The Neighbor

The Calm Before the Storm

"Stress," Ben's doctor confirmed. "That's all it is and I don't blame you. With everything that's happened, I would be worried if you didn't get sick!" He started chuckling, but Ben didn't find this amusing. Changing the subject, he asked, "Is it possible for me to hallucinate from my fever? I keep thinking my wife is asking me these questions, but she was actually asking something else."

His doctor shrugged. "It's possible, sure. Are you certain you're just not listening like the rest of us husbands?" Again, he started laughing, but again...Ben didn't find this amusing. "I listen to my wife perfectly fine, thank you," he spat. "Now, is there anything I can do? Am I contagious?" The doctor shook his head. "No, you're not contagious. The best you can really do is relax and get rid of any stress you can."

Get rid of my stress? Ben thought. I can't get rid of the fact that my wife got stabbed by a psychopath, killing our unborn child. I can't fix any of this, it's all my fault. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. "Fuck," he breathed out and clenched on to the front of his shirt. The doctor immediately pushed his hand away and checked him with his stethoscope.

"Yep, that baby's way up. I suggest you stop thinking about it too much, as well. You'll have panic attacks if you don't, some way worse than this. If you do get another, it will feel like a heart attack, but just know that it isn't. Alright?"

Ben huffed in annoyance. "Perfect," he grumbled angrily.

**

He didn't mean to, but when Ben walked into the house, he slammed the door shut and it was soon followed by Michael's cries. Ben sighed. "I'm home," he weakly called. He shed his jacket and shirt off as he went up the stairs, just aimlessly tossing them across the railing.

As soon as he got into the bedroom, he face planted on to the bed. He was feeling better than he did before he left, but he was still incredibly exhausted. Cassie walked in with his shirt and jacket in her hands and sighed at the sight of him. "Poor Benny," she cooed. He hummed a response, then mumbled, "Don't you dare worry about me, love. You focus on getting rest."

"I have to grab Michael before-..." Ben shot up from the bed, but almost fell over from the dizziness. "I've got 'im," he slurred. "You relax." She looked at him curiously. "Ben, are you sure? What did the doctor-." He grunted in annoyance, but managed to calmly say, "Cass, baby, please let me handle this. I'm fine, I'm not contagious, it's just stress. As soon as Mike goes back to sleep, I'll pop in a movie and cuddle up with you. Does that please my lady?"

She smiled and told him, "Yes, it does."

**

They spent hours watching movies and shows in bed. It was almost four o'clock when Michael woke up and started crying. Since Ben was feeling a little better and didn't want Cassie moving around anymore than she has, he got up and tended to his son.

He brought Michael into the bedroom with him and snuggled back down with Cassie, while Michael happily relaxed on Ben's chest. A little while later, Ben decided it was time to feed his family, so he took Michael downstairs and set him in the high chair and fed him some baby food, before ordering some pizza for the two of you.

Sighing, Ben leaned back against the counter and folded his arms. He stared at Michael and couldn't help the smile growing on his face. He still can't believe he has a son and a beautiful wife. And he still can't believe they're both here after how many times he has royally fucked up. Nevertheless, he's happy and he can't wait to re-start their life in New York.

As Ben still looked on at his gurgling, bouncing baby boy, he noticed something move in the corner of his eye. He glanced over to the window to see Tony watering in his front yard. This got Ben angry. For what reason, he's not too sure, but he assumes it's the fact that the last time he and Tony talked, Tony had threatened Michael. Any reminder of that would get Ben going.

Tony took a glance over in Ben's direction and stopped when he saw that dark glare piercing through him like knives. He quirked up a little smile, then gave Ben a gentle wave.

Big mistake.

Ben charged outside and made his way across the street in a matter of seconds. Tony had a satisfying smile on his face that made Ben stop, instead of plummeting him right then and there.

"Feeling better, Ben?" Tony asked. Ben was about to ask him what he was talking about, until Tony told him, "Our wives talked while you were away. Glad Cassie's recovering, though. And that boy...how is he?"

Ben suddenly started to get a bit woozy again and stumbled after loosing a bit of balance. Tony caught him and laughed. "You're not so good I guess, huh? Well, the wife and kid and went out shopping...how about you come inside for a minute? You look like you could use a drink."

Ben nodded his head, but he wasn't going in for a drink...oh no. He needed a fix much stronger than that.

Tony led them both inside and into the kitchen. Ben stared at the counter top where he had slit Rachel's throat, then looked down to the spot on the floor where she had died in front of him. A small smile crept up on his lips from the thought.

"Find something amusing?" Tony asked, while handing him a beer. Ben kept the smile on his face and shrugged. "Oh nothing. Just think about the last time I was here." Tony looked at him curiously. "Which was when?" He asked.

"Oh just over a few months ago," he answered, like it was no big deal. "Anyways, I see you're working on a pool then?" He gestured to the giant hole in the backyard. Tony nodded. "Yep. Too much work to build myself, so I'm having some workers come in next week to fill her up."

Ben just nodded, pretending that he was interested. "Want to see it?" Tony suddenly asked. Ben could see a dangerous look in his eye. "Yes," he told him, "I would love to." Tony took them into the backyard and showed Ben to the edge of the hole in the ground.

"You know, your family is welcome over when we get this done. Of course, Michael can't swim, but your wife...wow, I would love to see that body in a bikini." Ben clenched at his drink.

"I can just imagine those curves waving out and I can just see those boobs sticking out of her top," he continued. Ben glanced around him and caught sight of a shovel a few feet away. He was going to use it for a whole other reason if Tony didn't shut his mouth.

But he didn't. Tony just kept going on and on about Cassie would look in a bikini. So, Ben took a few timid steps back and slowly bent over, grabbing the shovel off the ground. He was behind Tony enough that he was out of sight.

Ben hesitated for a moment and looked down at the shovel. He's been hearing things, he has a fever, and he's unbelievably stressed out. Would this be the best thing to do right now? No. Clearly not. If he does, he knows he'll officially go insane. He has to keep calm for a little while longer before he can do anything.

Quietly, Ben set down the shovel and quickly walked off, while Tony continued on and on and on. Tony didn't even have to look back to know Ben was gone. A devious smirk appeared on his face and he continued to talk. "Almost got you," he said to himself.