Mustard on Top

by Wanda Degolier

  “First, you finish eating. Then we go out there and present a united front as a happy couple. I gave Theo the wrong impression earlier, so I’ll be laying it on thick. We’ll announce—”

  “Wait! What do you mean you gave Theo the wrong impression?”

  “I was surprised he assumed we’d be staying together.”

  “And?”

  “And I unwittingly denied it.”

  Helen let her head drop back and it hit the wall with a thud.

  “Don’t worry. I’m a trial lawyer. I can act. All you need to do is stand there and look pretty.”

  “You think that’s going to be easy?” Helen was weary.

  “I’ll announce I’ve quit my job, I’m moving here to start a new practice, and that we’ll be living together.”

  “Living together?”

  “He’s not going to settle for anything less. Trust me. Eat.” He pointed at her salad.

  “Trust you? You just admitted you’re an accomplished liar—I mean, actor. You’re not so easy to trust.”

  “This is about Theo. Not us.”

  Ten minutes later, Helen and Ben emerged from her office with their hands entwined. Helen felt like an adolescent. Her employees gawked, and Helen plastered a smile on her face. “I love this woman,” Ben announced loud enough that anyone within a six-mile radius could hear his declaration.

  Helen couldn’t muster the same showmanship, but managed to broaden her grin. She winked at the first person she made eye contact with then peeked at Theo. His head was cocked to the side and his eyes a little glassy. He appeared—hopeful, she decided.

  Ben leaned down and kissed her until they drew whoops from the customers. Breathless, Helen pulled away. This wasn’t how she’d planned to break the news. Ben wore a Cheshire-cat grin. Draping his arm over her shoulder, he kissed the side of her head. “I can’t get enough of you,” he said.

  Helen fought the urge to roll her eyes. He been truthful when he’d said he could act. The ordeal made her uncomfortable. “Get to work, Ben Smiley.” Helen shoved at his chest playfully, wriggled from his grasp, and headed toward the register.

  “Helen,” Seth called, seated at the counter in front of her.

  “Oh, hi Seth.” Irrational guilt crept up on her.

  “So you’re with him now?” Seth’s eyes were dark and his tone razor-sharp.

  “I am.”

  “Did you get my flowers?”

  “Yes.” She wasn’t sure how to act; should she thank him? “I’m sorry I haven’t gotten back to you.”

  Someone touched the small of her back, and she smelled Ben’s cologne. “Everything okay here?” Ben asked.

  Seth’s gaze skittered toward Ben then he clenched his fist. “This is between me and the lady,” Seth said.

  Afraid Seth would vault over the counter at Ben, Helen asked, “Can you excuse us, Ben?”

  Ben stepped a few feet away, but Helen sensed him listening. She took a step closer to the counter. Anger rolled off Seth in waves. “Now’s probably not the best time to talk,” Helen said.

  “Did you read my cards? Did you understand the message?”

  Helen sighed and glanced down the line of waiting customers. Emma was on the register, and thanks to Agatha, they had an extra set of hands. She nodded.

  “And?”

  “I can’t marry you, Seth. I’m sorry.”

  Seth’s chest heaved then his eyes darted toward Ben. Worried for Ben’s safety, Helen said, “It’s not because of him. I swear.” Seth’s gaze swung back, and Helen added, “I think our near-death experience affected us differently. In a few days when things return to normal, you’ll change your mind.”

  “My feelings aren’t going to change.”

  Helen touched his hand. “I am sorry.”

  Seth grimaced. “You don’t understand. We are meant to be together.”

  “I need to get back to work.”

  Seth clenched his jaw, tossed an angry glance in Ben’s direction, then stalked off. Helen took over the register where she stayed until closing. Once the customers were gone, Helen went to Theo. She leaned against the wall, and watched him wipe down the hot dog cooker. “Thank you for coming in early.”

  Theo looked up. “You and Dad seem cozy.”

  “Things are going well between us.” She smiled, hoping her lie wasn’t obvious. When an arm snaked around her waist, Helen wanted to step out of Ben’s embrace.

  “How are my two favorite people?” Ben asked.

  “Fine,” Theo responded.

  “We have big news,” Ben announced.

  Theo’s brows rose.

  Helen said, “Ben’s moving to Nalley. He’s going to, uh…” Why is this so hard? she wondered. “We’re going to live together.”

  “Hmm.” Theo looked from her to Ben and back again. He seemed unsure.

  “I convinced your Mom to give us a try.”

  At least Ben sounded genuine.

  “Are you okay with Ben moving in with us?” She ought to ask him in private, but she doubted she could keep up the charade one-on-one. Again, Theo glanced from one to the other, then shrugged, and went back to cleaning. What did a shrug mean?

  “Let’s close up. We’ve had been a long day,” Ben said.

  Later, when Helen saw Ben carrying a trash bag to the dumpster she caught up to him and asked, “So what’s the plan now?”

  “I meet you at your house.”

  “But what if Theo’s there?”

  “Maybe we can watch a movie or something.”

  “What if he doesn’t go to college?” Helen asked.

  “He’ll go. He’s already paid them a bunch of money.”

  Helen’s lips drew into a tight line. “Theo and I need time to talk privately. I don’t like how we told him. Can you give us some time before you get there?”

  “Yes.”

  Chapter 16

  To kill time, Ben went to the grocery store. When he pulled up to Helen’s home, light shone from the front window, and Theo and Helen’s cars were parked out front.

  The bouquets of flowers that had been left on Helen’s lawn had been battered by rain and wind. Still in the boxes they’d been delivered in, the flowers tilted at odd angles. As Ben walked through the thigh-high foliage, he pondered whether he should knock or simply walk in. He tried the handle. Unlocked. He let himself in.

  The living room was empty, and conversation flowed from the kitchen.

  “Hello.” Ben called out.

  “We’re in the kitchen,” Helen’s voice sounded cheerful.

  Ben plastered a smile on his face and walked in.

  “Oh, groceries. Thank you.” Helen stood.

  “You sit, I’ll put them away,” Ben said.

  “Your call.” Helen sat back down. “We just were talking about Emerson College.”

  “Great.”

  “They have a block plan where you take one class at a time for the entire semester. It allows the students to immerse themselves in the subject. I’ll be able to focus in on one thing at a time and learn,” Theo explained.

  “Sounds interesting,” Ben said.

  “He’s planning to leave in two weeks.” Helen beamed. “I am so proud of you.” Ben saw Helen reach across the table and squeeze Theo’s hand.

  “M–om.”

  Ben’s heart swelled. He felt satisfaction knowing Theo would pursue his dream. “I’d like to cover the tuition,” Ben said.

  “No. I won’t let Mom, and I won’t let you. I want to do this myself.”

  “That’s commendable, but if you ever change your mind, Theo, I’m here. I promise.” Ben stuffed some chips in a cupboard.

  “So what do you think of all those flowers from Seth?” Theo asked.

  Helen sneezed as if to emphasize the point. “Seth’s just happy to be alive,” Helen said.

  “I think they’re totally weird,” Theo added.

  “Let’s not waste time talking about him.” Helen waved off the topic.

  “I
don’t like it,” Ben admitted. “Seth’s unpredictable and a little scary.”

  Theo frowned making it clear Seth worried him too.

  “We should do something to celebrate your enrollment,” Helen said. “I’ll start by making your favorite pancakes in the morning.”

  “Don’t trouble yourself.” Theo stood then looked between them. “I’m going to go out for a bit. I have plans with Emma.”

  Helen’s smile was tinged with sadness. “Are you coming home tonight?”

  “I’m planning on it.” Theo shifted awkwardly from foot-to-foot. “See you later.”

  When Theo left, Helen stared at the table and whispered, “I will not follow him to the door and ask for a goodbye hug. Where has the time gone?”

  Ben slid his chair closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. The front door opened then slammed shut. When her eyes grew misty and she pressed into Ben, his heart ached.

  “Sorry.” Helen swiped her eyes.

  “Don’t be.” Ben wished he knew how to dry her tears.

  “He’s grown so fast.” Her voice quavered.

  Helen drew in a deep breath, her chest expanding against his. Ben wanted to mend her, to prop her up, and help her grow.

  “Don’t think I’m not happy. I’m thrilled he’s going.” She sniffed. “Darn allergies. Jeez, I need a tissue.” She made a move to get up, but Ben was faster.

  “Stay here, I’ll get you one.”

  Ben dashed to the bathroom and back. He set a box of tissues on the table in front of her and resumed his place by her side. This time he wrapped both his arms around her. Helen covered her face with her hands and sobbed.

  Intermittently, Helen blew her nose and apologized for being so emotional. She assured him she wasn’t ‘normally like this.’ Ben thought her tears were for everything that had gone wrong in her life: her mother’s greed, his selfishness, her own sacrifices, Seth’s threatening presence, and, of course, Theo’s leaving.

  Grateful to be able to comfort her, Ben wished he could do more.

  “I’m so tired,” Helen said when her sobs subsided.

  Not crying, not talking, Helen leaned her head against his chest and simply was. When her breathing grew heavy, Ben realized she’d fallen asleep. Carefully, he scooped her into his arms and lifted. This time when she awoke she didn’t protest, but smiled with a sleepy grin. “You’re carrying me again.”

  He took her into her bedroom and set her on the bed. “Shall I join you tonight?” he asked.

  “I think you’d better.”

  After getting ready for bed, they slipped beneath the blankets. Ben wanted to hold her in his arms, caress her silky skin. He reminded himself the arrangement was temporary and a farce. Once Theo left for college, they’d stop pretending.

  Helen stood in front of her stove making pancakes when Theo walked into the kitchen the following morning and plopped into a chair wearing nothing but a T-shirt and boxers. He acted as if being college-bound meant the rules had changed. “Care to get some clothes on mister?” Helen asked.

  Theo gave her an annoyed look before sulking off to his bedroom. He returned a minute later after adding socks and jeans.

  “Your order will be ready in a minute.” Helen poured circles of batter on the griddle.

  “So where’s Ben?” Theo got a plate.

  “Out trying to find homes for the flowers. I’m not hopeful. Poor things.”

  “Seth is so weird.” Theo stood next to Helen and looked at the griddle where six pancakes were cooking. “Can I have all of them?”

  “I guess you’re hungry.” Helen didn’t bother answering, they both knew she’d cook him fifty pancakes if he wanted them. “Theo I’ve been thinking, I’d like to throw you a going away party on the Friday before you leave.”

  “Emma already talked to her parents about having one for both of us at their house.”

  “Oh.” Helen felt the single-parent sting. Emma’s parents owned a spacious home overlooking the bay. “Well, I’ll help them. I’m not sending my only child off without a proper goodbye.”

  “They’re nice people, I’m sure they’ll let you help.”

  “Do you have their phone number?”

  Theo pulled his ever-present cell phone from his jean’s pocket. After pushing a few buttons, he recited a number. Helen wrote it down on a pad stuck to the refrigerator then flipped the pancakes.

  “Is Emma excited to be moving to New York?”

  Theo shrugged. “She’s excited to be moving away from Nalley.”

  Helen wondered how Theo felt about leaving Nalley, but didn’t want to ask. “So who do you want to invite to this farewell shindig?”

  “I’ll invite my friends with a text message. You can invite whoever you want.”

  Helen loaded the pancakes on Theo’s plate.

  “I’ll close down Hot Diggitys in your honor for the night, so the staff can go.”

  “Cool. Thanks Mom.” Theo drowned his pancakes in syrup.

  After sneezing twice, Helen asked, “Have Emma’s parents decided on a date and time for the party?”

  Theo shrugged. “Probably.”

  ****

  A week zipped by. As Helen stepped into the shower, she reflected on the previous seven days. The adjustment to Ben’s presence in her home seemed natural, almost as if he belonged. Helen was determined to enjoy the week before Theo left. In that vein, she’d ignored Seth’s calls, and put off meetings with Agatha.

  Instead, she took the time to make Theo’s favorite meals, play board games with him and Ben, and to shop for the essentials Theo didn’t know he’d need. When Theo wasn’t home she studied for her fast approaching chemistry final.

  She stepped from the shower, and pulled a plush, new, navy-blue towel off her rack. Based on the lavender scent, the towel had been freshly laundered. Soft against her skin, she was surprised, once again, by Ben’s generosity and attention to detail.

  Helen dressed then found Ben sitting at the kitchen table working on his laptop. He smiled and stood, pulling her into a hug and kissing her on the mouth. She kissed him back and they lingered lip-to-lip pressed together.

  Helen knew they were taking the ruse to fool Theo too far since they’d begun making love with alarming frequency. But analyzing her relationship with Ben was another thing she planned to put off until Theo left.

  When Helen pulled away, Ben said, “Morning.”

  “Good morning.”

  “Ready for your final?”

  Helen sucked in a deep breath and nodded. She’d confessed to Ben how nervous the test made her.

  “You’ll do fine.”

  “Thanks again for quizzing me yesterday.”

  “I had fun. By the way, I need to go to Chicago in a few days. There are a few cases that can’t wait until after Theo leaves.”

  Based on his phone conversations, Helen was surprised he hadn’t gone back sooner. The length and intensity of his calls with clients and coworkers stunned her. She was beginning to respect the magnitude of his job. “Of course. No problem.”

  “I’ll make sure I’m back in time for Theo’s going away party. I’ll probably have to go back for a while before the transition is complete.”

  “You don’t have to come back for his party.”

  “I’ve missed everything else; I don’t want to miss that too.”

  Even Theo seemed to sense the time the three had together was special. He’d made a point of being home when he could. After eating breakfast and doing housework, Helen left for the Nalley Community College.

  While sitting at a long table, butterflies danced in Helen’s stomach as she waited for the professor to hand out the final. With sweaty palms, she accepted the twenty-page test.

  Helen read the first question. Her mind went blank, and her heart rate shot up. Forcing herself to breathe slowly, she skipped the first question, and moved to the next. No recollection. She skipped the second question then the third. Panic took hold. She flipped the page. The test seemed l
ike it was written in a foreign language until she hit the section on food additives. She answered one question, then the next. As the answers came to her, she began to relax. By the time she completed the section, other pieces of what she’d learned had found their way back into her brain.

  She tackled the section on fuel cells followed by electricity. Helen took the entire time allotted, three hours, and finished the test with enough time to double-check her answers.

  In high spirits, Helen headed to work, pulling into the parking lot twenty-minutes late. She jogged across the street and noticed Agatha sitting at a table with the hulk of a man next to her. When Agatha waved, Helen’s stomach tightened, and her pace slowed.

  “Helen. There you are.” Agatha and the man stood, he towering a foot over Agatha. “The schedule says you’re supposed to be here.”

  “I just came from the college, I had my final today.” Helen didn’t need to explain herself, but liked throwing the word college into the conversation.

  “Helen, this is Moe. Moe, Helen,” Agatha said.

  Helen acknowledged the hulk by offering her hand. His hand cocooned hers in a gentle grip. “Could you excuse me and Agatha for a moment?” Helen asked.

  “Certainly,” Moe said with a slight bow.

  Helen grabbed Agatha’s elbow and led her behind the Hot Diggitys’ building. “What are you doing bringing him here?”

  “It’s perfectly all right dear.”

  “No it is not all right Agatha. I don’t want him here,” Helen argued.

  “Helen I know you don’t approve, but you must get used to the fact he’s part of my life now.”

  Helen’s high spirits were replaced by a burgeoning headache, and she pinched the bridge of her nose. She ought to terminate Agatha’s employment, and be rid of the whole mess in one fell swoop, but Helen didn’t have the heart.

  “What did you think about the IPO information I left you?” Agatha asked.

  Helen let out an exasperated growl. “I haven’t read it.”

  Agatha frowned. “We were hoping to discuss the proposal with you.”

  “We? I’m not discussing anything with him.”

  Agatha gripped Helen’s hand hard causing Helen to acknowledge her anew. “Wait here, give me a minute.”