Dull Silver

Chapter Eight

Noelle

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"No. No. No. This can't be right." Noelle stated, defiance in her voice.

          It was 7 AM on a nice day in mid-June; the 23rd, to be exact. The sun was just peeking over the hills and into the windows. The darkness began to slither away as the light waltzed its way in. On this nice day in June, a big could of gloom had descended onto the Spurr household.

          He grandmother had waken her at 6 this morning in a normal routine. Only after breakfast did the routine collapse in on itself.

          "Noelle, I had guess I better tell you something," her grandmother noted, her eyes not connecting with Noelle's.

          "Okay," Noelle nodded, getting up to wash her bowl. Her grandmother drummed her nails on the table in fear- no, concern- for how Noelle would react.

          "Uh, girly, you'd better sit down for this one."

          Noelle narrowed her eyes in confusion at her grandmother before returning to the table. Her grandmother said nothing for a few minutes. "Noelle, I, uh, I don't know how to say this... When was the last time you saw your father?" Her grandmother questioned.

          Noelle shrugged, not yet understanding. "Maybe a month ago, not yet in jail, yet not making any money."

          With a nod her grandmother continued, "Uh, well, do you have any idea what he last said to you?"

          Noelle thought, long and hard. "He told me, 'See ya soon, kiddo. Love you.' Given, I couldn't tell if it was all out of his ass due to the alcohol. Sometimes I think he's sincere." Her grandmother cringed slightly at the way Noelle was still using present tense. Now or never.

          "Noelle, I'm sure he was sincere, but there's news. Bad news." Noelle lifted an eyebrow, but said nothing. "Your father is dead." It was the only way it could be done. Blatant statement.

          Noelle's eyes widened, as if they would pop out of her head. The rest of her face showed no reaction. It couldn't. She had no clue if she should scream, or cry, or jump with joy, or be in denial. Well, all at once. Noelle let out a frustrated half scream, as a tear rolled down her cheek to her chin.

          She batted at the tear, her anger still there. "Grandma, he saw his Stone. He had to know he was dying. Why didn't he come see me? Why? WHY?" She started to scream, the tears falling faster now.

          Her grandmother tried to stay calm. "We're not sure, dear. But he loved you, and maybe he didn't want to burden you. He loved your mom, too. They're together now, happy and complete once again." Noelle nodded as she wiped another tear from her face. Her grandmother was almost always right.

          Noelle didn't know what to think anymore. She didn't want to talk about it anymore. She stood. "I'm going to lay down." She stated as she began to walk out the doorway. Her grandmother said nothing; a silent okay. At any other time, her grandmother would not have allowed it, but this was news that required alone time.

          This wasn't what any child should have to hear.

***

          Noelle's grandmother, as stubborn as she may be, stood at Noelle's doorway, grief in her hazel eyes. "Noelle," She almost whispered. Noelle grunted in return, her face in her pillow and red hair splaying everywhere. "Noelle, why don't we go out and get lunch?" Noelle grunted again, not moving at all. Her grandmother walked in and sat on the bed. "Come on, girly, I know, I know. The grief gets easier over time, I would know, I've lost my daughter. You'll miss both of them every day, but they'll always be there for you. Just because their gone doesn't mean they've abandoned you." She patted Noelle's shoulder, "Now, come on, we'll go out, just you and I. Reminisce on old times." She coaxed.