Chapter forty three
For two solid minutes, Noah Thompson gawked uncertainly between my necklace and myself. I could read the visible traces of fear lining his stubbled face, quite understandably.
My own reaction to this wasn't all so different than his, although I was more reserved.
Suddenly, his look turned stern again in a way that worried me. "Prove it," I heard him say; calm, bold, tempting.
If the necklace wasn't enough proof, I wondered what was.
Quietly, I looked into his eyes, a daring shade of gray as they bore into mine. Why couldn't it just all end and he pulled me into that brotherly embrace I'd lacked for years, calming every worry that bothered me just like he used to back then?
"Your scar…" I tipped my head towards the direction of his left eye, "…you got it the night you took the blame for the food I'd stolen. Uncle had used a glistening blade on it when Mom wasn't there."
His glare softened considerably. The wound was an unsightly groove that crossed his lucky eye; from the eyelid across to the top of his left cheek.
Deep down, I understood he wanted to believe me. However, just like myself, it had all been too good to be true.
"What's my middle name?" He asked.
"Brandon."
"And, what was mother's name?"
"Laura."
"What did I always call you?!" His pitch came higher, and when I stared at him quietly, I saw emotion in that look he gave me. Tears…hope.
"Little Jones," I replied.
By now, tears were drooling down his cheeks. Shaking his head slowly, he mouthed the word HOW without sound.
"Trust me, I thought I'd lost you too until today," I'd trailed off weakly when pain arose my gut.
In all, Noah looked speechless. When no party said anything for a while, I dug my hand into my front pockets, retrieving the second necklace which belonged to him.
His attention fell on it soon after, something like confusion on his face.
I let it dangle from my index finger for a few more seconds. Should I just clear this burden off my chest before it ate me or was it too early for questions? "How did this get off your neck, Noah?" I wanted to blame it all on him, tell him his mistake cost four lives.
Well, wasn't it just me shifting blames again?
His brows jones like he had a hard time remembering it all. Once again, my brother gave his head a tired shake. "I…I don't know. I just couldn't find it anymore the next day!"
My chest rose and fell with every harsh breath. When it felt like a new wave of tears threatened to leave my eyes, I blinked and stared away.
"What's wrong?" Noah had worry in his tone, the first thing I felt so glad about.
"What exactly was I supposed to think when I found this on a charred corpse?!" I yelled abruptly, only calming my nerves after I remembered this was Noah. "I'm sorry…but, why?"
By then, realisation had dawned on him. I saw it in the understanding look he gave out.
And then, for the first time, I saw him smile lightly. "Funny of you to imagine I'd die before watching you get better than Jones."
I couldn't help the laugh that climbed up my gut without warning.
Remembering all that was one thing, but saying it in the middle of an emotional bonding was sick. "Well, you'll be surprised how far I've come."
"I am not surprised," Noah snickered, giving me one thorough rundown afterwards. Once again, his attention settled on my face. "You were always a fighter when we were little; quiet and little, but the spirit was there anyways! I mean, look at you. Surviving sixteen years without me in one whole piece."
" While you went and got yourself lame," I gave him a smirk of pure mockery. Less than five minutes and I'd forgotten the entire pain of years. I guess blood was thicker than water, after all.
Noah grinned and leaned back into his chair." Man, you've grown a ponytail! Tell me what cooler than that?"
In nostalgia, I'd only smiled in response. He was right before me;it was too good it felt my sight was deceiving me.
From across, he paused in his speech to return the smile. For a while, nothing was said. Actually, nothing needed to be said, we spoke parables to each other without actually talking.
You know, I doubt any story would have had a happier ending than this one. Maybe for Noah Thompson.
But for Jeffery, there was this fire of guilt burning up my chest I tried to hide in that weak smile of mine.
Deep down, I was gasping, sweating, wondering what to do now that'll make the images of these four corpses leave my head.
Telling Noah was not an option. If anything, ruining the bond we just formed was going to be the last thing I'd do.
Finally, I came to my feet and walked up to him.
After putting the necklace around his neck, I squatted to look him in the face. "I believe that belongs to you."
Noah had grinned again, wrapped both hands about me and pulled me into one manly clutch.
And that…was heaven.