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Irene’s lips twist, like she’s fighting back a sob. “It wasn’t really up to me.”
Noel grabs her hand in his. “It’s okay, Mom. I know it wasn’t your fault.”
She can’t stop herself this time. Irene buries her face into a napkin and lets out a soft sob. “Yes, it is. I should’ve stopped your father from kicking you out. It wasn’t right. Just because you refused to go to college like he wanted, didn’t give him the right to take you away from me,” Irene sighs. “He misses you, you know. I told him you were here, and he wants to see you.”
He pulls his lips into a tight line, but doesn’t answer.
Irene waits on Noel’s response, but I can tell by the look on his face he doesn’t like the turn of this conversation.
“Jesus. Mom…we’ve been through this. I don’t want—”
She pulls her cell phone from her purse. “Let me call him, tell him you’re going to come over and talk.”
Noel’s jaw muscle works under his skin. “No! I went through hell when he threw me out. He knew what I was going through when Lane dumped me, and he told me to leave anyway. He didn’t care if I had a place to stay or food to eat. Why the hell should I care about his feelings now?”
“Noel Anthony Falcon,” his mom scolds him. “You should give your father a chance. He’s sorry.”
He rolls his eyes and then stands up abruptly.
“Noel?” his mother questions his action with a little panic in her voice.
He leans down and kisses her on the top of her head. “It was good to see you, Mother.”
He leaves without another word or without looking back. I hear the Escalade start in the driveway and then tear down the road.
Mom hugs Irene as she sobs. “He just needs some time. Give him that. He’ll come around.”
My heart aches both for the pain that I know Noel is going through and for his parents. It’s apparent there is still a lot of love there, but both father and son are too damn prideful to be the first to start their reconnection.
An hour rolls past, and Noel still hasn’t returned. Mom is out of comforting things to tell Irene at this point and she’s still a crying mess. I send a quick text checking on him and it’s almost immediately answered.
Back at the bus. Sorry I didn’t come back. Just couldn’t deal.
I sigh and stuff my phone back in my pocket. “He’s back in Dallas.”
Irene peers at me through blood shot eyes. “You have to go to him, Lane, and convince him to forgive his father.”
“Mrs. Falcon, I don’t think it’s my—”
“You have to. It’s tearing us apart. I can’t lose my only son.”
She looks miserable, and I hurt for her.
I notice Mom’s face. Her head tilted slightly to the right and her face scrunches. It’s the same look I’ve seen countless times since Dad passed away. It’s hard to lose a loved one. I’ve learned just how difficult it can be, and I don’t want something to happen to his father while this huge rift is between them. I know it would kill him.
For Noel’s own sake, I need to try and at least get him to talk to his dad.
I rub my forehead. I have no clue how I’m going to get him to agree to this. “Okay. I’ll do my best. No promises.”
His mother reaches across the table and grabs my hand. “Thank you.”
****
The bus is oddly quiet when I return to Dallas. I open the bedroom door and find Noel lying on the bed. His arm drapes over his beautiful face while taking in deep, sleeping breaths. I set my bag on the floor and then crawl in bed beside him. I wrap my arms around his stomach and rest my chin on his chest.
He removes his arm from his face and smiles sheepishly. “Hi. You’re not pissed at me?”
I shake my head. “Why would I be mad at you? I understand why you left.”
He traces the bare skin on my arm with his fingers. “You do?”
“Your mom shouldn’t force you to talk to Frank. I know you’ll do it when you’re ready.”
He closes his eyes. “That’s just it. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do that.”
“Why? I’m sure you two can find a way to forgive each other.”
Noel’s eyes narrow. “Forgive me? I didn’t do a damn thing to that man.”
The anger, clear to see on his face, startles me. I sit up and sit Indian style. “I didn’t say you did. I just know sometimes saying sorry, even if it’s not your fault, goes a long way in smoothing out a fight.”
He leans up on both elbows. “I will never tell that man sorry. You don’t know the cruel things he said to me the night he kicked me out.”
Noel throws both of his legs over the bed and sits with his back to me. Just when I think he’s going to let me into that brain of his, he shuts me out.
I frown. “What did he say?”
Both shoulders slump, and he takes a deep breath. “He said…”—he clears his throat—“he said I was one huge mistake. That all I’ve ever been is a disappointment to him.”
His shoulders shake, and I know he’s crying.
I slide beside him and wrap my arms around him. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.
He wipes his eyes with the palm of his hands and sniffs. “I don’t know why I’m being such a fucking baby about this.”
I kiss his cheek. “Don’t be ashamed to share your feelings with me.”
