Light in the Fog

Jonathan rode along, the streets losing their familiarity from the torrent of rain, the accumulating fog and the cover of the night. Although the street lamps illuminated the way, it served almost no practical use for him as he could not see much past two meters in front of him.

“I can’t believe how just how much everything looks so different now.” he thought to himself, overcomed by the sense of uncanniness that the night brought.

In his contest against elements, Jonathan passes some recognizable landmarks; Benedict’s shop and its gravelly exterior; its lights still on as it pierces through the fog.

“‘Then I better get started on it today.’” Jonathan suddenly remembered Lewis saying.

Jonathan slows down and turns back towards Benedict’s shop.

“If Lewis is going to get started on his dreams right now, then why shouldn’t I.” Jonathan found himself wondering.

The splashing of water soon found itself mixing with the sound of crunching gravel as Jonathan parked his motorcycle. Although the groundwater was beginning to reach his ankles and seep his shoes when Jonathan set his feet onto the ground, he didn’t feel the chill as his feet were already freezing cold. Lightning flashes, illuminating Benedict’s shop and house still with its lights on. Following his new found urge, Jonathan turns off the motorcycle and walks towards Benedict’s house in the rain.

“It's worth a shot right?” he thought.

Now standing on Benedict’s porch, Jonathan swallows dryly as a strange nervousness has begun to set within him. He shakes it off and takes a deep breath before looking for the doorbell. Finding it, he rings it.

Ding dong.

He waited for a moment. Silence.

“Maybe he didn’t hear it.” he thought.

He presses it again.

Ding dong.

Nothing.

Feeling the coldness get to him, Jonathan begins to realize how much of a watery mess he is right now.

“Okay, this is stupid I should definitely be leaving him alone. It's late anyways.” he thought, turning around to return back to his motorcycle.

Taking three steps, he suddenly stops as a light suddenly exposes his shadow from behind.

“Jonathan is that you?” Jonathan hears, it is Benedict.

Jonathan looks back to be blinded by the bright indoor light, covering his eyes for a moment as he squints.

“Oh it is you. What are you doing out here so late? Please come inside.” Benedict says at the door frame.

Benedict’s usual oil smeared overalls have been replaced with a clean white t-shirt and baggy gray sweatpants.

“He was probably about to go to sleep and here I am bothering him now instead of tomorrow.” Jonathan thought.

“Thank you sir.” Jonathan manages to say as he takes a step inside Benedict’s house; butterflies in his stomach.

“Wow, you’re soaked through and through, wait there for a moment so that I can get you a towel to dry yourself.” Benedict says as he leaves Joanthan alone.

As Benedict leaves Jonathan alone, Jonathan takes a moment to catch his breath and sighs. Calmed down, he takes off his helmet and hangs it on a rack.

“Looks like there’s no backing out now,” he thought.

Jonathan then notices the trickle of water coming off of his shirt and the small puddle it is making on the floor so he carefully tries to stand still on top of a welcome doormat to prevent any more mess. Lifting a foot he sees his shoes caked in mud, so he takes it off along with his socks and sets it aside on the mat. As Jonathan looks around the hallway and the various pieces of decor, Benedict returns with a towel.

“Here use this.” Benedict says, giving Jonathan the towel.

“Thank you sir.” Jonathan says, instantly using it to dry himself.

“We’re outside of work, please, call me Benedict.” Benedict says with a smile.

“Okay, Benedict.” Jonathan says, finding it strange to call his boss by his first name.

“So why are you here at this hour of the night?” Benedict asks.

“I’m sorry to ask this, especially now of all times but…” Jonathan says as he stops drying himself. The nervousness peaks within him as he suddenly bows.

“Please, M-Mr. Greene, teach me more of whatever you can! I’ve decided that I will seriously learn and become a full fledged mechanic who works with Dream and it would be an honor to learn all that I could from you.”

Benedict takes in what Jonathan said and then laughs.

“I figured you came for that. I could tell from the look in your eyes earlier the passion that surely had to have been eating you up from inside.”

“So, Mr. Greene. What do you say?”

“I told you that I really can’t Jonathan, but follow me, I think I have something that you would be satisfied with.” Benedict says.

Confused, Jonathan follows Benedict down the hall deeper into his house; dripping considerably less than before.

“I haven’t had a visitor for a while, so please feel free to make yourself at home and feel comfortable.” Benedict says as Jonathan follows closely behind him, past a kitchen and living room.

Benedict enters what Jonathan guesses to be a study room from the walls lined with various bookshelves; all moderately filled with books, reports and other readable materials.

“I’ve noticed how much you’ve improved over these past couple of months. It’s really something you know.” Benedict says, pulling up a chair next to an unlit fireplace in the room; he pats on it to motion for Jonathan to sit.

“Really? Thank you Mr. Greene.” Jonathan says as he takes a seat.

“Please, call me Benedict.” Benedict says as pulls a bottle of lighter fluid from one of the shelves; he lights the fire pit.

Satisfied with the heat being produced he puts the fluid away in the shelf and goes behind a desk to search another shelf.

“Why did you bring me here… Benedict?” Jonathan says as he looks over the various certificates and group photos pertaining to Benedict around the office.

“Ah, here it is.” Benedict says.

Walking back to Jonathan with a stack of pamphlets, he sorts them until he reaches one that piques his interest. He gives Jonathan this one as he takes a seat on a chair next to Jonathan.

“What is this for?” Jonathan asks as he looks over the pamphlet. Dreamers is printed largely on the cover.

“This is a pamphlet with information for a special program that the Takamura brothers have recently made.” Benedict says with a grin.

“Really?” Jonathan says, looking up from the pamphlet.

“It's a program for up and coming engineers and mechanics. And if you are up to it, I can say the word and they’ll let you in.” Benedict says.

“Of course I’m interested. This is perfect Benedict. Thank you so much!” Jonathan says giddily.
Benedict chuckles.

“I like your enthusiasm Jonathan.”

Benedict then leans closer to Jonathan. His usual jolly demeanor disappears from his face as an uncharacteristic seriousness fills in its stead.

“But listen Jonathan. This is a serious commitment. It's going to ask a lot from you such as leaving this town to go to the city over the coast for at least three years. Not everyone is comfortable with making a change like that in their life so I understand if you change your mind about this, okay?”

The smile on Jonathan’s face disappears as he also becomes serious.

“You’re thinking this through seriously. That’s good.” Benedict says.

He stands up and pats on Jonathan’s shoulder with a smile.

“The deadline is far away so don’t feel pressured into thinking rashly right now. Take your time and tell me whenever you are ready.”

“Thank you Benedict. I’ll think about it.”

“My pleasure Jonathan. Now you should get home and think this through.”

Agreeing, Jonathan stands and says his goodbyes, leaving Benedict and returning back to the rainy night.