Suzie’s House 542 : When You Get Down To It

Ben got half way down the stairs, then turned around and went right back. He didn’t make it to the top before changing his mind and heading down again. A little past half way he stopped.

“Got a problem?” Gene’s voice came from the top of the stairs.

“What?” Ben jerked around to face him, then had to catch the banister real quick to keep from falling.

“What has your undies in a bundle?” Gene started down the stairs.

It was like a tsunami of air pushing Ben down the stairs, whether he was ready or not. He muttered, “I don’t have my undies in a bundle.”

“Well, at least they aren’t on your head.” Gene grinned as he caught up. “But really. What’s up?”

“I was just… thinking.”

“Yeah?”

Of course Gene wouldn’t let him weasel out with just a word or two. He was patient like a rock and just as hard to get around. If Gene wanted to know, then Ben might has well spill.

“All my life I’ve just been… baggage. You know? I mean, I was right in the middle of it the last time – when Drew brought his work home.” He said that last like a joke, though at the time it was anything but funny. But that’s how the grown ups in the house said it, so he did, too. “And the other time, when my dad tried to kill me… Same thing. I was right in the middle of it. But what did I do? Nothing! I didn’t help at all.”

“Huh.” Gene scratched the back of his head and looked thoughtful.

“So, then… This time I want it to be different. I don’t want to just stand there when Mom hits someone with a frying pan. I want to do some hitting, too!”

“Heh! Me too.” Gene grinned.

“But I don’t know what to do. So… I was thinking I should ask someone. Not Mom. She’ll tell me to hide in my room. But maybe… I don’t know. Not Miranda. Vin?”

“Or Drew. When he’s not staring at walls he has good things to say.”

“Anyway, I couldn’t decide what to say or who to say it to, so I just didn’t know.”

“And that’s why you were blocking the stairs.”

Ben winced. He guessed that really was about all he got done. Still, now they were down the stairs and headed to the kitchen, he felt better. One way or another, he’d settle this feeling right now. Only there wasn’t anyone in the kitchen or the den or the dining room. There wasn’t even anyone in the bathroom.

“Car’s gone,” Gene said from the kitchen. “They must have gone out.”

“Out where? And what do you want them for, anyway?”

“Me? I was just going to tell them I’m going over to Tracy’s house.”

“Lisa’s?” After all, it was Tracy staying with Lisa’s mom so it was Lisa’s house. “Give me a sec. I’ll come too.” He ran up to grab his backpack. Mom and them didn’t want kids hanging at this house, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t hang out. Just not here.

Besides, Lisa was smart. She’d think of something they could do.

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