“I hope so.”
“Wait a few hours. I know little boys. When he gets hungry, he’ll come out of his room. Most likely sooner than later.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“You’ll need to go in there. Listen to him. Don’t push, but be understanding and allow him to adjust.”
“Thank you. You’re the best.”
“I know.” She laughs, and I manage a smile.
“Let me know how it goes.”
“I will. Good thing the boys don’t have practice today. I think it’s better he deal with Drakos and me first.”
“It is. Good luck.” Gardenia ends the call. I set down the phone and go to the kitchen. Maybe it’s devious, but I start cooking spaghetti with meat sauce, another of Noah’s favorite meals. Pretty soon the rich aroma of simmering tomatoes and garlic fills the apartment. I check the time and wait.
I’m too nervous to relax, so I tidy the living room and clean the kitchen. By the time the house is spotless, Noah trudges from his room. He’s dressed in jeans and his Icehawks jersey with Drakos’s name and number on the back. His choice of outfits has to be a very good sign.
“Hi. I’m so glad you’re out of your room,” I say too brightly. I’m trying too hard. I need to back off.
Noah grunts and crawls onto the barstool. He places his elbows on the counter and rests his chin in his hands. He’s still struggling with our revelation, but he’s here and in Drakos’s jersey. I’ll take any small win I can get.
“How long did you know?” He lifts his eyes to mine. I’m devastated by his expression. He thinks I’ve betrayed him, and maybe I have.
“About Drakos?”
He nods.
“A while. Your mom told me, but she didn’t want anyone, including Drakos, to know.”
“Why?” His voice rises an octave, and I fear a meltdown might be coming.
“Noah, sometimes adults do the wrong thing but believe it’s the right thing at the time. She never meant to hurt you. She thought she was protecting you.”
“From Drakos?”
I shrug. I’m treading a fine line between telling him too little and too much.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” His tone is accusatory, and I’m the biggest bitch around. I feel like shit.
“Your mom made me swear to keep her secret, and I did for a while until I realized that you need to know.” I put a comforting hand on his shoulder and am reassured when he doesn’t jerk away. Instead, he leans against me.
“Drakos is really my dad?” He flips from accusatory to earnest. I marvel at kids’ ability to bounce back even from the toughest news. Noah’s resilient and a fighter. He’ll be okay. He’s his father’s son, but he’s also my nephew, and we’re all three fighters.
“Yes, he is, and he wants so much to be a big part of your life.”
Noah’s blue eyes cloud with tears. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.” I hug him close, and he clings to me, reminding me once again that as grown-up as he seems at times, he’s still a little boy.
“Will I have to go live with him now?”
I narrow my gaze, but I can’t read whether he considers living with Drakos a good or bad thing. “Do you want to?”
“I don’t want to leave you alone. You need me.”
I stifle a laugh yet remind myself that he’s right. I do need him. “What would you say if I told you that we’re all going to live together in a big house with a big yard?”
