Chapter 10

Later that evening, when Janice closed her office, Robert and Benji walked with her to her place. Hours had flown away.

It was an incredible experience to be walking alongside her son, holding his hand. The boy radiated an energy and vibrancy that was almost tangible.

“You won’t find an empty place anywhere, Robert. It’s high season. Every available place is taken. You could drive to Seattle or Portland, but it’s a long drive. However, I live in a big house with plenty of room for you. Benji slept in my guest room last night.”

“What about your husband? Would he be okay with this arrangement?”

Janice snorted, “I am not married.”

Robert couldn’t believe how happy it made him know Janice was still single. She didn’t belong to someone else. He was sure it wasn’t for lack of suitors.

“What about you? Any wife at home?” Janice asked back.

Robert shook his head.

“He doesn’t have a wife,” Benji prodded. “He doesn’t even date.”

Janice opened the door to her place, and let them in.

“My mother left me the house when she went to Europe trying to catch a rich husband while she still had the looks. This house is the only inheritance I got from her.”

Robert took an appreciative look, and said, “It’s a nice house. Good bones. Modern design with every comfort.”

“I don’t have anything else to spend my money on.”

“It is really big, Dad,” Benji exclaimed. “Bigger than our apartment.”

“My parents’ original idea was to raise a big family. Of course, plans changed when they discovered they weren’t compatible at all, which is a subtle way of saying they hated each other. They argued all the time ‘til they finally got divorced. Their fights used to drive me crazy. It was all I knew when I grew up. Some nights, I had to cover my ears with a pillow and force myself to sleep.

“My father was in the import/export business. He traveled a lot and cheated on my mom any time he could. I recall one night I was in my room listening to them yelling at each other. Calling each other every name under the sun,” Janice sighed. “It was heartbreaking. My dad left soon after that. I never saw him again. He became a check in the mailbox.”

“I’m sorry, Janice. You never got to talk much about your family,” Robert said, sympathizing with her.

“Well, I was never proud of my parents, so I preferred to keep it to myself. Your father, however, was well-informed about my past and my parents’ whereabouts when he forced me to give up my rights to Benji.”

Robert shook his head.

“I’m not surprised. He likes to hold all the cards in his hands before taking action.”

Janice opened a door and showed Robert another empty room.

“We can put an extra bed in Beni’s room if you want to sleep together,” she offered.