Her Name is...

Chapter 4

"Noah?" her voice asked. I felt tears at my name, she had called. She hadn't forgotten me, she was okay.

"Momma" I breathed unable to contain the tears of relief.  Not wanting to wake my grandma I slid open my window and crawled onto the roof.

"Hey baby girl. I'm sorry, I'm sorry" she cooed through the phone. I wanted nothing more for her to hug me then.

"Mommy when can I come home?" I asked her. I sounded like a baby but I didn't care, "Nana, wants me to stay, but I wanna come home"

"Baby we don't have a home right now, but i'm figuring it out" she said. I could hear the regret in her voice,

"I don't care. We can live out the van again, like last time, anywhere with you is home" I pleaded. I didn't want to stay in this town another day, especially not after today. 

She changed the topic, "I've been saving up my quarters this time so we can have a really long chat. I thought that it was better then those little short ones" she offered.

"I'm working now, at a real job. An assistant at a law firm, where they dress fancy. No more graveyard shifts for me and real soon I can get an apartment and we can get you home to finish your school, but it may take some time" she warned.

I wiped my eyes, "you got a real job?" I asked her. She had always only found part time, "yeah, yeah. It's going good over here, how about you? How are you doing?"

"I'm working at Nana's, and the Beechwood for Joan, oh and I deliver for the sub shop next to the store" I told her.

"No no, what are you doing. I hope you're having fun, it's my job to worry about money okay?" she said.

I bit my lip wondering if I should tell her. If I told her about the boys she would never let me hear the end of it, if I told her about the party she would be ecstatic I was experiencing, if I told her about grandma she would freak out and find a way to yell at her.

"Not much. I've made some friends though" I decided on.

"Friends?" she asked excitedly enunciating the s. I rolled my eyes, I had never had a bunch of friends.

"Mom, it's just for summer. They're all british, except one he's irish-".

"He?" she asked. I paused realizing my mistake.

Taking a deep breath I tried to sound as nonchalant as possible "It's no big deal, I'm just friends with them" I said.

"Them? So multiple boys? I'm not judging or anything, but... y'know kid... be careful"

"MOM!" I shouted before remembering it was the middle of the night, I lowered my voice to an embarrassed whisper "I am not sleeping with my friends!".

She laughed, "I meant be careful with your feelings baby. I don't want you getting all wrapped up in a summer romance and then not want to come home to me" she said.

I groaned, "they're only vacationers they leave in a few weeks too. And besides nothing could ever stop me from wanting to come home to you".

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Although I hadn't spoken to my grandmother in days I offered a good morning when tying my apron. I was in a good mood now, and I wouldn't let her ruin it.

"Mom called last night, she's got a job at a law firm now. Full time" I told my grandma taking pleasure in the fact that she couldn't keep me here.

"Thats good for Kathy, man the register?" she replied.

"Nana!" I called, "I can go home soon. The lawyers won't do anything, if mom has a job and an apartment-"