Ben Warren

By Susan Egner

Ben and Bates’ commitment to their values served as a beacon of light to keep their relationship from running aground. They may have briefly gone off course, but their principles—with Bates showing the way—steered them clear of disaster.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Egner
• Release date: Apr 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310786402

Susan Egner

Minnesota Author Susan Egner followed her father’s footsteps into the life of a newspaper reporter before turning her pen to fiction. Her father, Lou Egner, was the well-known photojournalist for the Florida Times-Union and the former Jacksonville Journal. Now married and living in Burnsville, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, the mother of two and grandmother of four, fondly recalls, “Daddy gave cameras to my two sisters and me when we were still in elementary school saying, ‘Wherever you go, always remember to take your camera.’ He felt a story could unfold anywhere and he wanted us prepared. That training resulted in my writing about female photographers.”Encouraged by friends after hearing the stories she made up for her own children, Egner wrote and published her own children’s book series, Has Anyone Seen Woodfin? She has made multiple guest appearances with costumed characters in seven states and Shanghai, China; appearing in bookstores, elementary schools, children’s hospitals and the Mall of America. Her work was featured as one of ten programming initiatives at a gala event held in Chicago’s Field Museum by PBS affiliate, WYCC.Egner’s previous writing experience also includes writing and editing for the Dakota County Tribune, a weekly newspaper. In addition, she was a freelance writer for the Dayton Hudson Corporation Santa Bear series.Egner made the transition to e-B­­ook publishing in 2012 with her five-star rated novel, Scotoma. A gifted storyteller, Egner’s characters face challenges and often undergo personal transformation as they confront issues in contemporary society. Her stories are about ordinary people who find themselves in adverse circumstances that could face any of us. The choices each makes—and the resulting consequences—weave a tapestry of mystery, intrigue, and romance that will keep the reader wholly absorbed until the last page.Susan Egner proudly supports Operation eBook Drop, which provides free access to uniformed men and women deployed in service overseas. Learn more about Susan Egner on her website, EgnerINK, on Google+, and on Facebook.

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BEN WARREN

by

Susan Egner

BEN WARREN. Copyright © 2014 by Susan Egner. Smashwords Edition

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the author’s written permission. Thank you for purchasing this Susan Egner eBook.

EgnerINK

Cover design by Mike Seale

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.

~Mother Teresa

Be strong but not rude;

Be kind but not weak;

Be bold but not bully;

Be humble but not timid;

Be proud but not arrogant.

~ Zig Ziglar

Dedication

Though many people think that a writer writes to make money, the truth is, a writer writes to be read. Earning an income is a nice, though not always guaranteed, bonus.

In the past two years, thanks to Mike and Jan Seale, I have become a writer with readers. I cannot begin to describe the thrill.

Thank you, Mike, for believing in me and supporting me as an author. You are an amazing editor who has kept my words true. Special thanks to Mike’s wife, Jan, who has been able and always willing to interpret the mysterious language of computers through each book project to the final stage of publication.

I am deeply humbled by all that you both have done for me these past two years.

~ Susan

Table of Contents

Title Page

Foreword

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty-One

Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Three

Chapter Forty-Four

Chapter Forty-Five

Chapter Forty-Six

Chapter Forty-Seven

Chapter Forty-Eight

Chapter Forty-Nine

Chapter Fifty

Chapter Fifty-One

Chapter Fifty-Two

Chapter Fifty-Three

Chapter Fifty-Four

Chapter Fifty-Five

Chapter Fifty-Six

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Chapter Fifty-Nine

About Susan Egner

Other eBooks by Susan Egner

Foreword

To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. ~William Shakespeare

Ben Warren grew up understanding the meaning of accountability for the choices he made, big or small. Following those principles, he became a successful businessman, beloved father, and trusted friend. The values he learned growing up translated into a personal code of conduct to which he was strongly committed in all facets of his life, especially his marriage to Lisa. Then he met and fell in love with Bates Dodge and found his faithfulness as a husband tested beyond the breaking point..

But it was Bates who did what it took to uphold the principles that had served them both so well. Her decision came without warning, and it isolated Ben from her life and her affection. She was determined not to be the reason for the destruction of Ben’s marriage. Her love for him and her self-respect were too strong to allow that to happen. Bates knew that when all was said and done, the values she and Ben shared in common served as a lighthouse beacon to keep their relationship from running aground. They may have briefly gone off course, but their principles—with Bates showing the way—steered them clear of disaster.

Chapter One

Ben Warren learned his first lesson on accountability at the age of seven. He accompanied his mother and sister to the store to buy a birthday present for a party his sister, Haley, was attending.

Can I stay in the sporting goods section while you’re shopping? he asked his mother.

You may, if I have your word you will not wander anywhere else.

I’ll stay right here. I promise.

As his mother and sister boarded the escalator for the upper level of the store, Ben turned down the row dedicated to fishing. He briefly watched a program on a monitor about fishing on Lake Michigan, a lake that covered 22,300 square miles and whose name was believed to come from the Ojibwa word mishigami, meaning great water. It was like going out on an ocean, thought Ben, who had been fishing there for the first time last summer with his father and uncle. It was almost summer now, and soon they would be going again.

He eyed the wide range of fishing tackle as he perused the shelves along the aisle. Even though his uncle preferred a leech on a jig, Ben agreed with his father that there were more exciting choices. He examined the Cordell Wally driver, the Lindy Slick Jig and the Strike King Redeye Shad, but knew that he preferred the Terminator T1 spinner bait. It was the one his dad let him use last summer and he had won the prize for largest catch for his age group.

His uncle had teased him all weekend about being the Fish Terminator, right up until they were home, showing off to his mother and sister. Haley thought they were talking about the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, Terminator. She totally didn’t get it.

He continued to study the variety of paraphernalia related to the sport of fishing, examining tackle boxes, rods and reels, fishing vests and even a fishing boat on display. It was fully geared and seemed to have everything a fisherman could ever want. Most of the items were the most expensive items you could choose, not necessarily making them the best. But on the boat seat, there was a small plastic rectangular gizmo that fascinated him. It was loaded with lures. What a cool idea, he whispered under his breath, as he made his way back down the aisle to look at one more closely. When he found it, he picked up the small package and studied it. It looked like it would hold a dozen lures, yet it was small, flat and compact. Before he even knew why he did it, he pushed a few onto the floor and while he was busy picking them up, he slid one up his pants leg and under his sock.

"You doing okay there, son?’ asked a salesman.

Yes sir, I’m sorry, I knocked a bunch off. I’ll pick them up, I promise.

Nothing to get rattled about, said the salesman, leaning down to give Ben a hand. Do you like to fish?

Yes sir, said Ben, cracking a wide smile.

Have you fished on Lake Michigan? the salesman asked. It was a familiar question for fishermen in the Midwest. People came from all over the United States, even other countries, to fish on the famous Great Lakes.

Yes, sir, said Ben. Last summer was my first time.

How’d you like it?

It was great. It was like being out on the ocean. Not that I’ve ever been on the ocean, but the lake was huge.

It is big, that’s for sure. You’ll have to try Lake Superior next. It’s even bigger.

Excuse me, could someone help me? asked a woman behind the salesman.

The salesman flashed a smile. Be right with you. You okay here, son?

Yes sir, thanks.

As soon as the salesman was out of sight, Ben made a beeline for the closest exit. Though he felt a little guilty about how nice the salesman had been, he could hardly wait to open the package and look more closely at how the holder worked. Unfortunately for him, his mother and sister were descending on the escalator and spotted him leaving the store into the wrong parking lot. Needless to say, it caught their attention.

As he stood hidden between two parked cars and removed his prize, a shadow loomed over him. Looking up, he saw his mother not a foot from his face, hands on her hips, studying him.

I’ll take that, she said, as she steered him and his sister back into the store and out another exit to the appropriate parking lot.

Once they were in the car, his mother turned around in the front seat and glared at him. What do you have to say for yourself, young man?

Head down, he mumbled some kind of apology.

We’re going to stop at McDonald’s for lunch. You can explain it to me then.

Once they had placed their order and taken their seats at a table, he said, I need to go to the bathroom.

When he returned, their lunch had been delivered and they ate in silence.

So, said his mother as she wiped her mouth with her napkin, what did you throw away?

I…I didn’t…

So, if I ask the manager to go into the men’s room and look in the trash, the only thing he’ll find is paper towels? Is that correct? She leaned forward across the table as if to speak only to him, but her words bounced around the room like cymbals.

Ben stared at her, suddenly too ashamed to speak.

Benjamin Michael Warren, you march yourself right in there and get whatever it was you threw away and bring it to me!

When he hesitated, she added, Now! He caught Haley’s eye as she watched the scene with little sister fascination. He fled to the bathroom before she could say anything. When he returned, he laid a small paper instruction book on use of lures on the table in front of his mother and took his seat. She pushed it into her purse and stood.

Let’s go, she said, and he felt like Peter Pan being forced to walk the plank. But that wasn’t the worst of it, not by a long shot.

Once they reached home, he was sent to his room. He paced back and forth the length of his bunk bed, stopping occasionally to stare out the window for a minute. He was in big trouble, he knew that, but what would happen to him?

Ben, get in the car, we’re going to take Haley to her party.

I want to stay home, he called down the stairs.

I said get in the car, please. We’re all going.

Do you mean I have to go to the party, a girls’ party? he asked, barely concealing the revulsion in his voice.

Just get in the car.

To his relief, after dropping Haley off, his mother turned the car in the direction of home, but seven blocks too early, she turned at the corner. Where are we going now? he asked, trying hard to disguise the desperation in his voice. He had had enough errands for one day.

No answer. Ben dipped his head toward the window, watching the familiar buildings of their small town in southern Illinois move past him. Two blocks, and his mother turned left again. To his mounting panic, he realized where she was going.

The police station!

She pulled into the lot and signaled for him to follow her. He walked behind her, back straight, head up—all the appearances of a brave man being led to his death, he thought—if it weren’t for his bottom lip that wouldn’t stop quivering. She opened the door and waited for him to enter first. Inside the Chief of Police waited, as if he’d been told they were coming. Had his mother called him?

The chief signaled for him to go into his office. He followed right behind Ben, closing the door in his mother’s face. Ben’s thoughts tumbled through his head. Was he on his way to juvie? Would he never sleep in his own bed again? Would his sister miss him or would they knock out the wall between their two bedrooms and enlarge her room?

For 30 minutes Chief Raderbacker discussed the crime he had committed. Once the chief seemed certain that Ben had learned his lesson, he spoke into his telephone intercom.

Tell Mrs. Warren she can come in now.

The door opened and in rushed his mother. As she looked at Ben, he saw the concerned expression on her face, but her eyes were loving and forgiving. Well, Mrs. Warren, Ben and I have had a serious talk. Stand up, son, he said.

Ben stood and walked toward his mother, terrified that he might start crying if he didn’t get out of there fast. The chief followed close behind him. Too close, for Ben’s comfort.

This time he’s yours, Mrs. Warren, the chief said, But the next time, the chief dropped his arms around Ben’s shoulders and Ben distinctly heard the clang of a jail cell door closing behind him, he’s mine.

Chapter Two

One year after this episode, Ben lost his mother in a car accident, and his father’s sister, the much-loved Aunt Cece, moved in with them. Aunt Cece guided both Ben and Haley through most of the year that followed as they grieved, always there to reassure and love while at the same time defend and guard their mother’s memory. Though they had always loved their fun-loving aunt, she had come to mean even more to them as their anchor in very difficult times.

Ten years passed, and though Ben experienced minor flare-ups with his father during those years, they never compared to that first experience with his mother when he’d violated that certain trust that exists between parent and child. His father had called it his first lesson of accountability; and through the years, Ben had found out what that meant exactly. Gradually, as he matured, he would determine the likely consequences, or the end result, long before he would take the first step of action. Being held accountable to the police chief was kid’s stuff compared to being held accountable to his father; but the whole experience taught him a lot of important lessons that would become the guiding principles of the successful businessman he would someday become. But the foremost lesson was, choices have consequences: You do not violate the trust of others. You do not break your word. Done. The end.

Ben, are you coming? Aunt Cece called up the stairs.

Ben glanced around the room one last time, suddenly nostalgic about his very typical childhood. Though he’d lost his mother at an early age, while living in this house and in this room, he had done all the things that most kids did. He’d learned to ride a bike; build a fort in the back yard; take innumerable camping trips with his father and uncle; and learned to appreciate his little sister’s intelligence and spirit.

You’re not going to cry, are you? Haley asked as she came out of her bedroom to find him staring into space. She put her arm around him. It was a familiar stance they had somehow acquired shortly after they’d lost their mother. Three years younger, but she always had his back. He pulled her into a neck lock.

We’ll see who cries first, he said. They wrestled playfully, both fully aware of how much the other would be missed.

You two coming or are you going to hitchhike to college? laughed his father from the front entranceway.

We’re coming, Dad, said Haley. Ben had to take pictures of all four walls of his room so he can decorate his dorm room. Don’t forget your teddy bear, Benny.

Haley scrambled down the stairs before Ben caught her, screeching and howling as if he already had. Dad was laughing, but their aunt had a very serious look on her face.

What’s the matter, Aunt Cece? he asked, putting a hand on each of her shoulders when he reached the bottom step.

What? There’s nothing the matter. I was just running a checklist through my head to be sure we haven’t forgotten anything. After all, it is two hundred miles away.

Yep, that’s definitely what she was doing, said Haley, with a knowing look while she handed her aunt a Kleenex. Cece took it and loudly blew her nose.

The two women preceded the men out of the house. Ben’s father stopped him at the door.

You think you’re ready for this? he asked.

Sure, Dad, why?

Just want to remind you to take a minute before you make any decisions. Freedom will hit you with a bit of a rush if you’re not prepared. Remember, there are always consequences to every decision, son.

The two men hugged gruffly.

I’m proud of you, son.

Chapter Three

The family retold family stories and roared with laughter as they drove the two hundred miles to Northwestern University in Chicago. Ben was already anticipating the homesickness that he would feel once they had left but had no idea how deeply it would cut. As they entered the campus area, a sprawling 250 acres in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, he studied other families unloading suitcases and boxes from cars or already saying their goodbyes. The interactions between some families seemed similar to his own while others stood awkwardly as if uncertain why they had even come. He knew he would always be grateful for the family of his birth.

I put money into your bank account, said his father.

You did? I’ve put almost everything I’ve earned this summer into my account. Shouldn’t that be enough?

Well, you’ve never been to college before. You don’t know what things might come up that we haven’t planned on. Just want you to be covered. That doesn’t mean you can go out on a spending spree, said his father as he shook his son’s hand and then pulled him into a fierce bear hug.

Did you put some in my account, too? asked Haley.

I will when you start college. You’ll just have to wait.

Shoot. I was ready to start that spending spree. I could use some new clothes.

You’ll get new clothes for school, Haley; now hug your brother goodbye, said Aunt Cece.

The two hugged and twirled as they often did before ending up in a wrestling match. Better look out for those college girls, she whispered.

They were high school girls last year, he said, freeing her from his embrace to give her a long look.

Don’t do that, don’t do that, said Haley, grabbing a Kleenex from her aunt. "I’m not going to miss you; I’m not going to miss you." She squeezed his arm one more time and walked away toward the car.

Is she going to be all right? he asked.

You two have always been close. It will be an adjustment.

She can call me, he said. Then he called out, You can always call me, Hal.

She raised her hand over her head, her fingers in the familiar gesture for making a call, but she refused to turn around.

Well, we’d better let you get settled. You call if you need anything, said his father.

His aunt stepped in front of him and put her arms around his waist. You have a good time here, Ben, but remember why you’re here. It’s not to party and forget about studying.

I know. I’ll study.

Okay, then, said his father in brusque whisper. Time to be off. It’s 200 miles back.

You be sure to have dinner, said his aunt.

He laughed. I’m not going to starve, Aunt Cece. One last hug and his family was gone.

He pivoted in place, taking a look around his surroundings before he returned to his dorm room to get moved in. The girls' dorm was across the street but down the block. He could see girls hugging their mothers and fathers, some were crying; others looked terrified as they waved goodbye to their families; a few seemed more cavalier. One in particular caught his eye. She was tall and slender, wearing what looked like tennis shorts. She had the body of a tennis player. Her blonde hair was swept back into a long ponytail that reached almost to her waist. She turned as if she felt his eyes on her and their eyes met briefly. She gave him a quirky smile and then gracefully scampered out of sight into the dorm. He turned and walked up the steps into the men’s dorm. His room was on the second floor facing toward the girls’ dorm. That was convenient, he thought. If he ever had a girl friend over there, maybe they’d be able to see each other from their rooms. It made him think of Haley and how they had been able to send Morse code messages with their flashlights; he from his tent