NEW!!! "Hazard Pay - Final Chapter"
Title: Hazard Pay - Chapter Thirty-One
Pairing: Noah/OMC
Rating: M
Prompt: Action!Noah in action ripped from the headlines!
Disclaimer: Don’t own ‘em. Don’t make no money.
***
Pippa turned to the camera. “We’ll be right back with our final segment, including questions from our audience.”
“Oh, crap!” Noah said, just as Holden re-entered.
“What’s wrong?”
“Audience questions,” Noah told him. “AUDIENCE QUESTIONS!” he repeated at Holden’s blank look.
Holden tilted his head. “So?”
“What if someone asks something, or says something…”
“Homophobic?” Holden shrugged. “From what I’ve seen, he can handle it.”
Noah growled in frustration and climbed of bed, but the pain in his leg made him double over. “Shit!”
“Easy there, cowboy,” Holden advised.
“I should be there!” Noah gestured at the TV. “I should be there to support him, but I can’t because of this.” He pounded on his fist on his leg in frustration, then slumped back on the bed. “I hate being helpless,” he admitted.
Holden’s voice was calm. “First of all, you’re not helpless. You’re just a little hamstrung right now.”
Noah laughed in spite of himself. “Okay.”
“Second, I think Jeff has things well in hand.”
Noah sighed. “Yeah, I know.”
Still, he gnawed nervously at his thumbnail during the commercials. Sure enough, the first audience member to ask a question had a belligerent tone.
“You claim to be a newsman, but I just wonder what makes you think this is news. I mean…” The woman paused to put a hand on her hip. “It’s not news who I’m dating. Why should we have to watch a TV show about who you choose to have sex with?”
A few other audience members nodded, but Jeff remained calm.
“Well, you’re right,” he said easily. “It’s not news. And it’s certainly not how I would have chosen to come out. On the other hand,” he added, leaning forward in his chair, “there are people in this country who have been outed who have lost their jobs, lost custody of their children, and been ostracized from their families. Some have even lost their lives. And to me, that’s newsworthy. So, while a single case such as mine isn’t news, when you look at the bigger picture, there’s a story there.”
“See?” Holden looked at Noah. “He can handle it.”
Jeff leaned back to scattered applause, while Pippa approached another audience member with the microphone.
“Hi, I’m Leslie,” she stammered nervously.
“Hi, Leslie.” Jeff sketched a little wave.
Leslie blushed visibly. “I’m just wondering if you might stop traveling to other parts of the world, because it will be more dangerous for you now that you’re, um, out.”
“Absolutely not,” Jeff replied firmly. “I mean, obviously I’ll use common sense, but I’m not going to live my life in fear. And as we were just talking about, as a gay man, I could just as easily be murdered in the United States as in the Third World. But hopefully the person wouldn’t get away with it quite so easily here.”
There was more scattered applause as Leslie sat down. Lily tiptoed in the room and sat down again, handing Noah a glass of water.
“Drink this,” she ordered. “How’s it going?” she asked Holden.
Holden grinned. “He’s kicking ass.”
Pippa approached a serious looking young man with thick glasses who spoke in a single breath.
“Hi, I’m Adam, I’m a big fan. I’m interested in becoming a journalist and I’m wondering what additional classes I should take in college besides my major and also how to get started in the business.” Adam paused and gulped for air. “Uh, thanks.”
Jeff scratched his ear, looking abashed. “I’m not really the best person to ask about college, since I dropped out, but I guess any kind of history course would be important. Or political science or economics. Anything that helps you understand the bigger picture. Pippa, what do you think?”
“Writing courses,” Pippa said. “Or foreign languages. Anything that helps you communicate effectively.”
“Yeah, those are good choices,” Jeff agreed. “As for getting started, I don’t really know. I just kind of jumped in, feet first, and learned as I went.”
Pippa nodded. “There’s definitely no substitute for hard work and long hours. Next question, please.”
Adam sat down, looking disappointed, while Pippa held the microphone out to an older woman with big glasses and even bigger hair.
“Jeff, I’m wondering what you think your parents would say if they knew you were gay.”
“Christ,” Noah muttered. “What a stupid-ass question.”
“Shh!” Lily said. “I want to hear what he says.”
Jeff took a deep breath before replying, but his tone remained calm. “Well, first of all, my parents both grew up with heavy expectations from their families about who they were supposed to be. My mom was expected to be a Southern belle and land a rich husband, and my dad was supposed to be a captain of industry, not a writer. So they were determined not to do the same to me. They always made sure I had plenty of room to be myself.”
Jeff leaned forward again. “Plus, like I said, my dad was a writer and also a huge jazz fan. He used to cut classes at Yale and drive up to New York to visit the clubs. He was friends with quite a few musicians. My gGrandmother Edith used to call them hopheads, which I guess they were.” Jeff smiled. “But a lot of them were gay, as were the writers and actors and artists my mother hosted at her parties in New York.”
He took another deep breath. “So I’d like to think they’d be okay with it and just want me to be myself.”
Jeff’s face hardened slightly. “But the truth is, I’ll never know what they might think, because they’re dead and I can’t ask them.”
Jeff leaned back in his chair. Noah’s heart ached for him, knowing how hard that question must have been. The questioner must have sensed the same thing, because she quickly sat down, looking abashed.
“Serves her right,” Lily said firmly. “Noah, drink your water.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Noah rolled his eyes, but obeyed.
“We have time for one final question.” Pippa nodded toward a stern-looking older man who had his hand raised. “You, sir.”
“I’m wondering if you’ve considered what this sort of publicity might do to your career.”
“That’s a good question,” Jeff answered coolly. “A few years ago, nothing mattered more to me than my career. And I would have done anything rather than risk damaging my professional reputation.”
“And now?” Pippa asked.
“Now, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in my career. But I can honestly say that nothing in my life has made me more prouder than having Noah Mayer choose me as his partner.”
“Oh, geez.” Noah felt warmth blossom in his chest, and he sipped his water to cover his embarrassment.
“Which is why,” Jeff continued, “I’ve decided to take a hiatus from TNN.”
Noah spat water across the bed. “What?”
Pippa frowned. “Are you saying TNN is forcing you to take a leave of absence?”
“Not at all,” Jeff said. “My boss at TNN has been nothing but gracious. This is something I’ve decided to do on my own.”
“Why?”
“Noah still has months of physical therapy ahead of him,” Jeff replied. “I’d like to be there to help him through it.”
Noah sputtered, even as some of the audience members cooed.
“That’s so sweet,” Pippa chimed in. “But are you sure you’ve thought this through?”
Jeff nodded firmly. “I’ve already given my notice at TNN. And I’ve rented an apartment near the hospital where Noah is staying.”
“What?” Noah turned to Holden. “Did you know about this?”
“First I’ve heard of it,” Holden replied, although he looked a little smug.
“Shh!” Lily scolded again, flapping her hand at them. “I want to hear this.”
“Speaking as one of your oldest friends,” Pippa was saying onscreen, “I never thought I’d see the day when Jeff Carter turned down a work assignment.”
Jeff got a stubborn line between his brows, one that Noah recognized. “Work is important,” he said firmly. “Family is more important.”
“Well said,” Pippa replied. “Any last thoughts for our audience here and at home?”
Jeff thought for a moment. “There’s a proverb I learned in the Middle East,” he said finally. “‘We all live under the same sky.’ It means, despite our differences, we’re all pretty much the same inside. That’s certainly what I’ve found in my travels. So, gay and straight don’t have to be dividing lines if we don’t let them. At the end of the day, we’re all human beings. Let’s treat each other as such.”
“Well said again. I’d like to thank our studio audience for their participation--"
Noah wasn’t listening. As the show went to credits, he turned off the TV, lunged for his cell phone, and hit speed dial.
“Jeff Carter here.” Jeff’s voice was as smooth as butter. “To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?”
“You know damn well who this is” Noah hissed. “You can’t do this!”
“Do what?”
“Quit your job.”
Holden and Lily exchanged glances, smiling indulgently. They both rose, and Holden helped Lily on with her coat.
“I’m not quitting my job,” Jeff purred in Noah's ear. “I’m merely taking a hiatus. And for the record, I’m independently wealthy. I can do whatever I want.”
“Dammit, Carter, be serious!”
“I’m perfectly serious. Pippa says hi, by the way. What did you think of the show?”
“You both kicked ass, of course,” Noah snapped. “But don’t change the subject.”
Noah was temporarily distracted as Lily gave him a peck on the cheek. “See you at Thanksgiving,” she whispered. “Bring Jeff.”
“Wait…I’m not sure-"
Noah sputtered helplessly again as Holden gave a cheerful wave and escorted Lily out the door.
“You there, Solo?”
“Yeah, I’m just…” Noah rubbed his eyes. “You know I would never ask you to choose between your career and me.”
“I know you would never ask, sweetheart. That’s why it’s so easy to choose.”
“But…” Noah sighed. “I feel bad.”
“Don’t,” Jeff said. “To be honest, this isn’t just about being with you.”
“It’s not?”
“No.” Noah could hear the hesitation in Jeff’s voice. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time, but I’ve never managed to work up the nerve.”
Noah leaned back on the pillows. “What’s that?”
“Write a book.”
“Really? You’ve never mentioned it.”
“I know,” Jeff admitted. “Mostly because the idea scares the crap out of me.”
“What do you want to write about?”
“My parents.”
Noah sat up straighter. “You mean…”
“Yeah.” There was a pause. “I want to write about what really happened.”
“Oh, Carter,” Noah sighed. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
“No.” Jeff’s voice shook a little. “I’m not sure. But I’m tired of carrying this secret around. I want to tell the truth, consequences be damned. Hey.” His voice lightened a little. “I just came out on national television. Anything’s gotta be easy after that, right?”
“I guess, but-”
“I need you to help me get through this, Solo.”
Noah felt his heart soften. “If you think having me around would help…”
“It would. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I can do this without you.”
Noah sighed again. “You know I’ve got your back, Carter, no matter what. And I’d be honored to help you.”
“Thank you.” Noah could hear the tension in Jeff’s voice ease. “I just figured now was the time, you know? You’ll be doing your rehab, I’ll be working on the book-and when that’s done we’ll figure out the next step.”
“Speaking of the next step, when did you find an apartment here? You never mentioned anything.”
Jeff hesitated. “I’d like to take credit,” he said finally. “But it actually wasn’t my idea,”
Noah frowned. “Whose was it?”
“Luke’s,” Jeff admitted. “He called me earlier today and offered me a place in some new condos he’s had renovated. He said you’d need me by your side while you’re in rehab and that I - we, actually - should have a place in Oakdale, rather than just stay at a hotel.”
“Oh,” Noah said softly.
“He’s a good man,” Jeff said. “Even if I hate to admit it.”
Noah felt his eyes burn with tears. “Yes, he is,” he said thickly. “He’s the best.”
“He did mention that he and Dr. Whatshisname were moving back in together. Are you okay with that, Solo?”
“Yeah, I am,” Noah said slowly. “I can’t believe I’m saying it, but I’m okay with it. I just want Luke to be happy. And if he finds happiness with Reid, then I’m at peace with it.”
“Peace and good will to all, huh? You’re not getting mushy on me, are you, Mayer?”
“Maybe a little,” Noah admitted. “Speaking of which, we’re invited to Thanksgiving at Snyder Farm. It might be a little awkward, but I can promise you the best meal you ever ate, courtesy of Luke’s grandma Emma. Although you might have to saw a Hubbard squash in half.”
“A what?”
Noah laughed. “It’s a family tradition. I’ll explain it when you get here. Speaking of which, when are you flying back?”
“Tonight,” Jeff said. “I thought about staying in New York a few days, packing some boxes - old letters and stuff - but it’s been a long hard day and I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. And whatever you need to write the book, we’ll get it here.” Noah thought of his three boxes, still stuck in Ali and Casey’s attic. “I have some stuff to unpack, too. I know it’s only temporary, but we’ll make the place our own.”
“We always do. Anywhere I hang my hat, right?”
“Right.” Noah fought tears again. “I love you, Carter. God, I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, Solo.” Jeff’s voice grew brisk. “Now get some sleep. I’ll be there when you wake up in the morning.”
“Okay. Good night.”
“‘Night, Solo. Sleep tight.”
Noah hung up. After a few moments, he pulled his laptop to him and searched the Internet for a particular phone number. His hand shook a little as he dialed, but the voice that answered was as cool and composed as ever.
“One of the blessings of the modern age is Caller ID. Hello again, Noah Mayer.”
“Hi, Dr. Harada,” Noah stammered. “Um, I’m sorry to call you at home.”
“Nonsense.” Noah could imagine the woman dismissing his concern with a brisk wave of her tiny hand. “You know my students are allowed to contact me whenever they need to.”
“Well, um, I wanted to apologize first of all for kind of dropping off the map.”
“From what I hear, you’ve been all over that map.”
Noah laughed. “I have, actually. But I didn’t keep in touch like I promised I would, and I feel badly about that.”
“Life happens,” Dr. Harada replied, then lowered her voice. “Or, as you young people say, shit happens. I’m happy to hear from you now. Are you recovering from your injuries?”
“I am, thanks,” Noah said, touched by her concern. “Uh, I was wondering if we could maybe meet for tea some day. Like old times.”
Dr. Harada’s voiced warmed. “I would like nothing better. I’m looking forward to hearing about your adventures.”
“I was also thinking, if you wanted, I could maybe come and talk to one of your film classes. I could show some of my footage from the field and talk about the challenges of shooting under extreme conditions.”
“That is an excellent suggestion, Noah,” Dr. Harada purred. “It’s always helpful for my students to hear about real-life applications for their skills.”
She sighed. “So many of them dream of glamorous careers in the film industry. But as you and I know, life doesn’t always happen the way we think it will. There are always unexpected twists and turns.”
Noah laughed. “That’s one way of putting it.”
“But somehow, life ends up unfolding exactly the way it should. Don’t you think so?”
“I do,” Noah said after a moment. “Even a week ago, I might have not have believed it, but I do now.”
“I look forward to our meeting, Noah. Just email me some good times for you, we’ll figure out a date, and I’ll put the kettle on.”
“Thank you, Dr. Harada. Good night.”
“Good night. And Noah?”
Noah pressed the phone back to his ear. “Yes?”
“Welcome back to the land of the living.”
Noah closed his eyes. “Thank you.”
After he hung up, Noah settled back against the pillows. Night had fallen an hour previously, and the deep darkness outside was tinged with the purple-golden glow of the street lamps. Snowflakes brushed against the windowpanes, but the storm had eased, leaving quiet in its wake. A few stars peeped through the clouds as they passed, promising clear skies ahead.
“We all live under the same sky,” Noah murmured, picturing Jeff looking up into the same starry darkness somewhere in New York. Then he settled down and fell asleep instantly, knowing that Jeff was on his way home to him and that, no matter what life threw at them next, they would face it together.
The End
***
COMING UP NEXT: Extra-schmoopy epilogue!
Pairing: Noah/OMC
Rating: M
Prompt: Action!Noah in action ripped from the headlines!
Disclaimer: Don’t own ‘em. Don’t make no money.
***
Pippa turned to the camera. “We’ll be right back with our final segment, including questions from our audience.”
“Oh, crap!” Noah said, just as Holden re-entered.
“What’s wrong?”
“Audience questions,” Noah told him. “AUDIENCE QUESTIONS!” he repeated at Holden’s blank look.
Holden tilted his head. “So?”
“What if someone asks something, or says something…”
“Homophobic?” Holden shrugged. “From what I’ve seen, he can handle it.”
Noah growled in frustration and climbed of bed, but the pain in his leg made him double over. “Shit!”
“Easy there, cowboy,” Holden advised.
“I should be there!” Noah gestured at the TV. “I should be there to support him, but I can’t because of this.” He pounded on his fist on his leg in frustration, then slumped back on the bed. “I hate being helpless,” he admitted.
Holden’s voice was calm. “First of all, you’re not helpless. You’re just a little hamstrung right now.”
Noah laughed in spite of himself. “Okay.”
“Second, I think Jeff has things well in hand.”
Noah sighed. “Yeah, I know.”
Still, he gnawed nervously at his thumbnail during the commercials. Sure enough, the first audience member to ask a question had a belligerent tone.
“You claim to be a newsman, but I just wonder what makes you think this is news. I mean…” The woman paused to put a hand on her hip. “It’s not news who I’m dating. Why should we have to watch a TV show about who you choose to have sex with?”
A few other audience members nodded, but Jeff remained calm.
“Well, you’re right,” he said easily. “It’s not news. And it’s certainly not how I would have chosen to come out. On the other hand,” he added, leaning forward in his chair, “there are people in this country who have been outed who have lost their jobs, lost custody of their children, and been ostracized from their families. Some have even lost their lives. And to me, that’s newsworthy. So, while a single case such as mine isn’t news, when you look at the bigger picture, there’s a story there.”
“See?” Holden looked at Noah. “He can handle it.”
Jeff leaned back to scattered applause, while Pippa approached another audience member with the microphone.
“Hi, I’m Leslie,” she stammered nervously.
“Hi, Leslie.” Jeff sketched a little wave.
Leslie blushed visibly. “I’m just wondering if you might stop traveling to other parts of the world, because it will be more dangerous for you now that you’re, um, out.”
“Absolutely not,” Jeff replied firmly. “I mean, obviously I’ll use common sense, but I’m not going to live my life in fear. And as we were just talking about, as a gay man, I could just as easily be murdered in the United States as in the Third World. But hopefully the person wouldn’t get away with it quite so easily here.”
There was more scattered applause as Leslie sat down. Lily tiptoed in the room and sat down again, handing Noah a glass of water.
“Drink this,” she ordered. “How’s it going?” she asked Holden.
Holden grinned. “He’s kicking ass.”
Pippa approached a serious looking young man with thick glasses who spoke in a single breath.
“Hi, I’m Adam, I’m a big fan. I’m interested in becoming a journalist and I’m wondering what additional classes I should take in college besides my major and also how to get started in the business.” Adam paused and gulped for air. “Uh, thanks.”
Jeff scratched his ear, looking abashed. “I’m not really the best person to ask about college, since I dropped out, but I guess any kind of history course would be important. Or political science or economics. Anything that helps you understand the bigger picture. Pippa, what do you think?”
“Writing courses,” Pippa said. “Or foreign languages. Anything that helps you communicate effectively.”
“Yeah, those are good choices,” Jeff agreed. “As for getting started, I don’t really know. I just kind of jumped in, feet first, and learned as I went.”
Pippa nodded. “There’s definitely no substitute for hard work and long hours. Next question, please.”
Adam sat down, looking disappointed, while Pippa held the microphone out to an older woman with big glasses and even bigger hair.
“Jeff, I’m wondering what you think your parents would say if they knew you were gay.”
“Christ,” Noah muttered. “What a stupid-ass question.”
“Shh!” Lily said. “I want to hear what he says.”
Jeff took a deep breath before replying, but his tone remained calm. “Well, first of all, my parents both grew up with heavy expectations from their families about who they were supposed to be. My mom was expected to be a Southern belle and land a rich husband, and my dad was supposed to be a captain of industry, not a writer. So they were determined not to do the same to me. They always made sure I had plenty of room to be myself.”
Jeff leaned forward again. “Plus, like I said, my dad was a writer and also a huge jazz fan. He used to cut classes at Yale and drive up to New York to visit the clubs. He was friends with quite a few musicians. My gGrandmother Edith used to call them hopheads, which I guess they were.” Jeff smiled. “But a lot of them were gay, as were the writers and actors and artists my mother hosted at her parties in New York.”
He took another deep breath. “So I’d like to think they’d be okay with it and just want me to be myself.”
Jeff’s face hardened slightly. “But the truth is, I’ll never know what they might think, because they’re dead and I can’t ask them.”
Jeff leaned back in his chair. Noah’s heart ached for him, knowing how hard that question must have been. The questioner must have sensed the same thing, because she quickly sat down, looking abashed.
“Serves her right,” Lily said firmly. “Noah, drink your water.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Noah rolled his eyes, but obeyed.
“We have time for one final question.” Pippa nodded toward a stern-looking older man who had his hand raised. “You, sir.”
“I’m wondering if you’ve considered what this sort of publicity might do to your career.”
“That’s a good question,” Jeff answered coolly. “A few years ago, nothing mattered more to me than my career. And I would have done anything rather than risk damaging my professional reputation.”
“And now?” Pippa asked.
“Now, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in my career. But I can honestly say that nothing in my life has made me more prouder than having Noah Mayer choose me as his partner.”
“Oh, geez.” Noah felt warmth blossom in his chest, and he sipped his water to cover his embarrassment.
“Which is why,” Jeff continued, “I’ve decided to take a hiatus from TNN.”
Noah spat water across the bed. “What?”
Pippa frowned. “Are you saying TNN is forcing you to take a leave of absence?”
“Not at all,” Jeff said. “My boss at TNN has been nothing but gracious. This is something I’ve decided to do on my own.”
“Why?”
“Noah still has months of physical therapy ahead of him,” Jeff replied. “I’d like to be there to help him through it.”
Noah sputtered, even as some of the audience members cooed.
“That’s so sweet,” Pippa chimed in. “But are you sure you’ve thought this through?”
Jeff nodded firmly. “I’ve already given my notice at TNN. And I’ve rented an apartment near the hospital where Noah is staying.”
“What?” Noah turned to Holden. “Did you know about this?”
“First I’ve heard of it,” Holden replied, although he looked a little smug.
“Shh!” Lily scolded again, flapping her hand at them. “I want to hear this.”
“Speaking as one of your oldest friends,” Pippa was saying onscreen, “I never thought I’d see the day when Jeff Carter turned down a work assignment.”
Jeff got a stubborn line between his brows, one that Noah recognized. “Work is important,” he said firmly. “Family is more important.”
“Well said,” Pippa replied. “Any last thoughts for our audience here and at home?”
Jeff thought for a moment. “There’s a proverb I learned in the Middle East,” he said finally. “‘We all live under the same sky.’ It means, despite our differences, we’re all pretty much the same inside. That’s certainly what I’ve found in my travels. So, gay and straight don’t have to be dividing lines if we don’t let them. At the end of the day, we’re all human beings. Let’s treat each other as such.”
“Well said again. I’d like to thank our studio audience for their participation--"
Noah wasn’t listening. As the show went to credits, he turned off the TV, lunged for his cell phone, and hit speed dial.
“Jeff Carter here.” Jeff’s voice was as smooth as butter. “To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?”
“You know damn well who this is” Noah hissed. “You can’t do this!”
“Do what?”
“Quit your job.”
Holden and Lily exchanged glances, smiling indulgently. They both rose, and Holden helped Lily on with her coat.
“I’m not quitting my job,” Jeff purred in Noah's ear. “I’m merely taking a hiatus. And for the record, I’m independently wealthy. I can do whatever I want.”
“Dammit, Carter, be serious!”
“I’m perfectly serious. Pippa says hi, by the way. What did you think of the show?”
“You both kicked ass, of course,” Noah snapped. “But don’t change the subject.”
Noah was temporarily distracted as Lily gave him a peck on the cheek. “See you at Thanksgiving,” she whispered. “Bring Jeff.”
“Wait…I’m not sure-"
Noah sputtered helplessly again as Holden gave a cheerful wave and escorted Lily out the door.
“You there, Solo?”
“Yeah, I’m just…” Noah rubbed his eyes. “You know I would never ask you to choose between your career and me.”
“I know you would never ask, sweetheart. That’s why it’s so easy to choose.”
“But…” Noah sighed. “I feel bad.”
“Don’t,” Jeff said. “To be honest, this isn’t just about being with you.”
“It’s not?”
“No.” Noah could hear the hesitation in Jeff’s voice. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time, but I’ve never managed to work up the nerve.”
Noah leaned back on the pillows. “What’s that?”
“Write a book.”
“Really? You’ve never mentioned it.”
“I know,” Jeff admitted. “Mostly because the idea scares the crap out of me.”
“What do you want to write about?”
“My parents.”
Noah sat up straighter. “You mean…”
“Yeah.” There was a pause. “I want to write about what really happened.”
“Oh, Carter,” Noah sighed. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
“No.” Jeff’s voice shook a little. “I’m not sure. But I’m tired of carrying this secret around. I want to tell the truth, consequences be damned. Hey.” His voice lightened a little. “I just came out on national television. Anything’s gotta be easy after that, right?”
“I guess, but-”
“I need you to help me get through this, Solo.”
Noah felt his heart soften. “If you think having me around would help…”
“It would. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I can do this without you.”
Noah sighed again. “You know I’ve got your back, Carter, no matter what. And I’d be honored to help you.”
“Thank you.” Noah could hear the tension in Jeff’s voice ease. “I just figured now was the time, you know? You’ll be doing your rehab, I’ll be working on the book-and when that’s done we’ll figure out the next step.”
“Speaking of the next step, when did you find an apartment here? You never mentioned anything.”
Jeff hesitated. “I’d like to take credit,” he said finally. “But it actually wasn’t my idea,”
Noah frowned. “Whose was it?”
“Luke’s,” Jeff admitted. “He called me earlier today and offered me a place in some new condos he’s had renovated. He said you’d need me by your side while you’re in rehab and that I - we, actually - should have a place in Oakdale, rather than just stay at a hotel.”
“Oh,” Noah said softly.
“He’s a good man,” Jeff said. “Even if I hate to admit it.”
Noah felt his eyes burn with tears. “Yes, he is,” he said thickly. “He’s the best.”
“He did mention that he and Dr. Whatshisname were moving back in together. Are you okay with that, Solo?”
“Yeah, I am,” Noah said slowly. “I can’t believe I’m saying it, but I’m okay with it. I just want Luke to be happy. And if he finds happiness with Reid, then I’m at peace with it.”
“Peace and good will to all, huh? You’re not getting mushy on me, are you, Mayer?”
“Maybe a little,” Noah admitted. “Speaking of which, we’re invited to Thanksgiving at Snyder Farm. It might be a little awkward, but I can promise you the best meal you ever ate, courtesy of Luke’s grandma Emma. Although you might have to saw a Hubbard squash in half.”
“A what?”
Noah laughed. “It’s a family tradition. I’ll explain it when you get here. Speaking of which, when are you flying back?”
“Tonight,” Jeff said. “I thought about staying in New York a few days, packing some boxes - old letters and stuff - but it’s been a long hard day and I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. And whatever you need to write the book, we’ll get it here.” Noah thought of his three boxes, still stuck in Ali and Casey’s attic. “I have some stuff to unpack, too. I know it’s only temporary, but we’ll make the place our own.”
“We always do. Anywhere I hang my hat, right?”
“Right.” Noah fought tears again. “I love you, Carter. God, I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, Solo.” Jeff’s voice grew brisk. “Now get some sleep. I’ll be there when you wake up in the morning.”
“Okay. Good night.”
“‘Night, Solo. Sleep tight.”
Noah hung up. After a few moments, he pulled his laptop to him and searched the Internet for a particular phone number. His hand shook a little as he dialed, but the voice that answered was as cool and composed as ever.
“One of the blessings of the modern age is Caller ID. Hello again, Noah Mayer.”
“Hi, Dr. Harada,” Noah stammered. “Um, I’m sorry to call you at home.”
“Nonsense.” Noah could imagine the woman dismissing his concern with a brisk wave of her tiny hand. “You know my students are allowed to contact me whenever they need to.”
“Well, um, I wanted to apologize first of all for kind of dropping off the map.”
“From what I hear, you’ve been all over that map.”
Noah laughed. “I have, actually. But I didn’t keep in touch like I promised I would, and I feel badly about that.”
“Life happens,” Dr. Harada replied, then lowered her voice. “Or, as you young people say, shit happens. I’m happy to hear from you now. Are you recovering from your injuries?”
“I am, thanks,” Noah said, touched by her concern. “Uh, I was wondering if we could maybe meet for tea some day. Like old times.”
Dr. Harada’s voiced warmed. “I would like nothing better. I’m looking forward to hearing about your adventures.”
“I was also thinking, if you wanted, I could maybe come and talk to one of your film classes. I could show some of my footage from the field and talk about the challenges of shooting under extreme conditions.”
“That is an excellent suggestion, Noah,” Dr. Harada purred. “It’s always helpful for my students to hear about real-life applications for their skills.”
She sighed. “So many of them dream of glamorous careers in the film industry. But as you and I know, life doesn’t always happen the way we think it will. There are always unexpected twists and turns.”
Noah laughed. “That’s one way of putting it.”
“But somehow, life ends up unfolding exactly the way it should. Don’t you think so?”
“I do,” Noah said after a moment. “Even a week ago, I might have not have believed it, but I do now.”
“I look forward to our meeting, Noah. Just email me some good times for you, we’ll figure out a date, and I’ll put the kettle on.”
“Thank you, Dr. Harada. Good night.”
“Good night. And Noah?”
Noah pressed the phone back to his ear. “Yes?”
“Welcome back to the land of the living.”
Noah closed his eyes. “Thank you.”
After he hung up, Noah settled back against the pillows. Night had fallen an hour previously, and the deep darkness outside was tinged with the purple-golden glow of the street lamps. Snowflakes brushed against the windowpanes, but the storm had eased, leaving quiet in its wake. A few stars peeped through the clouds as they passed, promising clear skies ahead.
“We all live under the same sky,” Noah murmured, picturing Jeff looking up into the same starry darkness somewhere in New York. Then he settled down and fell asleep instantly, knowing that Jeff was on his way home to him and that, no matter what life threw at them next, they would face it together.
The End
***
COMING UP NEXT: Extra-schmoopy epilogue!