Goldstein Johnson & Cole (2024 re-write) - 14. Benjamin's Secret

Shamira was up at seven thirty the following morning. After dressing, she collected the dogs from the twins’ room, and let them out in the garden. After starting the coffee maker she poured herself a glass of orange juice. Joseph and Benjamin soon joined her. As they sat beside each other, she noticed that Benjamin and Joseph appeared closer in age and build than she first thought. Her 'women's intuition' told her there was more to Benjamin's story than he let on. If she was right, he needed help more than he admitted.

Joseph poured them a glass of juice, and Benjamin gathered up a few plastic bags to clean up the dog's poop. Carrying juice and bags, the two boys went outside.

The smell of coffee brewing roused Ian, Kevin, Jacob and Eli. They all helped themselves to a cup of the dark nectar when they entered the kitchen. Aaron and Asher came running through, still in their nightclothes. They glanced around before running out to the garden to join Joseph, Benjamin and the dogs.

With the sound of dogs and children playing in the garden. Shamira started to rise. “I think it is time to start making breakfast.”

Eli placed his hand on Shamira's arm. “I have got this. You sit and relax.”

“You look deep in thought. Is everything okay?” Kevin enquired of Shamira.

Shamira shared her concerns about Benjamin with Ian and Kevin. They agreed that there could be more to Benjamin's story than first thought and included Eli and Jacob in the conversation. Jacob recalled his 'gut feeling' when he saw a photo in Benjamin's home of a couple and two young boys, one younger than the other. His investigative brain was already working.

Jacob went outside to check over the vehicles. Fuel, oil and all other fluid levels on the coach were good. When Jacob looked at Benjamin's car, he just shook his head. It was in poor condition, probably dangerous and just one small step away from the scrap yard.

Jacob also called his boss and relayed what he knew of Benjamin's family and circumstances, asking if they could complete a full check on him and his family. If Shamira's intuition and Jacob's gut feeling were correct, they might need expert help quickly. Knowing he would get answers to his questions soon, he ended the call and entered the house.

Opening the refrigerator, Eli took out eggs, sausages and bacon. He turned on the oven, set the temperature, and got the pancake mix and maple syrup.

“Eli, we cannot eat sausage and bacon. What are you thinking?” Shamira was not amused.

“Do not worry. It is all kosher, so there is no sin. I have turkey sausages and cured turkey rashers. If you have not tried it before, trust me, you are in for a treat. It is a heavy filling breakfast, but delicious and makes a nice change from the usual breakfast.”

Eli showed Shamira the ingredient lists and kosher certification on the labels. Satisfied that everything was in order, Shamira helped herself to another glass of juice and relaxed. It was wonderful not to cook, and she appreciated that Eli respected the family’s beliefs when preparing meals.

Ian laid the table ready for breakfast while Kevin went to get the boys washed up and ready to eat. Stomachs were rumbling as the delicious smell of a hot breakfast wafted through the house.

Eli had just started the last batch of pancakes when a car stopped outside, and the dogs started barking. Benjamin went to quiet the dogs while Jacob checked who had stopped outside.

He shouted to the kitchen, “Eli, I hope you have prepared enough breakfast. It looks like we have two more to feed.” Having recognised Isaac’s car, Jacob went to open the front door.

When Isaac and a second man entered the house, they were first greeted by Ariel growling with her hackles up. Either side of her was a pup, copying her by trying to look and sound fierce.

Aaron and Asher looked up to see who had arrived. Their eyes lit up as they saw their father and ran to him. “Avi, Avi, you are here.” They chorused, hugging and kissing their father as he knelt.

Ariel immediately quieted and sat watching the boys greet their father. Sensing a change in their mother’s behaviour, the pups followed the twins, greeting Isaac.

Ben Cohen, Isaac's colleague, stood in the doorway watching in amusement as the excited boys and pups 'attacked' Isaac.

“Come on through, Ben.” Shamira invited. “Are you going to join us for breakfast, or have you both eaten?”

“We barely had time for coffee and bagels before Isaac dragged me into the car, so that is a yes to breakfast, especially if what I smell is what I think it is.”

“I always cook too much, so there is plenty. If by any chance I am wrong, we will just put Jacob on a diet. He needs to lose some weight anyway.” Eli laughed as he spoke.

“Humpff, there is nothing wrong with my weight. I’m just big. Magic up more pancakes, Harry Potter, or you can do without.” The glint in Jacob's eyes belied his indignant words.

Quick as a whip, Eli replied, “Go tend to your beasts, Hagrid!”

Joseph was the first to laugh, followed by Benjamin, then Kevin. The laughter became infectious, and soon everybody was laughing. When the laughing stopped, Eli prepared more pancakes, and extra places were set at the table.

Breakfast was a lively affair with more laughter and different conversations taking place. The instant bond formed between Joseph and Benjamin did not go unnoticed. They behaved like brothers who had just met up after spending time apart. From where Jacob sat, he noticed the look in Joseph's eyes and his regret when he told Benjamin of his plans to live in The UK with Ian and Kevin. But Ben noticed the look in Benjamin's eyes as he listened. It was as though his life had just been extinguished. Ben wanted to know more.

Sleeping arrangements needed to be reconfigured for the remainder of their stay, which was soon resolved. Isaac and Shamira would occupy one room, Ian and Kevin another, and Benjamin and Joseph would share with the twins as there were two sets of bunk beds in their room. That left the remaining room for Eli and Jacob.

Jacob spoke with Benjamin about his plans for the future, and his concerns grew. Jacob pushed in a well-practised way, and finally, Benjamin's true story came out.

Benjamin's father lost his life during a skirmish with Hamas on the border of The Gaza Strip three years ago while serving in the Israeli Defence Force. This caused his mother, brother and himself to move into the house he currently resides in. The sale of their previous home provided a healthy bank balance for them to live off. A little over two years later, his mother, brother and his grandparents, his mother's parents, were shot by Hamas in a drive-by shooting on the outskirts of Um al-Fahm. They were discovered in his grandparent's car riddled with bullets. Ironically, his mother and brother were helping his grandparents to move to the relative safety of Haifa, away from the volatile West Bank border. For the last year, he had survived by stealth and the questionable use of his older brother's I.D.; having no other living relatives, he was on his own. Life was hard, but he managed to get by.

Benjamin's young age started to show through, as it turned out he had only just turned fourteen and needed to finish his education. Benjamin wanted to be a doctor but had given up his dreams due to his circumstances. Benjamin also told Jacob that he felt an instant connection with Joseph, which he couldn't explain except to say it felt like they were brothers. It was a conversation that did not go unnoticed by Ian and Kevin. Ian and Kevin looked into each other's eyes. They didn't need to speak as each knew what the other was thinking. They both nodded in unspoken agreement on what they needed to do next. Isaac's help would be required.

They all thanked Eli for breakfast, and Shamira told him he was absolutely correct about the Kosher turkey bacon and sausage. She insisted on knowing where she could purchase it in the future. After breakfast had been eaten and the cleaning up finished, Shamira, Jacob and Eli took the twins, Joseph and Benjamin, out for a walk on the beach with the dogs. Ben was due back at the office later that afternoon and would leave after a private meeting with Ian, Kevin and Isaac. He needed to tell them the plans before leaving but was unaware of the added complication about to be thrown into the mix. The complication would be a surprise for almost everyone.

As they stepped out for an after-breakfast walk, Jacob received a call from his boss. During the call, he confirmed their findings with what Benjamin had told him. When asked what the purpose of the call was, he answered. “I am worried for the boy. If my guess is right, he has connected with Joseph and, by extension, Ian and Kevin. As a result, it is possible that a further request may be made.”

“Jacob, if I understand you correctly, I don't know if it can be done, but I will ask. Have you thought this through? What happens if it cannot be done?” John, Jacob's boss, had picked up on the emotional tone in Jacob's voice.

“Then I will look after him myself.” Jacob's determination showed.

“Just give me a moment.” Jacob could hear John speaking to someone but could not hear what was being said. “Jacob, we have the means for either. We need to know what to put in place as soon as possible.”

“Thank you.” Jacob ended the call.

Benjamin lagged behind the others as he watched the twins playing with the pups. There was a faint smile on his face that did not show in his tear-filled eyes. He was happy the pups would have a good home but sad to part with them. He made up his mind. When they returned to the house, he would sign the transfer of registration to Isaac and Shamira and then return to his home. He did not want to outstay his welcome, but first, he had to tell Aaron and Asher the pup’s names.

Benjamin made a circle by touching his index fingertip to his thumb tip. Placing the tips in his mouth, he blew. The shrill whistle made Ariel and the pups stop in their tracks. A second blow had them running to him, stopping at his feet. They sat and looked up, waiting for any further command. Aaron and Asher closely followed the pups.

“Wow, Benjamin, how did you do that?” Started Asher.

“Can you show us how to do it?” Finished Aaron.

Benjamin smiled, amused at how one twin would always finish a sentence started by the other. “I do not know if I can, but I will try before I go home.”

He knelt to fuss the dogs and speak to the twins. “I need to tell you the pups' names. You cannot keep calling them ‘puppy’. I need to know who is who because you look so much alike. I cannot tell the difference between you.”

“He is Asher.”

“And he is Aaron. You can tell the difference because...”

“...he has got a small mole on his...”

“...right cheek.” Asher pointed to a small mole on his cheek just above the jawbone. “Can you see it?”

“I can.” Benjamin could not help but smile. “Have you decided who is having which pup?”

“Aaron wants the brown one...”

“...and Asher wants the gold one.”

“Well, Asher, your pup's name is Jedediah, but it is easier to call him Jed. Aaron, your pup's name is Zachariah, but it is easier to call him Zach. Can you both remember that?”

Both boys nodded and hugged their pups. Benjamin heard 'I love you, Jed’ and 'I love you, Zach' as they both received sloppy licks and doggy kisses. He knew they meant it.

When Benjamin stood and turned to walk away with tears flowing freely, Jacob caught him in a hug. Benjamin tried to pull out of the hug, but he gave up. Realising he was fighting a losing battle, he relaxed into it, crying on Jacob's shoulder.

“What is this I hear about you going home? Where you live is not safe for you.” Jacob's concern showed in his voice.

“It is the only place I can afford where I can keep Ariel with me. I am safe if I keep the doors locked. If I can find a job, I will be okay.” Benjamin may have convinced himself, but he did not convince Jacob.

“And what about school?”

“I will give up school and go to work, at least until I am drafted. I do not think I can avoid that.”

“If you had a choice, what would you do?” Jacob asked.

“I would stay in school and study, but I cannot do that. It is expensive to become a doctor. Maybe one day I can try again.” He felt Jacob's arms loosen and glanced at Joseph before looking up to meet Jacob's eyes. “Joseph is very lucky to have you all as family and friends. I hope he knows how lucky he is. He told me he will live with Ian and Kevin as their brother in England. I...I will miss him. In the short time I have known him, I feel...I feel close to him. I wish I could go with him.”

“I wish you could come too. I will ask Ian and Kevin,” Joseph whispered as he joined Jacob and Benjamin in the hug.