#still not 100% sure if benson should lie and tell her he's a work buddy and randy's just hanging out for the weekend

[robinsnest2111]

adding to the sickfic:

somewhere between Benson getting the groceries inside and trying to come up with a plan of what the hell to do with his sick as a dog coworker curled up on his bed, in his room, in his childhood home-

he hears a cheery little tune from down the hall. A cellphone, the boy's cellphone. Crap.

Benson sprints the short distance and gingerly fishes the cellphone out of Randy's pocket. The boy only dignifies the noise and gentle manhandling with a pained groan.

Flipping the phone open, the display is lit up with an incoming call from "Mom". Of course. It's been a while since closing time. Her son would've been home by now. She's probably worried. Without much contemplating, Benson puts on his finest Charismatic (and hopefully trustworthy) Human Being persona and presses the little green button to answer the call.

Before he can get a word in, his ear is assaulted by a shrieking voice.

"RANDY? RANDY THANK GOD! I'M SO WORRIED! WHERE ARE YOU? YOU SHOULD'VE BEEN HOME 10 MINUTES AGO! DID SOMETHING HAPPEN? WHAT'S GOING ON? DO YOU NEED HELP? DO I NEED TO COME GET YOU? RANDY?"

Huh. So the boy's his boy's name is actually Randy. His last name must be Bradley, then. And his mom seems to be just a bit overbearing and overprotective. Grade A helicopter parent.

Benson clears his throat, sorting his thoughts. How does he explain just why Randy didn't make it home, why Benson's the one answering Randy's phone, why it's actually fine that Randy's with him. All without raising any red flags in poor Mrs. Bradley's mind...?