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Once we’re on the way, I tap out a text to Grant.
Me:Noah asked me to take her to see Tara.
Me: She needs to do this.
Grant: OK
It tooka lot for him to type those two letters, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t proud of him for it.
I know it’s killing him to be away from Noah. But Grant has come a long way from the angry, controlling man he was when I met him. His growth is important for both him and Noah.
And a small, selfish part of me wonders if he’s capable of growing for me too.
When I pull up to Houlihan’s, Noah turns to face me in the passenger seat. “You can stay in the car.”
“Not a chance, baby girl.” I yank on the handle and swing open my door. “I’ll wait inside.”
She walks around the front of the car and clasps my hand. “Good, because I’m really nervous.”
I squeeze her hand. “It’s okay to be nervous. Say what’s in your heart. And whatever the outcome, I’ll be right here with you.”
“Thanks, Lenny.”
I sit at the corner of the bar with a clear view of the dining room. Noah finds Tara talking with a few of the other employees at the waitress station. My stomach ties itself in knots as she takes the last few steps closer.
Dammit, I wish I could hear what they’re saying.
Noah’s back is to me now, but I can see Tara, so I try to make out what’s happening based on her expression.
If that were me, I’d reach out and hug my daughter. I’d be shocked and amazed that she found me. I’d be caught off guard for sure. But I wouldn’t be standing there looking cool as a cucumber with my arms hanging at my sides like Tara is right now.
Please be a decent human being.
Tara shakes her head, and then Noah spins on her heels and makes a beeline right for me. As she gets closer, I spot the glistening trails of tears on her cheeks.
I jump to my feet. “Noah, what happened?”
“We shouldn’t have come here. Let’s go.”
I catch her arm. “Wait. Hey, look at me. What did she say?”
“Please, just take me home.” She swallows a sob. “I want to go home.”
Oh, hell no.
I dig into my coat pocket and hand Noah my keys. “Go start the car. I’ll be out in a minute.”
I square my shoulders and head for the main dining room.
Several waiters shoot me questioning glances as I march over to Tara, but I pay them no mind.
“What did you just say to that little girl?”
Tara’s head jerks back. “Excuse me?”
“You said something to her, and she ran out of here crying. So I’ll ask you again: What did you say to her?”
“I’m in the middle of my shift.” She tries to move around me, but I step in her way.
