I sighed as Ben and I sat amongst the newly blossomed wild-flowers in the meadow next to the library. He has such a beautiful voice. It doesn’t matter what he reads, I could listen to it for hours.
I’m afraid I might be growing attached to him. Afraid of what my sisters will think. Sally says that it’s probably not a good idea since we come from different worlds, but Cora seems to be encouraging it. She had fun taking me shopping for new clothes that she thought he would like to see me in and doing my hair up in different styles.
I never used to let her fuss over me like that. But I never had a reason to care before.
I feel Ben staring at me. He stopped reading a few moments ago. He thinks, because I can’t see, that I don’t know what he’s doing, but I can feel his piercing gaze burn into my skin.
He’s careful to keep his distance. Probably afraid to ruin our friendship and lose the food he’s grown used to us providing.
“We are feeding the homeless around town tomorrow,” I said, snapping him from his thoughts. “Would you like to help us?”
“Of course. I’ll get the kids to help too. They had a lot of fun last time.” There was a hint of amusement in his voice. “I don’t know how you guys manage to stay open with all the food you give away. You guys have helped this community so much in this past year. There’s less and less homeless people. You somehow managed to get the city to reopen the library,” he gushed. “You lovely ladies have given hope to this rotting city.”
I waved a hand dismissively. “You make it sound like we do anything out of the ordinary. We just enjoy feeding people. And I simply asked the mayor to reopen the library.”
She giggled at the memory of the mayor confused and befuddled that a blind girl would ask such a thing. “He didn’t even fight me on it. I don’t think he had the heart to turn down such an odd request,” she said, laughing.
“When we moved here a year ago, we knew it would be tough and were well prepared.” I slid my hand over his that was laying next to me in the soft grass. “I’m glad we stuck it out though.”
Ben cleared his throat. I could feel his heartbeat pound heavily through the veins in his hand, but he didn’t dare to move it away.
“I’m sorry.” I blushed and folded my hands back into my lap. “That was inappropriate. I shouldn’t have touched you without permission.”
I could hear his breath quicken. “If… if you want to hold my hand… I’d like that very much.” His voice shook a little. “But I have to tell you something first.”
“Look,” he whispered, clearly having trouble coming up with the right words. “Back then—back when we first met, I—I didn’t exactly save you.”
Is he really saying what I think he’s saying? Honesty? From a male human being? Mara thought, excited that it was actually happening. Her mother’s constant warnings of men rang through her mind. I think she’d die of shock if she heard this. Maybe not every man is like father.
“What are you trying to say, Ben?” She urged him on.
“You have to understand,” he continued.
I lifted my hand to his face and felt warm tears streaking down his cheeks, but he didn’t pull away.
“Before you started feeding us, we had to work hard just to make sure all of us had a meal every couple of days. We were starving. You couldn’t see them, but the kids were on the brink of death when you came into our lives.”
He shifted closer. “I never wanted to rob people. But it was the only way to keep us all alive.”
I nodded. “You were going to rob me.” It was a statement, not a question.
I felt his head nod against my hand, still resting on his cheek.
“I couldn’t let Carl do it. He was there with me that day. The last time he robbed an old lady he pushed her against the wall too hard. She hit her head. He didn’t mean to kill her….”
“I’m...I’m so sorry,” he sobbed. “I understand if you don’t want to help us anymore. But I couldn’t let you…” He placed his hand softly over mine and nuzzled his face into it.
I sat up straighter and cleared the lump in my throat. “Well, since we are being honest here, I have something to confess as well.”
Ben laughed. “It couldn’t possibly be worse than what I just said.”
“Oh, I know! That’s why I’m saying it now.” I laughed in return. A real genuine laugh. It felt good. “We, me and my sisters, aren’t exactly orphans.”
I heard him sigh in relief. “Of all the things you could’ve said just then, that is probably the best. It’s rare to have family these days. Where are your parents? Did they escape the war somehow?”
“Our family is from another land.” It was nice to be able to tell someone. My sisters made me promise not to so people didn’t take advantage of us. But Ben showed his heart, it’s time I showed mine.
“My mother has a… rather large estate there and couldn’t leave it behind. But we wanted adventure. She gave us five years to come out here and try to make it on our own. After which we must return, even if for a short time, and tell her how we’ve done and if we wish to continue.”
“She sounds like a wonderful mom,” Ben said, wiping his face with his sleeve.
I smoothed out my dress and smiled. Mom would love to see me finally wearing one. “Oh, she really is.” My hands gripped my dress at my sides. I’d never thought I’d be telling anyone any of this.
“Our father, however, left us when he found out I was blind and my mother wouldn’t give me up to a disabled home. He said that I was a disgrace to his family genes. But, mom held me tight and told him that he was far more the disgrace than I ever could be.”
“I’m sorry that I was going to rob you.” Ben took my hand again and gave it a tight squeeze. “And I’m sorry for your father. He will never know how amazing you turned out to be.”
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