"I said yeah."
That was apparently an entire conversation between them.
Still, during mowing season, Noah never missed a Saturday unless we were out of town.
Even the morning after prom, when Noah looked like he hadn't slept at all.
Summer heat.
Cold October mornings.
Light rain.
The week before finals.
Even the morning after prom, when Noah looked like he hadn't slept at all.
I recognized him from a few holiday visits.
He went.
Two weeks ago, Mr. Vance died.
Aaron knocked on our door himself.
I recognized him from a few holiday visits.
He looked exhausted.
Noah came downstairs when he heard his name.
"I'm Aaron," he said.
"I know."
He glanced toward our garage.
"Is Noah home?"
Noah came downstairs when he heard his name.
Aaron swallowed.
Noah didn't say anything at first.
"My dad passed last night."
Noah didn't say anything at first.
Then he asked, "Was he alone?"
"No. Claire and I were there."
Noah nodded once.
I realized Mr. Vance had known more people than I thought.
"Okay."
Aaron looked almost confused by his reaction.
Then Noah said, "When's the funeral?"
We went three days later.
The church was crowded enough that I realized Mr. Vance had known more people than I thought.
Aaron and his sister, Claire, sat in front.
When the service ended, everyone stood.
Both of them cried through most of the service.
Noah insisted on sitting in the last row.
"This is family stuff," he whispered.
"You mattered to him too."
"Not like they did."
When the service ended, everyone stood.
The man held out a thick envelope.
Aaron was hugging someone near the front when a man in a gray suit walked down the aisle toward us.
He stopped directly in front of Noah.
"Are you Noah?"
Noah glanced at me.
"Yeah."
People nearby began turning to look.
The man held out a thick envelope.
"I'm Daniel. I handled Mr. Aaron's estate."
Noah stared at it.
"What is this?"
"Something he left for you."
People nearby began turning to look.
Inside were four smaller envelopes.
Aaron noticed and walked over with Claire.
Daniel handed Noah the envelope.
"He left very specific instructions."
Noah opened it.
