As if we couldn’t see.
He giggled. This was how a seven-year-old should sound and look.
“His lips are soft,” he said, pulling out more food.
“You’re doing a good job of feeding him,” Marcus said.
We stayed in that spot for quite a while. It was funny to see the other children staring at Noah in his costume. Some of the parents played along, pointing and making comments like, “Hey, there’s Robin.” Noah really enjoyed those moments and every now and again posed with his chest puffed out, arms akimbo.
After what seemed like an eternity, where Noah fed every single goat in the enclosure—including their kids—we headed to where the rabbits were located. Noah led the way with Marcus and me trailing behind him.
“He’s completely different,” I said in a soft voice, watching as he waved at some kids who were pointing at him.
“I know. I’m worried he’ll shut down again, but he’s been like this since... Wednesday, I think?”
That’s when I had noticed his most marked difference, as well.
“Have you heard from his Aunt Zenobia again?”
He shook his head. “I’m hoping she’s given up and will leave well enough alone.”
We stopped as Noah entered the rabbit enclosure andstood outside with parents watching their kids on the other side of the wire fence.
“For sure she can’t say that he’s not happy with you and well taken care of. Did you know her before your friend passed?”
“No. Brandon and I met freshman year of college, and he talked about his family, but I had only met his parents once—at graduation. Still, he and I were really close.”
“I understand. I have the same relationship with my roommate. We met in middle school and we’ve been close ever since. She’s like a sister.”
“You get it. I have two sisters, so he was like a brother to me.” His voice became rough. “When he asked me to be Noah’s guardian, I said yes, but I never thought I’d actually have to do it. I never thought my friend would be dead at thirty-three.” Beneath his beard, his jaw tightened.
“I know that must be hard.”
I placed a hand on his arm and realized with a shock it was only the second time we had actually touched. His skin was warm and sprinkled with fine hairs.
His gaze found mine, and once again I experienced an odd sense of connection, as if we were the only two people present, though there were dozens of folks milling around us. There was something intensely intimate about this connection I felt we had. It wasn’t imaginary. It was real and alive between us. A little scary too. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced this type of feeling with another man.
Snatching away my hand, I broke the invisible, fragile thread connecting us. I took a breath because I needed it, and I noticed that Marcus inhaled deeply, too, as if he needed it.
“I’m glad you came today,” he said, his voice sounding deeper than normal.
“I didn’t have any big plans, as you know. I was literally only going to do laundry. So I didn’t mind at all, even if I do smell like goat now.”
He didn’t speak for a while, his eyes trained on Noah, who was petting a gray rabbit. “Why did you come?”
A loaded question. “I’m concerned about Noah, and I wanted to spend more time with him and see?—”
“Is Noah the only reason you’re here?”
I let the question hang between us before having the courage to respond. “What are you getting at?”
“I was hoping you’d mention me.”
Very direct. “Why?”
“Because I’ve been thinking about you a lot. More than I should.”
I let out a little laugh. “You don’t beat around the bush, do you?”
