Page 54 of When We Were Young
Emily didn’t know what else to say. “I’m happy for you, Noah. Really.” It was the least she could say. The best way to celebrate his good news—no matter what it meant for her. She had to remind herself to draw a breath. “When will you know?”
He told her the date, and that became the only thing Emily could think about. The Colts seemed the most likely team to take him, at least according to his new agent. Noah talked to Emily about it all the time. “Think about it, me playing less than an hour away. Everything could stay just the way it is for all three of us.”
She would nod and smile and try to sound enthused. But the idea of him being drafted left her with nothing but uncertainty. Once in a while Clara would ask why Noah didn’t come around as often as before. “He’s training,” Emily would tell her. “Getting ready for the NFL.”
Clara didn’t need to be told twice what was happening. Deep down, she understood. One of the pro teams was likely going to hire Noah. And then, well... then things would change.
“I want him here.” Clara couldn’t discuss the situation, but she could say that much. And she did several times in the weeks leading up to the draft.
Once when Noah was at their house, Clara told him, too. “Stay here, Noah. Please.”
He smiled and took hold of Clara’s hand. “I’ll still be here. Whatever happens.” He glanced at Emily, who was sitting across the room. “I’ll always be here.”
Finally Draft Day came. Noah was invited to New York City to attend the live event along with the other expected first-round picks. His parents and his brother and sister-in-law and their two kids all flew in for the occasion.
The agent sprang for airfare for Noah and Emily and Clara, and everyone met up at Radio City Music Hall for the big moment. The entire scene felt surreal to Emily. The group of them dressed in their finest clothes, sitting with Noah to watch his future play out for all the world to see.
Emily sat on one side of him, and Clara on the other. Behind them Noah’s parents sat with his agent as they waited through one selection after another. Noah had been so sure that Indianapolis would pick him that he wore a Colts hat the entire week leading up to the draft.
But now he wore a suit and a look of peace. After every round he would lean close to Emily. “It might not even happen. Keep praying.”
She was, with every breath. Clara, too. Emily could tell by the serious look on her face. Her eyes narrowed and intense, taking in the events on the stage, clearly aware that whatever went down today it would affect the future. For all three of them.
Finally it was Indy’s turn to make a pick. The NFL commissioner stepped up to the microphone and announced that the Colts were taking Jed Brown from Ohio State University. A linebacker.
Emily could feel Noah sink back in his seat. Joel leaned over and patted Noah’s shoulder. “It’s okay. It’s coming.” He grinned. Of course he grinned. This was a win-win situation for an agent. He stood to make a lot of money on Noah in the coming years regardless of what round he was drafted in.
Two names later, the commissioner stepped up to make another announcement. “And with the tenth pick, the San Diego Chargers select Noah Carter, quarterback from Indiana University.”
Emily felt time grind to a halt. Noah leaned in and kissed her, and then he was on his feet, shaking the hand of his agent and hugging his family. Then leaning in to hug Clara. She grinned and returned the hug, but only because she loved Noah.
Sweet Clara had only a hint of how their world had suddenly shifted off its axis.
Noah made his way to the stairs and then up onto the stage. He shook the hand of the commissioner and the man put a Chargers cap on Noah’s head. They posed for a picture and someone ushered Noah off the stage.
Joel leaned in close to Emily. “We’ll go meet him in the back after a few minutes. He’ll do interviews with the press first, then we can join him in the reception area.”
The whole place was buzzing. Emily smiled and nodded. “Sounds great.”
Sounds great?Even now she wasn’t sure how she had mouthed those words. In a blur his family, along with Emily, Clara and Joel, met up with Noah, just like the agent had said.
His parents were over the moon excited. “You’ve waited all your life for this, Son.” His father shook his hand and then gave him a hearty hug. “Way to work hard. I’m proud of you.”
Not even a mention of the concussions.
Emily had spent time with Noah’s parents before, when they came to Indiana for a summer trip. But tonight was about Noah and only Noah. She and Clara seemed to be invisible to everyone in the room. Everyone but Noah. He caught Emily’s eye constantly. His smile was equal parts hope and concern.
For the next few days, Emily did all she could to play along with Noah’s thrilling news. The Chargers were set to pay him eight figures, with a $5 million signing bonus. A deal Joel Walker had worked out.
At Indiana University, the student body was beyond proud of Noah. When Emily and Noah walked across campus they were stopped every minute or so. “Way to go, Noah!” or “Make the Hoosiers proud, Carter.”
One after another.
Emily was happy for him, truly she was. But not long after they returned from New York she sat down on her front porch one night and prayed about her next move. Like before, the most important part of her life was Clara.
Her sister had no one else.
If Noah had been drafted by the Colts, that might have been one thing. There could’ve been a way for them to stay together. But San Diego? Emily watched Clara over the next few days. One afternoon she even skipped class to sit in on Clara’s occupational work.
