Mustard on Top by Wanda Degolier Page A

ask-for-forgiveness-not-for-permission theory and hoped she hadn’t already bought the items herself.
    Ben recalled the prior evening and smiled. Over candlelight, soda, and pizza, Ben, Theo, and Helen had shared something that almost felt normal. Ben told humorous stories of his youth while Theo did the same. For good measure Theo tossed in stories about Helen’s embarrassing moments: a hot dog recipe gone awry, the time she’d thrown her car keys in the dumpster and had to get inside to retrieve them, how she’d called a customer the wrong name so many times that others jokingly began to call him the wrong name as well. They’d all laughed.
    Ben pulled the truck to a stop in front of Helen’s home at six o’clock. Minutes later he hefted a package of roofing shingles onto one shoulder. Its weight, biting into his neck, reminded him of the difference he was making in Helen’s and Theo’s lives.
    He hauled the shingles up the ladder and set them on the roof. One after another, up the packages went. Ben’s legs stung and his back ached, but he wanted to accomplish something before the sun set. Ben climbed atop the roof and extracted the nails that held the shingles in place. He pulled a tile free, tossed it aside, and moved onto the next. The shingles scratched his hands and ripped the knees of his jeans. He needed gloves and kneepads. He’d get them later.
    He worked through dusk. Using the smear of light that remained, Ben crawled across the rooftop to where he’d stashed the tarp. He was dragging one corner toward him when the sound of a nearby voice made him jump. Helen’s head, cloaked in near darkness, floated above the roofline.
    “What did you say?” he asked.
    “I asked, ‘What do you think you’re doing?’”
    Ben tried to lighten the situation. “Is this a trick question?” Wanting to read her facial expressions, Ben dropped the tarp, and scooted toward her.
    “What makes you think you can repair my roof? I didn’t give you permission.”
    Ben decided to tell the truth. He hoped Helen’s generosity would extend to indulging his needs. “I’m doing this for myself.”
    Helen’s forehead bunched like an accordion. “Why? Because you feel guilty?”
    “I want to make an impact while I’m in Nalley.”
    “You can’t change the past?”
    “I know.”
    “Or the future? You’re leaving in less than two weeks.”
    She was right, he’d acted irrationally. “All I can say is when I saw Theo…” Ben couldn’t find the right words. “Something melted.” A piece of his life had shifted into place. The discontent that had stirred within him all his adult life had calmed. How could he explain that?
    The lines on Helen’s face softened. “Theo is easy to like, but that doesn’t mean you can trespass on my home and make repairs I didn’t ask for.”
    Ben drew in a deep breath. “Let me help you with this. Please, Helen.”
    “Why? To impress Theo for a week and then disappear?”
    “I’m not going to disappear. I plan to be part of Theo’s life.”
    Helen frowned.
    “You’re running a business and going to school. Theo works and is trying to repair his car. You’re both busy. I have the time and the money to do this. Plus I want to,” Ben said.
    “You are exasperating.” Helen pinched the bridge of her nose. “We are not a charity case.”
    “You know I don’t think you are.”
    “Besides, I have insurance.”
    Ben decided not to point out her insurance wasn’t covering much. “So keep the money.” With the fading light, Ben couldn’t read her expression.
    “How do I know you have the money?”
    “Speaking of money.” Ben contemplated telling Helen what had happened to all the payments he’d sent. He opted to tell her another time, when she was sitting down. “Consider this back child support.”
    Helen harrumphed.
    Ben continued. “For the last ten years, I’ve amassed a small fortune. I’ve worked day and night trying to forget I had a son I’d never seen. I