Page 18 of Something Like Summer

“Chili,” she announced asshe began pulling ingredients from the cabinets. “This is one ofthe easiest things to cook.”

Ben helped her to reachsome of the items on the higher shelves. His mother was so shortthat she actually made him feel tall. He had inherited his smallbuild from her, as well as the blond hair. Really, he didn’tresemble his father very much. “What did you eat last night at yourfriend’s house?” she asked casually as she turned the ovenon.

“I tried making spaghetti,but it didn’t turn out so well.”

“So you cooked for hiswhole family?” His mother turned her lie-detecting gaze onhim.

“No, they were out oftown.” There was no point in lying. He never managed to get awaywith it. His mom saw through it every time.

“You didn’t mention thatwhen you called last night,” she said. “You were supposed to be outwith Allison but ended up at some guy’s house. Someone we’ve nevermet.”

Ben shrugged, knowing thatthe less he said the better.

“Did you actually knowthis guy, or did you meet him at a bar?” she pressed.

Ben laughed, feelingrelieved at finally understanding the source of herworries.

“I wasn’t at a bar, Mom. Idon’t even have a fake ID. I met Tim at school a few weeksago.”

His mom didn’t respond.Instead she showed him the proper way to cut an onion, probablywhile rethinking her strategy.

“I just want you to besafe,” she said as she slid the diced onion off the cutting boardand into a frying pan sizzling with ground beef. “If you needsomething, like condoms or lube, you just have to ask.”

Ben fought to hold back hislaughter. His mother was imagining all sorts of illicit sex, whenthe most that had happened last night was a few board games. He waspretty sure that a condom wasn’t required to play Scrabble orLife.

“He’s not my boyfriend,mom. He’s straight.”

She set down the can shewas trying to open with a loud thunk. “Then why are you cooking forhim? And how come you haven’t been home all week? What exactly doyou two do together?”

Now she was back tosuspecting drugs. She would be twice as shocked to learn that hehad in reality been doing many of the same chores that he hadtackled today.

“I just really like him,that’s all.”

“Oh, Benjamin,” she saidsorrowfully. “You need to find someone who can return yourfeelings. You’re just going to end up getting hurt.”

“That’s what everyonekeeps telling me,” he responded tersely.

“You haven’t met any othergay boys at your school?”

He shook hishead.

“None? Maybe weshouldget you a fakeID. We could go to the bar together.”

“Sure!” Ben laughed. “Youcan help me pick someone out.”

“I would, too! I justdon’t think that’s the best place to meet someone. Have you thoughtabout personal ads?”

“C’mon, Mom. Stop worryingabout it. I’m sure I’ll meet someone. I just hope it happens beforeI’m thirty.”

“It will. It’s just amatter of time before someone realizes how special my babyis.”

Ben smiled as theycontinued making chili together. The recipe was easy. All he had todo was throw a bunch of stuff in a pot and let it cook. Even hecouldn’t mess this one up.

“You should have beenhonest though,” his mother said, almost as an afterthought. “Allthat stuff about being out with Allison!”

Ben remained silent,wondering suddenly how she figured out that he hadn’t gone to themovies at all.

“She’s going to be introuble with her father too, you know,” she continued in chastisingtones. “He sounded furious when he called last night.”