Page 78 of When We Were Young
She checked the time on her phone. Seven o’clock. The kids needed to get up. She didn’t want them here when Noah packed his last things and left. They were going to the Taylors’ house again. Emily didn’t know what else to do.
As much as she was at fault for how she’d treated Noah, in the end, he had completely and fully broken the promise he made to Clara that night. Noah hadn’t stayed. He was leaving in a few hours. Which was maybe the only good thing about Clara taking her trip to heaven earlier than Emily would’ve wanted.
At least she wasn’t alive to see this.
24
Noah woke to a sharp knock at the door. He jumped out of bed, pulled on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and looked around. The apartment. Same carpet. He massaged his temples. His head was still killing him. The knock came again, louder this time. Who could be here this early? Another two knocks rang through the apartment.
“Hold on.” Noah started for the door, then he remembered Aiden’s letter. He had fallen asleep holding it. The letter was all he had of his son, so he couldn’t lose it. He rushed over to the bed and lifted the comforter and sheets. Where was it? He had slipped it back into the envelope, but it had been with him when he fell asleep. He was positive.
Another two knocks, harder this time.
He would look for the letter later. He hurried to the door and opened it and there... there was Aiden. Tall and strong, looking just like Noah back when he first fell in love with Emily.
“Aiden. Come in.” Noah watched his son, the way he nodded and stepped inside. This wasn’t the defiant teenager or the angry twenty-year-old. More time had slipped by. “Is everything... okay?”
“Yes.” Aiden turned kind eyes to him. “I told you I was coming by today.”
“Right.” Noah grimaced. He literally couldn’t remember anything since that afternoon when he read his son’s letter. “I guess... I lost track of the days.”
“Yeah.” Aiden patted his arm. “You do that a lot. You need to see a doctor. I’ve told you.”
“You’re right. I will.” This was the nicest Aiden had been to him since the time at the park that afternoon when he was fifteen.
A few seconds passed while Aiden just stared at him. Not with hatred or disdain, but with love. Real, actual, father-son love. Then in a rush, Aiden was in his arms. The two hugged and held on to each other. Like maybe Aiden had always loved him, after all.
Whatever had happened, Noah must’ve gotten it together. After reading the letter he must’ve contacted Aiden and taken him to lunch. Or maybe they’d walked a few laps on the path at the park. Anything to connect.
Yes, that must be it. Noah would’ve told him all the ways he was sorry and how much he loved him, all of them. And Aiden must’ve forgiven him. Since then Noah must’ve been the father he was supposed to be. He stood a little straighter.
Finally.
Aiden was taking a seat at the small kitchen table. He patted the spot across from him. “Sit down, Dad. We need to talk.”
Gladly. Noah hurried over. His son wanted to talk to him! This was just the improvement he had prayed for. Back when he begged God for a miracle. When they were seated opposite each other, Noah gave Aiden a cautious smile. “So... you look good. Are you well?”
“I am.” Aiden’s eyes grew even softer and his voice held an understanding that defied their rocky past. “I graduated from college last year.”
Panic slapped Noah in the face. “I... I was there, right?”
Aiden hesitated. “No, Dad.” He sighed. “I haven’t seen you since Olivia’s graduation.” He leaned back. “I asked you not to contact any of us and... well, you haven’t. Not me or Olivia... or Mom.”
Noah felt sick to his stomach. That had to be wrong. The letter had been the saddest thing Noah had ever read. Of course he would’ve called Aiden and tried to work things out. He covered his face with his hand and pressed his thumb and forefinger into his temples. “That’s... not possible.”
“Dad.” Aiden sounded concerned. “I’m telling you the truth.”
Noah lowered his trembling hand. His head was pounding and his heart couldn’t take much more. Better if it actually stopped beating. At least he wouldn’t have moments like this. He stared at his son. “I don’t remember things.”
“We figured that.” Aiden leaned closer, his forearms on the table. “Maybe that’s why you check out. Why you didn’t come around or keep your promises.” Aiden’s tone held no condemnation. “Tell me what you remember.”
Even the slightest shake of his head hurt. Noah winced. “I was sitting here, reading your letter. The afternoon of Olivia’s graduation.”
Aiden’s eyes grew wide. “You really need help, Dad. Maybe surgery or something.”
Noah didn’t care about that. He felt pathetic and small as he reached out and took his son’s hands. “Please, Aiden. Tell me what I missed.”
No question Aiden was taking this seriously. He nodded and drew a deep breath. “A lot.... Okay. Let’s see.” His eyes found someplace near the ceiling. “Olivia went to Cal Berkeley for a year. She moved in with some ex-con and dropped out of school. Came back here and bounced from community college to art school. One relationship to the next and now...”
