"I stayed over there last night."
His eyes widen."Hey, thatisa big step.You're happy?"
I nod.“Yeah, I am.I honestly wasn't sure I'd ever feel truly happy again."I eye him, hesitating."It's hard to let myself feel that way, sometimes, though."
"It's what Mom wanted."
“Yeah, but certain parts of me have a hard time accepting that."I gesture at him with a pen."What about you?Anyone catching your interest?"
He shakes his head."No.I've been on a few dates, but…" he sighs."It's gonna sound shitty."
"So say it anyway.I'm your dad.I know you."
"All the women around here that are single and age-appropriate just don't interest me.There's nothing wrong with them, I just…I dunno.I grew up with them.Went to school with them.Shit, I dated Leah Martin, and her ex-husband and I were teammates our whole lives.It’s just weird.I don't know.I love living here, I love being back in Tomlin Falls, and I'm not going anywhere, but I sort of wonder if I'm ever going to meet anyone."
I sigh."Yeah, problems of living in a small town, I guess.But I know the right person will come along.Probably when you least expect it."
"I think you said something almost exactly the same when I broke up with Heather Edmonds junior year," he says.
"It was true then, and it's true now."
He laughs sarcastically."Dad, I'm in my thirties.I'm starting to wonder if it's just not in the cards for me."
"You are too young to give up, kiddo.As I said, this kind of thing has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it."
"I hope you're right.Because if I'm honest, I really want it."
"You'll find your person, Noel.You have so much love to give.Just…be open when it comes.You'll know."
The tones go, then, and it's off to the races.
