Page 126 of Something Like Forever

“Don’tget him too excited,” she said as she showed them in. “He has aweak heart, and he thinks he’s stilltwenty-three.”

She led them to the livingroom, where a hospital bed had been set up. The back was upright,Bernard already smiling at them both. He greeted Ben first, hishand feeling like soft old leather as he was pulled in for a hug.Nathaniel was given the same treatment, despite being a perfectstranger.

“So goodto see you again!” Bernard said, eyes twinkling at Ben. “You’llpardon me if I don’t rise. My ninetieth birthday is coming up, andmy doctor assures me that if I stay in bed until then, I’ll be ableto dance.”

“He saidno such thing!” Alani interjected. “Can I get either of you coffee?Or tea?”

“Coffee would be nice,”Nathaniel said.

“I’ll help,” Ben offered.“You guys are okay?”

He was barely heard.Bernard’s attention was on Nathaniel instead. “So you’re Victor’sboy? Will wonders never cease!”

They were definitely okay.He couldn’t imagine not feeling comfortable around Bernard. Benhelped Alani in the kitchen and made polite conversation. By thetime he returned, the living room was full of laughter.

“At thisstage, Victor was just messing with me,” Bernard was saying. “Hecould hear that old truck of mine coming down the road and knew Iwas checking in to see if he had shown up for his shift. As soon asI got close, Victor would duck behind the counter. Didn’t matter ifcustomers were in the shop. Oh no, his top priority was making melook like a fool! I ran in there once, apologizing and offeringeveryone a free fountain drink for having to wait. Then he pops up,walks over to grab a cup, and pours himself a soda. I definitelydidn’t mean to include Victor in the deal!”

“Did you take it out ofhis paycheck?” Nathaniel asked, clearly amused.

“Ithreatened to! On that occasion and others. Never did. I was toomuch of a softy, and I knew he needed the money. I can see him inyou.”

Nathaniel grew somber.“You can?”

“Yep.Something in the mouth. He didn’t smile or laugh easily either. Italways took work, but it was a welcome sight when it happened. Doyou like to read? Your father was a real thinker. A modern dayphilosopher.”

Ben interrupted just longenough to deliver the coffee. Then he hung back and enjoyedlistening to the rest of the conversation. He tried to imagine whatit would be like not to have known one of his parents, and toslowly build a mental picture of that person from the impressionsof others. Jason was in a similar situation, never having known hisbiological father, but for whatever reason, he didn’t seem to needto. If ever he did, Ben would try to help him in a similarfashion.

When it was time to go,Nathaniel excused himself to use the restroom, leaving themalone.

“How are you holding up?”Bernard asked, patting the mattress next to him.

Ben went and sat there,feeling like he was about to tell Santa what he wanted forChristmas. “I’m fine,” he said. “What makes you think that I’mnot?”

“I cansee your worries from across the room! That, along with it being asmall town. Believe it or not, I do still manage to get out onoccasion, and I happened to run into the Holdens the otherday.”

Ben swallowed. “So you’veheard.”

“Ihave,” Bernard said grimly, “and I know how you must be feeling.Alani had a touch of cancer ten years back. Scared the bejesus outof me! Worst year of my life, aside from when I lost my son. Shefought hard though, and just look at her now.”

She wasn’t in the room,but Ben had already noted her pep, hoping he would be as energeticwhen her age. Bernard too. They both were full of life, despitebeing toward the end of their own. “If things don’t work out,” Bensaid, shaking his head, “I don’t know what I’ll do.”

“Do youhave any reason to expect the worst? From what I hear, the doctorscaught it early.”

Ben nodded. “They did. Ijust don’t want to go through losing someone again. Ican’t.”

“Jacewas one of the finest men I ever met,” Bernard said. “A shininglight. You’d be surprised what a person can survive. Are you areligious man?”

“Not really,” headmitted

“Well,even if you don’t think you’ll ever see Jace again, I bet you stillfeel like he’s with you. You’ll remember things he used to say, andyou knew him well enough to know his advice, even if he’s notaround to give it. Am I right?”

“Yeah,” Ben saidhoarsely.

“There you go. None of ustruly lose the people we love. They stay with us, one way oranother. I’m afraid this is just part of life, especially as youget older. You’ll keep facing down death until the day he comes foryou. It’s a hefty price to pay for getting to experience thisworld, but I think it’s worth it.”

“So do I.”

“I’mglad to hear it! You say hello to the Holdens for me, would you?Tell them they’re welcome by anytime. Bob’s not getting any youngereither. If need be, they can roll their beds over here and parkthem next to mine.”