Glancing between her and the kids, he stood, muttering, and followed her out of the room. If the brother

and sister were smart, they'd make a run for it while they had a chance.

"What?" he demanded.

"Who turned you into such a jerk? Those are two kids in there who lost their dad. Seems like you could

do the discipline thing a little nicer."

"They're getting into trouble," he enunciated with barely held patience.

"But you acting like an idiot isn't going to help matters."

He scowled at her, but he didn't cut her off.

"I can see that you want to help," she added. "Really I do. It's just that the way you're acting isn't going

to help anything."

"What makes you such an expert?"

"I'm not. I just have an ounce of common sense and I've learned that being too much of anything-too

nice, too mean-doesn't get a person anywhere. And as soon as they got here, you were way too nice,

and then like a light switch was flipped, you flew into the mean zone-"

"Mean zone?"

"You need to take the time to have a rational discussion with them. Show that you care and that you're concerned."

"They're kids, Julia. Kids don't need all that psychobabble crap."

"Ah, so instead you'll just give them a psycho."

They both froze, stared at each other, then smiled, before Ben quickly glowered again. "This is no joke."

"I know it isn't. I'm the one who brought you out here. But if you don't lighten up, you're never going

to help those kids."

He grumbled. "So what are you proposing?"

"Be nice, but firm. Ask them why they did the things they did. Ask them how they're feeling-"

"Not that feeling crap."

"Do you want to help or not?"

He muttered, glowered, muttered some more, then stalked back into the kitchen. Julia followed.

"Okay, let's talk," he announced.

Julia shot him a look.

He rolled his eyes in a decent imitation of Trisha. "Sorry," he stated. "I'm floundering here, guys. I need

some help."

Trisha rolled her eyes this time. When Ben started to say something about it, Julia ran her finger across her throat, cutting him off. Swallowing back a weary sigh, he persevered. "I know this is a rough time. And I just want to be there for you. You've got to be hurt and confused."

He actually said the words softly, and Julia was amazed at how this big bear of a man really did sound

like he cared. Trisha must have thought the same thing, because the belligerent expression on her face started to waver.

"Todd, tell me what happened with the money," Ben said.

Todd looked reluctant, then said, "I really wasn't stealing it, I swear. I was going to pay my mom back.

But she freaked out when she couldn't find the money, then wouldn't listen."

"So you're saying she's wrong?"

Trisha snorted. "Mom goes racing into Todd's room and he's standing there holding the money. No,

she's not wrong." "Hey!" Todd belted out. "You're one to talk. I might have wanted to borrow the money, but I had a good reason. And if I'd had the chance, I would have paid her back every cent. Besides, before Dad died, he promised I could apply for the video workshop they have at the college this summer. I did all the stuff I could at school, and Dad and my teacher said I was really good. But you have to turn in a video resume with your application. And I don't have a camera. Dad promised to get me a video camera!" The boy was choked up, and his face turned a splotchy red. "But when I told Mom that I needed the money, she wouldn't listen. She never listens anymore. She just acts all crazy and like she's the only one who misses him! I miss him, too!"

At the words, Trisha's face went red, her eyes blinking back tears of her own.

Ben stared at the two kids in horror. He glanced hastily back and forth from the kids to Julia, then

mouthed, Look what you've done!

She sighed, then gestured to him to go over to them.

Clearly he didn't want to, but Julia was impressed when he walked across the kitchen.

"Hey," he said placing a broad hand on a shoulder of each of them.

That's all it took before both Trisha and Todd turned into his embrace. Awkwardly at first, then more

easily after a few seconds, Ben held the two teens. Julia felt a lump in her own throat, thoughts of her own father coming to the surface. But she wasn't lost.

Or was she?

She scowled and shook the thought away. She wasn't lost; she was simply finding a new way.

"So your dad said you could enroll in a video workshop," Ben said, "and your mom said no."

"She didn't say no. She just ignores me."

"She pretty much ignores everything," Trisha explained. "Not that I don't understand. Heck, she's upset

like crazy, cries all the time, and has so much to take care of now that Dad is gone." The teen's eyes

burned again with tears.

"So you took the car to get back at her?" Ben probed. "You were cruising around the Coronado High School parking lot late at night and crashed into the wall with your girlfriends because you wanted to get your mom's attention?"

Trisha's face got even redder. "I'm turning sixteen in three months and I don't even have my learner's permit."

"Exactly, so you shouldn't have been driving."

"But if I don't learn to drive, I can't get my license on my birthday. Everyone gets their license on their birthday unless they're a geek or a moron. Even Todd got his license on his birthday."

"Hey, I'm no geek or moron!"

"Whatever," she snorted. "But you get to drive, and you're even driving Dad's car."

"Someone has to take us to school."

"No one is going to talk about geeks and morons around here," Ben stated.

"Fine."

"Whatever."

"I just don't get it. You were driving when you didn't have a permit or even any lessons."

"Exactly!"

Julia could tell Ben was really confused. As was she.