Page 103 of Vanish From Sight
“She’s with me.”
He nodded and skirted around the house past a charming wooden shed that housed outdoor equipment. Ahead of him, he spotted Ethan sitting on the dock, his arms wrapped around his knees. Ethan glanced over his shoulder as his father approached, his eyes red from crying, before looking back out.
Noah sidled up beside him, standing there for a second and looking out across the water that shimmered in the afternoon sunlight. The gentle rustling of the reeds was soothing but even nature couldn’t ease the pain of a fourteen-year-old boy. Noah glanced down and exhaled softly as he sat beside his son.
He said nothing for a good couple of minutes.
Too often people were in a rush to speak, to fill the silence when all that was needed was someone to be present. Sometimes words weren’t required.
Finally, he spoke softly. “I know how much it hurts, son. I wish I didn’t but I do. I was only eighteen when I lost your grandmother. My mom. It was sudden too. I never got to say goodbye. Greatest pain I’ve ever felt. Thirty years later, I still grieve.”
Ethan lifted his eyes. “I never met her.”
“I know. She would have loved to meet you, to see how tall you’ve grown, how much you are becoming your own person.”
Ethan turned to him, tears streaming down his face. “Why did this have to happen, Dad? Why did mom have to die?”
Noah put a comforting arm around his son. “I really wish I had the answer, son. But what I do know is that pain never really leaves you. It just becomes a little less sharp over time.”
“I don’t want to feel this.”
“I know. We grieve because we loved someone. Grief doesn’t end because love doesn’t end. We just miss the person. All that changes is how we carry, feel and express that grief. I know that might not make much sense right now but eventually it will.”
“What happened to mom?”
Noah knew Ethan would have questions, and he would do his best to answer them honestly. He deserved to know the truth about how she died, but in that moment, he couldn’t say she was murdered, even if that was what he believed.
“We’re still investigating. We don’t have all the details yet. But what I do know is that we’ll get through this together. I won’t lie. I can’t promise it will be easy or that pain will be gone tomorrow, next week or even in a few months, but I’ll be here for you.”
“I keep thinking about one of the last conversations I had with her. I was angry.”
“Over what?”
“It doesn’t matter now.”
“Listen to me. What happened, happened. It was not your fault. You are not to blame. And I don’t want you to beat yourself up over what you didn’t or did say. Your mom loved you andthat’s all you need to hold here,” he said, placing a hand on his kid’s heart. “Let me tell you something I’ve never told anyone. Hours before my mother collapsed, I had an argument with her. It was over my father. As much as she supported my decision to leave for the military, she tried to get me to understand that my father only wanted the best for me. I couldn’t see it back then. I said a few choice words I shouldn’t have.” Noah dipped his chin then raised it. “I can’t change that now but I sure as heck blamed myself for those words after she was gone.” He paused. “I only learned after my mother passed that she had gone to bat for me and tried to get my father to understand my decision.”
Ethan nodded.
Noah gripped his son tightly. “Even though her life was cut short, I know your mom was grateful for every year she got with you and she understood you. She knows you loved her. Okay?” Ethan wept, leaning into his father. Noah choked up, a few tears rolling down his cheeks.
He wasn’t sure how long he sat there with Ethan, only that in time, he heard movement behind him and looked back to see Mia. Not far behind her was Gretchen, a strained smile on her face. Noah motioned for his daughter to join them. She hurried over and sat, and he wrapped his arms around her too. He sat there holding them, staring out across the water until their tears ran dry.
CHAPTER 29
Wednesday, November 23, 5:20 p.m.
In the eyes of McKenzie, the investigation was in the bag and because Rivera felt he had a strong case, mentioning the pursuit of other avenues might have only created contention.
Noah on the other hand wasn’t convinced. He felt like they were only holding a portion of the puzzle and a disputable one at that.
Despite his track record, they were walking a fine line returning to High Peaks Academy but Callie trusted his instincts.
As they entered the bustling dining hall at the private boarding school, the unmistakable aroma of chili and freshly baked cornbread attacked their nostrils. The dining hall was alive with the sound of student chatter, laughter and the scraping of cutlery against bowls.
The hall itself was large and spacious with a high ceiling andlong wooden tables lined up parallel to each other. The walls were adorned with colorful posters and pictures and there was a large stained-glass window depicting Jesus at the Last Supper on either end to allow the natural light to stream in.
At the far back of the hall there was a serving area with a long counter and stainless-steel metal pans filled with steaming chili, and near that, wicker baskets of cornbread. The school dining staff, dressed in neat white uniforms, were standing behind the counter, serving up generous portions to students.
