Bennie.

Surce

_{Image from Wikimedia Commons. Modified at fotoram.io}

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Bennie tried to make friends at school to compensate for his newfound solitude. His mother was too busy trying and erring playing cupid. Since he refused to share his collectibles with Nick and his group, they started to hit him and abuse him mercilessly.

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Bennie tried to get help, but his mother, his teachers and even the priest disregarded his accusations. They all told him to just take it easy and be friendly. They were sure his friends meant no harm. In one occasion Nick dragged him behind the gym and had him pinned to the ground by 4 other kids while he “planted” a tree that would surely give nasty fruits.

Bennie gathered all his strength to tell his mother, who immediately covered his mouth with her own hands. That was a very ugly claim and she was sure Bennie would not want something like that to go public. It was better to forgive and forget.

Mr. White was not available for him to talk to. He knew his father would understand and do something about it.

Nick was determined to get Bennie’s treasure. He went as far as visiting him and asking his mother about his toys. She was so excited these kids wanted to play with her son. That would surely lift a weight off her shoulders. If he could have friends he’d stop asking about his father.

One day after mass, Bennie begged the priest to confront the bullies. Father Francis called the kids and asked them about Bennie’s allegations. They denied everything in Jesus’s name. You see, Bennie, he told him. Kids will always be kids. I’m sure you don’t need adults to mess up with your kiddy world.

That was the last time father Francis saw Bennie alive.

He could not believe his ears when he was told Bennie had been run over by a car; a freak accident, for sure. The whole community was so supportive of Nick that he overcame the hint of guilt that bit him at night. Sure he did not mean to push Bennie that hard. How was he supposed to know that a car would come at that precise moment?

After the funeral, Mr. White, devastated as he was, asked Bennie’s mother about the collectibles. She said she had given them away to Bennie’s friends, fully sure that that would be a nice reminder of their friendship. They were so upset about the accident, they’d surely need some distraction and they seemed so fascinated by that old comic book and that silly robot.

Of course, they were, he thought, and left for good, with the heavy heart only those consumed by guilt can understand.

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