A text with an apology doesn’t feel like enough…
So I head over to Ben’s house.
On the way I think about what I want to say…
Yes, he’s been kind of a bully.
Yes, he doesn’t take school as seriously as I do.
There’s a lot more to him than that.
I walk up to his front door and ring the bell.
When he opens the door, he looks panicked.
Ben
What are you doing here?
Melanie
I came to apologize.
Melanie
I was out of line today.
A large boy suddenly pulls Ben into a headlock.
Ben struggles to get away, but it’s useless.
Owen
Is this little Benny’s girlfriend?!
Owen
Who would ever date you?!
More laughter comes from the living room.
I look inside and see a group of guys playing video games.
One of them throws a sneaker at Ben’s head.
Another makes kissing noises at him.
Owen
You didn’t tell us you had a girlfriend!
Owen
Does she know you used to wet the bed until you were 12?!
Owen
Especially when we put his hand in a bucket!
All the boys start laughing. They all mock him…
And I have no choice but to stand there and listen.
Finally, Ben tears himself away and steps onto the front porch.
He slams the door behind him.
Ben
Sorry. My brothers are terrible.
Melanie
How many do you have?
Melanie
Do they…always treat you like that?
He sighs and runs a hand through his hair.
Ben
Well…I’m the youngest.
Ben
So yeah, let’s just say it hasn’t been a lot of fun growing up.
A few things start to click into place.
Ben
I know what you’re thinking.
Ben
Kid who gets bullied at home…
Ben
Takes it out on kids at school.
Melanie
Hey. I told you about my strict parents.
Melanie
It hasn’t been a lot of fun for me growing up either.
Melanie
But I think I understand you a lot better now.
And the air shifts between us.
Maybe we do complement each other.
Melanie
I’m sorry for today. I came over hoping…
Melanie
We could go to the park.
Melanie
Spend some time with Lizzy together.
He grins and squeezes my hand.
Ben and I sit with Donaldson for the final assessment.
Donaldson
And for the last question…
Donaldson
How would you rate your co-parent?
Do I have the guts to say what I practiced?
Melanie
Working with Ben was difficult at first. We didn’t always see eye to eye.
Melanie
But I think I’ve laughed more in these 2 weeks…
Melanie
Then I have in a long time.
Melanie
Ben’s full of life and I learned a lot from him.
Melanie
Most importantly, he taught me how to let my guard down.
Melanie
Let loose a little bit.
Melanie
And one day, he’s going to be an amazing father.
His expression unreadable.
The look on his face sends my heart soaring.
Ben
As Melanie said, it was challenging for us in the beginning.
Ben
But she’s everything anyone would want in a partner.
Ben
She’s smart, driven, and reliable.
Ben
She grounded me…and made me want to be a better person.
Ben
Melanie will be an incredible mom one day.
My eyes water a bit, but I blink it back.
My heart is definitely soaring.
Donaldson claps his hands together.
Donaldson
Well, this ended better than I hoped it would!
Donaldson
I am very proud of you two.
Donaldson
Final grades will be posted online tomorrow.
Donaldson
Now, make sure to leave Lizzy in the box on the way out.
And now it’s just Ben, Lizzy, and me.
Melanie
I’m going to miss her.
Ben
Uh, Melanie…did you mean all that stuff you said?
Ben
You know, to Donaldson?
Chemistry sizzles between us.
A chemistry that has been building all week.
I can tell by the way he looks at me.
Then pulls out his phone.
Ben
One more selfie before we say goodbye to Lizzy Lemon?
Ben
The 3 of us this time?
I pick up Lizzy and move in toward him.
And with Lizzy between us…
He turns his face toward me…
And plants his lips on mine.
It’s the kiss of a lifetime.
