Noah (The Mitchell/Healy Family #1)(28)
Author: Jennifer Foor

I look over and noticed that her once flush face was now turning green. She was motion sick. “Maybe you should sit down and try to relax.”

Crowds of people filled in and the seats disappeared before she could grab one. I took her hand and led her up the stairs to one of the two open levels. The crisp morning air hit us immediately as we made our way to an open seat. We sat near the front of the boat and I wrapped my arm around her to provide her with some warmth. “The ride is just a few more minutes. Keep your eyes open. It will help with the dizziness.”

She tucked her head in between my arm and chest and looked forward. “I might have to throw up.” I started to move away, but she pulled me back. “I’ll get up if I have to. Please just sit still.”

By only luck, an older woman with a man near her same age approached us. “Is she sick?”

“The water doesn’t agree with her.”

She reached in her purse. “My daughter used to get seasick all of the time. Here take one of these pills for motion sickness. It might take some time, but it will help.”

“Used to?” It wasn’t our business, but Shalan was just trying to be nice after the woman’s kind assistance. “Did she get used to it?”

The woman smiled and looked back at the man. “She passed away a few years ago, love.”

“I’m so sorry,” Shalan replied.

“She was sick a long time, dear. She’s at peace now with the Lord. We come here every year on her birthday. It was one of her favorite places when she was little. When I saw you sitting there with that familiar hue to your face, it felt like it was a sign that she’s still with us, in spirit at least.”

“It’s very nice of you to offer. I’m sorry about your daughter. She was lucky to have two parents that cared so much for her. I lost my mom when I was a child. I too hope she’s somehow watching out for me.”

“You take care of yourself, you hear? As for us, well, we’ve taken up enough of your time. You might want to start making your way downstairs, or else they’ll drive you all the way to Ellis Island.”

“I’d like to see that place anyway. I’ve never been here before. It’s all so amazing.” Shalan excitedly announced.

I met eyes with the man, who was clearly the dad in the equation. He put his hand on his wife’s back and held it there for a moment, offering her acknowledgement that they’d gone through such a tragedy together, as parents and a couple.

I had to look away. Being young, I’d already made a ton of mistakes with relationships, but not my parents. They were still so in love with each other, and I guess for a moment I pictured them losing me or one of my sisters, and it was painful to imagine. I shot the guy a nod and turned the other way, clenching my jaw and burying those emotions deep inside where no woman would ever see.

By the time we walked off of the boat, Shalan had thanked the woman plenty of times. I don’t know why I did it, but I kept my arm around her as we walked out. I suppose maybe in the back of my mind I wanted the older parents to think that we were a young couple in hopes that, for just a little while, they could see themselves in our shoes. Maybe it was a terrible idea, it still made me feel better.

Once we’d gotten to the entrance for the Statue of Liberty, Shalan managed to get the color back in her face. I ran into a shop and grabbed her a fresh bottle of water and some crackers.

Shalan sipped on the water and looked up at the tall monument. “It’s so big. To be honest, I never knew it was actually on an island. I mean, I heard it was, but I never understood it.”

“You want to go inside? We can take the elevator if it’s easier for you.” I didn’t bring her all this way for her not to get the whole tour, but I wasn’t going to push if she didn’t feel up to it.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

We walked slowly, side by side, eager to get to the elevator and view New York in a different perspective. After waiting in line, we finally made it to the first level. Since I hadn’t bought tickets for the very top, I was hoping that Shalan was satisfied with where we could go. She seemed amazed when we walked outside, circling around the Statue, surrounded by chest height block wall. Shalan looked up first, getting a glimpse of it up close. Then she leaned over the ledge and looked all around at the city. “This is amazing, Noah. Thank you for bringing me here.”

I smiled and looked over at her. “I thought you might like to see it. You can’t come to this city and not see somethin’ like this.” I pointed across the water. “That there is Ellis Island. It’s where the immigrants came first. The original family names are all listed inside of the main museum part. Would you like to take the ferry there next?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

I’d begun to turn around when I felt her grabbing my hand. I turned, noticing the look on her face immediately. I didn’t wait for her to ask for it, nor did I take a breath before I acted on it.

Our lips met, slow and steady. I closed my eyes, willing to accept that this was her thank you. Right as I was about to slip my tongue in her mouth, she pulled away, staring at me the whole time.

I started to say something, but she stuck her finger over my lips. “That was for allowing me to come on this trip with you, even when you didn’t know me at all. It’s for spending money on me and taking me places that I never thought I’d be able to go. It’s for being so sweet to me on that boat when I thought I was going to puke my guts up. This trip – well, it means more to me than you’ll probably ever know.”

I smiled and kissed her hand before she could pull it away. “It’s been my pleasure, darlin’.”

“Good, now let’s go to the next place so we can get back and practice for tonight. I know I’m acting crazy, but this performance means everything to me, Noah. I just want a real chance to sing for people with a real band. I never thought something like this would ever happen.”

I smiled, understanding her excitement, but not really feeling the same kind of thrill over it. “It’s all good. Let’s head out.”

We spent the rest of the morning walking around or taking rides in cabs. After our talk at breakfast, it seemed easier to open up to her about my life. I told her about my crazy family, and how we’d always done everything together. I also explained the fight with my parents, including every detail that happened the night I left. By two in the afternoon we were both pretty exhausted. Knowing how important the gig was to her, I decided to take us both back to the hotel so we could go over song choices and rest.