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The hardest thing was to realize there were two sides to this heartbreak. And while Dexter had experienced it with me, he’d come out cleaner. My side carried dirt and blood and grit. But Dexter had no idea. And I couldn’t bring myself to just…tellhim. I couldn’t face him walking away from me again.
We remained quiet the rest of the way, Dexter content to leave me with my thoughts.
He pulled into the familiar neighborhood, and it was a slap from the past. The houses were the same, the grass covered in snow and children outside playing. We parked the van outside of the one that reminded me of our adolescent love. I stared at it, unable to stop the smile from spreading.
“Am I allowed out of the car?” I asked, trying to sound flippant. I was still nervous to see Tracey. But I figured if Dexter said she was expecting us, we’d better get inside. I didn’t want to keep her waiting and it was freezing.
Dexter just laughed and opened his door. We were definitely an odd pair. Between my outbursts and his quirky understanding, we’d be suffering emotional whiplash. He handed me my carry-on with a kiss on my forehead, reminding me of us before the wreckage.
The front door opened, and Tracey was on the doorstep with her arms open wide. “Noa Cruz, get your fancy artist butt up here and hug me!”
I should’ve known. I hooted and jogged up, careful of the slush and ice, and hugged her.
She laughed into my neck, and when I pulled back, she wiped away her tears. “You’re finally home.” She ran her hand down my hair and turned at the sound of a child’s laughter and a dog barking. “Come meet the family.”
I looked at her in shock. Her face had a few more lines, but she was still as beautiful as ever with brown hair that glistened like it did in the commercials and green eyes that saw everything.
“Don’t look so surprised,” she said, leading me inside. “I got married and had a kid. Was I that hopeless?”
I grabbed her again, hugging her tight. “No, no. It’s just…your dreams came true. I know it’s what you’ve always wanted. I’m only sad I missed so much.”
She stepped back and shook her head. “We always knew you’d come back. You couldn’t stay away forever. Besides,” she led me into the living room, “time is nothing when it comes to love—to family.”
I looked down at the child wrestling the pit bull in front of us. I might’ve feared for the boy if the dog wasn’t licking his face excitedly.
“This is Sam,” Tracey said, her eyes on him with a lightness I could only envy. A mother and her child. “Pardon Buster. He’s Sam’s best friend.”
The boy got up and patted Buster on his head before turning to us. Brown hair and fair skin, teeth missing and a cut on his forehead. By the looks of it, it was a few days old.
“My Sam, he’s an adventurous one. Sam, this is Noa.”
I looked around for Dexter, only to see him leaning against the wall, watching our interaction. Always watching.
Sam held out his hand and I took it. He looked a little older than Phoebe. “Hi, Noa. They say your name in Sunday school sometimes, except you’re a boy.”
I sputtered out a laugh. “Well, Sam, I’m honored to have been mentioned in Sunday school. Don’t worry, I left the animals at home.”
When he frowned in confusion, Tracey took his hand. “Let’s get you washed up for dinner, baby. Dex, your room is ready. Dinner will be on the table in fifteen, and Ralph is on his way with Nina.” She said all this while heading up the steps.
“Where’s Dan?” Dex asked, still looking at me.
“In the den, kid,” a male voice answered, and I could hear Sam repeating Dan’s name over and over while Tracey laughed.
“Come meet Dan.” Dex led me to the den and I looked around, hardly having spent time in there before.
There was a man sitting on a love seat. When we came in, he set down his book.
“Dan, this is Noa. Noa, Tracey’s husband and Sam’s father, Dan.”
I offered my hand, but he came in for a hug, and I was intimidated by his massiveness. I’d thought Ralph was a large guy, but Dan put him to shame.
“The famous Noa. You’re as beautiful as Dex said. More so, I think. Women have always been like wine, haven’t they?” He winked at me, and I looked over at the book he’d been reading. His eyes traveled to where mine looked and he smiled. “I’ve joined the local book club. Most of the participants are women. Have you read this one?” He held up the book, and I shook my head.
“I haven’t gotten to that one yet. It’s a bit steamy for my taste, but I’m sure I’ll be forced to at some point. Especially since they’re making it into a movie, I heard.” Dexter put his arm around my waist, and I leaned into him, finally comfortable. I could talk about books all day.
“Yes, well, it’s always a tragedy when they do that. I encourage you to give it a read. It’ll make this young man very happy.”
Dexter took his hands from me and ran his hands over his face like he did when we were young and he didn’t know what to do. “Too much, Dan. Too much. Besides,” he looked at me with a gleam in his eyes, “I’m already happy.”
