AllFreeNovel
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I put a hand on his arm. It’s subtle, sure, but I want Noah to know that I’m here for him.
Elijah is playing a video game in the living room as I chat with Noah quietly in the kitchen. As I wait for him to spill, I realize his kiddo has also been in a weird mood today.
Could he tell his dad was upset? What’s going on?
“Sorry.” Noah sighs. “Natasha is picking up Elijah for the weekend tonight.”
He starts wandering through the kitchen, looking for something to occupy his hands or distract him from the stress, but the room is spotless. It leaves him with nothing to fiddle with but the fridge, and Noah peers inside without actually grabbing anything.
He shuts the door when it beeps and then leans against the counter.
“I hate it. I don’t want to see her. I don’t want him to see her. God knows what she says to him when he’s over there.”
“Hey.” I step in front of him, putting my hand back on his arm for support. “I get it. I’d be feeling agitated, too, if it were me.”
I look over at Elijah playing on the couch. “He’s been a bit off today, also. Maybe you should just talk to him about it?”
“Talk to him? That’d be a hell of a conversation.” Noah rakes his fingers through his hair. “Hey, buddy. Does your mom talk shit about me while you’re there? Because she actually cheated on me and is a bit of a bitch.”
I scoff, rolling my eyes. “Well, I wouldn’t phrase it like that. He obviously knows you guys aren’t a couple anymore, so maybe go with something a bit closer to ‘people say mean things when they’re mad.’”
With his hands folded behind his head, Noah nods and lets out a curt laugh.
“That’s pretty good. It’s like you’re a professional with kids or something.”
Noah looks at me with a smile, and I cross my arms over my chest.
“Or something. Go on. You only have a few minutes, right?”
He nods. “Right.”
I stay in the kitchen and watch as Noah goes and talks to his son. He’s bummed about pausing the game but, as expected, is very receptive to his dad’s words.
Elijah is a great kid, and I can tell he just wants to understand what’s going on.
“So, you know that your mom and I aren’t together anymore.” Noah sits down next to Elijah.
“Yeah.”
Elijah seems more timid than normal and leans into his dad, who wraps him in a hug.
“Well, I know we’ve been quiet about what happened, and there’s a lot you’re still too young to totally understand, but I wanted to help explain what’s going on.”
My heart both warms and aches simultaneously as I see Noah try so hard to do right by his son. The pain of his situation is undeniable, but he’s really doing his best to help Elijah feel heard and safe.
“Mom said you’re just too different.”
“Well, that’s definitely part of it. Mom also broke a pretty big promise to me, and it really…well, it really hurt my feelings.”
“Are you mad at her?” Worry passes over Elijah’s face.
“Yeah, bud. I am. But that’s not your fault. I guess…” Noah exhales hard, dropping his head. “I worry that she might say things to you about me because she’s mad, too. And when someone’s angry, they can say mean things.”
Elijah pulls in on himself like he’s done something wrong. So she has insulted Noah to his face.
“She’s definitely mad. I should have said something.”
“Hey, no. Don’t worry about that, kiddo. You don’t have to try to stand up to her or defend me. I just need you to know that I love you, no matter what.”
