A Million Tears (Wish 2)

23 - Memories

His mother recruited him to help her move out of the house. She frowned when he arrived.

"Where's Brenna?"

"She's away for the weekend."

Summer was almost over. The following weekend, Noah had agreed to go with Brenna to Onset. She went without him and he already missed her. In the mornings, when he left work, he walked over to her apartment in time to see her before she left for work. He liked to watch her dress. Maybe because he was the only one who knew what was hiding underneath her professional outfits.

Their relationship cost her a friendship. Molly had not forgiven either of them. Any time he had to ask for a surgical consult he held his breath hoping it wasn't her. He suspected she was avoiding him because he always got the other PA. He might be worse than Molly's scathing glares. Noah had more bedside manner in his big toe than the guy had in total.

Greg appeared ready to work, too. "Hey, I heard you smartened up and moved out of the friend zone."

Noah smiled. He did it a lot.

Barbara said, "Noah, you need to take what you want from your bedroom. The rest is going."

Thankfully, a grief counselor had convinced his mother not to preserve Declan's room. If they had to disassemble it today with Bill and Greg around, he would have broken down. As it was, he had a box of Declan's things tucked away in his own room. He had wanted to hold on to some reminders, but he had also not looked in the box since the day he packed it. He would take it home and leave it sealed. Maybe one day, Noah would share it with Brenna.

His room was filled with bad memories. It was the place he mourned. He had to search hard to remember the times before. He and Declan had spent some time in it together, but none of those memories stuck like the sad ones. Even memories of his father tucking him in at night were fleeting.

Knowing he wasn't alone anymore helped him face the past. Did his mother feel the same way with Bill? Being a 'we' and not a 'me' had changed everything. Well, that and the fact, he agreed under duress from Brenna to go to counseling. He had never fully grieved, and she made it clear their happy future depended on him healing. She was right. She always was.

His mother popped her head in. "Are you okay?"

He nodded looking around. So much could be thrown out. He held up a box of toys from the back of his closet — hot wheels, action figures. He moved towards the trash barrel.

His mother stopped him. "Save them for your children." He looked at her ready to argue. "Noah Patrick Gentry, if you love your girl you have to be all in."

"I'm working on it. Maybe you should store these just in case, but right now I'm not ready for them. Remember, we just admitted our feelings. Don't push me." He wanted to say she was the one who jumped in with both feet, but truthfully he was in as deep. He and Brenna weren't living together, but they stayed together every night he wasn't working.

He and Greg were loading the sofa into the rented truck when he saw Brenna out of the corner of his eye.

"Hey!" It came out as a grunt as he lifted the back end up. Once his hands were empty, he walked over to her smiling. "This is a surprise."

She returned his smile but put her arm out. "I was driving by. I like the sweaty, muscle look, but please not too close."

"So you have conditions on your affection." He laughed. "Come on, my mother will put you to work."

He watched as his mother greeted Brenna with an embrace. The two whispered, and he only heard the last part. "It's Barbara or Barb. Misses is for my students. Would you like to help wrap my stoneware?"

She had always practiced her art and made dinnerware and decorative pieces for herself.

Greg called to him. "Come on. The chair is next." They turned the upholstered chair to fit through the door. "Does she have any friends?"

"She's down one because of me."

"Whatcha do?"

"Nothing. I just didn't like her friend and let's just say she's not happy for us."

"Is she good looking?"

Noah shrugged he wasn't supposed to notice other women. "Ask Brenna. She'll have pictures on her phone."

"She's not an airhead, is she?"

"She assists in surgeries."

"A nurse?"

Noah shook his head. "A physician assistant."

"Cool. I like smart women."

"It won't matter if she hates me and Brenna."

Greg shrugged. "Come on, let's get this done."

They moved boxes while his mother calling after them. "Be careful!" She abruptly changed her focus. "Maria!"

Noah watched as his mother snatch the baby out of Maria's arms. When he made his way into the kitchen, Brenna was holding Olivia with her face lit up. He loved when she was happy and knew he would have to make her happy someday. His mother winked at him. She probably read his mind.

Greg interrupted his thoughts. "Hey Brenna, do you have pictures of your friend who hates you?"

"What were you two talking about?"

Noah shrugged. "He asked if you had any available friends."

She handed the baby back to Maria and scrolled through her phone. She passed it to Greg.

"You didn't say she's a blond. I want to meet her."

"She hates me." Noah's mother looked at him like it was blasphemy.

"Use Derek. Maybe if she dates Greg, he can convince her to forgive me... us."

"I don't know. Maybe." He wasn't sure anymore.

Maria asked, "Why does she hate you?"

"Because she wanted him and she didn't get him. She didn't believe me when we were just friends."

"Darling, no one believed you."

Brenna blushed and Noah put his hand on her shoulder. "Thanks, Ma."

"I don't know what the big deal is?" Maria looked at him and then Brenna. "I mean, Brenna, your friend is just one of many. I have the honor of being the first."

"The first what?" Noah didn't like the attention.

"The first one who you didn't like enough." Maria smiled as if it was funny.

Noah shrugged. "You know what they say, in life timing is everything. You were too young and well you know." The room grew silent. Brenna's hand covered his, and he drew some of her strength. "Hey Greg, if you ever meet her don't tell her my life story. It's not something I like to share."

"No way. He was my best friend, you know."

"Yeah, I know."

Barbara clapped her hands. "Okay, is the truck loaded? The Salvation Army and the junk guy are coming for the furniture that's left."

Everyone moved out of the kitchen. Brenna stood and turned into him. She embraced him and he whispered in her ear. "I missed you."

She brushed her lips against his. "Please, can we try this with Greg? I really want my friend back."

How could he say no to her? His mother poked her head in. "Oh, you're so cute."

He blushed. "I don't have a lot of time. I need a nap before work."

"You two should go. Bill has recruited some additional men."

"Thanks Ma." He kissed her cheek.

As they were getting in their respective cars, Greg walked over. "Lucky. You got sprung. Call me, I want to meet her."

"We will!" Brenna smiled, eagerly.

Noah nodded, They would.

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