Free The Nothingness of Ben by Brad Boney Page B

claimed it was all a misunderstanding, but something was going on with him.” Ben paused for a moment. “Let’s forget about it. I’m probably just hypersensitive right now. It was nothing, really. I’m sorry I mentioned it.”
    A pause.
    “When are you coming back to New York? You have to bring your brothers up to visit so that they can see how brilliant living here will be.”
    “This is why I didn’t want to call you. You’ve opened up a whole new can of worms now. I thought everything was settled.”
    “Settled for the worse, maybe.”
    “Give me a couple of days to think things through.”
    “Of course. Now, please, call David. And forget about this Travis person.”
    Ben hung up the phone but didn’t call David. Colin had presented a real alternative. If he had a bigger apartment, it might work. Cade would be thirteen soon and even he didn’t need constant supervision anymore. If Ben settled the money issue, then the final step would be getting his brothers on board. Ben considered their possible reactions. Jason didn’t seem happy here. Besides, no gay boy could resist Gotham. He would be a yes vote. Cade wouldn’t be thrilled with the idea, but he’d be fine as long as everyone stayed together. That left Quentin. He had a girlfriend and was a sophomore in high school. He would certainly be the most resistant. And, knowing Quentin, he would have no problem voicing his objection.
     
     
    “ A RE you crazy?!”
    They sat at the kitchen table, eating breakfast. Which, since Travis had disappeared, consisted of bowls of cold cereal. Ben tried to ease his way into the conversation, working in some of Colin’s arguments as to why they should consider this a good thing. From the tone of Quentin’s reaction, he had clearly failed.
    “I am not moving to New York. I hate that place. It smells like rotting garbage.”
    “You’ve only been to visit once.”
    “And that’s all I needed! This is the worst possible solution. On top of losing our mom and dad, now you want to take away our home too. We’ve lived in this house our whole lives!”
    “Calm down, little brother.” Ben put a decidedly condescending tone in his voice.
    “Don’t talk to me like I’m a child.”
    “Then stop acting like one.” Ben doubted he should be having this conversation in front of Jason and Cade, but that train had already left the station. “You know damn well this isn’t the worst possible solution. Don’t throw a fit pretending there wasn’t a much worse option on the table last week. You are not the only person in this family, Quentin.”
    “So now what? You have absolute power?”
    Ben didn’t have a chance to answer him because Cade started crying.
    “Shit,” said Ben. “Cade, I’m….”
    “Put a lid on it,” barked Quentin.
    “No, you put a lid on it.” Ben got up and walked around the table next to Cade. He squatted down and the boy fell into his arms. “I’m sorry, buddy. You know how we talk to each other sometimes. Hey, look at me.” He pulled back so that he could see Cade’s face. “This conversation is not about anybody splitting up. The four of us will be together no matter what. You have my word on that. Tell him, Q. Even if we move to New York, you’ll be there with him.”
    Quentin didn’t speak. Ben felt his resentment from across the table and could practically see the steam shooting out of his ears. Ben had played a dirty trick, and they both knew it. Dirty , he thought, but effective .
    “It’s all good,” Quentin said, reaching over to pat his brother on the head. “No way we’re splitting up. Even if he drags us to Alaska.”
    Cade laughed and wiped his nose on the sleeve of his sweatshirt.
    “See?” Ben said. “So enough with the crying. It’s time to man up.”
    “Jesus, Ben. He’s only twelve.”
    “Twelve, not eight. Next year thirteen. If we were Jewish, he’d be a man soon. I’m just saying. Your idyllic childhood is over.”
    “Fine,” said Cade. “But