"Why can't Ben stay with us dad?"It was a question Joel had been expecting but was still ill-prepared to give an answer. Joel had thought about Ben a lot lately. Since moving away from Ben's area two years earlier Joel worried how the boy would cope. Ben was special in a number of ways and special where he came from meant pain. For two years Seymour had pestered his father to let Ben stay after another of his ever more frequent visits.
Not many years ago Joel would have agreed immediately. Now lessons had been learnt and times had been hard. Joel could barely manage to feed his own sons without an additional drain. Often when there was little food Joel would go without or have a smaller portion to keep the boys fed. Seymour understood but he also knew things were getting better and putting food on the table less of an issue. There were other concerns. The neighbours.
On previous visits Seymour somehow found a way to antagonise the Murphy's next door. Seymour and older brother Hugh were less than respectful anyway, but when Ben was around Seymour felt the need to show off and things happened. It wasn't always a case of winding Mr. Murphy up on purpose, it just came naturally to Seymour. The Phillips' boys thought Mr. Murphy a kill-joy largely because of the numerous complaints. Music too loud, footballs flying over the wall into his vege patch, then there was Seymour's habit of wandering around the house, and sometimes the garden, as nature intended.
That was Joel's fault. He had been ashamed of his body at school and shower times were a living hell. Joel was determined his sons wouldn't feel that shame. It worked well with Hugh but Seymour always did go to extremes. A few years ago it wasn't really a problem but Seymour is eighteen now and doesn't understand modesty. Joel hated to think what the neighbours thought of them.
"I don't know Seymour, maybe Ben wants to stay near his family. It's 200 miles"
Joel was clutching at straws. Why on earth would Ben want to stay with parents who pawned his Christmas presents the first week in January. Seymour gave his father a withering look as if to say 'I know you're not that stupid' and Joel looked away quickly.
"Ben's no trouble" Seymour pressed, ignoring his father's inane statement.
Seymour had him there. If anything Ben was a godsend. One special thing about Ben was his borderline OCD. Joel wasn't the tidiest person but Hugh and Seymour redefined slovenly. On Ben's stays he always gave a hand and even kept Seymour's room tidy when they shared.
"It's not Ben, it's you!" Joel said in exasperation.
"What?"
Joel was taken aback a little it looked as if Seymour genuinely didn't know.
"You go stupid when Ben is visiting"
Seymour frowned as he thought about it.
"You mean the snowman?" he ventured and Joel cringed at the thought.
For two years in succession had upset the neighbours youngsters after a rare snowfall. Winter comes but once a year and with all the global warming for only a week on average. Then Mr. Murphy wouldn't talk to Joel again until Easter. The first year was particularly embarrassing.
To Be Continued........
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