“I can’t think of questions fast enough.”
“Then I’ll choose.”
He nodded.
I set down my glass.
“I grew up in Alder Ridge.”
“Where is that?”
“Two hours inland. Logging town. More churches than traffic lights.”
“Did you like it?”
“No.”
“That was quick.”
“You asked an easy one.”
He smiled.
“My father repaired heavy equipment. I started working with him when I was thirteen.”
“Did you get along?”
“When the subject was machinery.”
“And otherwise?”
“Less.”
Noah’s expression changed.
“Because you were gay?”
“That was part of it.”
“What was the rest?”
“I wanted a life he did not understand. Leaving felt like criticism to him.”
“Did he know about you?”
“Eventually.”
“What happened?”
“He stopped inviting me home.”
Noah looked down at his glass.
“I’m sorry.”
“It was a long time ago.”
“That doesn’t make it good.”
