Is This Someone You Know?

Ben Hogan

Flash Fiction

Ben Hogan lives in a small midwestern town with his wife, Margaret, of fifty-two years and their dog, Roxy. He repairs bicycles for the neighborhood children and takes long walks through the streets, greeting everyone he meets and sharing his big, happy smile with them.

He asks each person how he is doing and waits patiently for the answer. Some answer quickly because they are in a rush. Others linger to share their aches and pains. Ben listens to the stories of children who rarely visit and the announcement of a new grandchild.

Ben was once the mayor of this small town and he enjoyed helping everyone, but he did not run for reelection because his drugstore needed his attention. Ben and Margaret raised three successful sons. Jacob, the oldest, is a pediatrician living in the city. Richard, the middle son, is a pilot and is married for the second time. Once a year he sends his parents free airline tickets.

Ben and Margaret have traveled to England, France, Japan and Australia in the last few years. Ben wants to visit India but Margaret has vetoed the idea.

Ben sold his drug store seven years ago to his youngest son,Tim, who has expanded the business. He now owns seven drug stores in small towns throughout the area. He wants to build his chain to fifty stores and then sell them for millions.

Ben wishes he had dreams as large as his son. He had been happy to own one store. Fifty boggles his mind. How could one person maintain control over so many stores? How could a person know and remember the names and faces of his customers?

Ben’s customers had been very important to him. He knew them better than their doctor. He knew what ailed them, what worried them, and even what make them happy. Ben would find a way to make each of them satisfied. He gave free medicines if the family was too poor to pay. He would open up in the middle of the night if someone called and needed something.

Ben loves Margaret and has been faithful to her except for a pharmacist convention held in Chicago. He had drank more than he should have and had spent the night with a young woman who was also at the convention.

Being an honest man, he had told Margaret what had happened. The boys were young. Jacob was no more than ten.

Margaret had not talked to Ben for a month and had not made him dinner nor washed his clothes. He had slept on a cot in the basement. Ben had begged her for forgiveness and she had finally consented. They never spoke of it again. Ben remained faithful. Margaret also attended every convention after that.

Ben loves his walks and his community. He hopes his grandchildren will one day be as successful as his sons. He prays for them every night.

Copyright © 2020 by Harley King

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