One of a Kind - A KathNiel Story

Chapter 6

Kath looked over at Noah, seeing how small the boy looked as he sat without a car seat, the seatbelt crossing over him so it was almost hitting him in the face but they didn't have much more of a choice. Kath had been eager to go home since the second the show finished, missing it after so many months away. She was still desperate to go home, but it was a different kind of desperation now - it was a desperation to get Noah somewhere safe and warm, so he could rest. "We'll be home soon," Kath promised, turning the key in the ignition and it was like she could see the fear growing on Noah's face but he remained totally silent and still, his tiny hands holding onto the seatbelt as it went across his chest and his eyes were on the road ahead of them as Kath drove. He didn't recognize where they were, it was all too dark. He jumped with shock, though, when the sound of music filled the car. "Sorry, sweetie, it's just the radio." Kath assured him, turning it down a little bit and Noah looked over at the screen that displayed what radio station was playing and what the song was, who it was sung by. He couldn't read yet, but it was the only bright light on the console - the one that came from the screen. It lit Kath up dimly, showing her drumming her fingers against the steering wheel in time to the music, but she was tense with nerves and worry. She hadn't babysat a child before, but she'd met plenty because of her job. It wasn't as if she had a Mom she could simply call and get advice from. Noah started to notice all of her tattoos, but he pointed to the one on the back of her hand and Kath followed where he was pointing, a small smile on her face. "My lion tattoo? You like lions?" She asked and Noah hesitated before nodding his head, his heart hammering against his chest. He just wanted his Dad back, he didn't understand what was happening but he didn't want to be separated from Kath either. The jacket she'd given him smelled comforting, it smelled like her. It was like her arms were around him, keeping him warm. "I went to Africa last year, where all the lions are... it was really cool, getting to see all the adults in the wild and then getting to help look after the babies that didn't have Mommies or Daddies. We helped with the baby elephants too!" Kath said, keeping her voice upbeat and positive, but she looked over at Noah and he still looked moments away from breaking down completely in tears. It was breaking her heart.

Kath drove up into the hills, her home familiar and comforting as she turned into the gates and parked her car by the front door. "This is where I live, sweetie. Trust me, it looks much less scary in the daytime." Kath assured him with a small smile and Noah looked out of the window, seeing the lights in the flowerbeds around the outside pointed at the side of the house. It was modern and mostly white and big glass windows but there was a sense of incredible privacy too. "Come on, sweetie, let's get you inside." Kath encouraged and she got out of the car, Noah instantly pulling on the car seat to get it off when he couldn't see her anymore.

"NO!" He screamed, arching his back and he pulled on the seatbelt harder, kicking out with his legs to try and free himself as big tears rolled quickly down his cheeks.

"Hey, hey, hey! Noah, shh!" Kath held onto Noah's arms gently, her eyes locking on his as he looked over at her and he let out a sob, rubbing his eyes but more tears kept falling. He was still, though, knowing that Kath was nearby. "Are you okay, sweetie?" She asked calmly and Noah just tugged on his seatbelt, watching as Kath got it off for him and she held onto his hand as he got out of the car and she locked up. Her things would most likely be dropped off the next day by her assistant - it was a strange reality that her tour bus was a crime scene but the throbbing on the back of her head just reminded her of what happened. "I was thinking of giving you a bath, but I think we'll skip that today and get you straight into bed... I'll wash your clothes and make sure they're nice and dry for the morning." She promised, unlocking the front door and she flicked on all the lights. Noah hadn't ever been anywhere so grand and big, so modern. He still said nothing, even as Kath led him upstairs and to one of the spare bedrooms. He even let her help him get undressed, but he grabbed her jacket that she'd given him before she could pick it up and he clung onto it, close to his chest.

"Is my Daddy bad?" He asked, his voice shaky and it tore Kath apart.