Hidden Burdens (working title)

Surprises

Kimmy watched Ben, as he hurried from the truck while avoiding their glance, through the back window. She remembered what Kayla had said the night before about Ben having a hard time lately and it made Kimmy's heart sad. It seemed like he wanted to cry.

John got her attention once more to check in with how she was doing.

Kimmy shrugged.

He then encouraged her. "Hang in there, okay."

Kimmy wiped her eyes with the back of her hand as she sniffed. When she looked up again, Ben caught her view once more and she couldn't help asking if he was okay.

John looked out the back window at Ben and admitted he wasn't sure. "Ben has a hard time letting his emotions show."

She looked between the guys, confused. "Why?"

He shrugged. "A lot of men are taught at a young age not to cry and to man up. They're usually shamed and oftentimes punished if they do because it's thought emotions are something girls should have. I was fortunate enough to have loving, supportive parents who let me cry when I needed to. I remember having these meltdowns when I was very little when I would be overcome with these big emotions. I would cry until I was coughing. So my grandpa would pick me up and carry me to this armchair he had that rocked..."

"And spank you?" Kimmy blurted out in horror, interrupting his story.

John sympathetically shook his head. "He would hold me close to him and rock me until I could calm down."

Kimmy looked away, ashamed.

He rubbed her arm, comfortingly and told her, apologetically, as if he had done something wrong, "I'm sorry, Kimster."

She forced herself to look at him and assured, "It's okay."

Kimmy glanced through the back window from her side view where Ben was hunched over, sitting on the back of his truck. She couldn't see his face for his hands. That urge to go hug him fought to return. She tried to suggest they go see if Ben was okay but John said to leave him alone, causing Kimmy to fight the urge even more.

Eventually, Ben returned on his own, prompting John to climb back into the front seat.

"Would it seriously kill you all to get out and go around?" Ben questioned annoyed as he ducked his head to avoid getting kicked in the process.

John cracked a joke in response and he added he sometimes couldn't pass a wall without hopping it as if to show off to himself, which Kimmy could relate, with wanting to kick stray rocks in the middle of the sidewalk. She also still wanted to make Ben feel better.

So, when the truck was silent and everyone got situated in their seats, Kimmy softly uttered, "Ben," to get his attention.

Ben looked over his shoulder to back out and glanced at the kid to acknowledge her. "Yes, kiddo?"

She chewed on her lip briefly. "I w-would."

"You would, what?" Ben finished reversing and switched gears to move forward.

"Go around."

"Well, I appreciate that," he said once Ben figured out what she meant, "but I was referring to John and Claudia, not you."

Kimmy dropped her gaze, ashamed once more.

She heard Ben apologize for the misunderstanding on his part and reassured she was okay with him. He also asked how Kimmy was feeling now. Kimmy glanced his way, the only thing to do was shrug.