Noah's Adventure - 6. Chapter 6 The Motif

“Noah, I think this conversation is better to have in private,” Grandma said. “Nate, honey, would you come too?”

My uncles gave her puzzled looks, clearly feeling left out. Grandpa just chuckled. “I think your mother wants me,” he joked as we followed her into the house and into the office.

I took the couch beside him while Grandma settled into the chair.

“Noah… the call I took was from Grayson,” she began. “He meant to reach me sooner, but there was an emergency—”

“Honey, please,” Grandpa cut in, irritation leaking into his voice.

Grandma blew out a heavy sigh. “Your maternal grandmother passed away.”

“So that’s why my uncle and mother showed up? Ever heard of a phone call?” I snapped.

“That’s part of it,” Grandma said. “But… they have ulterior motives.”

“Megan,” Grandpa grumbled, “stop dancing around it and just say it.”

A knock sounded at the door. “Everything okay in there?” Uncle Ted asked.

“If your sister would just get to the point,” Grandpa called back.

Grandma straightened, her voice flattening. “Your grandmother left her entire estate to you. She cut out Mark, Carly, and Brandon completely.”

“She what?” My head snapped up. “I barely knew her.”

“Matt and Mark were best friends,” Grandma said gently. “Your grandma moved to California after divorcing your grandfather, Paul. We kept in touch. When she learned what Mark had done to Matt… she was disgusted. She didn’t have a good relationship with any of her children. They blamed her for the divorce — Paul fed them that narrative.”

“I remember she remarried,” I said faintly.

“She did. A lovely ceremony. Preston passed away two years ago. I guess your mother didn’t tell you.”

“No. She never mentioned anything except how much she hated me,” I whispered, a tear escaping before I could stop it.

“Noah, your Grandma Evelyn loved you,” Grandma said. “We talked almost every week. I’d wondered why I hadn’t heard from her lately.”

“So… what now?” My voice felt small.

“Your mother and uncle are suddenly playing nice because her portfolio is valued in the billions,” Grandma said, as if she were talking about pocket change.

“Billions?” The word barely made it out.

“Yes. Preston came from money — a wealthy investment family. Not unlike ours,” she added quietly.

“What do you mean? Grandpa worked construction and you work for that big contractor.”

A look passed between them.

“Well?” I pushed, annoyed.

Grandma drew in a breath. “We have a very diverse portfolio. Between Black Hawk, Jacobs Construction, TJM Family Ranch… we’ve done well.”

“We’re loaded?” I asked, stunned.

“Putting it mildly,” Grandpa replied dryly.

“We don’t just hand out money in this family,” Grandma added firmly. “You work for your place — that’s why the boys stay active and involved.”

“Anyway,” Grandpa said, redirecting, “your mother and uncle want your money. That’s what this is.”

“Oh.” My stomach dropped.

“Noah… she’s still your mother,” Grandma said softly. “Somewhere inside, she loves you.”

“She never acted like it,” I said. “Peter and their kids were her ‘real family.’ She made sure I knew that.”

Grandma squeezed my knee. “Why don’t you go check on your friends? I’ll speak with the boys about eavesdropping.” She shot Grandpa a pointed look.

I stepped out into the backyard — and the mood shifted like someone had died.

“You okay?” Jay asked.

“I think so.” Which was a lie. “My grandma died.”

“What — like just now?” Shane blurted, eyes wide.

“He means his other grandma, idiot,” Shiloh muttered.

“Yeah. My mother’s mom. She lived in California.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Taylor said, wrapping me in a warm hug.

“I barely knew her. My—” I swallowed. “My mother and she didn’t get along.”

“Did she get along with anyone?” Jay asked.

“Herself,” I said. “And whatever made her look good.”

“That’s rough,” Shane said. The others nodded.

“It was. But moving back here… meeting you guys… having my uncles, my aunt, my grandparents — that helped.”

Shane cleared his throat. “Uh — is everyone here gay?”

“No,” I laughed weakly. “I have an aunt — Kelsey. And Uncle Nick is the lone straight one.”

Later, after the guests left and everyone turned in, I went to my room. Grandma and Grandpa had moved some of Dad’s things from storage — little pieces of him.

A wrapped box sat on my bed with a note in Uncle Matt’s handwriting:

Noah,
Congratulations on graduating high school. I know how much you’ve wanted a connection to your father. Inside is something that might help.
—Love always, Uncle Matt

Inside was a quilt — patches from jerseys, shirts, fabrics worn soft with time. Another note slipped free:

I couldn’t say this in the first note… this blanket is made from your dad’s favorite clothes. It felt like time to give it to you.

I wrapped myself in it — and broke.

It felt like a hug I’d been waiting for my whole life.

Needing air, I laid the blanket carefully on the bed and climbed out onto the roof. I sat there, staring into the night.

The window creaked. A head popped out, then disappeared — and a moment later, someone climbed through to join me.

Shiloh.