Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we left Mrs. Wolfe and Ben with the possibility that Mrs. Worthe will let Ben talk to Father Lightfoot (Raymond) with the direction to take a nap. Mrs. Worthe took Ben’s phone so he will have no choice but to play whatever song Mrs. Worthe wants to hear. Let’s go back since I see Alexis outsides Ben’s door.
“Psst Ben.”
“Yes, I’m awake. Come in Alexis.”
“How are you, Ben?”
“I’m doing better now that you’re here.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t been to see you sooner, but mom told me you didn’t want to see me.”
“What? That is a lie, Alexis.”
“I figured it was a story that she made up to keep us apart.”
“I don’t understand her at all.’
“That makes two of us. What made you take her up on the offer to come here?”
“You don’t know she threatened me?”
“No. She just told me that you were a sick puppy and that I needed to stay away since you hated me.”
“Hated you. Aw, Alexis, that is so far from the truth.’
“I’m so glad I came in, Ben.”
“Me too. In fact, she told me you didn’t want to see me since I had no money.”
“My love that would never happen.”
“I’m so happy now.”
“So what is your plan?”
“Plan? W-whaddya you mean plan?”
“You must have the plan to get away at the least and maybe a bigger plan to take old moms down.”
“Gee I haven’t given it much thought. I know I want to heal. I did ask your mom if I could talk to Father Lightfoot. I think I need to talk to someone.”
“Who is Father Lightfoot?”
“Didn’t you meet him at the hospital?”
“No. I spent most of the time in the coffee shop.”
“I would have thought your mother would have introduced you.”
“I was pretty upset with the thought you were through with me. Maybe she thought it would not be necessary.”
“Yes, especially if you wanted to talk as well.”
“Talk? About what?”
“Never mind, dear. Could you hand me that water please?”

Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we saw the unthinkable situation where Mrs. Worthe is pretty much taking control of Ben’s life. She insisted that Ben come to her house to recover. The only good thing about this situation is Ben will be able to keep his eye on the family for Father Lightfoot. (Raymond) Let’s go and see how Ben gets settled. (Yes we are jumping right to Mrs. Worthe’s house)

“Now Ben you can consider Mi casa Su casa.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Worthe. I was just wondering.”
“Wondering what Ben dear?”
“I was wondering if Father Lightfoot will be able to visit?”
“Why on earth do you want him to visit? You’re Jewish for heaven’s sake.”
“I know, but he is such a comfort. I think there is only one God after all.”
“You got something going with Raymond?”
“Please, Mrs. Worthe. I’m engaged to Alexis.”
“Yeah well, that may no be for long.”
“W-what are you saying?”
“Alexis is a pretty determined person. She does not suffer losers lightly.”
“Has she said anything?”
“She hasn’t been in to see you has she?”
“No. I thought she was away.”
“Why did you think that?”
“I don’t know. it was the only explanation for not coming in to see me.”
“There you are, Ben. There’s another reason which has escaped your pea brain.”
“She wants to break up?”
“Bingo. We have a winner, winner chicken dinner.”
“Damn. I did not expect that reaction from her.”
“You mean you expected her to hang out with a broke college student who shoots himself?”
“I thought we had a special relationship.”
“Sure you did, Ben. As long as it looked like you may have ten million dollars it was special.”
“Okay, Mrs. Worthe. You win. You win it all. I’m here under your thumb, and my fiancée doesn’t have the guts to come in and tell me we are through. Shows what a loser I am. I need to talk to Raymond and try to find another place to stay.”
“I wouldn’t be mentioning thumb if I were you, Ben. You are going nowhere. Do you have your phone?”
“Huh. Let me check. Where is it?”
“Right here. Now be a good boy and take a nap and maybe later I’ll let you talk to your precious Raymond.”

Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we left Ben concluding a conversation with Father Lightfoot (Raymond). Raymond promised to talk to Mrs. Worthe and let her know Ben kept his mouth shut. Raymond also told Ben he would be in touch to presumably set up a system where Ben can report the comings and goings of Mr. and Mrs. Worthe. I see Mrs. Worthe joining Ben, who is still in the emergency room area. We should go and join them some don’t miss anything.
“Well, well, well.”
“Yes, Mrs. Worthe. What is it?”
“I just talked to Father Lightloafers.”
“Okay. What’s the well, well, well about?”
“You tell me. What do you think it’s about.”
“I have no idea. How could I know what you and Father Lightfoot talked about? I wasn’t there.
“Oh, come on Ben. You must have a clue.”
“I wish I did have a clue. Sorry, I can’t hope to be able to tell you about a conversation that took place out of my earshot.”
“Alright, Ben. I’ll tell you.”
“Don’t hurt yourself okay?”
“Don’t get smart with me young man. The good father said you and he had a nice chat and that it might be right for you to attend church more.”
“Oh how nice of him.”
“He told me that you and he had a little conversation about religion.”
“I suppose me telling him I’m Jewish might have touched on religion.”
“What he didn’t talk about was explosives.”
“Why would he talk about explosives?“
“He wouldn’t unless you brought u[ the subject.”
“Well, I didn’t.”
“I guess not. Good for you.”
“Yeah, your threats caused me to hold my tongue.’
“Good boy. I knew you were a smart one.”
“What now?”
“We need to see the doctor and find out what they are going to do with you.”
“I hope I can stay a couple of days.’
“Why on earth would you want to stay?”
“For one thing, I know I can watch my thumb closer here.”
“Oh, Ben. You are such a jokester. Your thumb will be perfectly safe at my house.”
“Your house? I want to go to my place.”
“Sorry. Out of the question Ben. I need to help you get better.”
“And keep an eye on me?”
“Well, that too. “
“Boy, this just keeps on getting better and better.”
“Aw, dear Ben. You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Wednesday Story Time again. Last week we were surprised to find out that Father Lightfoot was, in fact, a FBI agent. I think Ben is in a bit of hot water since he unloaded the fact that he had planned to blow up the Student Union. I’m not sure but to the agent, this might sound like terrorism. Let’s go back to the hospital and see what is happening next.

“Yes, sir. I’m with the FBI. Now tell me a little more about this plan of Mrs. Worthe’s.”
“Gee father… er …Mr. Lightfoot. Do you think I need a lawyer?”
“You can call me Raymond, Ben. Why would you think you need a lawyer?”
“Well, I just told you I was going to blow up the Student Union. That’s a crime, and you are a FBI agent.”
“All true Ben. If you want to get a lawyer you sure can do that and we can stop talking right now.”
“You sound like there is an ‘or’ in there somewhere.”
“You are pretty perceptive Ben. There is an ‘or.”’
“What is it?”
“Well, we have had our eye on the Worthes for some time. They have been doing some strange things with offshore savings accounts. These activities seem not consistent with law-abiding behavior.”
“What do you think they’re doing?”
“We are not one-hundred percent sure. In fact, we have several agencies involved.”
“Several organizations?”
“Yes. As you know, the Worthes are authorized by the ATF to supply demolition materials for construction companies.”
“ATF?”
“Sorry. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. These are the guys responsible for policing the laws connected with these items. Explosives fall under the firearms section. The Treasury Department is interested in the money flow overseas.”
“Anyone else.”
“Yeah, Homeland Security is interested in the source of the money. The IRS is interested in taxes on the money. The CIA is wondering who is paying the money.”
“Is everyone standing in line?”
“No. The first line of the investigation rests with the FBI. We are authorized domestically and will be the liaison to the others. So here is the deal, Ben. You help us, and we will help you.”
“W-what do you want to know?”
“We want to know everything you know and then we want you to find out what is going on.”
“You expect me to spy on the Worthes?”
“Well, ‘spy’ is a harsh word. Let’s just say we would like you to report what is going on.”
“You know Mrs. Worthe doesn’t trust me. Right?”
“No, I did not know that. Hmmm, maybe we have the wrong person.’
“No, wait. I may have overstated the situation.”
“So what is it?”
“She wants to take my thumb to ensure that I don’t talk to anyone about what I know.”
“Oh, that. I’ll just tell her you didn’t say anything. She’ll believe me and then I think you will be good to go. No more talk now. We will be in touch.”
“How do you know she didn’t overhear this conversation?”
“The orderly outside works for me. I have texted him to get Mrs. Worthe now. I will have a private conversation with her. I’ll see you later.”

Wednesday Story Day time again. Last week we were introduced to Father Lightfoot the priest that Ben had requested earlier. Mrs. Worthe points out to the priest that Ben has been restrained by the hospital staff and could be insane. To add a little spice to the scene, Ben declares Mrs. Worthe to be the devil. Such a statement does not go a long way in convincing others that he is normal. Let’s go back and see how the priest reacts to this scene.

“I’m sorry my boy, but your statement about the devil and Mrs. Worthe leads me to believe you have some problems that need attention.”
“You can help can’t you father?”
“Well I can certainly pray for you, but my speciality is not mental illness.”
“I’m not mentally ill.”
“So says the boy strapped to a gurney. Come on father we are wasting time here. This person needs some professional help.”
“Just a minute Mrs. Worthe. Let me say a prayer for Ben.”
“Knock yourself out, father. He is so far gone I think drugs will be the course of treatment here.”
“I understand Mrs. Worthe. If you could leave us for a moment. I would like to concentrate on a healing message.”
“Sure father. By the way does your Parrish have any special needs that I could help with a donation?”
“Let’s talk a little about that after I finish with Ben.”
“Suit yourself. I’ll be right outside. Take care Ben. Don’t forget we all love you. Oh yes and Mr. Thumb was asking for you. I’ll call and tell him you are doing fine. Bye now.”
“Mr. Thumb? Is that why you are confused about Mrs. Worthe and your thumb.”
“Father. Listen to me. She mentioned thumb to remind me of her threat to cut mine off if I talk.”
“Oh now come on my son. How would she do that to you? There are too many witnesses here.”
“She will wait until everyone is gone. Then she will attack.”
“Let us pray, my son.”
“No father you must help me. Give me three minutes and then if you still think I’m crazy, you can just forget what I tell you. If that his the case then you need to tell Mrs. Worthe that I said nothing. How about it?”
“Well, I guess three minutes can’t hurt.”
“Thank you, father. Let me start at the beginning.”
“Yes, my son. Start at the beginning.”
“Alexis. Uh, Mrs. Worthe’s daughter and I decided to blow up the Student Union at the University.”
“Okay, Ben. I think you should stop right there and let me do the praying.”
“W-why father?”
“Do you realize what you just said is crazy talk.”