Page 35 of Something Like Forever

“What? Why?”

“Because I’m notqualified.”

“That’s bullshit! How longhave you worked here?”

“Almost ten years,” Bensaid, putting the car in reverse and backing out.

“How much more qualifiedcan you get? Then again, you probably wouldn’t have time for thedinner theater, so it’s better this way.”

Ben remained silent.

“Or not,” Jason said. “Ifyou had a choice…”

“Don’t go there,” Ben saidwith good humor. “I had a big meltdown about this a few weeks back,and Allison already had to listen to my sob story. I’m overit.”

“But if it were up toyou?”

“I’d work here full-time.I looked into music therapy as an alternative. It would help if Icould play an instrument, but then again, I really like what Ido.”

“Sostart applying at other hospitals,” Jason said. “Find a positionlike Wanda’s and take it. You haveten yearsof experience. You’ll gethired in no time!”

He shot Jason a smile,appreciating how passionately he felt about the subject. “What Ireally need is my master’s degree. With that I could become aspeech-language pathologist and go all sorts of places. I couldeven open my own practice. Ben Bentley & Son. How’s that for abusiness name?”

Jason laughed. “So whydon’t you?”

“What?”

“Go back tocollege.”

The idea surprised him somuch that he ran a red light. At least he preferred to blame thesuggestion, which really was ludicrous. “I’m too old to be acollege student again.”

“Not for your master’s,you aren’t,” Jason said. “Who cares what anyone thinks? Besides, welook like we’re the same age. No one will know.”

“I love you,” Ben said.“Have I told you that today?”

“Seriously,” Jason said,not willing to drop the subject. “Why not? Or do you still want tobe Wanda’s bitch another ten years from now?”

“I’m not her bitch!” Bensaid, shaking his head. “Anyway, where do you want to eat? We couldhit the mall.”

Jason checked his phone.“That took longer than I expected. I still need to go home and getchanged for work. Can we grab a burger on the way?”

“You can. I’m staying awayfrom fast food right now.”

“Worried about yourfigure?”

Ben exhaled. “You trybeing married to someone who exercises for fun. We were standing infront of the mirror the other day, and… Well, I guess youunderstand.”

“For sure!” Jason said.“At least William likes me skinny, so I don’t have to workout.”

“Same here!”

They bumped fists, Benfeeling good. William remained a mostly taboo subject, so even thislittle exchange felt like progress. As they waited for their orderin the drive-thru, Ben’s head was still spinning from Jason’s peptalk. What if he did it? What if he went back to college? Hewouldn’t be studying general subjects. Most would relate directlyto his work, which he was really into. Still, being the one old guyin a classroom full of bright-eyed twinks would feelterrible.

“You coming in?” Jasonasked when they reached his apartment complex.

“I’ll keep you companywhile you eat,” Ben said, the smell of french fries making him wantto drool. He’d have to live vicariously through Jason because hewas serious about this diet. He wasn’t starving himself, justeating as healthy as possible, which for now meant a side salad andan unsweetened iced tea.

Once inside, he wasrelieved to see that the living room wasn’t too messy. Emma wasprobably to thank for that. A casual glance toward Jason’s bedroomrevealed exactly the kind of mess he was expecting. It hadn’t beenthat way with William around. Ben wondered how that situation wasgoing. Tim knew details, but whenever Ben asked, he always repliedwith, “Ask him yourself! He’s your son too!” Normally he didn’t,feeling too passionately about the subject to keep his cool. Timwas right though. A parent would ask about such things no matterwhat.