The Photo Noah Found
Chapter 06 - The Photo Noah Found
Noah found Adrian’s college photograph online.
He brought the tablet to Claire.
“Mom, look.”
Adrian was twenty-one in the picture.
Noah looked almost exactly like him around the eyes.
For the first time, Noah seemed fascinated rather than angry.
“Did you know him then?”
Claire smiled despite herself.
“Yes.”
“Did you love him?”
The question caught her off guard.
“I did.”
“Do you now?”
“Noah.”
“What?”
She sighed.
“Adults can care about each other and still have complicated feelings.”
He considered that.
“So yes.”
Claire laughed despite herself.
“You should finish your homework.”
Later that night, Noah texted Adrian for the first time.
Claire did not know until Adrian called.
“He asked whether I played baseball.”
“Did you?”
“Badly.”
Claire smiled.
“He’s going to be disappointed.”
“He already said my batting average was embarrassing.”
That sounded like Noah.
The next weekend Adrian attended the twins’ game.
He sat in the last row instead of beside Claire.
He did not want to intrude.
Eli noticed him first.
Then Noah.
When Noah hit a double, he looked toward Adrian before running to second base.
Adrian stood and cheered.
Noah tried not to smile.
He failed.
After the game, Noah handed Adrian the notebook.
A new question was written inside.
Will you come next Saturday too?
Adrian looked at him.
“Every Saturday you want me there.”
Noah nodded.
May you like
It was not forgiveness.
But it was a beginning.
