"Benjamin," dad said,"I would like to talk to you."

"Okay."

Benjamin got up and they walked into the kitchen. I don't know what happened in there, but they came out laughing and acting like they'd been best friends since the day they'd met. They put on their coats and went outside. When the movie was over, the kids and I decided to camp out in my bedroom. We hung a blanket from the ceiling fan and tied the corners to the bed posts. We have some really large blankets in the house. We all sat in there while I told them a story about one of the first Christmases I could remember.

"Judah and Rachel were going sledding with their friends. I was sitting at home watching 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer'. Joseph was still a baby, and was sitting next to me on the couch. He was fascinated by the flying reindeer and Rudolph's flashing nose. There was a knock at our door. My mom opened it. 'Hi there, Betty,' she said. It was our neighbor, Mrs. Holmes. 'Hi Luann. I was wondering if you might watch my son. We're going out Christmas shopping. He can't see what we're buying him.' 'Oh,' said my mom,'I'd be happy to. Come on in, Benjamin.' A little boy walked in the house. Mrs. Holmes waved good-bye and closed the door behind her son. Mom helped Benjamin take off his coat, and brought him into the living room. I smiled and waved. He smiled and looked away. 'Come sit on the couch, Benjamin. We're watching "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". Your momma says it's one of your favorites.' 'Yes, Mrs. Smith, it is. Thank you.' Mom went into the kitchen and Benjamin climbed up onto the couch. When the movie was over he looked at me. 'You're cute,' he said, and I blushed. 'I like your pig tails.' I had my hair up in two, cute piggy tails. They had red and green bands holding them. 'What's your little brother's name?' he asked. 'Joseph,' I said. 'What about your's?" he asked. 'I'm Kristene.' 'I'm Benjamin.' And then we went off to play in the snow." I sat and thought a minute. "That was the first time we ever met. We went to school together, and then we started dating."

"Are you going to get married?" asked Dinah.

"Maybe."

Then, my mother burst in the room.

"Kristene," she said, quite upset,"you need to come downstairs. NOW."

I climbed out of the fort and ran down the stairs. My father was yelling at someone. When I ran into the living room, I saw him yelling at Benjamin.

"I knew I couldn't trust you!" he yelled. "If you ever go near my daughter again, I'll call the police! Get out of my house you bastard!" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I ran over to Benjamin.

"What's going on?" I demanded. "Earlier, you guys were laughing and hanging out like you were best friends!"

"I can't believe you like this guy! He was so rude. He turned me down," my dad yelled.

"I don't drink. I'm sorry. I couldn't accept," Benjamin said, defending himself.

"You just didn't want to be there with me. I was finally trying to reach out and accept you, but you refused my generosity!"

I couldn't believe this. My father was upset because Benjamin doesn't drink? This was stupid.

"Dad," I said,"he doesn't drink. So what? It's not a bad thing."

"He refused my reaching out!"

"I refused getting drunk!" Benjamin said in his calmest tone. I could tell he was going to lose his temper.

"I'M NOT DRUNK!" my dad practically screamed. Benjamin pulled me to the side.

"He had seven drinks, LARGE drinks, and then insisted on diving here. Then, he got pissed when I got in the driver's seat."

"Benjamin, he's kind of a control freak. Next time, pretend you're asleep in the back seat."

That last sentence was referring to a joke between me and Benjamin but my dad grabbed me and smacked me in the face. I tried to pull away, but he smacked me again and got close to my face. I could smell the alcohol he'd been drinking.

"If I ever catch you with this bastard ever again," he said, through clenched teeth,"I'll ground you for the rest of your life!"

That's when I ran. I pulled on my flats, grabbed a sweatshirt, and jumped in my car. I drove down town. All the Christmas lights looked so nice and welcoming. I pulled into the parking lot at the local café. I went in and ordered a medium-sized pumpkin coffee, and a long John doughnut. I sat in the back and cried.

Once I calmed down a bit, I drank my coffee and ate my doughnut. After I finished, I sat there a few minutes. I saw Benjamin walk in the door. He talked to the guy at the counter who pointed back at me. Benjamin didn't turn his head, but I thought I saw his eyes flicker in my direction. He said something else to the counter guy, they nodded at each other, and Benjamin walked over.

"Hey, you alright?" Benjamin asked, sitting across from me. I looked up. He was sincere, his eyes said it all.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay? Will you leave again?" his eyes said.

"I'll be okay."

"Your eyes disagree. What're you going to do next?"

"I don't know. I have to go back to my parents house."

That was not something I was looking forward to, but all my things were still there.

Benjamin smiled,"Well, at least you can still go on the property."

"He didn't!"

"He said if he ever caught me on his property again, he'd call the police."

I put my head in my hands. My father was crazy.

***

The video is of Nick (Benjamin) in  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He plays Benjamin in this movie and here is a little clip that was focused somewhat around him.