Ben's Gift Chapter Ten
By Lyle Benton
Shaken from his deep thoughts. Ben replied, "Well, he told me some things about you."
"About me? What did he say about me?" Berto wanted to know.
"Actually, it wasn't about you, specifically. It was about your family."
"Mi familia? Do you mean Mama?" Ben saw the faint glimmer of hope in Bertos' eyes. Something he had not seen in years since Manuella had been lost in a plane crash years before.
"No, mi Corazon, not your mother. I wish, for the millionth time that she was still with us. I loved her and miss her so much."
Berto looked puzzled. "I do not understand. I have no other family, Ben."
"According to the Padre, Berto, you do. Or at least you did."
Berto's eyes opened wide and he tried to sit straight up. "Que?" He immediately felt paid and winced.
Ben jumped up and gently retained Berto. "You have to lay still, Berto. Miguel said you need to rest for a few days."
Berto nodded and the pain eventually eased. He looked imploringly at Ben through tear-filled eyes. "Please tell me what you are talking about."
"You had a brother, Berto." Ben explained.
Berto's eyes opened widely, but he remained still. "Mama had another son? She never told me this? What happened to him? Was he older than me. I would have remembered another nino."
"No, no. You are your mother's only son. He had the same father as you."
"You know who mi Papa was? Oh Ben! Please tell me. I always wanted to know!"
"I only know his name. He left Santa Rosalia many years ago."
"Why did he leave? Where did he go? What is his name, and what about mi hermano?"
"Your brother died, Berto, but you did know him."
"Who was he? What happened to him?" Berto was anxious to know.
Ben took his hand again. "Your brother died saving your life. Berto, the Padre was your brother."
Berto went silent, then asked, "The Padre? How can this be? Why did he never tell me?"
Ben replied. "Your mother asked him not to. I understand that there was a very big scandal involving your father and her. That's why he left. They wanted it to be a secret who your father was. They wanted it to seem that your mother had a husband who died before you were born."
Berto nodded his understanding. "And the Padre stayed. Why?"
"Because he loved you, Berto, And he wanted to watch out for you." Ben squeezed his hand gently.
Tears filled Bert's eyes and overflowed down his cheeks. "I loved him, too."
"I know you did. He knew it too." Ben brushed the tears away.
After a short time, Berto sniffed and asked, "What about my father? Do you know where he is? Do you know his name?
Ben told him the name, but he could tell Berto had now knowledge of who it was. "I don't know where he is, Berto. Do you want to try and find him?"
Berto thought about it, then decided. "Si, I think I would like to try"
"Okay." Agreed Ben. "As soon as you are better, we'll see what we can do. Understand that nobody has heard from him for a long time. I can't promise you that we will find him."
"I understand, Ben. But I would like to try." Berto was looking very tired.
Ben stood and kissed Berto's forehead. "We will. I promise. Right now you have to rest and get better for me, okay"
"Si, Ben. I am very tired. Will you be here when I wake up?"
Ben looked into the dark eyes that he had loved for such a long time. "Yes. I may go and see Carla and the babies, but I will be right back. Here..."
Ben took Berto's cell phone from his jacket pocket and put it into Berto's hand. He didn't know for sure if Berto was allowed to have it or not, but it was always better to ask for forgiveness than it was to ask for permission. "You can call me if I am not here when you wake up."
"Gracias. I love you." Berto's eyes were getting droopy."
"I love you, too." Ben kissed his lips. "Get some sleep now."
When Berto's breathing became slow and shallow, Ben knew he was asleep and likely would be for a while. He took the opportunity to quietly leave the room. He checked out at the nurses station and gave them his cell number, making them promise to contact him if Berto awoke or if there were any problems.
Ben felt like taking a walk outside. His mind was reeling. He had just all but promised his lover that he would find his long-lost father. How was he supposed to do that and what if he failed. What if his father couldn't be found, or didn't want to be? What if he was no longer alive?
Yeah, a lot of you thought the Padre was Berto's father. More to come. I always enjoy hearing from my readers. My new email is hastingslyle@gmail.com