Page 67 of Something Like Hail

He entertained this fantasy as theycontinued to walk the land. His father showed him much that hadchanged. When a call interrupted them, his father took it, grunteda few times, and returned the phone to his pocket.

“You mother wants me to getcleaned up for supper. I think she just wants to see youagain.”

Noah wanted that too. When they returned tothe house, succulent aromas were drifting in from the kitchen.Harold was on the couch, flipping through a religious book, judgingfrom the cover. He seemed bored out of his mind, but he smiled andstood.

“Everything okay down onthe ranch?” he said.

Clarence ignored him and went to washup.

“Sorry,” Noah said. “He’s alittle gruff sometimes.”

“It’s fine,” Harold said.“I think your mom is warming up to me. I helped her cook. Did youknow that we’re eating venison tonight?”

“Sorry,” Noah said again.“I was surprised about that too.”

“Venison has even lesscholesterol than chicken. I like it!”

Noah snorted. “I should have known. Hey,want a tour?”

“Sure!” Harold sounded likehe’d been offered a trip to Disneyland. He was definitelybored!

There wasn’t a lot to see. Noah wasn’t aboutto take Harold into his parents’ room. That just left one forsewing, a minimal office space, and his old bedroom. To hissurprise, little had changed in his absence. He had mixed feelingsabout this. Unlike many sixteen-year-olds, he didn’t have postersof bands he liked or films he enjoyed or anything relating to popculture. His parents disapproved of such things, so the decorationswere fairly neutral. A poster of a growling panther, the highschool mascot. Another of a cowboy and horse with Big Bend NationalPark in the background. Noah didn’t have many possessions to feelnostalgic about, other than books and a catcher’s mitt andball.

“They made it a guestroom?” Harold asked.

“No, this one’smine.”

“Oh.” Harold glancedaround, his expression strained. “Did they make you keep everythingpersonal under the bed?”

“Huh?”

“Never mind.” Harold put ona grin and flopped onto the mattress, back first. “Cozy! Think wehave time for a nap before dinner?”

Noah looked to the hallway, then back again.“Maybe you shouldn’t. My parents might think we’re…”

“I get it,” Harold said,laidback as ever. He rolled to his feet again. “Let’s hang out inthe living room instead.”

Noah shot him a grateful expression. Soonthey were seated on the couch, an empty seat cushion between them.Clarence returned with fresh clothes and damp hair to take a seatin his favorite chair. He steadfastly ignored Harold and asked Noahabout his life in Austin. Most of what he wanted to know centeredon work, which was difficult to tap dance around. That wouldn’t bean issue when Noah found a different occupation. He wanted hisparents to be proud of him, and the escort thing had always been atemporary solution. This could work! The occasional visit to FortStockton, an unsuppressed life in Austin, and best of all, a familyagain. Like normal people.

The doorbell rang. Noah looked at hisfather, who shrugged like he didn’t know either, but his expressionwas guarded.

“Go ahead,” Clarencesaid.

That was his cue. Noah rose and tried tothink of other relatives his parents might have called to surprisehim, but those were distant both figuratively and literally. Achildhood friend, perhaps? Noah opened the door and saw a slendergirl in her late teens with straight brown hair and enoughskillfully applied makeup to imply that she was attending somethingimportant. She looked him over, raised an eyebrow and smiled, thegap between her two front teeth cute rather than off-putting.

“Hey,” she said casually.“Noah, right? Remember me?”

He did not, but he didn’t need to look farfor the answer. Stepping onto the patio behind her was a man justas thin as his daughter except much older. His hair was a mess,curling upward behind his ears like wings and much grayer than Noahremembered. He felt like slamming the door shut, grabbing Harold,and bolting out the back.

“Noah!” Pastor Stevenssaid, opening his arms wide as if they would hug. “What a handsomeyoung man you’ve become, wouldn’t you agree, Bethany?”

“C’mon Dad,” Bethanyreplied. “Stop being so weird.”

Pastor Stevens tsked and shook his head, buthis eyes were smiling as he held out his hand. As for his teeth, toNoah they seemed to be brandished like a snarling animal.

Noah opened his mouth but no sound cameout.

“Don’t be rude,” Clarencesaid from inside. “Invite them in!”