That morning.
8:22.
8:26.
Waiting.
Cole had understood without being told.
“Did you think we weren't coming?”
Noah hesitated.
“Yes.”
Cole nodded.
“Fair.”
“You were late.”
Cole looked offended.
“Two minutes early.”
“You weren't there at eight.”
“You said eight thirty.”
Noah smiled.
“Still.”
Cole placed one giant hand on his shoulder.
“Next time, specify.”
Next time.
Noah liked hearing that.
Lunch started at noon.
That was when his mother arrived.
She entered the school cafeteria wearing her motel uniform beneath an old gray cardigan.
She had been allowed thirty-five minutes away from work.
Noah spotted her first.
“Mom!”
He ran.
She hugged him.
“I made it.”
Then she noticed the bikers.
One.
Five.
Ten.
More visible through the windows.
Her smile disappeared.
“Noah.”
He immediately understood.
“They’re friends.”
Her eyes widened.
“Whose friends?”
“Mine.”
“What?”
Cole saw the situation and approached.
Noah’s mother stepped protectively in front of her son.
Cole stopped at a respectful distance.
“Ma’am.”
She looked at his vest.
Then at Noah.
Then at Cole again.
“Who are you?”
“Cole Garrett.”
“How do you know my son?”
Noah tried:
“Mom—”
She held up one hand.
“Not now.”
Cole looked at Noah.
Then back at her.
“He came into the diner yesterday.”
Her face went pale.
“He what?”
Noah closed his eyes.
There it was.
Cole continued.
“He offered me seven dollars to attend Family Day.”
Silence.
His mother slowly looked at Noah.
“Seven dollars?”
Noah stared at his shoes.
“Mom…”
“Where did you get seven dollars?”
“My money.”
“You approached strangers?”
“They were nice.”
“Motorcycle strangers?”
Cole almost smiled but stopped himself.
Noah's mother pressed her fingers against her forehead.
“I cannot believe this.”
Noah’s excitement vanished.
“I just didn't want to be alone.”
She froze.
Noah immediately regretted it.
Her face broke.
“Oh, baby.”
“I know you had work.”
She crouched in front of him.
“You thought you had to hire somebody?”
He nodded.
She hugged him.
Hard.
“I’m sorry.”
“No.”
“I should've—”
“No, Mom.”
He pulled back.
“You work.”
Tears filled her eyes.
Noah continued.
“Dad would understand.”
That nearly destroyed her.
Cole looked away.
So did Mason.
Noah’s mother wiped her cheeks.
Then stood.
She faced Cole.