Jonah took a slow breath. “Thanks, Dad.” His phone buzzed and he looked relieved as he pulled it out of his pocket. Relief gave way to a huge smile and a soft hoot.
“Well, look at that, will ya? Northwest Florida State College. Make my dreams come true, please.” He grinned at Eli and tapped the phone, walking into the other side of the apartment. But without wall insulation, Eli could hear every word on this end.
“Yes, ma’am, this is Jonah Lawson speaking.”
Eli looked skyward. “Father, he needs this. Please. Put him in the program where he belongs, where he will flourish, where he might find?—”
“An interview? Of course, I can definitely do that. I’m pretty open so…”
Yes!An interview! He’ll crush an interview!
After a long silence, he heard Jonah exhale sharply. “Uh, yes… yes, sure. I can do that. I’ll see you then.”
But he didn’t turn around or throw his fist in the air or do a dance on the sub floor. He just stood there with his back to Eli, then slid the phone into his jeans pocket.
“Did I hear you say…interview?” Eli asked.
Very slowly, Jonah turned, shocking Eli with tears in his eyes and no color in his face.
“Yeah, I got an interview. Actually, several of them.” Jonah’s voice was hollow.
“Son, that’s ama?—”
“On April twenty-fifth.”
Eli’s stomach sank. “Well, you know you’ll have some serious power in heaven helping make sure you?—”
Jonah swallowed hard. “I should have said no. I don’t know why I didn’t say no.”
“Jonah! You can’t say no.”
“I told you, I always go to Mom’s grave that day. I talk to her. I…bring food.” He shook his head and swore under his breath. “I can’t let her down. She expects me.”
And he didn’t believe in the afterlife?
Keeping that to himself, Eli took a step closer. “Mom would understand, Jonah. It’s unfortunate timing, but we can find other ways to honor her. She would want you to do this interview. She’s cheering for you.”
Jonah was quiet, then nodded. “Yeah. I know. I’ll do it.”
Eli placed a firm hand on his son’s back. “I’m here for you. I’m with you. If you want, we can go up the day before or the day after.”
Jonah’s eyes just shuttered. “Whatever. Let’s get this insulation done. I’m sick of breathing it.” He wiped his eyes as if that’s what caused the dampness, and Eli let it go, totally understanding the pain.
Crista hung way too many grocery bags on her arms, weighed down by a trip to Publix. It seemed like the perfect errand to get her out of the house while Tessa “set up shop,” as she called it, and invited Nolie to the table for a morning of learning.
She went through the open garage door, the sounds of Eli and Jonah’s conversation floating down as they worked on the apartment above. As she climbed the few stairs to the kitchen door, she was already imagining the scene she’d walk into.
Tessa sitting at the dining table, Nolie at her side, deep in concentration as she carefully sounded out words. They’d be bathed in sunlight, the doors open to let that healthy salt air into the room. It would be a quiet, happy moment with none of the stress Nolie experienced when Anthony taught her.
But as she managed to open the kitchen door, she heard a squeal, clapping, and laughter.
Okay, that was?—
She froze at the sight of Nolie whirling through the living and dining rooms, both arms extended. Lacey stood next to a whiteboard leaning on the back of one of the barstools, like a homemade presentation board.
Tessa sat at the dining room table, but she was draped over her chair, with a mess of papers, ribbons, pens, and who knew what strewn about.
Aunt Pittypat ran in Nolie’s wake, barking wildly, her little tail tick-tocking happily.
