First Class Stamp

by Aj Harmon

  “I can’t stay,” Ben said as he opened the front door and turned back to her. “Thank you for dinner. Your imaginary debt is paid in full,” he smiled.

  Maria reached for his hand but he shoved it into his pocket. The gesture was very clear. She attempted a smile but understood that there would not be any more dinners. While Ben was a great man and had forged a bond with her son, he was not the man for her and his eyes said it all. He wasn’t interested. Thankfully, she hadn’t done or said anything to be embarrassed about…her pride was still intact. Bruised maybe, but intact.

  “Goodnight Ben.” And he was gone.

  16.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” Ben apologized again. “I had no idea this was going to happen and when the Lathems’ get an idea there really isn’t any way to stop it…kinda like a tidal wave.”

  “It’s fine, really,” Sophia repeated for the third time. “I can’t say I’m not a little anxious, but…”

  “They really are very nice,” Ben tried to calm her fears. “And I know they’ll all love you.”

  Sophia managed a weak smile and slid into the waiting taxi outside the store. Alex was already seated in the middle of the back seat and Ben ran around and climbed in the other side.

  When Maureen had called to remind Ben of dinner after mass, something she’d done every day since he’d moved out into his own apartment, he’d attempted to decline, citing a previous engagement. After a nearly thirty minute phone call, she’d finally pumped him for enough information that she’d decided it might be the last time they could enjoy the park in perfect weather and had moved the family dinner to join Ben on his date. He tried to be livid with his mother. How dare she meddle with his private life? How could she take over his day like this? But in reality, somehow, he really didn’t mind all that much. That thought, however, pissed him off. He should mind! He should be angry but he kind of wanted Sophia to meet his family. He knew that she’d get on well with his sisters-in-law and he knew she’d love all the children. So as he sat in the back of the cab on their way to Central Park, he was actually looking forward to the afternoon ahead.

  When Maureen Lathem planned a family event, no detail was left to chance. As Ben took Sophia by the hand and interlocked his fingers with hers, they walked to the designated area and saw his family already starting to gather. Alex jogged ahead, seeing Christopher running towards him. The reunion of the two boys was nothing short of sweet as Alex fell to his knees and Christopher wrapped his short little arms around his neck.

  “This is my oldest brother’s youngest son. They played cars at one of the ball games before it started and I think Alex has made a friend for life.”

  “He’s a beautiful little boy,” Sophia smiled as they walked closer.

  “He is a perfect combination of his parents, according to my mother,” he grinned. “Speak of the devil,” he chuckled as Maureen rose from her chair and hurried towards them.

  “You must be Sophia,” she smiled and embraced her warmly. “Thank you very much for allowing us to join your party.”

  “You really didn’t give us a choice, did you mom?” Ben grinned.

  “Oh Benjamin!” Maureen swatted at his arm. “Come and introduce this lovely young lady to your father.”

  And so introductions were made to all the family as they arrived and Ben and Sophia settled on a blanket next to a cooler. That however turned out to be a mistake as they were continually passing beverages throughout the afternoon. Sophia didn’t mind. She whispered to Ben that it had helped her to remember everyone’s name.

  At the end of their meal, fried chicken, salads, bread rolls and cupcakes for dessert, several of the men, including Ben, took the kids, Alex included, to play some Frisbee. That left the women, Rory and Peter to clean up and then relax as they watched their husbands and children play. They ran and laughed and threw the Frisbee and the children rolled on the grass and then Paul, Mark and Matt ended up on all fours as Christopher, Ella and Gregory rode them like horses.

  Sophia laughed and chatted and got to know these wonderful women. Lindsey was pregnant with her first child, due in just a few months and she and Sophia talked about morning sickness and hemorrhoids. Peter, bored with the topic of conversation, muttered about finding a ball and going to play catch. Maureen patted his backside as he left and returned her attention to her family at her feet.

  “Sophia,” she interrupted, “tell us about your family.”

  So Sophia talked about her family and her childhood and then of Alex and the joy he brought into her life. Yes, thought Maureen. I like her. I really like this one.

  Several hours had passed and before they knew it, it was time to go home.

  “But I don’t wanna go home,” whined Ella.

  “You need a good night’s sleep because we have school tomorrow,” Nic said.

  “Okay,” Ella acquiesced. “Are we going to do something fun tomorrow?”

  Nic, Ella’s kindergarten teacher, smiled at her star pupil and niece and nodded. “We are, but you’ll have to go home and go to bed so you can find out tomorrow.”

  “Mama?” Ella ran to Janie. “We gotta go right now!”

  “Thank you!” Janie mouthed to Nic with a smile.

  The party broke up and all the men carried blankets and coolers to their parents’ car.

  “We’ll follow you home so I can unload those for you,” Paul informed his parents.

  “You’re a good boy,” Maureen smiled as she patted her son on the cheek.

  Goodbyes were said, hugs were given, and Lindsey and Sophia set a date for lunch for the coming Thursday. All in all, that afternoon had been perfect and in the taxi on the way back to the Financial District, Alex voiced his approval.

  “I like your family,” he said. “They’re all really nice.”

  “Thank you,” Ben replied.

  “Yes,” Sophia agreed. “You have a lovely family.”

  I want a lovely family. The thought came from nowhere but Ben didn’t push it from his mind. He was now very aware that he hadn’t been happy and content like he’d been telling himself all this time. But he thought that perhaps he could be.

  *****

  “Brett is on the line for you,” came Emily’s voice through Ben’s phone on the corner of his desk.

  It was a call that he’d been waiting for. Brett had been sent to Rio to investigate the mess of the accident at Crystal Towers and sort it all out with the insurance company as part of the sale contract. Ben was anxious to hear what he’d discovered.

  “You’re never gonna believe it!” Brett said a few minutes into the conversation. “During questioning, the police were able to discover that the driver of the truck had been on the payroll of the janitorial company that had the cleaning contract for the building.”

  “So he worked there?” Ben was shocked.

  “Well, not anymore. He was one of the employees let go when we adjusted the contract, based on the reduction in tenants.”

  “A disgruntled former employee drove his truck through the front of the building?”

  “Yep. Nothing to do with the protestors at all, but it made for a great smoke screen.”

  “So the protestors made the tenants feel unsafe, which made them cancel their leases, which then in turn has us amend our janitorial contracts, which then ended up with this man being laid off?” Ben asked incredulously.

  Brett chuckled. “Crazy, isn’t it?”

  “In fact, if the man drove his car into our building as revenge, he hit the wrong target. He should have been aiming for the mob.” Ben shook his head in bewilderment. He was glad to wash his hands of the whole situation. The two men discussed the repairs and then Vicente Rivera’s name came up.

  “He’s there?” asked Ben.

  “He came to assess the damage after the sale had been completed,” Brett replied. “He was concerned with how long it would take to repair but your money has bought the most skilled contractors and they have the added incentive of the bonus you
offered for completing it quickly. They should be wrapping up tomorrow or the day after.”

  Ben was relieved to hear that all was going well. “So with Latin World now owning the building, the tenants should return?”

  “It’s already looking like they are,” Brett confirmed. “I did some digging into him like you asked. There really is nothing of malice to report. It appears that Vicente has purchased several buildings in Rio over the past few months and is in the process of buying up a couple more. I really believe that he is capitalizing on the unrest but nothing more. I think I can put your mind at ease by saying he is a reputable man that only engages in honest deals.”

  It did ease Ben’s mind and he was grateful for the information Brett had provided. Ben ended the call and was just about to call Vicente Rivera when Emily announced that Maria was here to see him.

  “Typical Monday morning,” he muttered as he put down the phone and leaned back in his chair. He greeted Maria with a smile and she sat in the chair in front of his desk and fidgeted with her hands before lifting her eyes and looking directly at Ben.

  “I owe you an apology,” she winced.

  Ben was speechless. He had no clue what she was talking about. “Uh…no you don’t.”

  “I do,” she nodded. “This is really hard but I need to say this so that the air between us can be clear.”

  Hearing those words made Ben slightly nervous. He sat up and tried to prepare himself for what was coming, although he had no idea what it was.

  “All those years ago you gave me a chance and hired me and I have tried to work hard so that you would never regret that decision,” she began.

  “And I haven’t.”

  Maria smiled and continued. “That first day I thought there was a spark…that we clicked…a mutual interest in each other and then you’d taken us to dinner and then the car! Oh the car! What an amazing gift that was and I’ve wondered for the past few years if maybe…”

  “It was just a gift Maria,” Ben interrupted. “It didn’t mean anything more than giving you transportation to work. You needed a car and I had the rental that I thought would suit you.”

  “I understand that now,” she said as her brow wrinkled. “And then you wrote to Luca for all that time and he idolizes you and he’s never had a father figure and…”

  Ben exhaled loudly. “I didn’t mean to lead you on or if Luca…”

  “Ben,” she stopped him. “You have been nothing but kind to us and I misread it as something more. I think it’s just that Luca wants a father and try as I do, I can never fill that void.”

  Emily’s voice through the speaker on the phone interrupted them. “Alan Welton is here, Ben.”

  “Give me five minutes then send him in.”

  Maria stood to leave.

  “No Maria, sit. You don’t owe me any apology. I’ll admit that there was a spark, just as you thought, but I don’t date women employed by this company. It wouldn’t be professional and it’s a line I won’t cross. And I have tried to keep our friendship above board so that there could never be any speculation or accusation of impropriety on my part...or yours for that matter. But I do consider us friends. I’d like to remain friends. I enjoy spending time with Luca but it can never be anything more, not only for the reasons I just stated, but because I’m in love with someone else.” The words were out of his mouth before he realized what he’d said. It shocked him.

  “Well, I’m glad,” smiled Maria, genuinely happy for him.

  “You will find someone that makes your knees weak, that you can’t imagine your life without them in it, and you’ll know.”

  “You sound like you know what you’re talking about.”

  “I think I do,” he muttered, somewhat bewildered at the realization.

  “I also brought you your jacket,” she said as she laid it on the arm of the chair. “You left in such a hurry.”

  “I apologize. I...”

  “On the contrary!” Maria grinned. “If you’re in love with someone else you shouldn’t have stayed. In fact if I was your woman I don’t think I would’ve wanted you there at all!”

  Your woman? Is that how he felt about Sophia? My woman?

  Emily opened the door and in walked one of MEL Holding’s many attorneys that represented the company.

  “Alan!” Ben strode to the door with his hand outstretched. “Come on in.”

  Alan didn’t respond to Ben…at all. His eyes were focused on Maria and hers on him. “I’m Alan Welton,” he smiled and closed the gap between himself and Maria.

  “Maria Calvo,” she blushed as she looked up at the handsome man in front of her. He was taller than Ben and had blonde hair and light blue eyes. He wore an expensive suit and Italian loafers on his feet. After giving him the once over she liked what she saw. His voice was low and commanding but his smile was dazzling and as she took his offered hand, she didn’t feel a spark…it was a bonfire shooting through her body.

  “Well,” Ben said. “Shall we sit?”

  A few seconds ticked by before Alan released Maria’s hand and looked up at Ben to see his amused expression. “Um, yes.”

  “I’ll leave you two to business then,” Maria said and stood to leave.

  “NO!” snapped Alan. “I mean…um…would you like to have dinner with me?”

  Maria blushed again and lowered her head. “I can’t but thank you.”

  “Why?” asked Ben. He was going to enjoy this.

  “There’s Luca and…”

  “When were you thinking Alan?” Ben butted in.

  “This evening?” he said, hope filled his eyes.

  Maria shook her head. “I can’t with such short notice.”

  “I’ll take Luca,” Ben grinned. “Then you can enjoy a night out.”

  Maria shot him a look and Ben just kept on grinning. He’d known Alan for years. His wife had passed away several years before leaving him to raise their daughter, Alison, who was probably in high school by now. She lived with his parents in Connecticut and Alan spent the weekdays in the city and the weekends with Alison. Alan was a good man and Ben hadn’t seen that kind of response to a woman since his wife had died. And he knew Maria. She deserved to be happy. He could certainly play matchmaker to two people he deeply admired. And it appeared the match had already been lit.

  “So tonight then?” Alan asked.

  Maria looked at Ben, who nodded, and then to Alan. “I guess tonight it is.”

  “Great! Should I pick you up here?”

  Maria asked for his phone, which he happily handed to her, and she added her contact information. “At my apartment. Seven?”

  “Perfect!” he grinned.

  “Alan, have a seat and I’ll see Maria out.” Ben walked to the door with her and whispered softly. “He is one of the most decent men I know. I would not send you to the wolves,” he smiled. “I’ll come by after work and get Luca. Text me when I should bring him home.”

  “Ten o’clock,” she said firmly. “It will be a good thing to have a time limit.”

  “Okay,” he chuckled. “Ten it is.”

  As Maria walked down the hall, she turned and yelled back. “Ben! I forgot to give you this.” She pulled a folded up piece of paper from her pocket. “Luca drew it for you and forgot to give it to you on Saturday night. He wanted me to give it to you today.”

  Ben met her half way and took the paper from her and unfolded it. “Is this us?”

  Maria nodded. “Yep the three of us.”

  “He really is a talented boy. You should think about getting him into some art classes.”

  Maria agreed and hurried down the hall and out past the reception desk. She didn’t notice the woman standing there holding a plate of what smelled like cinnamon rolls.

  17.

  With Alex off to school, Gloria getting stronger every day and Aldo happily sitting behind the counter of the store, Sophia found herself with a couple of hours to kill. Still feeling deliriously happy after spending time with Ben over the w
eekend, she pulled flour and yeast from the cupboard and began a batch of cinnamon rolls…with raisins. Ben had devoured the plate she’d brought him so it seemed like a good thing to make. Mixing and rising and rolling and cutting and two and a half hours later she was slathering the thick cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls fresh from the oven. They smelled divine and once the pan cooled enough to handle, she would hand-deliver them to Ben.

  In truth, she’d been frantically trying to come up with a reason to see him again. When they’d parted the evening before, he’d kissed her tenderly on the cheek and gone home. She desperately wanted more but it was not to be. She didn’t want to sit around waiting for him to call. She hated the way some of her friends pined for men to call or text or email. No…she could make the next move…and she would.

  She changed from her flour-dusted pajamas into clean jeans and a white button-up shirt that she left open at the neck, showing just a little skin. She slipped on a lightweight pale blue cardigan and some Keds and took the now warm pan and headed downstairs. She kissed her dad on the cheek and hurried through the front door and out into the glorious sun for the four block walk.

  Sophia hadn’t been gone for more than a few minutes when Gloria gingerly descended the stairs and joined her husband in the store. Even though she wasn’t ready to be lifting heavy boxes, she missed being with Aldo and so they sat together at the counter, helping the customers as they came in and out. They didn’t notice the elderly woman enter the store and march straight to them until she placed her leather handbag on the glass counter and smiled.

  “Hello. You must be Aldo and Gloria. It’s lovely to meet you.” She extended her hand which Aldo hesitantly took and tilted his head.

  “And you are?”

  “Oh my,” she chuckled. “I’m Maureen Lathem…Ben’s mother.”

  “Hello!” beamed Gloria as she stood and took Maureen’s hand in her own. “It is lovely to meet you.”

  Aldo looked confused but didn’t have time to comment as the delivery driver from the beer company entered the store and needed his attention. He excused himself leaving the two women to talk.