Page 140 of Something Like Hail

The grin returned. Noah was still dancingaround the great big “L” word. He said it without hesitation tomake Felix happy, but in his own mind, he was reluctant to admitthe truth, worrying that it would somehow jinx what still felt likea miracle. He simply couldn’t believe that someone so adorable andsweet, so grounded and yet downright weird at times, continued tooffer his heart unconditionally.

At least Noah hoped that’s how Felix felt.He pulled out his phone, noticing a text message that must havearrived while he was signing papers in Marcello’s office.

Dinner tonight?

Noah walked to his truckwhile composing his reply.Just you andme? Sounds perfect. I’ll take breakfast that way too. And brunch.And lunch!

Felix sent an emoji of alaughing cat. The text that came next was more subdued.Don’t be mad, but I sort of promised my mom thatwe would eat with her tonight. She’s worried about me moving inwith you.

Noah stopped next to histruck.That’s fine. Why is sheworried?

She just needs to get toknow you,Felix sent back.Mom stuff. Sorry!

Noah chuckled tohimself.Don’t be! I’d love to meet her.For real this time. When?

Is six okay?

I’ll be there!

That he could agree so readily felt good. Nomore working nights. No more uncertain hours. Everything waschanging! Noah placed his hand on the truck, wondering if it shouldgo too. He no longer needed it to maintain his image. Then again,he had grown fond of the rusty old thing, and it would come inhandy as they continued moving in Felix’s possessions. Noah hadplans for that spare room. They wouldn’t need separate beds, so hisoriginal plan to make it an office were on again. His desk would besurrounded by Felix’s possessions, shelves upon shelves of toys andcollectables acting as motivation to make this new enterprise asuccess. Felix would be his muse, his inspiration. Noah wanted togive them the best life possible, and maybe it was just the brightAugust day making him feel optimistic, but he saw very fewobstacles standing in the way of their happiness. Just one, infact, and he was ready to deal with it. Tonight, he would tellFelix the full truth about his past.

* * * * *

Felix met him at the door to his family’sapartment, quivering with excitement. He practically leapt to wraphis arms around Noah’s neck, and as good as that felt, Noahpolitely disentangled himself, having noticed two people watchingthem from deeper inside the home.

Felix’s sister, Darli, seemed amused by thisdisplay. The older woman who must be their mother appeared puzzled,or perhaps concerned. Noah made sure to focus on her as he wasushered inside. She was short, like her son, although her hair wasbutterscotch brown instead of black, and long instead of theshorter styles preferred by her children. Noah offered his hand andhis name.

“I’m Bianca,” sheresponded. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

He noticed a slight strain on the word“finally” and decided to address the issue. “I wish it could havehappened sooner,” he said. “And it would have, if my job wasn’t sodemanding.”

“Understandable,” Biancasaid, her smile reserved. “Still, I would have thought we’d meetbefore any talk of moving in began.”

“Mom!” Darli complained.“Stop grilling him! Not on his special day.”

“Shut up!” Felix hissed athis sister.

Noah was thoroughly confused, especiallywhen Felix grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the dining area.The table had already been set, which wasn’t surprising. Thecolorful paper streamers that looped from the ceiling to the walls,along with clusters of balloons, gave him pause.

“What’s this?” helaughed.

Felix squeezed his hand. “Happybirthday.”

Noah looked at him, feeling a mixture ofemotions that he had trouble separating. Sorrow was there. Ofcourse he knew what today was, but he had grown accustomed toignoring it. His first birthday out on the streets had been one ofthe most depressing experiences of his life. Noah had accepted thenthat such things were for other more fortunate people. Aside fromthat emotion, he also felt hope that simple pleasures like a cakeand candles were within his reach again. Mostly he felt a surge ofaffection for the guy still clinging to his hand.

Noah remained puzzled though, because henormally avoided the topic of his birthday. “How did you know?”

“I went through yourwallet,” Felix confessed. “I had to pretend to be sleeping and waituntil you really were.” He shot a glare behind him. “I wanted it tobe a surprise!”

Darli rolled her eyes. “And I gave it away awhole ten seconds before he would have seen it anyway. Crucify me,why don’t you?”

“Enough, you two!” Biancascolded. Her expression was softer when turning to Noah. “We’revery happy that you’ve chosen to celebrate with us.”

“Well, I’m thrilled to behere! Thank you for having me.”

This earned him a smile. Bianca gestured tothe table. “Please. Sit.”

He did so gladly, Felix pulling out a chairto show him which to use before taking the one next to his.