A Million Tears (Wish 2)

9 - Friends

Noah came out of a patient's room and May cornered him. "Why does Molly in surgery think we're an item?"

"Maybe because you're always flirting with me."

Pink crept into May's cheeks. "I don't want Bradley to think there's something going on."

"Then don't drag me into corners." He watched as she stamped her feet and walked away. Shaking his head, he couldn't figure out why he was having women trouble when he didn't even date. He had a feeling Molly would not accept defeat.

He had received a text from Brenna asking if he wanted to hang out as friends. He offered Saturday afternoon, but was regretting it, because she said she would plan the afternoon and pick him up.

The difference between Molly and Brenna was he liked Brenna. The problem was he liked her but couldn't pursue her. If she wanted to just be friends, he could do that.

He didn't bump into Molly until the end of the week, but he needed to clear the air. "You got a sec?" She nodded. "I know you and Derek tried a little matchmaking. I'm flattered, but I'm not looking for a relationship."

"I know Brenna told me."

"You two talked about me?" He shifted his feet.

"Girls do that. She gave me chocolate ice cream and told me to move on, because you don't date. I'm sure if you did you'd pick her, anyway."

That was one thing he agreed with. "Molly, you're a great girl. You'll find your special guy, but it's not me."

She nodded and walked away briskly. He was a heartbreaker, but it wasn't like he ever led Molly on. Luckily, Brenna got the friends only message, and he was looking forward to spending time with her.

On Saturday afternoon, she arrived at his door wearing shorts and a tee. Her clothing reminded him of that night on the beach. Her shirt wasn't BU, but he had on a Brown shirt.

"Nice shirt, Brown." She pushed past him and scanned his home. "Nice place. I see you have the mandatory large screen TV."

"I like my TV. I watch to unwind."

"I get it. I have a brother."

Did she know how lucky she was?

"So what's the plan?"

"Do you have a bike?" She smiled.

"No, I don't ride."

"What do you mean like you don't know how?"

"No, like it's something I don't do or want to do." Her face showed her disappointment, but he hadn't been on a bike in sixteen years. Softening his tone, he didn't want her upset. "We can do something else or you won't hurt my feelings, if you go on your ride. I have my TV."

He tried to joke. She couldn't respond, because his doorbell rang. Looking through his peep hole, it surprised him to see his mother and Bill. He had to let them in.

"Sweetheart, we were just going to the game and oh, you have company."

"Ma, Brenna is a friend." He emphasised the last word.

"Mr. and Mrs. Gentry, it's nice to meet you."

"Oh no dear, surely Noah has told you his father isn't with us."

"Ma!"

"Well, this is my friend, Bill."

"Ma, are you sure you want to go to the game? It'll be crowded."

"Sweetie, it's fine. It's time I live a little. What do you two have planned?"

"I thought a bike ride, but your son nixed my idea."

His mother looked confused. "You two are friends?"

"Ma, it's fine."

She stood on her toes, so she could whisper. "You need a friend, but please open up to her. Bill listens to all my fears."

"Just call me when you're home, alright?"

She hugged him and told him she loved him. He wasn't embarrassed to say it back.

Once she left, Brenna looked up at him. "You know my mother would be jealous. She complains my brother's too busy to call her."

He felt the need to offer an explanation. "My mother and I have only had each other for a long time."

"But she has Bill."

"That's new. She was friends with his late wife."

She looked as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself.

"I don't want to talk about family."

"I get it but now a bike ride is off the table, what should we do?"

"I don't know. Did you eat lunch?"

"I had a late breakfast, but I could eat."

"We could get sandwiches and walk over to the river."

"Are you inviting me on a picnic?" She smiled and teased him.

"It's only a picnic, if we bring a blanket. We could try to find a bench."

"No, a blanket is better. Will you yell at me if I tell you I like the sun?"

"Do you wear sunscreen?"

"Remember who my father is."

He didn't realize his mistake until they finished their sandwiches and Brenna stretched out on the blanket. A picnic felt very much like a date. He imagined lying down beside her and kissing her. He remembered kissing her.

"In the summer, I spend weekends on the beach."

"What beach?"

"We have a house in Onset, it's near the Cape."

"Are you planning to pet the elephant in the room?"

"What?" She looked up at him.

"The Cape?"

"Oh. I'm glad it was you. I just wish I could remember it better. I know the kissing was good."

He needed to change the subject quickly but didn't. "If it wasn't good, we never would have."

"I'll take your word for it. So why were you on The Cape?"

"To work and make money all summer."

"And the guy you were with?"

"Just a housemate. I hardly remember his name."

"It was URI."

He smiled and was surprised at how much she remembered. With his guilt gone, the memory was more pleasant.

"How did you end up in Falmouth from Onset?" She told him about her friend and the guy. "Then you went to BU. Where do you work?"

She impressed him when she spoke of her position at the bank. It never occurred to him she was so successful. She spoke a long time about her siblings. He was glad he was wearing sunglasses, because he fought some tears when she spoke of her younger brother.

"Poor Molly is upset." Brenna was picking grass off the blanket.

"I know. I spoke to her. I did nothing to encourage her."

"You're a nice guy. Girls like nice guys."

"Maybe I should try harder not to be nice."

She laughed. "Good luck with that."

"For years, I thought I wasn't nice because of what happened."

"We're not going backwards. We're friends now. The past is over. We have to look forward."

Every time Noah looked forward he saw a place just out of reach. His day with her came close, but true happiness was just out of his grasp. The past held him back, and he couldn't let go of the it, because he'd lose them.

After the trip to the park, he took a nap. When he was asleep, he didn't think about the dark hair fanned out on the blanket.

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