Cranberry Red: A Novel

37. Family Cookout

When Ben arrived home with the fish, his daughter, Liz, met him at the door. “Hi, Daddy,” she said. Liz was now a junior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in a pre-med program. She graduated second in her class at Willow River High School and had earned several scholarships. Both Ben and Beth were more than proud of their daughter, who at age twenty looked very much like a younger version of her mother, with red hair and green eyes. Except she was taller. She wrapped her arms around her father. “Daddy, you smell fishy,” Liz said. “That’s because I’ve been fishing and haven’t had a chance to wash up. How did you get here?” “A friend of mine was on her way to visit her folks in Waupaca and I asked if I could ride along, and so here I am.” “It’s so good to see you,” said Ben. “We miss you around here, you know.” “I miss being here,” replied Liz. Beth Wesley stood back from her daughter, beaming. She was as proud as any mother could be about her daughter’s accomplishments. “Before I forget,” Ben said. “I’ve invited Lars and Margaret over for a cookout tonight, just like the old days. I’ll fix the fish on the grill.” Beth wrinkled her nose, as she sometimes did when Ben made a decision without asking her, but she didn’t say anything. 154 Family Cookout 37 155 Family Cookout After Ben had washed up, the three of them sat down for lunch at the kitchen table. “How is school going?” Ben asked. He was famished after a morning on the lake. “Every semester is tougher,” Liz said. “I never thought learning could be such hard work. Some days I think my brain will explode.” “If you’re going to be a doctor, you’ve got a lot to learn.” “How’s your new job, Dad?” Liz asked, changing the subject as she reached for another tuna sandwich. “Okay, going okay,” said Ben. “Liz, your dad is being your dad. His new job is so more than okay, you can’t imagine. Besides earning a lot more money, which we surely need with the two of you in college, your dad is a part of something so big it’s hard to describe.” “Now, Beth,” Ben said. “Don’t exaggerate.” “I’m not exaggerating. And you, Liz, with your interest in becoming a physician, will appreciate even more what your dad is doing.” “Geez, Dad, why didn’t you tell me about this?” “I meant to, Liz. But we’re still in the testing stages.” “For heaven’s sake, Ben. Tell her about Cranberry Red, probably the biggest breakthrough in preventative medicine in a hundred years.” “Well, I wouldn’t go that far,” replied Ben. “But it could be important, no question about it.” “Could be important?” said Beth as she raised her voice a bit. “It is important.” “So what’s so special about this Cranberry Red? We haven’t talked about it in any of our classes,” said Liz. Ben began to explain the many potential health benefits of the new product, especially how it increased by several fold the antioxidant levels in field treated cranberries. “You know about antioxidants and disease prevention, I’m sure,” said Ben. “I do. We had an entire unit on antioxidants in a pre-med course I’m taking this fall. We learned that cranberries, blueberries, and, must I say it, broccoli, get high points.” “Well, what your dad isn’t telling you is that his new job makes him one of the most important people in Willow River,” said Beth. “Easy now, Beth,” said Ben as he fidgeted in his chair. One of these days he must share with his wife his misgivings about this “important person” job. “Don’t be modest, Ben. Just a few weeks ago your dad had his name in the paper again, as the go-to guy to learn more about Cranberry Red.” “Yes, and the phone’s been ringing off the hook ever since,” responded Ben, without much enthusiasm. After lunch, Ben cleaned the fish, spiffed up the garage a bit, and dragged out the gas grill in preparation for the evening cookout. Beth shared with Liz some of the course work she was studying online at Osborne University. “I’m proud of...