Ben
Months later
I suck the last of my chocolate milkshake up the long, red and white straw, uncaring that it makes that annoying slurping sound people hate so much. I feel their stares on me and imagine their eyebrows pulling tightly together as their frustrations mount.
The milkshakes are mediocre today. They were the best once.
I pick up my napkin and swipe it once across my lips before scrunching it in my fist and dropping it into the tall, empty glass. Exhaling, I slide out of the spacious, red leather booth and pull my wallet out of the back pocket of my worn jeans. The milkshakes here didn’t always cost six dollars. I swear they hike the price up every time I come.
Bastards.
I drop a twenty-dollar bill on the table and turn toward the exit.
“See you tomorrow, Ben.”
I don’t look at the waitress, Donna, as I saunter past the counter where she pours a young gentleman in clean, denim overalls a fresh, hot coffee.
“See you tomorrow, Donna.”
Bells clash together as I press my palm to the door of the isolated little roadhouse on the edge of town and step outside. Warm summer air kisses my face and I sigh.
It’s a good day to be alive.
The recovery from the beating I took was a long road. I spent a few solid weeks in the hospital and an extra few at Chad’s place as he helped nurse me back to health. When I was ready, I called my brother and I apologized for complaining about working an average job. I promised I’d give it my all if he gave me another chance and he did. The only good thing to come out of my brief time working for the Ventillis was the fact Marco paid off my mother’s house as thanks for helping him save Sera. No words were exchanged, just a note that said:
“Consider this payment for your two days.–Marco.”
Which brings me to now.
My name is Ben Campbell, I’m a full blooded American, and I no longer serve in the United States Army. Instead, I fetch coffee and mix concrete, but I don’t get shot at and, after the last eleven years of my life, that’s all I can ask for.
I never left Vegas, even though Marco demanded it the night everything went to shit. I figured if he wanted to kill me, he would have already. Besides, I’m not leaving my mother’s house. She loved it more than anything.
Stomping down the metal stairs in my heavy, brown boots, I reach into the front pocket of my jeans and pluck out a fresh, full packet of cigarettes. Flicking the cardboard flap back, I take out a cigarette and pinch it between my lips. I move toward my big black truck, resting against its bull bar, bending my leg at the knee. I pluck the cigarette from my lips and glance down at it.
I don’t even feel like having it. I stuff it into the back pocket of my jeans and push off my truck.
Behind me, the sounds of gravel crushing underneath the tires of a car get awfully close. I turn around and my heart drops into my intestines at the sight of a sleek, black town car, the number plate reading a surname I never thought I’d see again.
Ventilli.
I wait with bated breath before the rear passenger door opens and out steps Marco, wearing a black polo and matching slacks.
Fuck. I fold my arms across my chest. What the hell did I do now? If he’s here to demand I leave, he’s in for a rude awakening. He’ll have to kill me.
Pursing his lips, Marco steps to the side and flicks his head at whoever is inside. My lips part when I see her bounce out wearing a cute blue summer dress that doesn’t expose her cleavage, but cuts off high above the knee. Her long, wavy black hair curls around her breasts and she beams widely at me, so wide her cheeks look like they’re about to pop, but holy shit is she as beautiful as ever.
Marco turns to me and my heart races. “If you want to see my daughter, then we need to lay down some ground rules, all right?”
I open my mouth and a pathetic rush of air comes out. I just…I just can’t believe I’m laying my eyes on her. Right now. In the flesh.
“Swing by the house this evening and we can have a chat.”
Marco mutters something to Sera before lowering himself into the car. I watch the car drive off, leaving me alone with her.
Alone.
For the first time since that awful night.
“Hi,” she says when the dust settles, smiling sweetly at me.
“Hi.” I shake my head, still in shock. “You look good.”
Blush swells in her cheeks and she glances down at her thin strapped sandals. “So do you.”
The air between us feels like it should be awkward, but it isn’t. I just don’t know where to start. I scratch my head. If I knew I was going to see her today, I would have put more effort into my appearance. I would have shaved this stubble and ran a comb through my hair. I look like shit. Worn jeans and a grey tee covered in faint white powder from a hard day’s work.
I grab my baseball cap at the front and lift it to nervously scratch at my hair. “This isn’t a test, is it?”
She steps closer, placing her hands behind her back. “You haven’t touched me yet so, if it was, you’ve passed with flying colors.”
Holy fuck, I’ve missed her. I pull off my cap and open my arms to her. Grinning widely, she rushes toward me and throws her small body against mine. Inhaling her sweet scent, I lift her off the ground and hug her tightly. She cups my face and plants a long kiss on my mouth. I close my eyes and pray this isn’t a dream. She smiles against my lips and her touch doesn’t fade away, like it does most nights. She’s here. She’s in my arms, and this time it’s not sordid or something I should be ashamed of. For the first time in a long time, this place finally feels like home.
I melt into Sera as three little words come to mind.
God bless America.
The End