Ben's House; January 26 2021
Ben jumped from the couch, hearing the sound of a horn honking. She was here. Grabbing a jacket and some keys, he left his house and climbed into the passenger seat of Jen's car. It was the same car she'd always drove, since he'd met her all those years ago. He was nervous.
Jen- "You ready?"
She beamed as usual, pulling out of the driveway. He shrugged and they were off.
Jen- "This is gonna be good for you."
Later...
They arrived at the Ellen's birthday party, hundreds of cars surrounded the premises. Ben immediately wanted to leave, he was not in the mood to interact with people. He'd only been there for an hour and his so called "date" had abandoned him for her friends. Ben couldn't blame Jen, recently he'd felt he wasn't as fun without a drink in his hand, but that wasn't an option. Ben decided to call for a driver and leave, exiting through the back gate so no one would see him, as they'd even care. When he got to the gate he was surprised to see that someone else was sneaking out too. The figure turned around facing him,
Jennifer- "Ben?"
She squinted at him.
Ben- "Jennifer."
He replied, an indescribable warm feeling came over him and he couldn't help but grin.
Ben- "Were you leaving?"
Jennifer- "I don't know... Were you?"
And like what always happened when these two souls met, they soon found themselves alone, on a secluded area of Ellen's patio over looking the city. The sun had set below the horizon and a warm, Los Angeles breeze blew Jen's hair in the wind.
Jennifer- "I have to say I'm glad your ex wife forced you to come here tonight."
Ben- "And I'm glad that your mother, sister, and fiancé ditched you on the dance floor, for Shakira."
They couldn't help but laugh. Jen and Ben talked about projects and kids for awhile, but there was a question that was practically eating Jennifer alive. She couldn't keep it in anymore.
Jennifer- "Ben, after that night all those years ago, with my dad, you know the one?"
Ben- "How could I forget it."
He blushed, thankfully because it was dark she couldn't see.
Jennifer- "Why didn't you ever call me back?"
Ben- "What do you mean? I called you for weeks, never heard back."
Jennifer- "What?! No you didn't."
Ben- "Oh yes I did!"
Now they were playing a game they often played back when they were together called, "Who's right Ben or Jennifer?"
Jennifer- "Believe me, I was glued to that phone for weeks after that, I would've known."
Ben- "Oh, so you were obsessed with me?!"
He teased, acting flattered. Jen couldn't help but laugh, hitting him on the arm playfully.
Ben- "Ouch!"
Jennifer- "Ben, which number of mine do you have?"
She inquired. Ben pulled out his phone.
Ben- "The 407 one."
Jen shook her head.
Jennifer- "Ben, I haven't used that number since 2005!"
There was a deafening silence. Deep down they both were devastated at the outcome of what this dumb mistake had cost them. If Ben had, had the right number would they be together? The question made both of them feel sick. Jen felt tears welling in her eyes, but he could never know that. Although she had a feeling he already did.
Ben- "Hey, this is the way it was meant to be."
Ben comforted, speaking softly and holding her hands in his.
Ben- "You and your kids are happy with Alex. And I'm in a better place than I've been in a long time."
The was another pause.
Ben- "Jennifer, you've gotta say something."
She looked up at him their eyes meeting, in the glow of a lantern hanging near by.
Jennifer- "You're right, you have to be."
