Pomegranate

Benji - 8

            On the day of Benji's orchestra performance, his parents drove up from Philadelphia. They went out for dinner and talked about Lizzie's latest pageant (she had lost, and pulled the other girls' hair so hard her extensions came off), Benji's classes, and the conservatory. Benji feigned enthusiasm, but his parents were so excited on his behalf that they barely noticed how insincere his nods and smiles were. They didn't ask about Meredith this time, thankfully. Benji currently had seven unread messages and two missed calls from her. Nine messages from Seth and one missed phone call. Benji just couldn't think about it, about them, right now. He had to get through his performance and his parents.

Benji waited for the right moment to bring it up. He had done so much progress this past week — talking to Rita, to Lara, all of it. But he still needed to push farther. He had to.

"So, I..." He started. "I don't know, maybe we can talk about the whole conservatory thing at some point?"

"What about it?" His mother asked casually, halfway through the creme brule she ordered for dessert.

"I just...wanted to talk to you guys about some stuff."

"Okay?"

"Is everything alright?" His father amended. "Did you hand in your transfer papers? Are they giving you any issues about the credit transfer?"

Benji had not, in fact, handed in the transfer papers. But he chose to feign ignorance there.

"The credits are fine."

"Okay, so what's up?" His father asked.

"I mean, I just..." He shrugged. "It just felt like you guys kind of...decided the transfer without me. You know?"

His parents looked at each other.

"Well, that was the best match for you." His mother said. "One of your instructors even recommended you."

"It's a great opportunity." His father added. "Were you thinking of somewhere else?"

"I just..."

I like Bradwell. I don't want to transfer.

"Benjamin?" His mother creased her brow. "Is something happening?"

"Um."

The waitress came back with the bill, and Benji's tongue swelled in his mouth, heavy against his gums.

"No," he replied. It was automatic, a reflex. Just not today, Benji thought. Just not right now. There was already too much in his head, and he had to play a solo in an hour. "It's all good."

His mother nodded and squeezed his arm. His father said "okay" and sipped his water.

They drove the way back to campus in silence.