it back in its proper spot. He then turned around to stare at his wife and at the glaring
face of his son.
“Rachel, would you mind making some coffee, please?”
She was stunned by his calm voice and by the way he was looking at her. It was almost as if
he was trying to apologize to her and she even thought she saw something in his face that only
made her heart tremble. It was like he was feeling guilty and ashamed of his actions, and for
a moment or two all she could think of was how much she loved him, how much she needed him and
wanted him to just hold her. Yet as much as she wanted to just fall into his arms, she knew
that they would first have to confront this evening. Her heart grew frightened as she wondered
if this was merely the calm before the real storm hit or worse?
With an uncertainty of what lay ahead, she nodded and headed towards the kitchen, wondering
what had changed because something had. His anger was still there, she could see it in his
face still and yet it wasn’t really the same. It was more like he was angry at himself more
than her or Noah and as she entered the kitchen she heard him begin to talk to Noah, a further
surprise to her as she could hear how soft and calm his voice was, yet it was filled with a
pain she couldn’t begin to quite fathom.
“Guess you are pretty pissed at me right now, aren’t you Noah?”
Noah swallowed and stared at his father. The man suddenly transformed from the silent angry
man to someone who looked liked he was about to break down and cry. It confused him as he
wondered what would happen, as he wondered if the man he called ‘dad’ was going to beat
him or throw him out and then this? It was confusing as he sat there, wishing Dakota were here
with him, hoping that whatever did happen tonight that he could keep his word, that he would
find a way to once more be with Dakota.
