Bear in Winter - 1. Chapter 1

The snow swirled around slowly outside the front glass door. It was finally beginning to stick as William headed out the door to look for the cab. Mrs. Sacowitz stood in the doorway, watching as Will made his way to the street and looked down.

“I can wait for the cab, William. There is no need for you to stay with me.”

William turned and looked at Mrs. Sacowitz as she stood in the doorway, her hat on her head, covering her ears, the gloves, the cane, the long black coat, and her slightly bent figure, and he simply shook his head.

“My dear lady, what sort of gentleman do I look like? I would never leave such a woman to stand in the cold and falling snow, waiting for a cab. You stay right there where it’s warm.”

Will watched as her cheeks colored.

“It was very nice of you to hold the Hanukkah celebration here, William,” Mrs. Sacowitz stated as she looked back into the local recreation center.

“That’s what this place is for, Mrs. S. To help the community, give a place for everyone to come together.”

She nodded as William joined her once again in the doorway.

“Is the roadway coated?”

“Not yet. You should get home safely before the worst of the storm hits. The cab company is one I trust. They will even walk you to the door.”

“I’m not that old!” Mrs. Sacowitz tapped her cane on the floor.

“I never said you were, my lady. Just that they don’t like to see anyone slip on the ice and you do have presents you need to get into your place.”

Mrs. Sacowitz looked at the two small bags at her feet containing gifts and sighed.

“Will you be back next week to help with the children’s holiday party?”

Mrs. Sacowitz smiled. “Of course. Those hooligans helped with my party, so I shall help with theirs.”

Will smiled knowing how the small woman had made friends with many of the younger children at the center, teaching them to cook and sew, while they kept her lively. It was something that made Will happy.

Will looked outside and spotted the cab as it turned onto the street.

“Your ride is on its way here now. Let me grab the bags.”

“You don’t have to, William.”

Will shook his head. “It’s no problem.”

They walked to the cab and Mrs. Sacowitz slowly made her way inside and gave the driver her address.

“Hey, Bear.” The driver waved at Will.

“Hi Tony. Get her home safe for me. She’ll need help with the bags. Don’t let her tell you otherwise.”

“You got it, Bear.”

“See you soon, Mrs. S.”

Mrs. Sacowitz waved as Tony slowly drove off.

Will walked back into the rec center and locked the front door behind him. He caught his image on the mirrored wall and paused for a moment. At six foot four, nearly two hundred and fifty pounds, he did sort of look like a mountain of a man. His neatly trimmed beard was slowly going gray, and there were even streaks of gray appearing in his red hair as well. Age was beginning to take a toll, but he was still in pretty good shape. He shook the snow off and headed to his office.

He filled in the daily ledger, made a few notes on his computer, and prepared to head out. As he went for his coat he spotted a small green package on the corner of his desk. There was no note or anything on it. Curious, he opened it. Inside was a small carved wooden bear.

“Hmm. Nice work.” Will looked it over, smiling the whole time. He carefully set it on the corner of his desk, grabbed his coat, turned out the lights, and headed for the back door. Who had given him the figure?

­_ * _ * _ *

The commotion was drawing all sorts of attention, including Will’s. He waded across the rec center to find Arnie picking on someone he didn’t recognize.

“Get up you little queer. I caught you looking at me. I’m going to rip your face off.” Arnie drew back his fist to punch the guy on the floor when he felt his hand being lifted straight up, pulling him up off his feet.

“Arnold, what have I told you about fighting in the rec center, and fighting in general?” Will’s voice silenced the room as he set the teenager down before him. “I asked you a question!”

“But, Bear he …”

“One thing at a time. What did I tell you about fighting?”

Arnold scowled at the ground. “Fighting doesn’t solve anything, but gets you into trouble.”

“Go on.”

Arnold looked up at Will as he realized what he had done. “And if you are caught fighting in the rec center for no reason you will be permanently thrown out of here.” Arnold swallowed hard. “You, uh, you wouldn’t throw me out, would you, Bear?”

“Why were you trying to beat up the new guy?”

Arnold turned to the new guy and sneered. “The queer here …”

“Excuse me.” Will gave Arnold a withering look. “You know better than that, Arnold. Everyone is welcome here. Gay, straight, old, young, Christian, Jewish, rich or poor … are all welcome at the town recreation center. So what did he do?”

“I caught him staring at my ass.”

“And?” Will stood, waiting.

“He was staring at my ass. I’m not gay and not going to take that.”

Will stood for a moment and then shook his head.

“So, let me get this straight. You went after him for staring at your ass. So anyone staring at someone’s ass should be beat? Is that right?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re sure?” Will looked down at Arnold.

“Yeah.” Arnold paused and crossed his arms.

“Okay. So how many times should you be beaten?” Will stared at Arnold, anger clearly etched on his face.

“Uh?”

Will leaned down into Arnold’s face and said each word slowly, “How many times should you be beaten?”

Arnold looked confused.

“I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve caught you staring at Tasha’s butt while she helped the kids with their homework, or you staring at Tina’s butt while she was dancing, or hell, even you staring at Mrs. Anderson’s butt while she was teaching the cooking class.”

“But I was staring at a woman!”

“Makes no difference. So I guess I should beat you for looking at each of their butts.”

The rec room was silent and the tension was clear.

Tasha and Tina, both senior high school kids who helped out with the after school program, wandered over.

“Wait … he stares at our butts and can enjoy it, but if someone stares at his butt they should be beaten up?” Tasha eyed Arnold up and down and shook her finger in Arnie’s face. “Boy, you aren’t even in my grade. Trust me, you and me ain’t never going to happen.”

Tina just shook her head.

Will leaned over and helped the new guy off the floor.

“I wasn’t looking at his butt. I was trying to see the name on the jeans.”

“Sure?” Arnold rolled his eyes.

“Both of you, my office now!”

Arnold paled, but the new guy just nodded and both walked to Will’s office.

“Arnold, you know better. You started a fight in front of the younger kids. If you didn’t like what he was doing you could have talked to him or come to any of the workers and we would have handled it.”

Arnold just looked at the floor, shaking.

“And you …, hmm, sorry I don’t know your name.”

“Benjamin.” The young man never looked up.

“Benjamin, if you want to know something just ask. Some people take questions better than a look.”

Benjamin nodded.

“Thank you, Ben. You can go.” Will sighed as he turned back to Arnie.

Ben left Will alone with Arnold.

“Arnold, what am I going to do with you?”

“Please, Bear, please don’t send me out of the rec. I’d have nowhere to go, and Mom will kill me if my sister and I can’t come here.”

“You know what the rules are; you fight you’re gone.” Will sat across from Arnold, waiting.

“I know. I didn’t hit him though, Bear. I just pushed him out of his chair.” Arnold sighed. “You stopped me from hitting him, so I actually wasn’t fighting him.”

“I want you and your mother here tomorrow. We need some sort of plan on what your behavior will be from now on and how you are going to help. You can’t be left to do what you want any more. You were too close to being in a fight.”

“You want my mom here?” Arnold went totally pale.

“Tomorrow or you are banned from the rec center for a year.”

“But …”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Will shook his head as he looked into the book on the desk. “I got the length of time wrong.”

Arnold sagged against the seat.

“It’s a lifetime ban.”

“I’ll tell mom.” Arnie’s voice cracked and he dropped his eyes from Will’s and looked at his shoes. “She’ll be here tomorrow.”

Arnold rushed out of the room, never once looking up.

A moment later Lana, the official secretary of the rec center, walked over and sat on the corner of Will’s desk. “You scared that boy half to death.”

“That boy almost punched a new kid.” Will rubbed his temples and sighed. “His mother is a good one, and she worries about Arnie. He might be a breaker, but he is still not really a bad kid. His mother and I will work something out.” Will smiled at Lana.

“I’m sure you will.” Lana casually picked up the carved wooden bear and looked at it before she set it down on Will’s desk.

“Was there something else, Lana?”

“You know, up ‘til now I thought Bear was a bad nickname for you. Now I know it fits. You can growl and show your claws, and make everyone crap all over themselves.” Lana shook her head and sashayed out the door.

Will laughed and walked back out to help with the knitting group.

_ * _ * _

The meeting had gone well with Arnold and his mother, Sarah Goldburg. Her husband was in the service, serving overseas, and she was doing the best she could to keep everything going back here at home. It was agreed, that since Arnie knew how to play basketball, he would help Mr. Jimenez teach the little kids how to play. Arnie’s sister, Patricia was a natural at the game and now she would be spending time with her brother as a bonus. For Will it was a win-win situation.

As Will headed out after the meeting to join the members who were going to decorate the rec center for the children’s holiday party, he spotted Benjamin sitting by himself in the corner reading. He made his way over to check on the new guy.

“You okay, Ben?”

“Um, yeah, thanks.” Ben turned back to his book, but Will caught the blush that Ben had as he looked down at his book quickly.

Will stood looking at Ben for a moment. Something was a bit off. The clothes were a bit older and while still close in style not exactly what everyone else was wearing. What was it about this kid that was now bugging him?

“Ben, have you been coming here long?” Will asked, surprising himself by being so direct.

Ben looked up, his face still red and he stared at Will for a moment. “Since August,” came his whispered reply.

Will shook his head. He was sure he would have noticed the kid if he had been there since August. He would have to think about this for a while.

Will went and joined everyone else as they began to organize and get the party decorations together. He found himself pausing now and then to look at Ben and then going back to work.

“Is everything all right, William?” Mrs. Sacowitz stood beside Will, holding streamers in different colors.

“Um, yes, everything is fine Mrs. S.” Will smiled brightly.

“So why do you keep looking at the boy over there like he is sticking pins in your leg?”

Will shook his head and smiled. “Just trying to place him. He says he has been coming since August, but I can’t seem to figure out where he’s from. Usually, the second someone new comes in I try to say hello and let them know the rules. The first time I really remember seeing him was when Arnie nearly hit him.”

Mrs. Sacowitz shook her head. “Don’t worry about it, William.”

“Mrs. S, how many times am I going to have to tell you to call me Will or Bear.”

“Bear is an animal not a name. Will is a nickname, not your name.”

Will shook his head and went back to preparing for the party.

Later he took a little break and headed back to his office. Again he found a small package on his desk. He opened it to find another bear, only this time it was carved wearing armor like a knight.

“Who is giving me these?” Will wondered aloud.

_ * _ * _ *

The party was in full swing and there were a lot of new people and donators wandering around.

“Looks like everything is going smoothly,” stated Lana as she handed a cup of punch over to Will.

“I know there is plenty of food and drink available. I hit every source we had,” said Mrs. Anderson as she patted Will on the butt.

“Behave Marianna.” Will shook his head and smiled.

“We have the rabbi from the local temple, a pastor from the Lutheran Church on Sixth Avenue, and two of the nuns from the convent down the street. The mayor is stopping by later. Oh and the fire department has volunteers for our Santa, elf, and Mrs. Claus.” Lana stopped and sipped her punch. “Hey, this is really good.”

“It should be. It’s all made with fresh fruit. Speaking of, Hashburg Market made a donation of all kinds of fruit and sweet breads for tonight. We have to add them to the list of donors to thank.” Marianna Anderson smiled as she watched everyone move from table to table, talking and laughing.

“Well thanks to the work you all have been doing the mayor is willing to keep up the donation to keep this center rolling into at least May of next year. I have applied for a number of grants as well. Now we just need one or two of these bigwigs to see the work we are doing here and decide to post some big bucks to the program.” Will looked at his team and smiled. “I know they keep saying we aren’t necessary, but I think this town needs us and I’m willing to do what I can to keep us going.”

The mayor arrived an hour into the party, the media naturally following him. He gave a speech of how grateful he was for the work the rec center did and how he was happy to help in his small way to keep the center running. The media left shortly after and Mayor Riverside paused to thank a few people as he made his way around the room. While the mayor had stepped out of the spotlight, the fire department had arrived as the stars of the night. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and an elf were now taking pictures with various people in attendance and handing out gifts. The mayor was heading out when he spotted someone sitting at the table, paused, and then walked right over to William. “Why didn’t you tell me he was here? We could have had a huge media scoop.”

William looked at perplexed. “Who is here?”

“Him,” the mayor said as he pointed toward and empty table and stopped. “Where did he go?”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Charlie Benjamin. The youngest billionaire inventor this country has ever seen. He went missing a few months ago, but I swear he was sitting over there.”

“Ben? You mean the teenager? I think he has been living on the streets.”

“Teenager? Then I guess it isn’t him. He looks like him. Oh.” Mayor Riverside scratched his head. “Glad I didn’t miss an opportunity to help the town. Anyway Mr. Watthews, just wanted to say you do a fine job here at the center. I’m glad to help bring some attention to your great work.”

Mayor Riverside shook William’s hand and left the center.

Will looked all over and couldn’t find Benjamin. Soon he was helping people with various games and puzzles, and then watching people enjoy themselves. It wasn’t long until people were saying their goodbyes and heading out. Soon it was just Will, Lana, and Marianna left to finish cleaning up.

“Both of you go home. I’ll finish up. Enjoy your night, ladies.”

“Are you sure, Will?” Lana stood looking at the dozen or so garbage bags that still had to be dragged out to the dumpster.

“It won’t take us that much longer to help you finish cleaning up, Bear.” Marianna cocked an eyebrow and crossed her arms. At five foot four she could easily be mistaken for a lightweight, but Will knew better. She was a black belt and would have no problem tossing him across the room.

“Both of you go home. I’m fine. There’s just some garbage to toss and the floor needs to be mopped. I got it.” Will led the two women to their coats and then made sure they safely got to their cars.

He came back inside and was about to start taking out the garbage when he heard a noise from the couch in the corner. Walking over, he found Benjamin asleep on the couch.

“Ben, wake up.” Will gently shook the young man. “Come on Ben, wake up.”

Two crystal blue eyes blinked and looked up at Will. “Hmm. Sorry, must have fallen asleep.”

“No problem. The party is over though. It’s time to go home.”

Ben stretched and slowly stood up.

Will was aware of every move Ben made, noting how everything seemed a bit big on the small frame.

“You need to eat more. You are too thin. Your mother needs to make sure you are eating and not skipping meals.”

Ben turned and smiled. “My mother and I haven’t spoken in years.”

Will immediately thought Ben was a runaway.

“You honestly don’t remember meeting me? I had long hair and a long beard when we met. You told me I needed to clean up. No one ever told me what to do.”

“Did I?” Will vaguely remembered a guy who looked somewhat like Ben was describing. It had been during the big fair the town held at the end of summer. He had a table outside under a tent advertising all the upcoming events for the recreation center.

“You came through as I was dealing with Mindy, if I’m remembering this right.”

Will remembered Mindy was visiting with her grandmother, Mrs. Sacowitz. She had come to visit a few times and the two had become friendly. If Will was being honest, once Mindy adopted you that was it, you were her friend for life. Even at eight the girl could be sweet as pie.

“Bear, catch me!” Mindy flew across the concrete and jumped at Will with her arms open wide.

“Umph. Mindy, you aren’t so little anymore.” Will hugged Mindy tight as he caught her.

“Mindy, you shouldn’t jump at people. It isn’t polite.” Mrs. Sacowitz walked over and looked sternly at her grand-daughter who still clung to Will tightly. “Thank you, William. She is a handful.”

Mindy laughed and Will put her down. “Bear can hold me. He is strong. Besides, Grandma, I’m the only woman in his life.”

Mrs. Sacowitz shook her head.

It was then that Ben wandered over. He had been watching Will with interest.

“Hey, Bear, he is kind of cute,” Mindy said as she pointed at Ben.

Will looked over and bit his lip as he looked Ben over then leaned over and whispered to her, “Well he has nice eyes, kiddo, but he needs to get a haircut and shave. Little more wild than I am.”

Will blushed as the memory finally surfaced and he realized he had checked Ben out.

“Yeah, you did comment on me needing to clean up my appearance. I find that I really don’t need much in life. I am also older than I look, especially since I have gone back to being clean shaven. I’m thankful for you stepping in to help me when Arnie got upset with me trying to figure out what jeans he was wearing. I figured it was time to take some money out and clean up. I just wanted to look current. Besides, I’ve been learning all sorts of stuff here at the center.”

“How old are you?” Will looked incredulously at Ben.

“Twenty six.”

“Twenty six? You can’t be. You look like you’re …”

“Eighteen? Yeah, I know. But I am twenty six. And my name is Charlie Benjamin. Trust me, I can afford to be here.”

“I thought you were a runaway.” Will stood looking at Ben as the younger man grabbed two of the garbage bags and began to take them outside. A moment later he grabbed two more bags of garbage and followed Ben outside.

“I know you did. I sort of have been just traveling. Renting a room when I needed, but I could always afford the best if I wanted to when I traveled. I just have been looking for a place to go where I could fit in and make a difference.”

“But you said you have been here for a few months. So why have you stayed?” Will tossed his bags into the dumpster and turned to face Ben.

The younger man was blushing a deep shade of red. “I sort of found something here I thought I might pursue.”

Will waited but Ben turned and walked back into the rec center.

By the time he caught up Ben was holding three more bags and was heading back toward the dumpster. As the two men drew even, Ben paused and grinned. Will stopped and turned to see what Ben was looking at.

Ben stood looking into Will’s office. “Did you enjoy them?”

“Enjoy what?”

“The gifts.”

“The bears?” Will stared at Ben. “You gave me the bears?”

“I carved the bears,” Ben grinned and then blushed deeply.

“You carved them? They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

“I always did have a thing for bears,” Ben smiled as he looked up at Will. “Especially, when they come to my rescue.”

Before another word could be said, Ben marched out the door with the garbage bags. Will was transfixed for a moment. Then he gathered his wits, grabbed the last bags and carried them out. Before he could say a word, Ben was near the back door again.

“I, um, need just a minute. I need to use the bathroom.” Ben rushed back inside.

Will tossed his bags of trash away and headed back in, just in time to see the bathroom door shut behind Ben. With nothing but time to waste, Will grabbed the mop and began to clean the floor. His mind was trying to put together all the things he had learned, but wasn’t sure what to think.

“Um,” came the voice behind him.

Will turned to see Ben dressed up. He wore a deep blue shirt that brought out the color of his eyes. His jeans were cut and showed off his butt, and he was wearing brand new black sneakers. Ben had even combed his hair and shaved. Ben set his bag down beside him, and smiled shyly at Will.

Will set the mop aside and stared at Ben.

The room seemed smaller as Will walked over to Ben.

“Wow, I guess you’re not a kid at all.” Will smiled at Ben.

“Nope. Not a kid at all. I’m just someone trying to find a place to fit in.”

Will couldn’t help but enjoy the teasing Ben was giving him. He reached out and surrounded Ben in a big bear hug.

Ben leaned in tight and returned the hug.

“Sorry, but I only kiss on the second date,” Ben smiled as he continued to hug Will tight.

Will laughed. “I guess that gives me a reason to take you out and get to know all about you then.”

“Good. I know where you can take me for dinner.”

“Well, Mr. Benjamin, I guess that makes you my date.”

“Damn right, Mr. Watthews.” Ben stood on his tip toes and kissed Will anyway. “And from now on you are my bear.”