"Okay, lets go find my mom . " Noah jumped up with the empty plate and led me downstairs . Mary was no longer in the dining room so we checked the kitchen next . Noah put the plate in the sink but she wasn't in there either . "Must be in the office . Mr . Duncan sure didn't stay long . "
I swallowed harder than normal . I felt nervous knowing I was left here with quite a few strangers .
Noah was oblivious as he moved throughout the house looking for his mom . He knocked on the office door before opening it slowing . "Mom, you busy? Can I take Jake to the park before we have lunch?"
"Come in boys, let's talk . " Her soft voice called out, but I couldn't help flinching . 'Let's talk' was my moms go to phrase before giving a beating . Mary wasn't her though . She was sitting in a black leather chair, behind a desk, with glasses on .
Advertisement"What's up?" Noah walked in as I stayed just outside . He glanced back at me, but didn't comment .
Mary didn't say anything about my strange behavior either . "I wanted to take Jake to the mall for clothes and school supplies today since I have an open house to show tomorrow . I figured we can head out now for an early lunch, get the shopping done, then maybe a movie before dinner?"
Noah nodded along . "Okay . That's fine . We'll just go to the park tomorrow then . No worries . "
Mary smiled and stood up . "Alrighty . Go get in the car and I'll grab my purse . "
Noah left the office and dragged me towards the garage door . "What a treat! Free clothes, eating out, and a movie! All for you! I'm starting to think you're the new favorite in this family . "
I gave a light smile . Noah was like the definition of easygoing . He patted the black sedan . "This is mom's real baby . She loves her bmw . " He pointed at the silver suv type . "The dodge durango is the family car . Zeke uses it to drive us to and from school and practice . Occasionally he'll let the twins practice driving . " He shuddered . "Pray every time you see one of them in the drivers seat . It's not a pleasant experience . "
"Are you talking badly about your brothers again, Noah?" Mary joined us in the garage .
"No ma'am . Just giving Jake some lifesaving advice . " He winked at me .
Mary sighed and shook her head, but didn't say anymore .
We all got into her car and started to go . The mall they took me to was in the city of Marlo, just a couple miles over . It was two stories and took up way more space than I would expect . The first stop was at the burger joint on the second floor .
When we were seated at a table, I made sure that Noah sat across from his mom, and I sat next to him . Keeping a safe distance from her felt like a priority .
"Mom, we have to get him some baseball clothes and stuff!" Noah told her, excited .
The exact opposite of what I was feeling . I shook my head violently, trying to disagree .
Mary laughed . "I don't think you guys are on the same page here . "
Noah shot me an incredulous look . "Bro, you have a glove, but no athletic wear . How are we going to play together if you're in jeans?"
I widen my eyes looking at him, then tilted my head towards his mom .
He rolled his eyes . "My mom doesn't mind . Really . We all play baseball and she's very supportive . It's no problem at all . "
For obvious reasons, that felt like a stab . My chest started to ache and tears were threatening to fall .
"Mom!?" Noah looked towards Mary while putting a hand on my shoulder . "What's wrong with him? Did I say something malicious? What do we do?"
Mary calmly slid the napkin container towards me . "Just let him cry it out . He's going to be okay . "
Chapter end
Report
|
Donate
Oh o, this user has not set a donation button.
|