Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Cora
The entire weekend was spent cleaning vomit and changing bedding, but fortunately, Noah looks mostly human. I had to cancel my shift at the shop on Saturday, but it was Seth who answered when I called. I didn’t tell him about Noah; I just said I needed time and would see them next week.
He didn’t seem to be sure that I’d be back after the way Atlas behaved, but I’ve dealt with worse than him before. Seth promised that he was genuinely sorry, but I’ll believe that when I hear it for myself.
Monday morning rolls around, and Noah is sitting at the table when I come down for coffee.
“Hey, kiddo.” I ruffle his hair, enjoying his scowl. “You sure you’re up for school today? You don’t have to go if you’re still feeling iffy.”
“Nah, I’m fine. I haven’t thrown up since Saturday night. I already had a muffin.” He points to the wrapper on the table. I’m guessing it was one of the muffins Mara dropped off yesterday.
“Did you eat the last cranberry and orange one?” I ask as I open the breadbox. Relieved there’s still one left, I scowl as he laughs.
“I know better. You turn into a monster when it comes to those.”
Pulling off a chunk of citrusy goodness, my curiosity wins. “Why are you up so early?” Noah usually has to be dragged out of bed.
“Couldn’t sleep.”
“You sure you’re feeling okay?” I press my hand to his forehead. “You don’t feel warm.”
“Yes. Geez.” He pushes my hand away. “You worry too much, Cora.”
He’s not wrong. “Well one of us has to be on top of things, and I guess it’s not going to be you.” I stick my tongue out at him, and he laughs. “Grab your stuff; maybe we can stop by and see Mara before school. It’s early.”
His eyes light up, and he runs out to grab his backpack and shoes. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I do worry too much. I think I need a girls’ night, and I know just the person to talk to.
“So let me get this straight. You want to do a girls’ night out. You.” Mara looks at me in surprise.
The shop was fairly empty when we arrived. Even though Noah already had a muffin this morning, Mara pulled a chocolate croissant out for him, told him he looked too skinny, and pointed him over toward a table. We’ve been chatting at the counter, sipping coffee.
“Yeah. Noah was right. I don’t know the last time I went out or did anything remotely fun.”
She snorts and pulls out her phone. “Let me text Mila. I’m sure she’ll be on board.”
“Shoot. What about Noah?”
“What about him?” She looks confused.
“I’ll have to hire a sitter.”
“Don’t be stupid.” She rolls her eyes. “You know Mom and Dad would be mad if you hired a sitter instead of letting him stay at their house.”
“Where am I going?” Noah asks, making me jump.
“Geez, Noah. Warn a girl next time.”
“I said your name, but you were busy. I’m going to be late.”
Glancing at my watch, I note the time. Shoot. “You’re right. Sorry. We can go.” I look at Mara briefly. “Sorry, duty calls. I’ll text you, and we can plan something… eventually.”
“Ha. Fat chance. We’re going out Friday night. Tell your bosses you need the night off.”
“I just took time off. I don’t know if I can take another day.”
“Either you tell them, or I’ll call and tell them you have a doctor’s appointment for an itchy rash.” She stares at me. I know she’ll do it too.
“Fine. I’ll tell them tomorrow when I go in. Tonight is dog night at the library. You could always stop in.”
“Nah, I’m good. You know me. Books and I don’t mix. That’s why I do coffee.”
“You know we have cookbooks, right?” I remind her as I grab my bag and motion to Noah to zip his jacket.
“Still has the word book in it. No thanks. Mila’s the baker. Later, Noah. Be a menace.”
“Don’t tell him that. That’s all I need.”
Laughing as I head out the door, I feel my spirits lift. Noah getting sick over the weekend zapped a lot of my energy, but now that he’s feeling better, it’s back to business as usual. A night out does sound fun, and I doubt any of the guys will have an issue with it, except for Atlas, maybe.
It’s a shame that someone so handsome is so angry. I’ve watched how he interacts with his brothers, although now that I think about it, none of them really resemble each other.
A lot of people think that Noah is my son, but I don’t bother to correct them. No one wants to hear the sob story of our awful dead parents or how I have a snake of a grandmother still hell-bent on making my life hell when she remembers I exist.
Atlas has a hardness about him, but he creates the most beautiful, colorful designs for clients, and I just don’t understand it.
There isn’t a spot of color on his body.
I’ve looked on more than one occasion. He pushes his sleeves back when he’s working, and I catch glimpses of these vines and branches that snake around his toned arms, and up to his neck.
It makes me wonder what he has hidden underneath.
Then I think of how he smiles when Rhett and Kash are going at it but doesn’t get involved.
I’ve caught him watching me a few times, but he never says anything.
I refuse to let people treat me badly, so I just stay out of his way.
I wish I understood what his deal was, but I have more important things to focus on.
Noah is better, and I guess we’re having a girls’ night.
Dropping Noah off at school, I head to the library. Today is going to be a good day.
Crossing off supplies from my mental checklist, I grab paper, crayons, and a bin of glue from our supply cabinet.
It’s almost time for Tiny Tots, and I have the best story and craft activity today.
I know it sounds silly to get excited about a picture book and construction paper, but I love seeing what the kids create, even when they’re being chaotic little monsters.
Setting things on the table, I turn in time to see Annie walking into the room. “She’s getting set up for Tiny Tots. It’s such a cute program,” she gushes to someone trailing behind her.
My blood runs cold, and I pray it doesn’t show on my face. Bea is standing next to Annie, looking like a happy, friendly person. I know better. It’s the smile of a snake before it strikes. Full of venom and veiled hate.
“Hey, Annie, thanks. I got it from here. Everything is ready to go.” Running the children’s part of the library was always a dream of mine.
Books were the only escape my childhood offered.
I pray that not all the kids who come here have that kind of life, but if any of them do, I hope that for the brief time they’re here, it takes their mind off it.
Waiting until Annie walks out, I silently stare at Bea. This won’t be good; it never is when she shows up.
As soon as Annie is out of earshot, I scowl at my grandmother. “What are you doing here, Bea?” I don’t want her here. I don’t even know how she found out I worked at the library.
“What do you mean, my dear? Can’t I visit my granddaughter at her job?” She smiles like the snake she is.
“No, you can’t. I’m not your granddaughter. You’re no grandmother of mine.”
“I wonder if Noah feels the same way.”
My blood boils. “What about Noah? He’s better off without you too.”
“It’s interesting you say that, because I saw him recently. Spitting image of my Samuel at the age if you ask me, well, except for his eyes. Those come from her.”
“You’re lying.” Crossing my arms, I glare at her. “Get to why you’re here, Bea. I’m working.”
Looking around the room, she takes her time responding. I don’t like her being in my space. It’s been months since I last heard from her, and she hasn’t seen Noah in even longer than that, at least that I know of. I was kind of hoping she was dead.
“I want to see my grandson.”
“No. Out of the question.”
“It wasn’t a question. I’m telling you how it will be.”
“You must have forgotten that Noah doesn’t know you, and honestly, I wish I didn’t. I take care of him. Me. You need to forget we exist.”
“I will see him, Cora. You can bet on that.”
“There’s no reason for you to see either of us. You can leave.” Looking at the clock, I see it’s getting close to one. “There is nothing any of us has to gain by having a relationship. You let that monster reign free, and I won’t let it touch Noah any more than it already has.”
“You watch how you talk about my son.” She steps toward me with an angry expression.
Shaking my head, I barely hold in a laugh. “I’m not afraid of you, Bea. I’m not some little girl you can bully.”
“Just remember, you had a chance to listen.” She turns away. “I’ll be seeing you, Cora.”
Taking a minute to collect myself, I fight back the tears threatening to spill. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I take a deep breath and wonder how Noah and I came from that family line. I’ll never understand it. He’s a good kid, and I won’t let her get to him, no matter what it costs.