Benny’s Christmas Carol – Part 2

Benny was roughly shaken awake. For real this time. 
“What just happened?” He looked around confusedly, finding his phone still in his hand the same way he had when he sunk into the deep nightmare. Scrooge sighed with relief, as he realized it was in fact, just a dream. As he rose up from his cushion and looked out his window to the fresh snow coating the roofs, heavy feelings he hadn’t felt in a while overcame him: Guilt, empathy, sadness. Guilt of what he had done to Bob, and all the other people he had wronged. Empathy, for the stress and worries that probably overcame Bob the moment he let him go. And sadness of what could be, if he hadn’t continued down this road he chose when he turned 21.
As Benny stepped out of bed to get ready, he ordered an Uber to take him to Bob’s house.
As he rummaged through his closet, he reached past his suits and button-ups for the first time in years and pulled out the dusty Christmas sweater he still had from the 80’s. Putting it on while he looked in the mirror, he noticed that his frown lines didn’t seem so deep anymore. And his eyes not so dull. 
     “Merry Christmas, sir.” The young Uber driver said, as Benny opened the car door upon arriving to Bob’s apartment building. 
    “Nonsense. Call me Benny, son. And Merry Christmas to you, too. Don’t get home to your family too late.” He gave the driver friendly pat on the shoulder and typed a generous tip into his Uber app. 
     A few seconds after Benny knocked on the door, he was greeted by a tiny boy opening the front door. Christmas music and laughter filled his ears. He crouched down to meet the little guy’s gaze. 
     “Hello, I’m Benny.” He introduced himself as he shook the kid’s tiny hand with two fingers. 
    “Timmy.” The boy mumbled shyly. 
     “Is your daddy home?” The boy quickly ran off into the house. Only a few seconds later, Bob appeared in the hallway. He had a confused look on his face, which was quickly taken over by amusement as he watched his former boss in the ridiculous Christmas sweater. 
As Bob approached the door where Benny was standing, Benny couldn’t help but notice the dark circles underneath Bob’s eyes. A dull look on his face. Benny flinched at the sight, at the thought that he had done this to him. 
    “With all respect… But why are you here, sir?” Bob frowned a little angrily. But Bob didn’t have the character to ever lash out at anyone. It just wasn’t him. He was too tired now anyway. He approached Benny hesitantly, as he crossed his arms over his chest in self-protection. 
     “Look, hear me out. I only came in good spirits and a terrible sweater to let you know I made a mistake. I let enough people down in my life. As colleagues, as friends… Anyhow, I’ve had enough.” As Benny said the words, they felt weird coming out of his mouth. But in a good way. 
     “I’m so incredibly sorry, Bob. If you want, I would like for you to continue working at my office.” Benny’s frown slowly turned upside down. 
“And maybe it’s time to talk about a raise.” Benny didn’t even know if he said that word correctly. He had never used it before. 
Bob looked surprised, his eyes lighting up in joy.
     “I don’t know what to say…” Bob started stuttering, looking for the right answer. 
     “No need. I just wanted to make sure you and your family have a good Christmas, without worries. So, I’ll let you get back to that.” As Benny started to turn away from the front door, Bob put a hand on Benny’s arm to stop him. 
     “If you want, the couch is full but… We have an empty chair in the corner of our room?” Bob asked Benny hesitantly. Benny turned back to Bob, looking at him with a hint of a spark in his eyes. An unfamiliar sight to Bob. 
     “We’re watching The Nun 2. And you know, no one should be alone on Christmas.” 
And for the first time in years, Benny smiled.