Chapter Twenty – A Quiet Night

The smell of old wood and coffee lingered in the air as Ben closed the door behind him. The house was dim, the only light coming from the kitchen where his dad sat at the table, staring into a cup that had probably gone cold.

"Hey, Dad," Ben said softly, dropping his bag near the couch.

Jack looked up, managing a tired smile. "Hey, kiddo. How was school?"

Ben shrugged, grabbing two sodas from the fridge. He placed one in front of his father and took the seat across from him. "Same as always. Though… actually, something different happened."

Jack raised an eyebrow, interested but still weighed down by whatever was eating at him. His eyes were a little red, like he hadn't slept properly. Again.

Ben nudged the soda toward him. "New guy. Name's Ryan. Quiet type. Kinda intense."

Jack gave a small chuckle. "Sounds like someone I used to know."

Ben smiled. "He's cool, though. There was this moment in the cafeteria—some guy told me to move, Ryan stood up for me. We talked after that. I think we might actually be friends."

Jack nodded slowly, the smile lingering for a second longer. "That's good. You need someone like that around."

Ben tilted his head, studying his dad. "You okay?"

Jack hesitated. His fingers wrapped around the soda can, but he didn't open it. "Yeah. Just… it's been a year today."

Ben didn't need him to explain. He knew. A year since his mom left. A year since she walked out of their lives without a proper goodbye.

"I'm sorry," Ben said quietly.

Jack shook his head. "It's not your fault. You've been holding this place together more than I have lately."

Ben reached across the table and gave his dad's hand a quick squeeze. "We're holding it together. Together."

Jack gave a small, grateful nod. "So this Ryan… think he's sticking around?"

Ben grinned. "I think he's the type who doesn't want to. But life has other plans."

Jack looked at his son for a long moment. "Sounds like someone I used to be."

Ben smirked. "Maybe you two should talk sometime. You'd get along."

Jack leaned back in his chair, a little less heavy now. "Maybe we will."

And for the first time in a while, the silence in the kitchen wasn't sad—it was peaceful.