Rumors. Tall tales told by friends, acquaintances, and enemies. Some were flat-out lies. But, in every lie, there’s an ounce of truth.  

Jamie drove to work early that morning after she had sent the money to  Ben. She went by places they used to go to on dates. Foley’s Bar, Klem’s Diner, St. Peter’s on Christmas Eve and Easter. She smiled as the old Ford sputtered down the streets to the insurance agency. Got in line with the rest of society at Dunkin Donuts drive-through. Lit a cigarette and waited to have her say.

I want a dozen. Just mix them all up. And a large coffee with cream and sugar, please. A foreign voice told her to please drive up to the window. Thank you, she said. 

The radio was on the local AM station where reports were coming in about possible tornadoes  hitting the area later that day. It was spring. Jamie took it all in stride, didn’t panic, she was used to it. Her mind was on Ben.

He taught English at the local high school. His morning routine consisted of tying a tie and grabbing two beers from the fridge to drink as he drove to work. Ben wanted to be primed for classes as soon as he arrived; chew on a mint, check his hair in the rear view mirror, and tell himself, only two more months till summer.

Some students thought he was the greatest teacher they’d ever had. He made Moby Dick interesting to the kids. Taught Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, making them feel like they were in the jungle and he was Kurtz. Delved into Faulkner, which at times confused students; Faulkner confuses everybody. But his specialty was Hemingway.  Ernest was his true love. The Sun Also Rises. Indeed, it does, he used to say. Indeed, it does.

This tall, well-built man had a lot of the girls trip over themselves when talking to him. Shy high school students who turned red when discussing their feelings about literature. They tried hard to disguise their crush on Mr. Worski. They were thrilled when he let them call him Ben. And that’s where the rumors started. Some started by mischievous young ladies and some said by jealous young men. Ben was aware of these tales. They made him feel young. Attractive. Interesting. All the things Jamie used to feel about him before two beers in the morning turned into a six-pack.

I should’ve helped him, Jamie said to herself. Maybe I could’ve saved him. But, I’m no Christ, she whispered.  I’m no Christ.