Chapter 23
Carmine D'Abbate's house
When Ben got home, he did his best to hide his depression and worry from his Uncle Carmine, who greeted him with true joy and false worry. “Ben! Oh, son, where the hell have you been? You disappeared without leaving word with anyone! Were you trying to scare us to death? We were about to call in the armed forces and...”
Ben tried to reassure him with half-a*s explanations and excuse himself. His only thought was going to his room to dig out his old teddy-bear. “Don't worry, Uncle Carmine, everything's all right, really... if you'll excuse me, I have some urgent business.”
Carmine couldn't resist being a little disingenuous and went straight for the jugular. “Hmm, as usual... first, I guess you want to go to your room to see Susan, who by the way, is
