That is an excuse I used with Nic all the time. He constantly claimed to have told me things that he never had. But I couldn’t ever look shocked in front of investors or anyone important. God forbid I looked stupid from something he didn’t mention. But it was easier if I pretended it was my fault than have had a big fight with Nic.
Nancy cocks her head sideways at me, and I totally give in to her fess-up mom glare.
“She didn’t say anything.”
“I’m sure she just forgot. She seems to get a little distracted with you around.” She smiles knowingly, and I blush at her comment.
It’s one thing to think about it, but to hear someone who knows her so well confirm it means more entirely.
Unable to keep the oversize smile off of my face, I walk into the laundry area behind Nancy, suddenly realizing that the rest of the group is long gone.
“Will you grab those empty baskets?” Nancy asks as she opens a large dryer.
Grabbing the white baskets, I join her and help her unload the bedding. “How often do you guys usually come here?”
“At least once a month as a family. We like to do our part where we can,” she says.
“That’s really nice. Even the people who can usually don’t,” I respond, my tone smooth.
“That’s very kind of you to say. But I think if we put our minds to it, we could help more often. Our schedules are just so hard to line up with our jobs.” She folds a sheet. “I like you and Noelle together, you know. Scott and I are very happy that you found one another.” Absolute love fills her words.
Silently huffing, I can’t help but find the irony in this conversation. A caring mom is something I always used to wish for as a kid, and here Nancy is, being a caring motherly figure to the girl dating her daughter. And she doesn’t even know the truth. So, I give her what I can without spilling the big secret.
“I appreciate that. Noelle is special. She’s passionate, kind, and genuine. She knows what she wants in life, and she goes out and gets it. She is the most amazing person I have ever known. I’m very lucky,” I say. My eyes burn with unexpected emotion.
I’ve always been an emotional person. I take pride in wearing my feelings on my sleeve. But my emotions have seemed heightened since arriving in Saranac Lake.
I meant every word I said, but the words somehow forced the feelings out of me along with them. Noelle is incredible, and nothing about that is fake.
Nancy grabs a full basket. “That she is. I have also never seen her smile as much as she does with you since she was a little girl. She seems happier, more herself. It’s nice to see her feel so comfortable in a relationship.”
“That makes me happy,” I say, the burn behind my eyes not fading in the slightest.
Nancy and I spend the rest of the late morning and early afternoon working in the laundry room—washing, drying, folding, and putting away laundry. We don’t stop until all of it is done. I’m surprised that the Evergreens do this. Not because of their character, but because they could just cut a check and call it a day. But instead, they are here, working. It’s inspiring.
On our way out the door, I decide to run to the restroom before we leave.
Pushing the door open, I find a stall and pee quickly. After I flush, I hear the main door open and gently shut. Two girls are talking, and I can’t help but eavesdrop with how loud they are.
“It would be so much easier to hate her if she wasn’t so nice,” the familiar voice says, and I recognize it’s Kelly, Noelle’s ex.
My heart thumps in my chest. Who is she talking about? Me?
“Also, she didn’t seem to have a clue who I was. Like, I getnottelling her, so it’s not weird for her to be here. But did she have to be so damn pretty? I mean, those eyes are insane. It’s like she’s staring into your soul with those hazel orbs. I wish she were a raging bitch. It would be easier to hate her.”
Holy shit, I think she’s talking about me.
“Thanks for listening to me vent, Han,” Kelly says. “I need to go email Noelle her receipt. I’m thankful for one thing this Christmas, and that’s The Evergreen Foundation. I don’t know if I told you yet, but they gave an extra fifty grand with their donation this year,” Kelly says, and my jaw nearly drops to the floor.
Does Noelle tell me anything?!
“No way. We can actually buy new cots for the A units!” her friend, Han, exclaims.
“I know. Thank God that Noelle and I are still on okay terms, or this could have ended badly for the shelter.” The door opens. “They should just call it the Noelle Foundation. I know she’s the only one who manages it. Her family hasn’t touched that in years.”
My mind feels slow as it retains all of the information. What does The Evergreen Foundation do? Donations? I’m more confused by what she said than I was when I met her.
Questions keep bubbling in my mind as I wait a few minutes, wash my hands, and leave. The whole ride home, I mentally compile the questions I want to ask her. But I also don’t want to come off too pushy. Maybe she hasn’t brought any of this up because we aren’t even really dating.
