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"It's not exactly little, Mom," I said with a laugh in my voice, because that felt like a vital inclusion. I didn't want either of them to say I was catching an attitude. Even if I thought the little was dismissive, my attitude would get in the way of my claim. My tone would overshadow an issue I wasn’t even sure I should make a big deal over, one I sometimes wasn’t even sure was an issue.
"I was just telling him how great it is you get paid for doing something fun," Mom said. "It must be so relaxing to be an artist."
"Oh yeah?" I huffed out another laugh.
Dad was always better than Mom at catching on to a mood. Not better by much, but the attempts were appreciated. "You are having fun, right, Noah?"
"I am." I smiled, trying to infuse more happiness into my words. The nerves in my hand were pleading for attention. I flexed my fingers, only to make things worse. "It's just…saying it's fun like that kind of makes it not sound like a job. Which it is. It has its ups and downs like any other job."
"Honey, of course it's a job," Mom said. "All I meant was it's far more fun and easier than most things people get to do in their lives. That's something to be proud of."
"Yeah, I know, but when…" I took a breath. This wasn't a big deal. Why did I have to make it a big deal and be so sensitive about it?
"I wouldn't mind not having to do paperwork, that's for sure," Dad added. "But, remember, Noah, if things don't end well there, you can always go back to school. There are so many things you're good at doing."
"Yeah, I guess…" I trailed off when I saw Sage a few paces away. She'd parked her bike closer to the front of the lot. My mouth felt dry when I saw her baggy black cargos and cropped green turtleneck. Her hair was pulled into a low puff, with loose curls hanging in front of her ears. The whole look was simple yet effective in capturing my attention. Her outfit revealed enough skin to remind me of how much I wanted to be back in that photo booth again, pressed up against her, the outside world far, far away.
"Hey." Sage's voice was smooth and easy.
I nearly dropped my phone from how she was smiling at me. "Hi."
My parents were saying something, but I was staring at Sage with a silly grin and pounding heart.
"Sorry what?" I blinked when my mom spoke louder.
"Are you okay?" she asked. "We asked you what you were up to and all we got back was heavy-breathing."
"I'm good. Sorry, I just…got distracted," I said quickly and had to turn away when Sage bit on her lip to silence a laugh. "I'm not up to anything."
"Then do you want to see a movie with us?" Dad asked.
I rubbed the back of my hand on my forehead. "No, not tonight. I'm busy."
"You said you weren't up to anything," Mom reminded me.
"Not yet. I have this…thing I'm going to do later. Later meaning in the next few minutes."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Mom asked, suspicion wrapped around every word.
"Leave her be, she said she's busy," Dad said in a lower voice, one meant to be heard by only her.
"I know, but you know how she gets. I don't want her holed up on a weekend." Mom's voice was supposed to be lower too, but she was never successful on the front.
"I do, but I thought we agreed we weren't going to push her," he said.
"Guys, can you wait until I hang up before you start discussing me? Thanks," I said flatly.
"Sorry, honey," Mom said. "We love you."
"I love you guys too. Now, I have to go." I turned back to Sage with a shy smile. "Sorry. My parents. They're…caring."
She laughed. "Sounds like it. They wanted to hang out?"
"Yeah, a movie or something." I shrugged and looked down at my phone to see a text from my mom. She assured me that I could still join if I wanted, that in case I changed my mind, they'd be at a showing in the next hour.
"We could reschedule if you prefer?" Sage asked.
"No, no," I said so quickly, I stumbled over the words. "Definitely not. I want to be here, with you, doing whatever it is this place has to do."
