Part 43 (1/2)

He was fl.u.s.tered.

”So we're having problems and the first thing you do is go have s.e.x with someone?” he inquired angrily.

”It wasn't like that.”

”You should have told me about him. When I sleep with you, I'm sleeping with every other person you've ever slept with. I have a right to know, Wiley. I would never lie to you about something like that. And the South has a very high AIDS infection rate.”

He was getting increasingly agitated, whether because he was genuinely upset or needed some pharmaceutical help, I could not tell.

”I think I should go,” he said.

”Okay,” I said quietly.

He grabbed his keys off the counter and left without saying good-bye.

What's wrong? Noah asked. Noah asked.

Nothing, I signed. I signed.

Are you fighting again?

Don't worry about it.

Don't treat me like a baby!

Sorry.

So?

So... what?

Is he going to leave us like Mom did?

Don't be crazy.

Is he?

No.

Then what happened?

We had a little argument.

He didn't say good-bye to me.

I'm sorry.

That wasn't nice, he said. he said.

No, it wasn't, I agreed. I agreed. Let's wash the dishes. Let's wash the dishes.

Do I have to help?

I thought you weren't a baby anymore.

I'm not! I'm almost ten!

Come on, old man. Help me wash the dishes.

He frowned.

62) It's my birthday

NOAH WOKE WOKE me the following morning. me the following morning.

It's my birthday! he announced. he announced.

Happy birthday, I said. I said.

And you're going to be late for work, he added, tapping his wrist.

”Come here,” I said, gesturing with my hands. I kissed him on the cheek, pushed hair out of his eyes.

Are you ready for your birthday party?

He nodded happily.

I tried to get the day off from work but my boss wouldn't let me.

That's okay, Daddy.

I wanted to spend the whole day with you.

It's okay. Mrs. H. made a cake for me and K. We're going to have a party.

I'll be home by 2:15 and we'll leave right away and go to Memaw's house.

Is J. going to be at my party?

I hope so, I admitted, thinking he probably wouldn't be. I admitted, thinking he probably wouldn't be.

I continued to look at him.

I felt something like a lump in my throat. When he was born, the doctor said the chances of Noah living to be ten were virtually nonexistent, that I was not to get my hopes up. And now, here he was....