It is Wednesday Story Day again which means we have to go back there and check on Mrs. Worthe and Ben (Please don’t make me.) Last week we left Ben in a position where he was offered a fifty-thousand dollar payoff if he would go with the Worthe’s to the Cayman Islands. Mrs. Worthe asked him to step in the house so she could get the money. The last line spoken last week was by Ben and he said, “After you Mrs. Worthe.”
“Why thank you, Ben. You are such a gentleman after all.”
“Truth be told I don’t want to turn my back on you .”
“Now there you go you, naughty boy. Being rude again.”
“Well, I calls em as I sees em.”
“Cute. Where did you get that one an old Gabby Hayes movie?”
“Who?”
“Never mind. Stay here I’ll get the money.”
“OMG look who’s here.”
“Hi, Alexis. How are you?”
“Just fine Ben. Mom told me you had gone away.”
“She could only hope.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Your mom has invited me to the Cayman’s?”
“No way.”
“Yes, way. She wants me to come with you guys and soak up a little sun before she eliminates me.”
“Don’t talk silliness. She’s not going to hurt you.”
“Well, I have to beg to differ. She is in the bedroom getting $50,000 for me. It’s an incentive to get me to go.”
“Fifty thousand? How about us. Isn’t that incentive enough.”
“You told me to get lost.”
“My mom told me you told her that you didn’t want to see me anymore.”
“As I said it was a lie.”
“Let’s not fight, Ben. After all, we have a whole month together. Who knows what can happen.”
“You give up your nun vows?”
“You bad boy. I wasn’t talking about that. I was talking about the beach, pool, and nightclubs.”
“Yeah, I could have guessed.”
“Who is that coming up the walk. Why it’s Father Lightfoot. What do you suppose brings him here.”
“Not sure. I have a feeling it’s going to be an expensive visit, though.”

Well, it is Wednesday again and time to lift our weary bones and stagger back to see what the Worthe’s and Ben are up to this week. You will recall that Ben got a hold of some gasoline and was throwing it around the garage to the point that the Worthe’s could smell it inside the house. Mr. Worthe forgot about it and warned that Ben could start a fire with the spark kit that came with the propane torch. So let’s see what is going on.
“Ben you dear boy. What are you doing?”
“Mrs. Worthe I’m going to burn this place down if you don’t let me go.”
“Ben don’t be a fool. If you ignite that gasoline, I’ll simply slam this door, and you will be like a chicken in a covered grill.”
“Yeah, but the police and fire department might want to ask you how the chicken and the gas got into what passes for a bomb shelter.”
“You don’t have the guts to incinerate yourself, you little dweeb.”
“I know this much, you bitch. The time it takes to snuff me will be nothing compared to the time you’ll spend in the big house for murder.”
“Oh please. Aren’t you being a little bit too dramatic. Put down that spark thingy and come inside.”
“Then what, Mrs. Worthe? You and your family take off for the Cayman’s, and I do what?”
“Please come inside. I think it would be lovely if you join us in the Cayman’s. Wouldn’t you like to get a little rest? Sit by the pool perhaps? Have a few drinks?”
“When are you going to get rid of me?”
“You have my word. We won’t get rid of you.”
“What about this starve to death plan you put in place with this bunker here.”
“We were going to call someone after we got clear of the US.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Your choice. You coming in?”
“I’m a little unsure. I know there are a lot of people rooting for me to get the better of you.”
“People? What people? Are you nuts?”
“Never mind. They are there and if I come in they will certainly lose faith in me.”
“Now you are raving like a lunatic. I’ll give you fifty thousand dollars if you go with us.”
“Uh. When will I get the money.”
“Come into the house and I’ll give it to you. It is in the back bedroom.”
“After you Mrs. Worthe.”

College Costs

Wednesday is story time again. Last week we left Ben after Trudy ordered him to the kitchen. She has something on her mind as a way to prove Ben’s loyalty. I don’t know about you, but I was so glad to get out of the bedroom that I raced ahead to see what Trudy had in store for Ben. I think a bunch of us think Ben is useless, and this may be a divining moment where he proves once and for all if he has what it takes to overcome Trudy and her nest. (not a typo) So I’m in the kitchen and here comes Trudy.
“Alexis get in here.”
“Geez mom. Why are you yelling?”
“That stupid boyfriend of yours just tried to seduce me.”
“W-what? God , mom you are old enough to be his m—”
“I know. You don’t think that creeps me out?”
“Are you sure. You know you always think people are hitting on you.”
“He was naked in bed and invited me to join him.”
“OMG. Why on Earth would he invite you into his bed.”
“Well, for one reason I’m still a good-looking woman. For another he has some plot up his sleeve.”
“Plot? What kind of plot?”
“I think he is in with that priest Father Lightfoot. I’m not even sure he’s a priest.”
“What would they want?”
“I’m thinking they want to gather information on your father and me.”
“Information? What kind of information?”
“How do I know? We are powerful people and targets for extortion schemes.”
“Wow. What can we do?”
“I want you and your father to take a little trip.”
“A trip? Where ?”
“You and he need to go to the Cayman Islands and check on our accounts.”
“The Cayman Islands? You have offshore accounts?”
“Please Alexis. This is no time to start to be interested in our finances. Yes, we have offshore accounts and you and your dad need to go and check to see if anyone has been asking the bank about them and then pull the funds.’
“Pull the funds? What are we going to do with a bunch of money in the Cayman’s?”
“I have a plan and your father will brief you on the way. Now go and pack. I need to talk to your dad. Oh, you may be gone for a few weeks so pack accordingly.”
“Mom. I don’t like this at all.”
“Go Alexis, honey. It will be all right. Oh look who’s here. Ben.”
“Hi, Alexis.”
“Hi Ben. Gotta go. bye.”

Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we left Ben and Trudy clutching each other as if they were going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Ben has some plan whereby he and Mrs. Worthe can carry out an affair without Mr. Worthe finding out. I suppose we have to go back there, but I swear I’m going to need a shower after this visit.
“So Ben. How can we fool Robert.”
“Robert? Who’s Robert?”
“Mr. Worthe.”
“Oh, Robert. Well, I think rather than trying to fool him we busy him out with something to do. You know, send him on an errand. Like overseas. Don’t you have some things needing attention overseas?”
“Hmm. Let me think. Yes, we have some accounts in the Cayman Islands that could be checked.”
“That’s it then. Send him to the Cayman’s and you and I can do what we please. When he comes back, we’ll cool it so he’ll never know.”
“You know Ben that just might work. I think I can convince him to take a couple of weeks and have a nice rest while he is checking on our accounts.”
“That’s the spirit, Trudy. When do you think he can leave?”
“What’s the hurry?”
“I’m just excited to get to know you better. I can hardly wait.”
“There is another consideration.”
“What’s that?”
“Alexis.”
“Yeah, I think she should go with Robert. Sort of a father-daughter holiday.”
“Oh, my goodness. That will be perfect. You are quite the schemer aren’t you.”
“I have an incentive to think clearly.”
“And what’s that?”
“You in my arms and my heart.”
“I must say I love hearing that even though I know you are less than sincere.”
“Trudy. How can you say such a thing? I have a passion for you.”
“Mr. Worthe isn’t the only one who can pick up little signs.”
“Trudy, you’re hurting my feelings.”
“Cross me and you’ll be hurting in more places than feelings.”
“Aw, give me a hug Trudy.”