What They Left Behind

Charlene’s tutoring worked. On the second quarter report card, Ben got all C’s. Gennie was doing better too, getting mostly B’s. They celebrated by going out to The Franciscan Restaurant. On Monday, Ben seemed unusually happy. He insisted on making a special dinner and was very talkative.

  “Something good happen at school?” Malcolm asked as they sat down to eat.

  Ben shrugged. “Not really, except they’re having auditions for a play the sophomore class is putting on.”

  “Romeo and Juliet? What’s so special about that?” Gennie said.

  “Well, Charlene told me last week that she’s trying out for the part of Juliet.”

  Gennie rolled her eyes. Ben’s crush on Charlene was getting old quickly. He tried to sit at a table near Charlene’s at lunchtime just so he could look at her. He asked during one of their tutoring sessions what her parents’ names were and looked up their address in the phone book so he could send her anonymous love letters. He also found out Charlene’s favorite thing to do was roller skate, so practically every Sunday he took the bus to Golden Gate Park to watch Charlene skate near the Conservatory of Flowers. Every day his infatuation with her became more consuming and it bothered Gennie because she knew he didn’t stand a chance. She had a boyfriend already, the most popular sophomore in school. He was rich, handsome and athletic. Gennie didn’t understand why Ben focused so much on Charlene. Why couldn’t he pick another girl he could actually date?

  “I didn’t know you were interested in acting,” Malcolm said.

  “He isn’t,” Gennie replied, “he’s just doing it because Charlene’s trying out.”

  “I guess you two have become really good friends,” Colleen said.

  “Yeah, a little bit. I figure if I can get a part in the play, then we can go to rehearsals together and we’ll get a chance to talk about something other than homework.”

  Gennie wanted to smack him upside the head. “Isn’t her boyfriend going to try out too? I imagine she wants him to be Romeo.”

  “He can’t because of the baseball schedule. That’s what I heard in the locker room anyway.”

  “Well, good luck with the play,” Malcolm said, not sounding too hopeful about his prospects.

  Ben’s face turned red. “So…you all think I don’t stand a chance, huh?”

  “Calm down, Ben. Nobody said that,” Malcolm replied.

  “You didn’t have to say it,” Ben said pointedly at Gennie. “I know that’s what you’re thinking.”

  “Ben…” Gennie said, exasperated, “you’re not being realistic. We know why you want to try out for the play and it’s not going to work, even if you do get the part of Romeo.”

  “Oh, you’re saying I’m a loser and I’m not good enough for her?”

  “No, I’m saying it’s not going to work so don’t get your hopes up.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “Ben, Gennie…you need to talk about something else,” Malcolm said sternly.

  Ben looked like he was about to explode. “Can I be excused from the table? I don’t feel like eating anymore.”

  Malcolm sighed. “All right. You can finish your dinner later.”

  No one said anything as Ben’s footsteps pounded down the hallway and he slammed his bedroom door behind him.

  “Should I go and talk to him?” Colleen asked.

  “No, hon, I don’t think that will help,” Malcolm said.

  “Don’t worry. He’ll get over it eventually,” Gennie replied.

  Chapter 15: February 10