The Flounder Family Chapter 11

“So Bensen, are you ready?”

Bensen looked at his brother-in-law and wondered if he was joking.  “Is anyone really ready for this kind of a commitment?”

Jettison smiled.  “Well, it’s a job and you need a job, right?”

Bensen shook his head.  “But a school bus driver?  Why, they might kill me!”

“You’re the adult.  Besides, you’re only taking the pre-schoolers back and forth in the morning.  It’s not like you have to drive them to another state.  They are all local and I know most of the parents.  So if you have any problems – you can always call me.”

Bensen took Jettison’s hand.  “You have always been a good friend.”  Bensen squared his shoulders as he went out the door. He began to mumble,  “They are rather small, after all, what can they do to me…unless they gang up…”

Dove rushed out the door as her brother stepped onto the side walk.  “Here, I made you a little snack, in case you get hungry in between runs.”  She smiled and patted her brother’s arm.  “You’ll do fine.  And besides Jettison really worked hard to get you this job, you can’t let him down.  Now you can move back into the neighborhood and become an independent man again.  It’s what you wanted.”

Bensen nodded as he took the bag.  He peered inside.  “Mustard pretzels and orange soda?”

Dove nodded and gave her brother a friendly shove.  “Now get going or you might be late for your first day.”  She watched her brother walk towards the school, the paper bag swinging in beat to his step.  He seemed to have found his courage.  She turned back to her husband.  She took his hand and they stood for the moment on the porch looking like proud parents as their first went off to school by himself.  “You know, I love that man.”

Jettison smiled at his wife.  “I know you do.  It amazes me at times, but you really do.  He is such a…how should I say..”

“Don’t say loser.”

“No, he has too much spirit for that.  And despite everything, he really loves you and the kids.  He can be annoying, self centered, fickle, childish and unreliable…but he has come a long way.”  Dove swatter her husband’s arm

“He has come a long way.  He is all those things, but he also tries to overcome his faults and though he won’t say it, he does seem to realize he has faults.  At least, he told me yesterday that he was trying to be a better man.  He said he really appreciated everything you did for him.”  Dove sighed and looked at the trees just beginning to blossom.  “I think I get the Lent thing now.”

Jettison turned to go inside.  He stopped as he held the door open for his wife.  “You do?  I thought you told me that it was too hard.  Sacrifice and self denial were made for saints not mere mortals.”

“I was in a bad mood that day.  No, I stuck it out…once I figured out when it actually started.  Tomorrow will be Holy Thursday and people all over the world will be remembering Passover and the whole history going back thousands of years.   That is awesome and I am glad I get to be a part of it.”

Jettison nodded as he walked back into the warm kitchen.  “Yes, I think what you’ve done is wonderful. You certainly made me think more about my faith.  I know Tasha thinks we have gone mad and kiddo is just coming along with us to humor us.”

“Oh, no, he heard about the Easter Bunny…he has plans – believe me.”

Jettison shook his head.  “Mercenary.  He always looks out for himself.”

“Perhaps, but I think you’ve had a good influence on him recently.  He said he wants to grow up and help people in prisons.”

Jettison looked at his wife as he poured himself a cup of coffee.  “Kiddo?”

“Yeah, he said he want’s to help people get passed their past.”  Dove poured her own coffee and smiled.  “I know he doesn’t really know what he is talking about – but it’s the first time I ever heard him talk with real compassion.  I think your talks about visiting Mrs. Lawrence has had some effect.  She was always nice to him and he now he remembers that.  He knows that there is a person behind those bars and he isn’t afraid of caring.”

Well, prison ministry isn’t for everyone, and it certainly isn’t for kids.  I couldn’t have kept going if you didn’t encourage me.”

Dove shook her head.  “And I couldn’t have encouraged you if Father Barry and Harriet hadn’t encouraged me.”

“Harriet?”  Jettison looked at the clock. “I’ve got to get going or I’ll be late and put Bensen to shame.”

Dove set her cup down and smiled at her husband as he gathered his things.  “You know, you told me a while back that you hated teaching.  Do you still?”

Jettison shook his head.  “No, I guess I get it now…kind of how you got Lent.”  He smiled.  “I’ll be a little late tonight but I’m bringing home a surprise.”

Dove shook her head.  “A surprise?”

Let’s just say that this Easter, we are going to celebrate!”

Dove stuck out her hand.  “It’s a deal.”