A Secret She Carried

19

"Mommy we are hungry!" Ethan complained as they pulled out of the parking lot. "We'll be home soon honey. I'm sure Stella might have prepared something for us." she said with a small smile on her face. "I doubt that." Bennett said making her turn towards him. "Why do you say that?" she asked confusion clear in her voice.

"Stella has gone home. She got a call from home saying that her husband was ill. So I let her take a couple of days off and go home." he replied with an apologetic look on his face. "That's alright. I just hope he gets well soon." she said as she made a silent prayer.

Bennett glanced at her and guilt swept over him. She was so innocent that she believed his lie without a question. The truth was Stella's husband died a long time back. And he had purposely asked her to take a couple of days off so that he could spend some lone time with Sapphire and his kids.

"But Mommy I'm hungry!" Ethan once again complained making her groan inwardly. God! He was once again in a demanding mode and she knew he wouldn't calm down until he gets what he wants. "Once we get home I'll fix something for everyone. Till then please calm down honey." she pleaded hoping he would understand.

"But mommy I'm hungry." He repeated sounding a lot like his father. "Keep your voice down Ethan." Bennett snapped making the boy immediately shut up. "Is he always like this?" he asked giving her a sideway glance. She shook her head, "Not always."

"Look Ethan, I understand you are hungry. But that's not a way to talk to your mommy." he said in a stern voice. Ethan nodded and started staring out of the window. "Daddy is right Ethan. You should not scold mommy." Ethan just ignored his brother and continued staring out of the window.

Sapphire glanced at her son and sighed. "You made him angry." she said to Bennett. He gave her a sideway glance and once again looked ahead. "He has to know it Sapphire. He can't keep acting like that. He has to learn to behave." he said glancing at him through the rare view mirror.

"I know a great Indian place a couple of blocks from here. We could go there if you like." he suggested after a few minutes of silence. "I think that would be great." she said with a nod. She knew that Bennett loved Indian food and her boys too shared the same taste. " I just hope they like Indian food." he said in an uneasy tone. A smile spread on her face and a soft chuckle escaped her lips.

"They are just like you Bennett. They too love Indian food." a smile broke on his face. "Okay, let me be honest with you. It's a small restaurant nothing fancy but they serve amazing food. And they also happen to be the best in this area." he said as he pulled into a road side parking lot. And killed the engine.

"We are here already?" she asked sounding surprised at how fast they reached. "I said it was just a couple of blocks remember?" he teased as he unbuckled his seat belt and helped her with hers. They both got out of the car and helped their sons get out too. "Where are we going mommy?" Evan asked as he looked up at her with his wide beautiful eyes.

She smiled down at him and said, "We are here for lunch honey." his eyes twinkled at the mention of food. "Mommy can we have Indian food please?" he asked sounding hopeful. She couldn't help but smile at him. "Of course honey." she said gently taking his hand in hers.

She watched Bennett as he scooped an angry Ethan in his arms and couldn't help but smile at how adorable they look together. They were so much alike. Not just the way they looked. But also their nature. She looked down at Evan and yes he too looked like Bennett but he was like her in every sense.

Bennett led them into the small restaurant and her eyes went wide at how crowded the place was. "I didn't expect it to be so crowded. Are we ever going to get a table here?" she asked absent mindedly. He looked down at her and smiled. "These people are known for their hospitality Honey. Nobody goes empty handed from here."