“Mr. and Ms. Lodge, I am sorry to say that your son was unable to meet requirements of our university and there is nothing we can do about it”.
Sebastian and Margaret stared at each other first and then at the admissions officer.
“What seems to be the problem, sir?” Margaret asked desperately.
The man sighed and leaned back in his chair. He hated this part of the job and he really didn’t have the time for this.
“Ms. Lodge, his past grades signify a poor performance and he did not do well in the entrance test. How do you expect us to accept a student who barely managed to clear high school?”
“Excuse me, sir. Don’t you think you’re being a little harsh on our boy?”
Sebastian was starting to lose his temper and the other two occupants in the room sensed it.
“Mr. Lodge, I’m only stating the truth. He may be capable of other things but studying does not appear to be his forte. You know it better than anybody else”.
“Stop criticizing him or I’ll file a complaint against you”.
“Sebastian”
Margaret hissed, trying to put on her best smile. The man looked at her in the eye.
“Please, Mr. Carlson”. He shook his head.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Lodge. I can compromise, but not to this extent. Also, I don’t want to sound disrespectful but young Bennington clearly has no future”.
Hearing this, Margaret broke down in tears and she had to be escorted out of the by an infuriated Sebastian. Carlson sighed and returned to his paperwork. One down, twelve more to go, he thought.
At the Lodge residence
A rather subdued and white-faced Ben listened gravely to his mother as she explained everything to him. He bit his lip and drew blood, indicating his bitterness towards his father.
“You tried your best, mother. I cannot thank you enough” he said, hugging her.
She sniffed loudly and held on to him, the scent of his lemony aftershave lingering in her nose. She knew that he was a big, fine young man even if he was not well educated.
“I’m twenty four, mother. Old enough to work. Not being able to go to college doesn’t bother me in the least bit because I know I can do other things. At least I cleared high school!” he said, trying to sound confident.
Margaret nodded.
“But first, I need to talk to dad. There are a lot of questions and he’s the one who’s going to provide me with the answers”.
“What, Benny? You can ask me”
Margaret said, getting tensed again. She didn’t want her son to get into a fight with her husband and Ben looked murderous at the moment.
“Relax, mother. I just want some answers, that’s all”.
“He’s in the den” Margaret said reluctantly.
“Thanks, ma. I’ll be right back” Ben assured her. He knew what he had to do.
Sebastian looked ugly and full of hate as he smoked his tobacco pipe. He was already burdened with red-tape when Ben marched in.
“What brings you here, son?” he asked, clearly surprised.
“Tell me more about those three stones, dad. I want answers now” Ben demanded.
Sebastian’s mouth dropped open and the pipe fell to the floor. He picked it up hastily.
“It’s not the right time, Ben. I’m busy”.
“Your work can wait, dad. Your riches can. My future should be your main concern right now. Tell me, dad. You told me that they were from grandpa. Where did he get them from?”
Ben looked so excited that Sebastian wanted to flee from the scene.
“I don’t remember. Now, will you let me think?”
“Give it a rest, dad. We’re going to have a serious father-son conversation right here and right now”.
Sebastian smiled grimly. He knew that his son was not the Little Ben he used to know. Instead, he was a troubled young man who did not know what to do with his life.
“What’s the matter, dad? Are you hiding something from me?” Ben asked, getting suspicious.
“No, son” Sebastian answered indifferently.
“Well?” Sebastian rose from the couch and continued smoking his pipe.
“We’ll discuss it some other time, son. I have to go”.
“Where?”
“An important client is expecting me at the office”.
The look in his father’s eyes told Ben everything. Sebastian walked by and patted him on the shoulder.
“There, there. There’s a time and place for everything, my boy. You think too much. I even believe that it is the cause of your misfortune and unhappiness. Life is short, Ben. Enjoy it while you can. People from our generation are getting on, boy. Make your mark in the world. It’s waiting for you. Also, forget the past and concentrate on the future. Unsolved mysterious should be buried once and for all”.
Ben realized what was being said. He knew that his father was a secretive and crafty man. Sebastian left the room, hoping that his troubles were over.
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