the ghost in you

Juliette bit down on her lower lip as she continued to watch in awe. She found it adorable how he was talking to the puppies as if they understood him. When he finally spoke up, she grinned. “They really are too cute,” she said, her attention on the puppies for a few moments before returning her eyes back to the attractive male. Taking a few comfortable steps closer to him and the cage full of puppies, her eyes lit up when she did realize that the two have indeed met before. “Yes, you’re correct,” she said softly. “And you’re Benjamin, Ben for short,” she said happily. “I haven’t seen you in a while. How have you been?”

“That they are. Were you thinking of adopting one?” Benny asked in a hopeful tone. If he could, he would adopt every single one of them. But his place was small and his yard was even smaller. It wouldn’t be right to force them to leave so stifled. “If you are thinking of getting one, I think Dottie here might be a nice fit. She’s sweet and shy.” He smiled, happy that she remembered him, he gave a nod. “That’s right,” Otherwise he was sure she would think he was some weirdo. “Frankly, could use a nap right about now. But other than that, I’m well. How about yourself?”

Violetta could feel her soul leave her body when he told her about the things she was saying the previous night. Though Maggie surely would be proud of her for letting loose for once. If it hadn’t been for the recent news she had gotten about not being sick, then she would’ve been at home just relaxing with her dog, but this time they had something huge to celebrate and surprisingly Violetta hadn’t refused and agreed to go dancing plus all the drinking with Maggie. For a second she closed her eyes and let out a sigh, preparing herself to hear the worse of what she could’ve done last night. “It wasn’t that bad? Was it? I think you would’ve kicked me out by now if it was,” she said, though Benjamin was nice enough to have her stick around even if she had said something terrible. Violetta walked closer to the kitchen and searched pretty much every cupboard to find the plates since she had never set foot inside his kitchen before or his home really. “I do need coffee, yes.” She set the plates down for him and served herself a cup of coffee, she couldn’t even think about adding sugar or cream, she needed it black. “Please tell me what I said and I’ll try not to die of embarrassment.”

“It was really awful,” Benny had to turned away, pretending he needed something on the counter so that Violet wouldn’t see his smile. “I honestly didn’t know how to react to the way you were behaving. I figure I shouldn’t judge you too harshly, seeing that you were quite sloshed.” It seemed rather childish to not reassure Violetta hadn’t done anything outrageous the night before but he couldn’t help to tease her about it. Maybe it was the way she kept on blushing or how much she really seemed to value his opinion. Honestly, he thought drunk Violetta was delightful, even if he had almost panicked when she started to cry. “The pot is right there.” He nodded at the counter as he placed the plate of pancakes on the table.  “Go on and serve yourself a cup, darling.” Grabbing the last few things for their breakfast, he called Goose and Milo to follow him so he could give them their own doggy food. “Here you go. There’s enough for the both of you keep to your own bowls.” He gently chaste them before placing the bowl of bits of fresh chicken and meat mixed with carrots. “Not now, I won’t allow you to die at least not before you eat breakfast.” He sat down and started to serve himself pancakes and bacon.

Mara shrugged, grinning sheepishly. She knew some people found her pathetic for looking at her exes’ Instagram feed. “I mean you can know someone and still look at their Instagram profile. Haven’t you had one or two people in your life you don’t talk anymore but wonder what they have been up to.” Grinning still, she pointed out. “I mean that’s not a crime, is it?”

At her question, Benny had to give a snort. There were few people he truly thought about in his day to day life and he knew exactly how there were doing because he still talked to them. “Can’t say I do. Besides, I don’t have an Instagram so I don’t have that to tempt me.” He smiled, nodding. “Aye, you’re right on that. I guess I just don’t get the point. If I want to know someone, I talk to them. You don’t really get to know someone by looking at a couple of pictures.”

Nina felt the sudden urge to resort by to her past childlike self as she stuck her tongue out over the table at him while his back was turned away from her. All the teasing and camaraderie always had the habit of flowing freely void of any mean feelings and intent though that certainly didn’t stop the long-standing sibling rivalry from playing a vital part in their mischief, well, her mischief. “Oh fine, go ahead. You can feed that rubbish to Goose. She clearly loves you more than I do. It’s all character-building anyway” She protested, planting a hand firmly on the base of her hip. Spying the third spoonful already being stirred into her brother’s cup of tea, she couldn’t help but hearken back to that age-old adage about pots and kettles. “Isn’t that enough sugar for one coma? I mean, don’t let me stop you from getting a step closer from some very lovely dentures but really, you’re sweet enough, don’t you think?” She assured him with a lightly platonic pat on his bristly cheek. It was true enough, no matter how many years seemed to pass and however terrible the tormenting became, her older brother was always safely considered one of her favourite people despite how adamant he was to change her less-than-healthy ways. 

“Oh no, if he carries on like this, he’ll definitely be on the first bus to Harrow” She shook her head softly until she realised exactly who she sounded like in that precise moment. “Oh god, I sound like Mum, don’t I?” Although, when they were younger, their mother was the epitome of all that sweet and kind in the world and still was to some extent, Nina couldn’t help mentally cursing herself by comparison. “And I’d rather die eating something bad for me but extremely delicious than something you’d also get away with feeding to a rabbit” She assured him with a soft glare before waiting for her cards to be dispatched from the bigger stack. He wasn’t ever going to win the debate on healthy eating especially when Nina was more concerned with taste rather than the actual scientific fact. “What can I say? I like to give Anna the opportunity to win once or twice. She’s been through enough having us as her only siblings. That woman deserves a break. Now enough stalling, I’m here to win and make a grown man cry”.

“Black tea is so bitter and strong, it's barely drinkable with sugar.” He protested rather crossly as he held up the box so he could read the label out loud. “Bright and Refreshing, my arse. It should say ‘so bitter it’ll kill your taste buds.” He began to mumble to himself again, stirring the sugar in his cup. “Can’t even drink my tea in peace without Little Ms. Ninny vexing me.” And despite how crossed he was for having his sweet tooth pointed out to him, his frown melted into a goofy smile in response to Nina Benny never was able to stay irritated with Nina for too long. Where his friends never let their sibling play rounders with them, he would always pick Nina first to be on his team. “I’m afraid to inform you that you’re the only person on this planet that believes I’m sweet.”

“No need to be so hard on the lad, Mrs. Monroe. He’ll surely outgrow his American ways before it comes to that. Besides, Mum would never let you sent him to Harrow.” Benny chuckled as she realized she sounded exactly like their Mum. Their own mother would often threaten them to send them to boarding school whenever they were up to mischief. Usually it was all empty threats, but still terrifying nevertheless. “Oh-ho! Mum will glad to know she is rubbing off on ya. You do, I almost felt like I was going to get scolded for not bringing you flowers.” With an exasperated groan, he rubbed his eyes, shaking his head at his little sister’s point of view. Sometimes he felt like he had lived for ages, in desperate need for a long nap and he could use one right about now. “That is exactly what will happen if you keep eating this crap. Is this what you recommend to your patients? I should report you to the medical board.” As he settled down across from Nina, his mug of tea at hand, he blew the hot steam away before cautiously taking a sip. The warmth of his beverage made him sigh, content that he was finally having tea.  “What that woman deserves is a better husband who isn’t a complete arse and a vacation.” He retorted between blowing on his tea and sipping it. “I’m not stalling, I’m merely having a polite conversation before I crush you. Now, we’re both grown ups so you can’t go running to Mum when I beat you.”

Of course when Lena heard the British man’s voice from behind, she couldn’t help but to pause in her verbal assault she was preparing for the coffee-shop patron, if only simply to listen to his accent. Man, she was insanely attracted to his accent, and when she turned to glance over her shoulder, well, it didn’t hurt that he was easy on the eyes. “Well damn, you sure know how to make a woman blush, don’t you?” Lena winked, trying to hold back but clearly failing to do so. 

Now, Benny wasn’t the most skilled at carrying on a conversation properly at times. Sometimes, which really means often, he put his foot in his mouth and unfortunately this was one of these incidents. “I actually meant your dog,” He replied rather awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his head. “But of course, in retrospect and by association, you’re also an American hero. Well, damn, I’m sure making an idiot out of myself, aren’t I?”

“Oh shit,” the male said simply, a stupid smile growing on his face as he looked at the puppy. Despite not having any animals himself, Theo was definitely a dog person. “Free as can be, my dude — especially for that little guy. I might have some peanut butter in my bag or something. Pups love that shit.”

“ Something like that.” He replied knowing he really couldn’t tell the man any more than that. “ Really, how long have you been doing that for and how did you get into it.?”

“Well, I suppose since I’ve been twelve. Always liked working with my hands and my father showed me a thing or two. Professionally, I am going for fifteen years.” At the man’s question, Benny had to smirk, trying to decide how honest he should be. “Let’s just say I needed something to keep my hands busy. What made you convinced you had to be a lawyer?”

“I don’t know, why did you?” Brody retorted back as he raised a brow, confused as to why this man was here in the first place if he didn’t want to be there. It wasn’t mandatory to stay. Brody couldn’t really say he was wrong though, because the activities the other had described to him were mostly true. “Wouldn’t you get a kick out of telling someone how much money is on your bank account when you know it’s more than there’s on theirs?” He questioned, slightly shrugging his shoulders. He’d been raised that way, though he never really bragged about the amount of money he had – not at these kinds of events, anyway. Only when someone pissed him off. “Celebrate ourselves? This is a charity gala, not a birthday party. We’re here to raise money for the Medical Center.”

“Because someone asked me and sometimes you gotta do things to make others happy. Even if you hate doing it.” Benny answered, noticing how confused the man seemed to be. Feeling like that might have been the first time someone had told him about what people do for the people they care about. Then again, considering where he was, he wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case. “I’m my version of what I find enjoyment is different than what this night has in mind. Personally, I never really understood the point of doing that if I got to be honest with you. Suppose I have my parents to blame for that.” The amount of money someone had in the bank account meant very little to Benny. It’s what they had between their ears was what he cared about. “Could have fooled me. Oh, c’mon. You never thought it was weird how much money they spend on these things? You could easily donate that money to the Medical Center.” 

“Oh, come on. Caviar isn’t terrible.” There were worse things one could eat. “And Benjamin Monroe, have I ever led you astray? It’s a cute little Jewish deli, family-owned and everything. We should go sometime.” She nodded her head vigorously. “You know, all this talk about food is making me hungry. What do you say we find the food table and feast on whatever looks good?”

"You’ve never led me astray. Not that I can remember anyhow. But that could only mean it was too horrific that I blocked it out. Benny smiled, a teasing tone in his voice. “That would be lovely. Do they allow dogs? Goosey could use a nice outing.” When Gabby mentioned that there was a food table, Benny turned to look at her with a hopeful gleam in his eyes. “There’s a food table? Where do we find this food table?”