Ch. 9 Only A Twin Would Do
Joel got home from getting Julie her car and Billy and Paul greeted him as he came in. Joel sighed and sat down, “Guys I think it’s time Benji got out of this fucking house. What do ya saw we all go out to dinner?” Billy nodded, “How we gonna get him out?” Joel laughed, “Drag him kicking and screaming!” Paul laughed, “I don’t think he’s showered in three days.” Joel sighed, “Then I guess- being the good brother I am- I’ll just have to bathe him!” Billy laughed, “Hey your all alone on that one,” and Paul agreed. Joel stood up, “Oh the things I do for Benji! Hey, if this ever happens to me- remind him of this day. Let’s see what does he like- make reservations for Islands in like an hour. Oh and get a secluded booth- we may have to beat him to get him to eat. Where is he?” Paul laughed, “Upstairs sleeping still.” Joel sighed and trotted up the stairs.
He threw open the door and yelled, “Benji get your newly skinny ass out of that bed.”
Billy and Paul were laughing downstairs.
Benji jumped up and saw it was only Joel, “Fuck off. Let me sleep.”
Joel watched Benji lie back down and cover his head with the comforter. “Oh no you don’t,” he said pulling the sheets off him. “Benji you have moped around long enough. I’m not saying you have to move on- but at least get out of that bed.”
Benji just lay there looking up at Joel.
“We’re going out- get up and get dressed.”
Benji said nothing only looked at Joel.
“No- you need to shower. Get up.”
Benji shook his head.
Joel sighed, “Fine. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do this but…” Joel grabbed Benji’s arm and hauled him up off the bed and towards the bathroom. Benji stumbled across the floor and into the bathroom.
Joel stood him up against the wall, “Get undressed.”
Benji glared at Joel.
“I’m waiting. Benji, you are not getting out of this.” In one movement Joel tugged Benji’s shirt over his head and off. Joel looked at his brother, “You are going to eat tonight. Are you gonna take your pants off or am I?”
Benji still wouldn’t move.
Joel rolled his eyes and unbuttoned Benji’s pants letting them fall off his reduced waist. The pants were too big on him. He yanked his boxers off and pushed Benji into the shower. He turned the water on and pushed Benji under the stream.
Benji shut his eyes and stood there.
Joel grabbed some shampoo and worked it through Benji’s tangled hair and down his body. He really had lost a lot of weight. When Benji had been lathered up Joel sprayed him off and pulled him out of the shower.
“I warned you,” Joel said handing Benji the towel.
Benji huffed and dried himself off.
Joel went to Benji’s dresser and pulled out some random dickies, boxers and a shirt. He handed them to Benji and cheekily smiled, “Now are you gonna dress yourself or am I?”
Benji shook his head and slid the clothes on quickly. Joel went to his dresser and put dry clothes on.
He looked over at Benji and shook his head, “Dry your hair.” Joel hated having to watch his brother waste away like that. Joel finished and went over to Benji, “Where’s your beanie?”
Benji pointed and Joel handed it to him. Joel took his arm and pulled him out of the bedroom and down the stairs. Billy and Paul looked up as they entered the room. Joel looked at Billy and Paul and rolled his eyes. They smiled and grabbed their stuff getting in the car.
Ch. 10 Giving Up
Joel pushed Benji in the backseat as Billy drove. “Benji, if we see fans you have to smile and sign whatever,” Joel said. Benji nodded and leaned back closing his eyes. They arrived and met two fans outside the restaurant. They asked if Benji was okay when he only partially smiled and Billy answered, “He’s not feeling well.” They went in and sat in their booth. Benji did nothing- just sat there staring down at the table.
When they ordered the waitress asked what he wanted and he mumbled, “Nothing.”
She looked over at Joel and he sighed, “He’ll have the veggie burger and fries. And a coke.”
When she left, Joel looked at Benji, “You are eating.”
Benji picked up his fork and spun it around in his hands, “I'm not hungry.”
Joel sighed, “Well I don’t care.” The other three talked as Benji stared at his hands and played with his fork.
When their food came he took one bite, “There I ate it.”
Joel shoved it back at him, “No eat it all. Benji, don’t act like a two year old.” They ate and Benji didn’t.
When they were about half finished Billy spoke up, “We’re not leaving until you eat.”
Paul joined in, “We have forever- this place is open all night.”
Joel sighed, “What will make you eat, Benji?”
Benji mumbled, “I want a drink.”
Joel stated, “You have a coke and water right there.”
Benji shook his head, “I want alcohol.”
Joel shook his head, “No, Benji- its already gotten you in enough trouble.”
Benji glared, “Fine, I wont eat then.”
Joel sighed and rubbed his eyes, “Do you promise to eat?”
Benji shrugged.
“Fine. What the hell do you want?” Joel asked as Billy got the waitress.
“Strawberry Margarita,” he said to the waitress. She nodded, “I need some id.” Benji looked at Joel, “I don’t have any.”
Joel sighed and pulled out his wallet, “We’re twins. See the resemblance?”
She left to go get the drink and Joel pushed Benji’s burger at him. “You have to eat three bites.”
Benji picked up the burger and ate three bites. The drink came and he reached for it but Joel picked it up before he did.
“Hey!” Benji yelled.
Joel shook his head, “Three more bites!”
Benji huffed, “I already ate three bites. You’re mean- give me my drink.”
“No I'm your brother and I care for you. Now eat three more bites.”
Benji glared and chomped three more bites. Joel handed him the drink and he downed it in two gulps.
“I want another one.”
Joel shook his head, “Benji, don’t you think that alcohol is the last thing you want?”
Benji shook his head, “No I want Julie- but that’s not gonna happen. So get me another drink.”
Joel yelled, “Fuck you, Benji. I have done nothing but try to help you. So you know what? I give up! Waitress, Get us two more of those. But Benji, I am not helping you when you’re hanging over the toilet puking your emotions out.”
The drinks came and Joel shoved them both at Benji. “You want alcohol- drink!”
The waitress paused, “Are you sure he should be drinking that?” she asked Joel.
Joel fumed, “Yes. He’s a big boy- if he wants it give it to him.”
Benji rolled his eyes, “Fuck off.”
Joel jumped up, and stalked out of the restaurant. Billy and Paul finished eating and Benji downed all three of the drinks and ate his burger. Joel came back in and sat down. He wouldn’t look in Benji’s direction. They paid and as the alcohol kicked in they got in the car and drove home. Benji started signing some odd song and the tension could have been cut with a knife.