Sorting Things Out
Ben’s mother, Joanie Richardson, was with her mother and Cook in the Estate kitchen when Ben and Miss Emelina arrived. “Oh, thank heavens you’re all right, Ben!” His mother wrapped him in a big hug. Bigger than usual. He could hardly breathe. “I’m all right mom. Sorry I got mad and yelled at you and then just took off.” She released her son and held his face in both hands. “I’m sorry too, Ben. I’ve been spending all my time worrying about Abby and didn’t even know you felt ignored.” She looked up at Emelina and smiled. “Thank you so much for finding him and bringing him to me.”
“You are so welcome, Joanie. I was just glad I found him so easily.” She was uneasy about having offered Michael’s guitar to Ben before talking with his mother. The words had just slipped out of her. “I have something upstairs I need to take care of. Ben, you take care and try not to run off like that again.” She decided to let Ben bring up the issue of the guitar if he was really interested. As she walked away, she heard them talking. Trying not to eavesdrop, she hurried up the stairs to her living room.
~~~~~
“Mom, I don’t know what you’ll think of this.” He hesitated, not sure what he wanted to say. “I’ve been mad at Abby because she’s so interested in her science stuff. And I’ve been mad at me because I’m not interested in anything but riding my bike with Jimmy.” After another long pause he said. “At least nothing that I thought was important like science.” Cook and Martha had been sitting with their tea, quiet and just watching the little reunion play out. Out of the blue, Ben looked over at them. “Can I get a glass of water?” He always asked Cook before touching anything in her kitchen. “Of course, Ben. Go ahead.” She nodded to Martha stay seated. “He knows where everything is.” Turning back to Ben, she said “If you’d rather have a glass of milk, there’s fresh milk in the refrigerator.”
Cook always said the right thing. Ben wanted to ask his mother about guitar lessons, but he got so nervous, he was suddenly thirsty. He was sure he would be told that they were too expensive and that he couldn’t have the guitar but he was going to ask anyway. At least he’d try. He already had visions of riding his bike up to the hill with his guitar on his back. Sitting on the rock and playing to the birds and squirrels. Sleeping with his guitar beside him. Saying good bye to it before going to school. He thought he might even get famous. Pouring a glass of milk, he just about spilled it he was so distracted. Standing up straighter, shoulders back, he decided he would stop being such a baby and just ask. If she said ‘no’, then he’d just have to find a way to pay for lessons by himself. And the guitar could stay here until he could buy it, but he’d ask if he could come and practice lessons on it here. In a much stronger voice he said “Mom, I want to take guitar lessons. Abby has her dreams and I finally have mine….I think.” Taking a big drink of milk, wiping his face with his sleeve, he sat down and waited to see what his mother would say.
She was quiet for a long time, watching her son growing up in front of her eyes. Just a few hours before he had seemed so young. Seeing him square his shoulders and say what he wanted, made her heart swell. Maybe it was what he needed. Joanie had no idea what guitar lessons would cost or where they’d get a guitar, but she was willing to help him with it. “Okay, Ben……….” before she could continue, he blurted out. “I really want this, mom, please…what did you say? Okay?” Joanie’s face broke into a smile. “Yes, Ben. Okay. I don’t know how we’ll do it but we’ll do it. Now that I think about it, there’s a music program at the school.” Ben looked surprised. “Wow! I never thought of that. I watch them play, but never thought I could learn music. I always feel good when I’ve listened to them.” Martha chimed in. “Is that Mr. Reynolds still there? He teaches guitar doesn’t he? He might know where you could get a guitar.” Her daughter was nodding her head. “Yes, he comes in twice a week. I’ll talk with him tomorrow when he comes in.” Joanie stood and put on her sweater. “Ben, we’d better get home. Abby will be waiting for us.” She looked at her watch. “I let her go with Miss Dez to the orchard while we waited for you.” Ben drained his glass of milk and took the glass to the kitchen sink. He rinsed it out and put it on the draining board. “Thanks Ben, I’ll put that in here with the rest.” Cook had gathered their tea things to put them in the dishwasher.
Martha followed her daughter and grandson to the door. “I’ll walk with you part way, then home to get supper on the table for James and me. I’m glad you’re home and safe, Ben and everything's sorted.” Everything wasn’t really sorted. Ben hadn’t mentioned that Miss Emelina had offered him a guitar. He’d wait until he met Mr. Reynolds at school.
“We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy,
even it if is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.”
~ E.B.White
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