A Million Tears (Wish 2)

7 - Them

Noah reluctantly drove south on Route three to his hometown of Hanover. Home always brought back all the memories, but his mother insisted. He didn't want to have dinner with his old math teacher. His mother with a man made him feel uncomfortable. As nice as Bill Prescott was, he was not Patrick Gentry. His father had been outgoing and fun. He had loved sales and would joke he could sell a flea to a dog. He had sold imaging equipment to healthcare facilities. Every year they recognized him for shattering his sales goals. People had liked him, and he had a way of making them trust him right off the bat.

Noah's eyes scanned the living room. Everywhere were family pictures. How could she stand to look at them all the time?

She came up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder, which was a stretch since she was petite at only five-three.

"Are you okay, sweetie?"

"Yeah, it's this room. The whole house, really. How can you stand living with all these?" He waved his hand around the room.

"They're my memories. Yours too. They make me smile on good days and remind me of all the love we had on bad days. Sweetheart, what makes you smile?"

He looked at her like she had just spoken to him in a foreign language. What made him smile? He smiled — jokes with his co-workers, patients, friends. He had smiled during the obvious set up the other night. Brenna made him smile, and he didn't like the feeling. Sometimes when he was bantering back and forth with her, he forgot he had no right to be happy.

His motherl was wringing her hands together. When she spoke her voice shook. "Sweetie, I was thinking this house is too big for me. I might like to live in a condo without all the fuss of the lawn and the snow. I wasn't sure how you felt about me selling the house."

A wave of relief flowed through him. The house was like a museum for the family which once was. "I think it makes sense."

"It doesn't upset you? It's been neglected and needs some work before it can sell. Bill offered to help me fix it up this summer, when we're not teaching. It will be nice to have a man who can fix things again."

His father was always handy with the tools. Saturdays usually started at Home Depot to get supplies for some project or another. Another man fixing things in his father's house bothered him. "I could help do some of it." Could he? His only training had been watching his father.

"Sweetie, you're too busy. I understand. I'd rather you save lives than fix squeaky doors."

"So you and Mr. Prescott have it all planned out."

She sighed. "He's a nice man. It's nice to not be alone all the time, but we are taking things slowly. You should find yourself someone who makes you happy."

His mouth gaped open. "We don't deserve to be happy."

"Of course, we do. They would want us to be. Both of them."

"Do you really think Dad is happy you're dating his friend?"

"I think he would be. I know if the story was reversed he'd probably remarry in a year. The man had trouble packing his own suitcase. But it wouldn't mean he didn't love me. We all need companionship and you're no different."

He didn't say what he was thinking, but his mantra was if you don't let them into your heart then it won't get broken when they're taken away from you.

The arrival of their guest interrupted their conversation. He turned his head as the older man kissed his mother on the cheek. Oh God, do they kiss on the lips too? The thought of his mother kissing Bill Prescott passionately sent a chill through his body. It was too much for him to think about.

"Noah! You're looking well." Bill offered his hand and Noah shook it.

"Mr. Prescott. How's the quadratic equation these days?"

The man laughed. "Kids aren't as smart as they once were. They spend too much time on their phones. Now you were a top student."

He shrugged as the embarrassment brought color into his cheeks.

"Smart and humble, I like that." The older man slapped him on his back. He didn't dislike him. He just felt awkward about his mother dating him. "My Maria was asking about you. She was a year behind you. I think."

Noah nodded. "Oh Noah! She has the most adorable baby girl. She and her husband live here in town. I offered to babysit. She said I could be an adopted grandma. Isn't she so sweet? She said it would be good practice until you have a baby."

"Ma." He had told his mother more than once not to plan on being a grandmother. Why would he want a child when bad things happen, and they get snatched away?

His mother said, "The right girl will come around and you'll change your mind."

He shook his head, but his mind was playing games on him, because he instantly thought of her.

"Leave the poor boy alone, Barb. He has plenty of time. In our day you had to be married by twenty-five. Today they have babies later."

Noah gave him an appreciative look. He was glad Bill came to his rescue but resented him at the same time. He decided to be nice and asked Bill about his son, Greg, and listened as the father talked proudly. Noah knew his father would be proud of him but wished he could tell him.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he drove out of his neighborhood onto Route 53. Heading north towards the city, he felt better. He became Noah, the doctor, not the son, and he could breathe just a little easier. When he arrived home, he called his mother to let her know.

"Okay. Bill enjoyed his visit with you. Get some sleep. I love you."

"I love you too, Ma."

The question gnawing at him was, did she love Bill Prescott? He added a second one, how would he handle it if she did?

That night he dreamed he was at Nantasket Beach with his whole family. His mother was smiling as his father teased her. Patrick threw Noah's little brother into the waves while he stood nearby laughing. Then he took his brother on the carousel. Just as they were being handed ice cream cones, Bill Prescott arrived and kissed his mother on the cheek. When he woke his pillow was wet.

He wished he could ignore his alarm, but he had to work. Hopefully, it would be a quiet day. He wasn't sure he could deal with a trauma even though he normally loved the adrenaline rush which went with traumas. It was better than riding a rollercoaster.

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