Chapter 11-1
354 Words
Chapter 11
Noah followed me when I walked out after the show. Only Elena braved going to the stage to meet Chel, fighting the swarm of people exiting. I stood by the table of finger sandwiches, cheese, crackers, and punch so the throng wouldn’t crush me.
Noah stopped inches from me. His brow furrowed. “Were you ever going to call me?”
“Yes.”
“Who’s lying now?” His gaze firm. “You acted like I had the plague and didn’t acknowledge me other than to say a weak hello.”
“Not here, Noah,” I whispered. I looked down to avert his stare. “I don’t want to get into an argument.”
Before he could say anything, I heard Chelsea.
“Daddy!” She ran towards us. Noah casually stepped aside so she could jump in my arms.
I picked her up as much as I could.
She’s getting too big and heavy for me.
“Hey, Sweetheart!”
“Did you see me?”
“I saw all of it, honey.”
“Whatcha think?”
“You were awesome. Best pilgrim there.” Our noses rubbed. I tweaked hers.
Noah laughed. Chel turned towards him. “Uncle Noah, did you like it too?”
“Uh huh,” Noah said. “You were the best actress there.”
Elena and Gary came up to us. “You ready to go over your friend’s house, Chel?”
“Yeah, but I want to ride with Daddy and Uncle Noah,” Chel answered.
“We drove separately,” I said.
“Are you coming, Noah?” Elena asked.
“Sure, if I’m invited,” Noah responded.
“Why wouldn’t you be invited, Uncle Noah?”
Noah raised his eyebrow. He gave me a quick glance.
Oh brother.
“Noah’s going.” I added. “He just forgot that some parents were getting together afterwards. He’ll follow me to Chel’s friend’s house.”
“I want to ride with you, Dad,” Chel insisted.
“Of course,” I said.
I grabbed her hand. The others followed, separating to go to their cars. After I unlocked my car, she slid in the seat. “You don’t want to ride with Mom and Gary?”
She shook her head. “I want to go with you.” She buckled her seatbelt.
“So you don’t like Gary then, huh?”
“He’s okay. He’s nice but I don’t like how Mom acts around him.”
“What does that mean?”
In response, she shrugged.
I put the key in ignition. Click. Clickety-click.
“The car’s not starting.” I tried it again.
Lights from a car approached us. Elena rolled her window down. “What’s wrong? The Beemer won’t start?”
“Yeah,” I answered. “Do you have jumper cables?”
Elena shook her head. Noah’s Jeep pulled up.
Noah approached my driver’s side.
“It won’t start, Noah.” I said. “You have jumpers?”
“Not with me. There are cables in the garage for your apartment, though.”
- Writer
