Will You Love Me? : The Golden Years

Chapter 21

"...so then, I told her, that the answer wasn't nine, it was eight. She didn't believe me and I called her a dummy and Miss Tate told me to stop, but I said no. Then that's when she called you, dad!" Ben stared at his daughter in complete shock. 

He had gotten a call from her teacher saying he needed to come pick up Scarlett. They had just gotten home and he asked Scar for her side of the story. He kind of regrets asking. 

"Scar...I'm not even sure what to say to you right now. You don't talk back to a teacher, you can't just do that. And I know you're smarter than most of your class, but just because someone gets an answer wrong doesn't make them a dummy. When you get an answer wrong, does anyone call you that?"

She didn't even think before saying, "No because I never get a wrong answer." He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Just...go up to your room," he ordered. "I'll have your mum talk to you when she gets home."

She pouted at him, but he gave her his stern look. "Fine," she heavily sighed as she stomped upstairs. He couldn't believe what has been going on with his children lately. 

Sometimes he wonders if they're even his. 

Just as he was about to go back into his office, the front door opened to Nate. "Oh, Christ, what are you doing home?" Ben asked. Nate looked confused and said, "We got off early today. It's the last day of school."

Ben vaguely remembers that conversation. 

"Erm...right, yeah," he said. "Where's Em? With Chris?" As Nate threw down his backpack, he asked, "When is she never with him?" Ben chuckled at that. "Well, Scar is home because she got in trouble today and I have a lot of work to do. Can you do me a favor and make sure she doesn't leave her room to watch T.V. or whatever. I can't keep chasing you kids around."

Nate sensed something else was up with his dad, but opted not to say anything about it. "Yeah, sure," he told him. Ben patted his shoulder, then went into his office in hopes to get some work done. 

He actually sighed in relief when it was dead quiet in the house. Nate always understood how important it was for him to work in silence, so he knew he was in good hands. He didn't really need to memorize his lines, but more of knowing how to get back into his Hamlet character. 

Sometimes he would get up and walk around his office while muttering his lines in different tones, other times he would rehearse to himself in the mirror. He finally got himself where he wanted to be and smiled as he marked down some notes in his script. 

A few moments later, there were soft knocks on the door. "Come in," he mumbled. Nate peaked his head in with a nervous expression on his face. "Sorry, I don't mean to interrupt you," he apologized. "I just want to ask you something."

Ben put his script down and said, "Of course, come in." Nate walked into the office and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Okay, don't get mad that I didn't tell you, but...I have an art show tonight. My work got nominated from school and I wasn't going to tell you until I maybe got to the finals, but...I really want you and mom there. I'm so nervous about it and to have you both there would calm my nerves. So, my question is...will you go?"

Ben let out a light laugh and asked, "Will I go? Of course I will! Come here, I'm so proud of you!" He brought his son into a hug and patted his back. When he pulled away, he kissed his head, then said, "I can't wait to see your work! What time will it be?"

Nate smiled as he told him, "Seven o'clock at the school. I mean if you're too busy or something, then it's fine." Ben put his hand on his neck and said, "I am never too busy for my children. This is what you want to do, what you love. It's your passion and I am going to be with you every step of the way cheering you on. That goes for all of you, even Scar who might just be planning world domination."