'm waiting for an important call."

"Damn it Harry would you let me finish!"

The line went silent and I took the pause as my cue to go on;

"I'm not hurt but I'm STUCK near Ferndale, my car won't start and I don't know what's wrong with it, and the gauges seemed okay, but I don't have money for a tow and I can't exactly call my mother to pick me up seeing as I'm borrowing her car, I can't call my friend because we've been in a fight, which funnily enough was kind of about you-and I just didn't have anyone else to call, I know-"

"Okay, okay! Jesus Christ shush for a moment. Hang on, let me think." He went silent, and for a moment I was worried the call had disconnected until I heard papers rustling on the other end.

"So...you'll help?" I ventured quietly.

"Did I not just say to shush?"

"You know you're the one who kept interrupting me..."

I heard him sigh in exasperation.

"Just-stop. Listen, I cannot get you or your car because I'm waiting for someone and I've got shit to do here..."

"I knew this was a dumb idea, forget I called"

"BUT I can send someone to get you. Okay? So just...calm down. Stop freaking out."

"I'm not 'freaking out,' I'm just a bit desperate here. I didn't even think you'd answer."

"Well I did. In the middle of a very busy day."
I felt like he was trying to sound more important and put out than he actually was, which irritated me to no end, but I needed him and couldn't afford to hurl any insults his way if it meant he'd leave me here.

There was more rustling on the other line and a muffled yell, like he was calling for someone.

"Where are you exactly?"

He sighed again as if me not knowing the exact address to a random highway fuel stop was somehow the greatest inconvenience of his life.

"Right. Well how far are you from Ferndale, North or South?

"101, id say maybe 3 and a half, four miles North," I paused and added "the gas station has a giant bee with a crown on the sign. Giving a thumbs up."