“I brought Noah from school. I didn’t want him walking over here on the icy roads,” she said.
“Mom…I am old enough to walk home by myself,” Noah grumbled.
“I know. It’s the other cars on the icy roads I don’t trust,” Kady stated, as she sat on the corner of Editon’s desk. “Why did you want us to come in?”
Editon wiped his hands on an old towel. “I need some help around here, and I was hoping that I could hire Noah after school to help me?”
Noah’s eyes narrowed. “Why me?”
“I heard you were good with projects, and I have lots of projects around here.” Editon smiled, but Noah didn’t return it. “I also need help finishing the lower level of my house.”
“I don’t know how to do any of that,” Noah said.
“Neither did I when I started. You can learn, and I can teach you the things you aren’t sure of. Are you interested?” Editon asked and then took a sip of water from a bottle on the desk.
“I don’t think so.” Noah got up and headed to the door. “Can we go, Mom? I have homework.”
Kady looked from Noah to Editon. “Sorry.” When Noah walked out the door, she lowered her voice and said, “It’s a great opportunity and thanks for thinking of Noah. I’ll try and talk to him.”
She gave Editon a quick kiss and left.
****
Noah watched his grandfather put the worm on his fishing pole and then drop it into the lake. Their small metal boat rocked in the breeze. It was cold enough that their breath made little clouds in the air as they sat in silence. Even though he was older, Noah had to admit that he still loved fishing with his grandpa.
“Will there still be fish this time of year?” Noah asked as he took the pole from his grandpa.
“Oh, sure.” Grandpa still had a hint of a Midwest in his voice.
“I didn’t think you usually fished this late in the season.”
“Often I don’t, but I thought we needed a little man on man time without the ladies around.”
Noah nodded and dipped the end of the pole to jiggle the line.
“I overheard Kady and your grandma talking in the kitchen last night. Kady told her that her new friend Editon offered you a job, and you turned him down.”
“Friend? Is that what she calls Editon?” Noah asked and blew out a huff.
“Listen, your mom’s been through a lot and from what I’ve heard, hasn’t had too many good men either. Editon has done a lot for this town, and no one I know has a bad thing to say about him.”
“I guess I don’t know him that well.”
“Do you think maybe that’s why he made the offer? I think it sounds like a win-win. You two can get to know each other better, and he?ll pay you to work.” Grandpa dropped his fishing line into the water. “I’m sure you could use a bit of your own money.”
“I’m worried that he’s going to be another one of the guys that hurt her.”
“I don’t think he’s that kind of guy. I asked around. I’m still Kady’s dad and protective.” He gave Noah a wry smile. “They told me he’s not a love ?em and leave ?em kind of fellow. I see the way Editon looks at Kady when they are together. It’s the same way I looked at your grandma…still do. When you have a special someone in your life, someday, you’ll understand.”
Noah gave him a sideways glance wondering if he should say anything. He took a deep breath and then his words tumbled out, “I really like this girl at school. She’s so beautiful, and she’s smart. She wants me to join the debate club. I did so I can see her after school.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“I didn’t say anything. She’s Native American…like Editon. Naira told me about the community center that he’s going to build and that all the kids in the area are really excited about it.”
His grandpa scratched his chin. “Well, I didn’t know that either.”
“I think I figured this out on my own. Editon’s a pretty nice guy, and maybe I made a mistake by telling him no.”
“I think that you should think about it a little more until you give your final answer.”
Just then, Noah’s pole danced. The line jerked once, twice, and then he started to reel it in. “I’ve got something!”
“Looks like dinner’s on you tonight,” his grandpa said using the net to scoop up the fish as it broke the surface of the water.
****
Editon looked up, as the door of his shop opened. He had to admit, he was surprised to see it was Noah.
“Noah? Hey, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
The boy took his backpack off his arm. “I was walking back from school and hoped that you would be here.”
“What can I do for you?”
“I’ve been thinking about your offer to work for you…with you. But, I have a few questions.”
“Sure.” Editon pulled two sodas from the mini fridge and handed one to Noah. They sat on the broken down couch on the side of the shop.
“Do you like my mom?”