Financial Aid

Chapter 1
Day In, Day Out

Chapter Description: Ben's lax lifestyle catches his mother's attention.

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It was another endless summer. At least, for Ben, it seemed that way: he didn’t have a job. The long, boring days stretched into long, boring nights. He went out as often as his friends were available, and that was okay with him. Unfortunately, it wasn’t okay with his parents. Ben stirred awake at his definition of dawn: roughly noon. Coming down the stairs, he saw his mom sorting through the mail in the kitchen.

As he made his way to get something to eat, he turned off the blaring TV in the living room which was droning on about some new article about telomeres he had been forced to read in his biology class. He didn’t feel like learning this morning.

“Hey, mom, what’s up?” he asked lazily.

“I see you finally decided to get up!” Ben’s mother replied.

“Yeah, busy day, you know,” he replied slyly, with a bit of a wink.

“Planning on getting dressed any time soon?” she added, pointing out her son’s wardrobe which consisted of an old t-shirt and black boxers.

“It’s definitely part of the plan for today,” he said, reaching into the kitchen cabinets for some cereal.

“Is figuring out how you’re going to pay back your financial aid part of the plan? That sure would be nice,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“Mom, it’s not a big deal, I’ll jus...“

“Just what?” she interrupted, “Just find a job? Like you’ve been saying all summer?!”

“Mom, seriously it’s not that easy, I’ve...“

“You’ve what? Laid around the house all day? I know,” she continued, “You’re so irresponsible!”

“It’s not that, it’s just that I don’t see why I have to work all summer, I’ve got plenty of financial aid coming in this year!”

Ben’s mom put down the mail and grabbed her son about the shoulders, looking him squarely in the eye.

“Ben, tell me something: is this what you want to do with your life? Just float through everything?”

“Well,” he laughed uneasily, “yeah, I guess so! I didn’t realize I was being such a burden. If you want, I can start looking for jobs again tomo...“

“No, no, I get it now, I just wanted to make sure this is what you wanted. You’re my son, I raised you, it’s not a big deal if I have to take care of you a little longer. I still love you, Ben, don’t ever forget it. In fact, I’m sorry for bringing this up again, I just want to make sure you’re happy with your life,” she said, looking away.

“Well, jeez, Mom, thanks for seeing it my way. I just figured I could live off the financial aid for a while and just sort of wait it out until I graduate before I get into the “real world,” you know? Anyway, I really appreciate it, I’m going to go back upstairs and have some breakfast,” he said, scooping up his bowl of cereal before climbing back up the stairs.

“I think you mean lunch!” she yelled up the stairs, laughing to herself.