Page 8 of Fall From Grace

I smiled. “Then it will be our secret. Come on, you can slip out in the morning. You’re good at that kinda stuff.”

He shook his head again. “No, Grace, really. I don’t want them to hate me.” I just looked at him. He didn’t talk or give praise to his mom or dad, but he always tried so hard to be polite and good around mine. I never called him out on it or asked why he did it.

“There’s gonna be nothing for them to hate if you get sick and die out here!” I yelled. He sighed and looked away from me. I reached out for his hand and gave it a tug. “Please, Noah, I’ll wake them up and let them know if that’s what you want.”

“Fine,” he muttered, jerking his hand away and standing. I smiled and followed him down the rope. We didn’t wake my parents. He slept on the floor of my room with a blanket and pillow I gave him. I felt pleased that he listened to me and glad he wasn’t out there freezing.

He was already gone when Mom woke up the next morning and neither her or dad had a clue he spent the night.

On the days it was too cold to go outside and play, Mom made us stay inside. Noah let himself in that evening after sleeping on my floor the night before. He hopped onto the bar stool next to me and immediately tossed something on the countertop. I picked up the piece of wood and turned it around. On the other side was a carved bear. I looked to him.

He looked away from me quickly. “It’s a birthday present,” he muttered quickly. “I didn’t know your birthday was yesterday.”

He carried a pocket knife around with him all the time, but the only thing I had ever seen him do with it was cut up sticks when he was bored. “Did you make this?” It was far from perfect. It might not even be a bear but that was what it looked like to me.

He shrugged his shoulders. “Yeah.”

“I love it,” I told him. “It’s a bear, isn’t it?” He nodded.

Mom leaned over the counter and took it from my hand. “Did you really do this, Noah?” Mom smiled at him. “It looks great.” She handed it back to me. “How’d you learn to do that? Looks complicated. With a knack like this, Noah, you will make good use of those hands when you’re older.”

Noah looked to me with a smile full of Mom’s praise. “It’s just something I do when I’m bored. I’ll get better, and when I do, I’ll make you another one.”

“This one is perfect.” And it was for me. “But, I’ll look forward to more from you.”

“Do they ever act like seven-year-olds?” Dad asked, stepping into the kitchen. He placed a kiss on Mom’s lips before rubbing Noah’s head with a smile. “Hey, kiddo.”

“Hi, Steven,” Noah replied.

Mom shook her head. “I know, I wouldn’t think they ever played if I didn’t see it with my own eyes every day.”

And maybe that was our problem, we should have behaved like kids.

4

Grace age 8

Noah age 9

I’m just a kid, but I think I know my future. It starts and ends with Grace.

She doesn’t realize we are meant to be more than friends, but I’m starting to. One day, I’m going to grow more than I am now, and when I do, I’m going to kiss and touch her when she lets me. I know what adults do. I know all about sex because I’ve seen it during my parents’ parties when everyone’s so high they don’t care that they’re getting it on right in front of a kid. It’s why I disappear to the treehouse to get away. I hate the noise, I hate the smell, but most of all, I hate the way my parents look when they exit real life and disappear into whatever place they love so much. Sex doesn’t look all that great from what I’ve seen in person, but at the same time, I want to try it with Grace.

I’m waiting to grow up. I’m waiting for Grace to as well.

I want her to know about this part of growing up like I do. I feel like with her, everything will be a little more beautiful… Because it already has been a lot brighter since she came into my life 2 years ago.

N.P.

Noah never celebrated his birthday with me. He didn’t even tell me when his birthday was or if he celebrated his new age with his parents every year. He didn’t seem to care. What kid didn’t get excited for their birthday?

There was something downright crooked in his grin that day when he brought the VCR tape his cousin had gotten him for his birthday. I couldn’t share his excitement because all I could think about was still not knowing his birthday like he knew mine.

I crossed my arms and feigned disinterest in whatever he wanted to show me on the tape. He tilted his head at me and sighed. “What is it, Priss?”

“When are you going to tell me your birthday?” I pouted. “I can’t believe you’ve already turned nine and I’m just now finding out!” I studied him a moment. “Is it today? And you’re a May child?” I smiled, knowing I at least knew the month he was born.

He shook his head. “It’s not today, and don’t worry about it.” He looked around the living room. “Where’s your mom?” he asked quickly.