It was a dreary morning with a light mist falling from the gray sky. The weather matched Ben’s mood as he sat at the table pushing the food around his plate. _The way the syrup drips off the waffle reminds me of the blood splatter on our kitchen walls…_ He set the fork down noisily and let out a long sigh. “How’s your mom doing?” Rayvin asked as a look of concern spread across her face. Ben looked up. “Same ol’ same ol’. Her mind is still broken. When I visited her in the ward yesterday, she didn’t say a word. She just stared out the window. The doctor said they’re not sure what’s wrong with her. She should’ve healed by now from the concussion.” “I’m sorry, Ben. That’s got to be rough to see your mom like that.” Devin said gently.  “Yeah it is… The cuts and bruises are mostly healed. It’s just her mind that hasn’t recovered yet,” Ben scooted his chair away from the table. “May I be excused?”  “Of course. You don’t have to ask, Ben.” Devin reminded him gently.  “Sorry.” Ben stammered. Living with loving adults who were in full control of their faculties was an adjustment. He wasn’t used to being treated as an equal. “Hey hon?” Rayvin called after Ben. “Yes?” Ben replied from the kitchen, where he was clearing his plate. “Devin and I were talking last night, and we think you and Kevin need to go on a trip - to get away for a few days.” She looked lovingly at Ben and then Kevin.  “We love you both so much and Ben we are heartbroken at what has happened to you. We think you both need a bit of a break. A change of scenery could do wonders,” Devin continued as he set down his coffee. Ben wandered back into the dining room and looked cautiously at Rayvin.  “What kind of trip?” “You can take the truck to the coast. We got you a nice room in a charming hotel right on the ocean. Two nights and three days.” Kevin gasped and took Ben’s hand. “Oh gosh, wouldn’t it be wonderful, Ben?! When was the last time you went to the coast?”  “Ummm, never actually.” Ben replied matter-of-factly.  “What!? You’ve never been to see the Pacific Ocean? Well, what do you think?” Kevin replied, looking hopefully at Ben. Ben stared at the floor for a moment.  _A trip to the California coast would be nice._  _Perhaps a change of pace would help me decompress a bit._  _Plus it would be really nice to get away with Kevin - just the two of us…_   “Okay, I guess so. When should we leave?” A slight smile spread across Ben's face causing his sullen and ashen white face to brighten slightly. “Well it’s a long drive from Fresno to Pfeiffer Beach,” Devin’s father began. “I would suggest you leave after breakfast.”  The idea of a vacation brightened up Ben’s demeanor immensely, and for the first time in weeks, he smiled. “Okay… It does sound really nice. Thank you so much!” Ben said as he gave Rayvin a hug and then Devin.  “Let’s go pack!” Kevin said gleefully as he stood up from the table and ran towards the stairs.  Ben was close on his heels as the two boys thundered up the stairs, excited to start packing for their impromptu excursion. “What should we bring?” Ben asked Kevin, who was rummaging around in the closet for something.  “Geez, I don’t think we need much. A few pairs of shorts and shirts, a light jacket for the chilly evenings, and a toothbrush and toothpaste.” “What about shoes?”  “Sandals will be fine, I think.” “Okay, that’s easy enough…” Ben said as he sorted through the new clothes Kevin’s parents had bought him.  “Here, toss your things in my duffle,” Kevin offered as he tossed it into Ben’s bedroom. “There’s plenty of room.” A few minutes later, the boys clambered into the truck and backed it down the long driveway.  “Goodbye, Mom and Dad. Love you, see you in a few days!” Kevin yelled from the window. In the side mirror, Ben could see Rayvin and Devin standing on the front porch, waving goodbye. He stuck his hand out the window and waved back. Then they rounded the corner, and his adopted parents disappeared out of sight. ![[asi-i-thePoet.jpg]] “How about we listen to some music?” Kevin offered as he flipped through his phone and queued up a road trip playlist. Ben smiled in reply. The sun was out now, and the sky was a bright blue. _The wind feels so good on my face,_ Ben thought as he rested his chin on the windowsill. A moment later, he felt Kevin’s hand on his back.  _It’s such a lovely spring day. Look at the hills! They’re covered in green grass and wildflowers!_  “Traffic is light this morning. We’re making good time. We should be at the coast in another hour or so,” Kevin reported as he merged off the main highway and headed due west on a smaller byway. _The landscape is changing,_ Ben noticed. _At first, it was farm fields with almonds, tomatoes, and lettuce growing as far as the eyes could see… Now we’re headed into the heart of the Diablo Range!_ Then, as they crested a rise in the road, a sprawling lake appeared before them. “Can we stop to snap a few photos?”  “Sure thing!” Kevin replied as he pulled off the road.  “The dark blue of the water against the bright sky is gorgeous!” Ben exclaimed. “That’s what I love about you Ben. You help me see and appreciate the natural beauty of this world.” Kevin hopped back in the truck, after a few quick photos, and continued down the road. As they traveled further west the landscape became more dramatic with rolling grassland and plateaus, punctuated by isolated peaks interspersed with dry creek beds filled with boulders and gravel. The hills were painted in greens and dotted with dark green majestic live oak trees. When they came around a bend in the road, suddenly, there before them lay the Pacific Ocean.  Ben gasped in awe. It was much grander than he had imagined. The air smelled sweet, and the breeze was sticky with salt. Kevin pulled over at the first turnout. Not bothering to remove their sandals, they walked hand in hand through the sand and into the surf. “Geez, that water sure is cold, maybe fifty degrees!” Kevin yelped in shock as he scampered out of the water and up the beach. “Looks like we’ll be swimming in the pool most of this trip!”  Ben smiled at Kevin, waded out up to his knees, and stopped to feel the sand running through his toes.  A little farther out he spotted a raft of sea otters drifting, diving, and feeding in the mats of kelp. When the cold became too much to bear, he waded out of the water and took Kevin’s hand. Together, they walked back to their parked truck. “So what do you think of the ocean?” Kevin asked as he studied Ben’s face. “It’s absolutely breathtaking. I could feel its power pulsing through me as I stood there in the surf. The whole place is just spectacular…” Ben’s voice trailed off as he turned to look back at the ocean. “It’s almost like I’m coming home. Like this is where I truly belong -  <center style="font-style: italic">‘I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,</center> <center style="font-style: italic">And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,</center> <center style="font-style: italic">And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,</center> <center style="font-style: italic">And a gray mist on the sea's face,</center> <center style="font-style: italic">And a gray dawn breaking.’”</center> “What was that?” Kevin asked, his mouth agape. “It’s a poem by John Masefield.” “I didn’t know you were into poetry?” Kevin exclaimed. “Well yeah, I guess…” Ben stammered as his face turned red. “Ben, you certainly are full of surprises,” Kevin pulled him close and kissed him. ### Next Chapter: [[8 - Impact 🌊]] ### Previous Chapter: [[6 - The Shotgun and the Swing 🐜]]