Page 150 of Something Like Hail
Noah waited until he was outside in theparking lot. Then he pulled out his phone and placed a call.
Harold sounded happy when he answered. “Hey!How’s it going?”
“That depends on you,” Noahreplied. “I need your help.”
* * * * *
Noah paced the interiorof a bar, faced on all sides by temptation. Alcohol called to himthe most. Not beer or wine as he usually preferred, but the strongstuff he never messed with. Rum, vodka, whisky. The taste didn’tmatter. He just wanted to numb his thoughts. Before giving intothis urge, he turned away from the bar to be faced by otherdistractions, like the arcade cabinets lining the wall. He mightnot be a gamer, but he knew he could get lost in a digital worldfor a while. What better way to ignore reality? Of course thatwould be rude to his guests. Guest.
Noah looked to the table where three peopleshould be sitting. Only one was there, an old man who raised hiswine glass in toast before taking a sip. If anything good had comefrom this situation, reconciling with Chester was it. Noah hadcalled him to apologize and to ask a favor. Not the bestcombination, but it was a testament to Chester’s generosity that hehadn’t dragged Noah over the coals. Instead he simply agreed to bewherever and whenever required. Sitting down with him for anentertaining conversation would be a welcome diversion too, butNoah wasn’t quite ready to give up yet.
He held up a finger, indicating to Chesterthat he would need another second. Then he went to the front doorof Bottoms 1UP to speak with the bouncer. Again. “My friend shouldbe here soon,” he said. “He’s short, has—”
“Blue hair,” the bouncersaid as if reading from a script. “Although it might be differentnow because you haven’t seen him in a few days.”
“Right,” Noah said, faceburning. “Just wanted to make sure you were payingattention.”
The bouncer turned toward the street,probably hoping for a group of teenagers with fake IDs or any othernuisance that would demand his attention. Noah decided to leave himbe. After looking up and down the street for any sign of Felix, hereturned inside with a heavy heart. He had hoped the good memorieshere would be enough to lure Felix in. They needed the perfectspot. After an awkward conversation on the phone and a fewhalf-hearted text messages, he realized they would have to makeamends in person. Felix was still hurt, and Noah was reluctant tosay the really important things unless they were together. Hewanted Felix to look him in the eye and see his sincerity. One morechance. That’s all he needed.
From all appearances, he might not get thatchance. He took a seat across from Chester, wishing again for astiff drink.
“No luck?” Chestersaid.
Noah shook his head. “What little I was bornwith ran out years ago.”
“I was raised to believethat we make our own luck,” Chester said, “although I’ve had enoughbad times to know life isn’t so simple. Goodness no! However, I dobelieve it’s possible to make luck for other people.”
Noah blinked. “What do you mean?”
“Well, if someone is on thestreet and starving, it’s up to the man with money in his pocket todecide how lucky the hungry person will be that day. Do you seewhat I mean? If we go through life being kind to other people,we’re spreading luck around. Assuming the other person benefitsfrom our actions. I had a neighbor who baked me a cake every week.Very charming, but my lord did I put on weight! I’m not sure howlucky that was.”
“Sounds good to me,” Noahsaid. “I’ve barely eaten for days.”
“I’d be happy to buy you—”Chester stopped, having picked up on his meaning. “Ah. Beinglovesick will do that. Of course it can also make you eat like apig. That old neighbor of mine moved, but I’m sure it wouldn’t beso hard to look her up. We’ll have you sitting in front of anentire carrot cake within the hour.”
“I might need it,” Noahsaid with a sigh, “although I prefer German chocolate.”
“You definitely won’t needit,” Chester said. “He’ll be here.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so! If I were hisage, or even mine, and you had asked me here tonight… Well, Isuppose you did and I am!”
“Thank you,” Noah said. “Imean it. You’ve always been kind, but you being here is more than Ideserve. Especially considering the way I behaved towardyou.”
“Think nothing of it,”Chester said, waving away his concern. “People are allowed to haveshortcomings. Friends especially.”
“Well, I’ve got plenty ofshortcomings,” Noah said. “I might not have as many friends as Ithought I did.” He looked over his shoulder toward the door. “Therewas supposed to be another—”
The words caught in his throat because Felixwas standing by the entrance and considering the bar interior, hiseyes lingering on an arcade cabinet or two. This gave Noah plentyof time to notice the freshly cut hair and the skin-tight thermalshirt that he hadn’t seen before. He would have recognized howcomplementary the olive green fabric looked against light brownskin. The gray jeans weren’t new, since Noah vividly rememberedundoing the button and zipper during one lazy afternoon lastweek.
Felix looked good. Intentionally. Noahwasn’t sure how to take that. The fresh appearance could either beintended as a “see what you’re missing?” or a much more humble “Iwanna look my best in case we get back together.” All he knew forsure was how nice it was to see him again. Even a mere handful ofdays was too long for them to be apart.
Noah was on his feet and walking across theroom while still lost in these thoughts. His brain ceasedfunctioning when Felix noticed him at last, the usual joy in hiseyes making a welcome reappearance before clouds of uncertaintyreturned.
“Hey,” Noah said, openinghis arms for a hug. “Thanks for coming.”
Felix hesitated before accepting, but assoon as their arms were wrapped around each other, he squeezed withneed. Noah was unsure how to interpret this. Did Felix recognizehow good it felt to touch again and not want to stop? Or was thisthe last time, and that’s why it felt so intense? Noah took a stepback to find out.