Mustard on Top

by Wanda Degolier

  She didn’t want to rally on Ben’s behalf, but thought Theo deserved an explanation other than his father didn’t care. She offered the package Ben had delivered the night before. “There’s information in here that will tell you everything that happened.”

  Theo dismissed the envelope, and Helen dropped it back in her lap.

  “Right after I became pregnant, he witnessed a horrific crime. After he agreed to testify, the US Marshal Service changed his identity and moved him around the country for his protection.”

  “So his name’s not Harvey?”

  Helen winced. “No. His name is Ben Smiley. Or was. Now he calls himself Cooper Manning.”

  “Cooper?” Theo sounded disgusted.

  Helen laughed nervously. “Yeah.” After a moment, she said, “You don’t have to meet him. He’s only out here on vacation, he’ll be gone soon enough.”

  “Where does he live?”

  “Chicago. Theo, I swear I didn’t know any of this until last night.”

  “So that’s from him?” Theo nodded toward the envelope.

  “He’s from Nalley. We were high school sweethearts, but he resides in Chicago now.” Helen held the package toward Theo, who eyed it warily.

  “Go through it with me?” he asked.

  That Theo had included her, mended Helen’s heart a little.

  “Of course.” Shaky, she stood and moved toward the bed. A few deep breaths helped her gain her composure before she sat.

  It took two hours, but together they went through the articles. Theo seemed to absorb the idea of Ben’s existence and his anger dissipated. Helen’s pride swelled, Theo handled the news well. Theo laid the last article in the stack aside and announced, “I’m hungry.”

  “Shall we go out for pizza?”

  “Have you taken your insulin?”

  Helen cringed. “I will right now.”

  “Afterward, we can go out for pizza,” Theo said. “Hey aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

  “Both our shifts are covered.” Helen stood and kissed him on the top of the head. “What would I do without you?”

  She was halfway to the door when Theo called, “Mom?”

  “Yes?”

  “You can tell Harvey, er, Ben that I’ll meet him tomorrow morning. Before work.”

  ****

  At 9:30 a.m., Ben sat on the designated brown, wooden bench where Theo had agreed to meet him. The boardwalk, the sight, sound, and smell of the ocean, the people running or walking their dogs conjured long forgotten memories.

  His knee bounced in time with his jumbled nerves. Years of being a trial lawyer had taught him to hide his emotions, yet meeting his son for the first time proved harder than he’d imagined.

  Leaning forward, he stared down the boardwalk in the direction he assumed Theo would come. Like a teenage girl, he’d fussed over his clothes that morning before settling on a short-sleeved, navy-blue, polo shirt, and fawn-colored Dockers.

  When he spotted Theo coming toward him, he stretched his face into something he hoped looked welcoming and stood. Theo’s gait slowed, and Ben stepped closer then forced himself to wait. He wanted Theo comfortable.

  Ben tried not to gawk, but he’d only glimpsed Theo the night before. With dark, wavy hair, big brown eyes, and a square chin, Theo was a younger version of himself.

  “Hi Theo,” Ben said as soon as he was close enough.

  Theo jammed his hands in the pockets of his loose-fitting jeans. “So you’re my dad I guess.”

  “Yes.” Tense silence stretched between them, and Ben wished he knew the perfect thing to say. “You look like me.”

  When Theo’s gaze skittered to the water, Ben fretted. He was amazed at how much he wanted this boyish man, his son, to like him.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you,” Ben said.

  Theo puckered his lips and glanced over his shoulder toward Hot Diggitys. He worried Theo intended to leave. Ben was eager to prove he hadn’t abandoned Theo completely, and that he and Helen had been in his thoughts. “This morning I found out where the money went, the Marshal Service has been sending it to your grandma in Florida.”

  As soon as he spoke, Ben wished he could retract the words. He’d intended to break the news to Helen in private the next time they met.

  “Huh? What money?”

  Obviously, Helen hadn’t told Theo about the payments. He seemed to be the only one fixated on them. Ben clung to the notion that his sending money changed everything. It didn’t. “Never mind. Do you like living in Nalley?”

  Theo shrugged. “I read the papers you sent last night. So, you’re in some kind of witness protection thing?”

  “I was. Have you eaten breakfast? We could go out if you like.”

  “My shift starts in a half-hour.”

  Ben’s tried not to look disappointed. A half-hour. What had he expected? “Where do you work?”

  “At Hot Diggitys with Mom.”

  “Oh.” Ben hoped his disappointment at learning both Helen and Theo worked at the goofy, hot dog-shaped, fast-food restaurant didn’t show on his face. He’d imagined Helen as more ambitious and certainly more capable than working at a hot dog stand.

  In truth, he’d been shocked upon seeing Helen’s transformation from a calm, quiet teenager, to a strong and stunningly beautiful woman. Oddly, she didn’t have any of the coquettish gestures so common to attractive women. Sidetracking the topic of employment, Ben said. “Agatha told me you were working on a car in the garage when the fire started. Can I ask what it is?”

  Theo’s posture loosened. “An ‘82 Corvette.” He smiled.

  Ben’s heart seized in his chest. “Nice. Which model?”

  “A 350 Crossfire.”

  Ben raised his eyebrows. “Excellent.”

  “She’s a four-speed.”

  Ben whistled. “I never understood why they put automatic transmissions in those.”

  “Me neither.”

  “What color is she?” Ben asked.

  “Green with black interior.”

  “Ah. I remember when I was your age. I lived to drive my ‘61 Corvair. She was a four-speed too.”

  Theo’s eyes flashed an unreadable emotion. “You had a ‘61 Corvair?”

  “She was baby blue, and I called her—” Ben looked around as if he were about to bestow a national secret, “—you can’t tell anyone this, not even your mom, okay?”

  “Sure.” Theo leaned closer.

  “Venus.”

  “Like the planet?”

  “No. Venus, the Goddess of Love.” Ben smiled remembering his fondness for the car. “Does your ‘Vette have a name?”

  “Don’t want to get too close to her. I’m planning on selling her once I’m done fixing her up.”

  “Ah.” Good hobby, Ben thought. Expensive hobby.

  “Actually,” Theo hesitated, “I call her Matty.”

  “Matty?”

  Theo studied at his feet. “My first girlfriend when I was in the sixth grade. Well, not even my girlfriend. I just had a crush on her, and then her family moved away.” He glanced up.

  “A tribute then?”

  “Nothing that deep. I figured this car will move away too. Kind of works.”

  “So you like fixing up classic cars?”

  “Yeah. I want to turn it into a business. I think I could be an entrepreneur like Mom.”

  “Like your mom?”

  “She owns Hot Diggitys.” Theo smiled.

  A spike of shame for his earlier judgment humbled Ben. Entrepreneur fit. “I didn’t realize.”

  “Yep.”

  Ben wished he could stop his mental missteps. “How’s Matty run?”

  “She doesn’t. Not yet anyway. I rescued her from the junkyard for fifty bucks. Her body’s in decent shape, but the engine was blown. I’ve been replacing parts, but haven’t had any luck. I’m rebuilding the starter on Monday.”

  “Impressive undertaking.”

  “Thanks.”

  Ben wondere
d if the choice to rebuild versus replace had to do with money. The thought landed him squarely in his guilt minefield.

  “Maybe I could help you with her. I’ve got experience working on older cars.”

  Theo squinted then shook his head no. “That’s okay.”

  “Theo!”

  The voice came from behind, and Ben pivoted. A tanned, broad-shouldered man jogged toward them. He wore a white T-shirt with the sleeves cut off and a pair of shiny red shorts. He had well-toned, muscled arms and a layer of sweat glistened on his face.

  “Hey Seth,” Theo waved.

  Once Seth got closer, he swung a hand out. Theo caught it and shook hardily. Ben’s chest tightened at seeing their friendship and an intense dislike for Seth came over him. Blond-haired and blue-eyed, Ben judged Seth’s age to be close to his own. The man seemed familiar prompting Ben to wonder if they’d gone to high school together.

  “Everything okay here?” Seth asked Theo. “You looked a little tense.”

  “Fine,” Theo said.

  “I’m Ben Smiley.” Ben offered his hand. Using his old name conjured more memories.

  Seth gave Ben the once-over as he gripped his hand with more force than necessary. “Seth Drivoul.”

  “You seem familiar, but I can’t place you,” Ben said.

  Seth grinned. “I played Alex in After Midnight.”

  “Oh, the TV show?”

  Seth nodded.

  “That must be it.” Ben didn’t watch much television, but he’d heard of the show. After Midnight had been a long-running TV series about teen vampires. It had run over ten years and had a cult-like following. Ben recalled Seth’s face covering the tabloids many years back. He’d fallen from favor for some reason Ben couldn’t recall.

  “Seth is full of himself,” Theo teased. “Don’t get him started.”

  The easy relationship between Theo and Seth made Ben wonder if Seth was Helen’s boyfriend. The idea curdled the coffee in his stomach.

  “Theo’s just jealous,” Seth shot back.

  “You’re not acting anymore?” Ben inquired.

  “He doesn’t need to,” Theo answered. “Royalties.” Theo rolled his eyes seemingly at ease with Seth.

  “Jealous, like I said.” Seth examined his fingernails feigning boredom then he looked at Ben. “I take the occasional acting job, but mostly I lead a life of leisure.”

  “Which means hanging out at Hot Diggitys and trying to pick up women,” Theo put in.

  In a gesture Ben couldn’t interpret, Seth cocked an eyebrow in Theo’s direction.

  “You live in Nalley?” Ben asked.

  “Most of the time, but I travel a lot. I grew up here.”

  “So how are you doing on your bet with my mom?” Theo grinned.

  “Your mom WILL BE going skydiving. The woman owes me big-time. The sacrifices I’ve made for her are unthinkable.” Seth mock shuddered.

  “Oh brother.” Theo rolled his eyes again.

  “Speaking of which,” he began jogging in place, “I better work off some of my excess energy.”

  “Right. Whatever,” Theo said.

  Seth pointed a finger at Theo. “I’m counting down the days, believe me. Catch you later.”

  Ben was glad to see him go.

  “What’s this bet between your mom and Seth?”

  Theo’s smile dissipated. “I should probably get to work.”

  Having been dismissed, Ben floundered back to his go-to topic. “I could pick up a starter for your Corvette.”

  “You don’t need to do that.”

  Theo turned away, and the fear he’d never see him again seized Ben. “Can we get together soon?”

  Theo, already a few steps down the boardwalk, turned. “Uh, yeah I guess.”

  “Dinner tonight?” Ben hated sounding desperate.

  “I’m working tonight. Maybe tomorrow. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.”

  “Tomorrow works. What time?”

  Theo’s hands were jammed into his pockets again. “Why don’t you come over about six.”

  “To Agatha’s?”

  “Oh right. I guess so.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “All right.” Theo strolled off in the direction of Hot Diggitys.

  As he walked away, Ben’s heart ached. He never should have driven off that night, worked with the Drug Enforcement Administration to testify against Freckles, or entered the US Marshal’s Witness Protection Program. He should have acted like a man and taken care of his son. He felt like a snake in need of shedding his skin.

  The money he’d sent had allowed him to justify the arrangement. Money they’d never received. Who knew Helen’s mother, an ex-beauty queen, was capable of thievery.

  Helen tried not to think about Theo and Ben’s meeting. The power company had turned off the gas and electricity to her house, and fire department had granted her access. She put off repairs and had spent the morning wrangling with her insurance company. Since she’d already asked employees to cover her shift the day before, she didn’t feel right asking them for more, and planned to work in the afternoon.

  After the frustrating morning, Helen strolled down the boardwalk before going to work. She gazed across the vast, blue-black Pacific Ocean crashing on the beach and tried to set her mind free of the details that had it in knots.

  She thought of the group of homeless people who lived in the nearby forest. For years she’d delivered hot dogs to them on her way home from work. Compared to many, she had everything.

  The oblong, shiny, yellow blob that was Hot Diggitys came into view. Patched and painted a few years earlier, the building’s sheen reflected the sun. Hot Diggitys was a local landmark and that gave her a sense of pride.

  Drawing closer, Helen spied Theo and Emma standing at the counter talking. Emma wore a lacy, transparent stretchy black top and black bra. Although pretty, Emma hid her looks beneath thick, dark eyeliner and heavy makeup. Her ebony hair clashed with her auburn freckles, and the scarlet nose stud she wore glittered in the sunlight.

  “Hi you two,” Helen said.

  “Oh, hi Mom.” Theo straightened his posture.

  “Hi.” Emma smiled.

  “Is the prep work done?” Helen asked.

  “Almost,” Theo said and disappeared into the back.

  “How were the lunch sales?”

  “It was really busy.” Emma moved to the register and retrieved the logbook where they’d begun to keep hourly reports, another of Agatha’s suggestions. She handed Helen the book splayed open with the day’s receipts on top. “We’re going to need more of those new DerFoodle Franks.”

  “We’re out already?” Helen was surprised. She rolled out a specialty hot dog about once a month. They rarely sold well, and she usually had to stop serving them, but that didn’t deter her creative streak.

  “The T-shirts are in my office. Put one on,” Helen told Emma. “You can’t wear see-through clothes to work.”

  Emma groaned then disappeared.

  Helen scanned the reports. Lunch had been busy, maybe even record-setting.

  Emma returned wearing the T-shirt and a scowl, and Helen set the log under the register. “Can you hold down the fort for a few minutes? I need to speak with Theo.”

  “Sure.”

  A year earlier, Helen had debated on hiring the Goth-styled girl, but the choice had been sound. Emma, a self-proclaimed artist, was responsible. Even so, Helen had mixed feelings about Theo being in relationship with her.

  In the prep room at the back of the building, Helen found Theo chopping onions. Plastic-covered, stainless steel bins full of tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, and other toppings lined the prep counter.

  She touched Theo’s arm. “Walk with me for a few minutes?”

  “Uh oh.”

  “It’s nothing bad.”

  Theo’s shoulders drooped as he trudged out the rear door. Once they were on the boardwalk, Helen asked, “How was your meeting with Ben?”

  Theo shrugged. �
�Okay I guess. Weird.”

  Helen gave him a quick side hug. “Oh, sweetie.”

  “I’m fine, Mom.”

  “I love you, sweetheart.”

  Theo glanced around. “I love you too, now stop.” He frowned. “I told Ben I’d have dinner with him tomorrow night. I figured that was okay since Hot Diggitys will be closed.”

  Helen’s stomach twisted. “You don’t seem happy.”

  “He… I don’t know… he really wanted to, and I felt bad. I forgot we’re staying at Agatha’s house when I invited him. He’ll probably want to go out anyway.”

  “Don’t worry about how he feels Theo. You are not obligated to see him again.”

  Theo puckered his lips and shrugged.

  “I’ll be happy to come along, or we can order a pizza. Whatever you want, honey.”

  “I guess I’d rather have you there, but not if going is too weird for you,” Theo said.

  The distress on his young face put Helen’s stomach in knots. “I don’t mind at all.”

  Theo straightened his shoulders, but the worry lines creasing his forehead remained. “You sure?”

  “Of course not.”

  He nodded. “You think Agatha will be home?”

  “Here’s some good news,” Helen said. “We are officially allowed to go back inside our house again. We can meet there and avoid Agatha all together.”

  “We can sleep there now?”

  “No, but we can begin doing fix-up work. I’ll start getting bids tomorrow.”

  “I’m ready to be back home,” Theo said.

  “Me too. I don’t like relying on Agatha’s charity. Guess what else.”

  “What?”

  “When I was filling out all the insurance paperwork today, I decided I’m going to take an algebra class in the fall,” Helen announced.

  Theo’s face screwed up. “How’d you make that leap in logic?”

  “I had to calculate room sizes and—” Helen bristled. “Anyway, I thought algebra would be a good class to take.”

  “We barely passed algebra in high school,” Theo said.

  “What are you talking about ‘barely passed?’“ Helen had relearned algebra in order to help him, hence the ‘we’ in Theo’s statement. “You got a B. So will you take it with me or what?” She punched him lightly on the arm.