The Aegis of Noah Hart

24-What They See

"Something on your mind, Katie? Someone?"

"Huh? No-well...maybe."

Katie and Molly both look up from their trays across the cafeteria at Noah Hart. Sitting with his new cohort of Greek friends per custom, Katie watches the boy stab the salad before him with a fork, Kay, Ty, and Alex watching him in silence.

"Is it just me or does he seem grumpy?"

"Molly, he's been like that since he talked to us yesterday. Whenever I saw him walking around campus or in class together this morning then later study hall-I don't know what happened."

"But you're worried it has something to do with what he said?"

Katie doesn't answer. She had heard the word pretty before but reference to her, she had only heard the word from family members or older people in church. Certainly never a boy her age.

I don't get it. Why say that then act like this? I can't imagine Noah mad...he's so sweet, gentle. Was he expecting-should I have said something to him?

Molly bumps her friend in the shoulder.

"Katie, just because he's being a Rudy moody doesn't mean you need to stress. Boys are like that. Act all tough and emotionless but then when something goes slightly wrong they throw the biggest temper tantrums. Both of my brothers are like the biggest drama queens. You remember what that's like, right?"

Katie sighs. She knows that Molly is referring to her late brother Peter. Though were any else from school to mention him this way, she might get defensive, Molly was her friend and more importantly she was right. 

Though for years older than her, Peter Knone had always had the reputation of being "the spirited one." She remembered Peter arguing with his father once while they were at an aunt's house for a summer pool party. Ten year old Peter was instructed that it was time to leave, to get out fo the pool and dry off so the family could go, but he simply refused. Katie had already been fished out of the shallow part of the pool by her mother so she could pat down her bright blue bikini only to watch her blonde haired brother swim out farther into the pool so no one could get him.

"Pete. Come on now. It's time to leave."

"No."

"Peter Alvin Knone. Get your butt out of that pool! Now!"

"No!"

"Listen you little devil, your father said out!"

That was the first and last time she heard Henry Knone use the name Satan in reference to anyone, but one of many times she saw him in a head to head match with Peter. He was difficult about going to school, leaving his friends' houses, getting to church on time, basically anything. Yet he was always incredibly talented as well, scoring all A's in school, setting state records for cross country as well as shock put, and managing to read several books at a time such that he was at one point able to lead a small group at First Presbyterian, Katie's church. Katie had always marveled at his gull and stubbornness, but unlike her, it always seemed like Peter would get away with his attitude in the end. That was at least until the end.

In a flash, she begins remembering things. Suddenly she finds herself back in middle school, her brother a senior in high school  Her brother crossing the hall to her bedroom in a black and red basketball jersey. Katie pats her blue and white floral dress before tightening the striped bow around her waist. As her brother races down the stairs, she follows after him hearing  shout from her mother.

"Katie dear, don't run in the house in those boots!"

Katie giggles at the sound of her shoes hitting the floor as she races down the steps and out the door to the drive way. Her brother already sitting behind the wheel of the blue pick up truck, he motions with his head for his sister to join him.