Page 52 of When We Were Young
She’d gained an understanding by then, a realization that she wasn’t like other kids her age. Of course she knew that. But after graduation, when she asked about going to Indiana University, she didn’t wait for Emily’s response.
“I can’t go.” She dragged the words out. “Right? I can’t.”
Emily wanted to wrap her sister in her arms and protect her from anything that would hurt her. From people who weren’t kind or the harsh reality that college was out of the question for her.
But if there was one thing that made Clara happy, it was watching Noah play football. And as the weeks went by and Noah kept winning, Clara remained his biggest fan. On Sundays they would go to church and lunch together, the three of them. And afterward, they’d wind up back at Emily and Clara’s house, and Noah would focus his attention on Emily’s sister.
Emily could see him talking to her still, even now.
Noah would sit across from her at the dining room table and ask about her week at occupational school. “We learned... how to mop.” Clara struggled with every word.
“Now that”—Noah grinned at her—“is something I’ve always wanted to learn.”
And for the next half hour, Clara gave Noah lessons on how to use a mop. For her to do the task, she had to set one of her crutches down. Which meant she was making progress, learning to be more independent.
Emily sat back and watched the two of them, Noah struggling to grasp even the basics of how to move the mop across the floor. Clara may have known that Noah was playing with her a little. But if so, she didn’t seem to care. The attention from him was everything to her.
And for that reason it was everything to Emily.
Later that night, when Clara had turned in, Noah took Emily in his arms and kissed her. Minutes passed and neither of them could stop. They were crazy about each other. But they were careful not to let things go too far.
When he finally did pull away, Noah’s heart seemed heavy. “I know why you care so much for her, for Clara.”
“She’s amazing. The sweetest person on earth.” Emily was still in his arms, swaying to the rhythm of his heartbeat.
“But learning to mop... that was the highlight this week.” He shook his head. “It just breaks me, Emily. I would do anything to help her. Anything.”
Emily smiled at him, tears blurring her eyes. “You already have.” She hesitated. If only she could memorize the love and concern on his face. “Every time you throw a touchdown, Clara forgets anything else. And for that minute she doesn’t have cerebral palsy and her greatest accomplishment is not pushing a mop.” Another pause and she pressed her lips against his. “It’s watching you play.”
After that, the fears Emily had been plagued with before the season started to fall away a little more each week. God really did have Noah, and He blessed him one game after another.
Every now and then Noah would post something on social media about Emily. A selfie of the two of them walking across campus, or a photo of their hands linked together. The message was clear.
Handsome Noah Carter was off the market.
Emily didn’t care about what the public thought, but still when he’d post about her it felt nice. Even better were the times when he included Bible verses or something about his faith, how God was leading him to success.
Throughout his senior season at Indiana, Noah only brought up the NFL a couple times. He was sure he wouldn’t be drafted, that’s what he told Emily. Someone like him, with two previous concussions, would be too great a liability for any pro team. He would graduate college, thankful for his football days.
Then he’d apply to the local fire department. Noah wanted to be a paramedic. The two of them could practically see the years ahead. As long as they were together, Clara had a place in their midst. Noah had already said that. Even better, he had proven it. He loved Clara almost as much as Emily did.
Life looked like a story whose ending was already written. And it was an ending Emily could hardly wait to live out. Noah and Emily, forever and ever.
But a few days after his last game, the buzz started. No quarterback in NCAA Division I football had ever thrown for more touchdowns or had a better rating. Whatever that meant. Newspapers suddenly wanted to interview Noah and ESPN did a feature on him. How could he have come back from two concussions to play so well his senior year?
Noah had one answer.
Prayer.
“The people I love most were praying for me.” He would smile for the camera. “I was praying, too. I felt God calling me to play again, and that He had great plans for me. Now it makes sense. He gave me the perfect season. God and a bunch of amazing linemen!”
At first Emily didn’t understand the media interest. But one night Noah sat her down and explained what was happening. “The NFL draft is in the spring.” He searched her eyes, looking all the way to the center of her soul. “You know that, right?”
“The draft?” She shook her head. “Is that like when the pros pick teams?”
“Sort of.” Noah smiled at her. He took her hand and worked his fingers between hers. He explained how the NFL owners would go several rounds, choosing college players they wanted on their rosters.
“They can take anyone, huh?” Emily wasn’t sure where he was going with this. “So it’s like a surprise when the draft comes.”
