A Million Tears (Wish 2)

16 - Just friends

Barbara Gentry greeted them with a big smile. Brenna watched as she hugged her son. She felt a sensation behind her eyes. Their greeting reminded her their love went beyond a regular mother and son. The minute Barbara let go of Noah she grabbed Brenna.

"I'm so glad you came."

When the older woman released her, she took her tote off her shoulder. "Thanks for having me. I brought some guacamole."

She followed her into the kitchen and lifted the bowl out before reaching for the bag of chips.

"Homemade! I've never tried to make it."

"Noah helped too." She winked at him.

He put his hands up. "Only because she was still making it when I came to get her."

"Well, you arrived on time. The others aren't due for another half an hour. I wanted to get to know your girl first." The older woman smiled.

"Ma! I told you we're just friends!"

"It's okay, Noah. Our friendship is unusual."

Barbara smiled, as if she knew a secret and Brenna felt jittery. His mother had better not send Noah skittering away.

She looked at the kitchen. It was dated with old painted cabinets and worn linoleum, but it was clean and cheery. She imagined it looked the same as it had when the family of four shared meals together.

"Let's sit down, you can tell me all about yourself."

Brenna looked at Noah, silently pleading for help. She was uncomfortable talking about her family fearing it would highlight what they had lost.

"I work at a bank downtown in the financial district. I like numbers. What else? I live close to Noah and um..."

"Do you have family nearby, dear?"

She looked at Noah who appeared to be lost in thought.

"Noah, Sweetie, are you tired?"

"I guess I am, Ma. What were you saying?"

"I was asking about Brenna's family. Such a pretty name, in all my years of teaching I don't think I've ever had a Brenna."

Brenna smiled politely and once again looked toward Noah to rescue her. "Brenna's father is a surgeon on staff at the hospital."

"Is that how you met?" Brenna shook her head. "How did you then?"

"Which time?" Noah frowned at her. "The first was when I had eaten from a bad salad bar."

Noah relaxed. "She was dehydrated and spent the night on fluids and then we met again when Derek tried to fix me up with Brenna's friend."

"And my friend tried to fix me up with Derek."

"But you two ended up together! How marvelous!"

"We're not together." Noah was growing impatient.

His mother just shook her head and suggested she show Brenna her flower beds. Brenna agreed to be polite, although flowers didn't interest her.

"Sweetheart, let the others in when they arrive."

Brenna turned back toward Noah who looked tense. She would like to rub his shoulders.

Once outside, Barbara wasted no time. "You can tell me. Do you like my Noah?"

"As a friend."

"You need to be patient with him. His grief runs deep. Just being in this house upsets him. We were all each other had for a long time."