“You okay, baby girl?”
I nod and lean toward him so I can rest my head on his shoulder. He’s never been one to prod, always waiting for us to come to him with an issue or problem. It’s like he stands back in the shadows, knowing eventually we’ll confide in him. He knows mostly everything about me, except for when it comes to Noah. I don’t think there will ever be a time when I can look my dad in the face and tell him I’m in love with Noah. Never mind the age difference, which isn’t an issue the older I get, but it’s the fact that it’s Noah, his best friend’s son.
“Want to go surfing?”
“I wish.”
“I can make it happen.” I look at my dad, who’s smiling widely. “You know I would never do anything to jeopardize your recovery.”
“I know,” I tell him as my head starts to nod. “I never thought I’d miss it until I was told I couldn’t.”
My dad kisses me on the forehead and disappears to the side of our condo where the shed is. He comes back with his wetsuit on and sets his surfboard in the sand. “Be right back,” he says as he goes into the house. My heart is beating rapidly with anticipation, wondering how this is going to work.
When he returns, he pulls off the blanket I was using to stay warm. As if he’s in a hurry, he takes my leg and slips it into a heavy-duty trash bag and starts taping it up, like I’m about to take a shower. He turns and crouches down in front of me. “Get on.” I climb onto his back and start laughing. “Ssh, your mother will kill me… but it’ll be worth it to see you smile.”
A lone tear escapes when he says that. I imagine the accident and subsequent recovery has been hard on everyone. When we get down to the surf, he slides me down to the sand. “Okay. I’m going to set you on the board and we’ll paddle out together. If you fall in, I’ll save you.”
I nod and reach my arms out to him. He cradles me for a minute before he sets me on the board. I expect him to get on behind me, but he doesn’t. Instead, he pushes us out, treading water the deeper we get. The waves are minor but still exhilarating. Being out here and letting the sun hit my face as it wakes up, will be worth the wrath I receive from my mother.
By the time we’re done, I’m soaked, and I love it. My clothes are waterlogged. My hair is drenched. But it was all worth it. When we get back to the house, thankfully Mom isn’t awake yet. Dad does his best to get me fresh clothes and when Mom wakes up, he winks and presses his finger to his lips. Mom was none the wiser.
The nurse is gentle as she scrubs the dead skin off my leg. I’m smiling at the memory of my dad and I surfing, knowing that soon I’ll be able to get back out there and
ride next to him.
Even though my cast is off, I’m still in the chair. Everyone in the office claps for me as my dad pushes me out. Dr. Colby was hesitant to see if I could stand and wanted Xander to be the one to test out my leg, fearful it’s too weak to withhold my weight. Bless her heart she never brought up the fact I may not be able to walk right away.
28
Noah
I’m the definition of a chicken shit. For weeks I have avoided the inevitable. Dessie planned a wedding, invited people and somehow I haven’t grown a set to tell her no or that we’re making a mistake. Not only that, but she’s delusional enough to think this is what I want. Maybe it is. Maybe I’m too blinded by my infatuation to see what’s in front of me. Dessie is pregnant with my child, and at some point, I must’ve thought marriage was in the cards for us since I asked her to move in with me.
Needless to say, I have frozen feet solidly encased in cement being anchored to the ground. I don’t know if I’m making the right decision or any decision at all for that matter.
Dessie’s loving the attention she’s getting from the local paper. Of course, it’s big news when your former high school standout returns home to get married, which was never my intention, yet as my tuxedo pants are being yanked, pulled and I’m asked which side do I hang, I haven’t found the words to tell her we can’t do this.
“Everyone is so thrilled you chose Beaumont,” Mrs. Kline says. Her and her husband have owned the only wedding store in town for years. I was fitted here for each tuxedo I wore to prom. “Are you doing the flowers?” Mrs. Kline asks my mom, who is sitting in the corner, watching me as I get poked with needles.
“I’m not. I passed the job onto another florist in Allenville. I don’t want to fret over the finer details while Noah is getting married.”
My stomach rumbles just as Mr. Kline tells me I’m done. Ever so gingerly, I walk off the platform and into the dressing room where I carefully step out of my pants. I dress quickly and meet my mom by the door.
“Want to grab lunch?”
She smiles softly. “Sure, Noah.”
After I open the car door for her, I run around to the other side. Beaumont is small. Everyone knows everyone. But they don’t bother my dad or I for autographs, which is rather nice. However, small also means our options for lunch are limited. I decide to take her to Ralph’s. Not the classiest place, but the lunch menu is decent and the place is big enough that we’ll be able to talk.
My mom doesn’t hide her emotions well. I know something is bothering her, and honestly, I’ve been avoiding her. In all the years I’ve been dating, I’ve never asked her if she’s liked any of my girlfriends. Mostly, because I was afraid that whoever I was with at the time wouldn’t live up to her standards. Not that she has crazy high expectations, but I’m her son, and I think it’s hard for moms to let go.
A few years back, the owner of Ralph’s died. The band did a huge tribute to him, mostly out of respect for my dad. It was here, when my dad played a song he had written for my mother, that everything changed for them.
We step into the pub that hasn’t changed much over the years. The lights are still fairly dim, the floor is some kind of tile, but no one knows what color it is. The stage is waiting for the next band to set-up. I wave at Ralph’s son, who is now running the place. We call him Ralph, even though his name is Charlie, and he doesn’t correct us, so I assume he doesn’t mind.
“Hey Josie, Noah. What can I get you to drink?” Lonnie, the lone waitress asks.
Mom and I both order water.