Just Breathe

by Vincent Morrone

  When her father hung up, he turned to look at her.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Cassie said with a roll of her eyes. “And I wish people would stop asking me that. Now what was up with Uncle Bobby?”

  He huffed.

  “What are your friends doing tomorrow?” he asked.

  Cassie took a seat across from her father.

  “Megan is doing something with her family,” Cassie said. “Ben and Coretta are both working. Why?”

  “I’ve got court,” he said. “I’ve got to be there to testify to get this skell off the street. Can’t put it off and your brother needs to be picked up. The bus from camp gets in about one in the afternoon.”

  Cassie sighed. “I can get him,” she said. “It’s no big deal. I’ll just drive to the school and pick him up.”

  “You okay to be out on your own?”

  “Yes, Dad,” she said. “It’ll be the middle of the day. I’ll be in my car. I’ll only be alone on the way there. It’s fine. Go to court. Do your job and make the streets safe.”

  It took another five minutes to fully convince him that she’d be able to manage such a simple task. She had to promise that if one of her friends was available, she’d take them.

  The fact was, she was more than a little nervous about venturing out on her own. It was, in her mind, stupid and childish. But the question was there in the back of her mind. Would she panic? Back when the attacks had first started, the idea of being out on her own had been completely debilitating. For the first year, she needed her father, Adam or one of her friends with her just to sit on the front porch.

  Even though the attacks had become far more infrequent, they still happened. Sometimes the fear of the attack was worse than the attack itself.

  But she pushed those thoughts away and reassured her father that she’d be fine. Cassie refused to go back to the point where she couldn’t be alone in a room without someone she trusted. She’d go.

  After saying goodnight, she went up to her room and grabbed her cell phone to plug it in to charge. Out of pure habit, she looked at the face of it to see if there were any messages. She was surprised to see a green blinking light indicating one was waiting.

  She was even more surprised to see it was from Noah.

  Need to get some stuff 4 school. Know any good places 4 notebooks and stuff?

  The text had come in only two minutes ago. She quickly replied.

  Yes, Walmart is nearby. I’ve got to pick my brother up at 1. U want 2 get 2gether 1st? Get supplies then lunch?

  She was thrilled she didn’t have to wait long for his reply.

  Cool. Call me when U R up.

  She smiled and sent back a single letter.

  K

  Maybe it would be a good night, after all.

  Chapter 4

  “Are you actually going out?” Walter said as he watched his grandson work his way through his morning reps on the weight bench. “With a girl? I might just have another heart attack.”

  Noah managed to stifle a grin, but it wasn’t easy.

  “I need some stuff for school,” Noah said. “Cassie knows the area.”

  “Uh huh,” Walter said. “Before you go, could you help me with something?”

  “Sure,” Noah said. “What do you need, Grandpa?”

  Walter liked the fact that Noah sounded more like a normal young man addressing his grandfather for a change.

  “It’s that newfangled TV,” Walter said. “The one near my chair in the Great Room. It’s got a typewriter attached to it.”

  Noah quickly lowered the barbell down and sat up. Had his grandfather had a stroke?

  “You mean the laptop?” Noah said. “Grandpa, that’s your laptop.”

  “Oh yeah,” Grandpa said. “I just was wondering if you remembered what it was yourself. You couldn’t do that Google thing and find a Walmart or something?”

  Noah rolled his eyes and went back to his weights.

  Walter walked over, gave Noah a friendly slap on the arm and headed for the door.

  “Make sure you tell your mother about your date.”

  “It’s not a date.”

  “Whatever gets you out the door.”

  * * * *

  Cassie decided not to call first thing. She didn’t want to seem too eager. She headed downstairs to grab a quick bite to eat. She found her father decked out in one of his better suits that he reserved for court days. He was reading the newspaper and drinking a cup of coffee, most likely his second if not third of the morning.

  Attempting to sound casual about it, he rattled off a few people that might be available to go with her. Cassie could have gotten pissed off that her father was pretending he was just thinking of these people out of the blue. Like he hadn’t spent the night making a list in his mind.

  But she knew why he was doing it, so she decided to just love him for the effort and let him off the hook.

  “Dad,” Cassie said, interrupting him when he started to mention the old couple across the street that might like a drive to an early bird special. “I got a text last night from Noah. He’s the guy who saved me. He needs to run a few errands. I told him I’d go with him and we’ll get Tyler. So relax. I won’t be alone.”

  Cassie watched as her father relaxed. Momentarily. Then his jaw twitched and Cassie imagined her father wondering what was up between her and Noah.

  Cassie just hoped that he had something to worry about there.

  * * * *

  Cassie texted Noah at ten to let him know she was ready whenever he was. It took him over ten minutes to respond, but when he did it was short and to the point.

  K. B there in 20 min

  Sure enough, twenty minutes later Noah pulled his Mustang into her driveway. Cassie watched him slide out of the driver’s seat and head for the door. She let him ring the bell before she answered it.

  After a quick conversation, they established that they’d hit Walmart for some supplies and then grab a bite to eat before they went shopping. Noah needed just a few basics like notebooks, pens, highlighters, and a backpack. Cassie grabbed a few items when she saw something that caught her eye, but overall it didn’t take long.

  Cassie, however, was aghast at Noah’s choice of backpacks.

  “What’s wrong with it?” Noah asked. He turned the plain black backpack over. “It’s got plenty of space.”

  “It’s boring,” Cassie told him. She considered the display of book bags with her hand on her chin. There were tons to choose from. Many had designs or logos. She thought about one that featured a sports team, but didn’t peg Noah for being a huge sports fan. She saw a couple with Dr. Who on it and dreaded the thought of Noah liking one of those. Finally one caught her eye. She handed it to Noah.

  “What do you think?”

  Noah examined the backpack. “It’s the same as the one I picked.”

  “No it’s not,” Cassie said. “It’s got a blue water design on it. I think it’s nice. Goes with your eyes.”

  Noah seemed dumbfounded for a moment. He placed the book bag in his cart and tossed the black one back onto the display.

  By noon, they were walking into a pizza place a block away from her brother’s school.

  “What do you like on your pizza?” Noah asked. “Or are you one of those purists that only go for cheese on top?”

  Cassie smiled as she slid a touch closer to Noah at the counter. Just close enough that their arms were touching.

  “No,” she said. “I’m good with anything and everything except pineapple, which I like, just not on pizza. Or anchovies, which I hate beyond all reason.”

  “We’re of a like mind there,” Noah said as the pretty girl behind the counter came over. “Can we get a large pizza with everything on it except pineapple and anchovies, and two sodas please?”

  The girl behind the counter smiled as she handed Noah two cups and told him they got free refills. The pizza would be brought over to them when it was ready.

 
; Cassie moved to a table in the back. She watched Noah fill their cups and quickly survey the place, making note of any and all details. He had done the same thing while they were shopping. He was always so aware of his surroundings. Her father was the same way. Noah even sat where he could see the entrance just like her father did.

  It had been awhile since Cassie had been on a date with anyone. Not that this was a real date. At least, it didn’t feel like one to her. She and Noah were just hanging out. True, he had insisted on paying for the few small items she’d picked up at Walmart. And he didn’t hesitate to pay for their pizza, but somehow Cassie had the impression he was just being nice.

  Still, it didn’t mean she couldn’t flirt with him. Now all she had to do was remember how to flirt. She knew the basics: smile, laugh at whatever joke he tells no matter how lame and be interested in anything and everything he says, especially when he talks about himself.

  “So, what was high school like for you?”

  Noah shrugged. “Nothing special. What about you? You’ve lived here your entire life?”

  Cassie nodded. “We lived in a different house growing up. We moved before I started high school, but it’s still in the same neighborhood. Where do you come from?”

  “I didn’t grow up too far from here,” Noah answered.

  “Any of your friends going to the university with you?”

  Noah shook his head. “You had a couple of friends over when I came by yesterday.”

  “Megan and Ben,” Cassie said. “I’ve known Ben the longest. Megan and I became good friends in high school. I should introduce you to them.”

  “I’d like that.” Noah smiled before taking a bite of his pizza. “Tell me about them.”

  Cassie took a long sip of soda. “Megan is a lot of fun. She goes through guys like tissue paper, though. We met freshman year of high school. She was with a new guy it seemed every time I turned around. I thought for sure she’d go after my ex when we broke up, but thankfully she didn’t. That would have been really weird.”

  Cassie paused as she nibbled her pizza, trying to gauge Noah’s reaction to her mention of her ex, but his expression gave nothing away. Of course, he was distracted by the buzz of his phone.

  “Sorry,” Noah said. He looked at his cell, swiped the screen with his thumb and then pressed a button. Cassie assumed it was a text.

  Noah placed the phone on the table. “You were telling me about your friends?”

  “Ben lives near me,” she continued. “He and I have known each other since we were little. Ben’s the smart one. I don’t mean book smarts, per se. Not that he doesn’t get good grades, but what I mean is he’s people smart.”

  Cassie purposely didn’t mention that Ben was gay, hoping to prompt Noah to ask if she and Ben were dating. Noah, however, kept his mouth shut. He was clearly listening, but not reacting.

  “There’s also Coretta,” Cassie said. “She’s sort of the no-nonsense type. We started to hang out in middle school. She and her boyfriend Malcolm have been together since freshman year of high school. Malcolm is cool. He’s really big, but he’s sweet. Just be careful, he’ll talk your ear off if you let him. Especially about sports.”

  Noah shrugged. “I watch football with my grandfather, but I’m not a huge fan.”

  “Do you play any sports?” Cassie asked. “Or any as a kid?”

  “No. You?”

  Cassie shook her head. They both sipped their soda.

  “It’s nice you’re close with your grandfather,” Cassie said. “He lives close?”

  “He lives very close,” Noah answered. “I live with him and my mom. What about you and your family?”

  And here it was. Cassie had wondered if Noah was interested in her or her father. Noah wanted to be a cop, after all. Her father had mentioned that last night.

  “Well,” Cassie said. “You already met my dad. Then there’s Tyler, who you’ll meet soon. He’s a bit of a geek. Half the time, he talks with a British accent. Don’t ask me why.”

  She went on to describe her younger brother, waiting to see if Noah would try and circle the conversation back to her dad. He never did. He listened intently, smiling at her characterization of Tyler. The only time he seemed distracted was when his phone buzzed again.

  This time, Cassie was able to see it was an incoming text from someone named Beatrice. Noah apologized again as he read the text without emotion and set his phone back down.

  “He’s been away at camp for the summer?” Noah asked.

  “Yes,” Cassie replied. “My dad wanted him to go. Thought it would be good for him. My little brother wants to be able to start middle school, so…”

  “Wait,” Noah said. “Your brother had to go to camp to get your father to let him go to middle school?”

  “Tyler’s only nine,” Cassie said. “He’s skipping a year. Dad wasn’t sure if he could handle it. Tyler gets picked on a lot.”

  “That sucks,” Noah said as he looked at his watch. “We should get over there to get him.”

  Cassie glanced at her watch and realized he was right. They quickly got the rest of the pizza placed in a box and went out to the car. A few minutes later they were at the very full school parking lot. Cassie and Noah got out and moved closer as three buses full of pre-teens pulled in. Kids piled out of the buses. Parents came and collected their sons and daughters. Cassie stood on her toes, looking for Tyler.

  Slowly, the parking lot emptied and Cassie and Noah were still waiting. Finally, Tyler came stumbling off of the bus, struggling with his oversized duffle bag.

  “There he is,” Cassie said as she started forward. Noah followed. “Hey there, Ty.”

  Tyler tried to wave, but he tripped instead. Noah ran over to help him up with one hand and then grabbed his duffle bag with his other. Cassie took a moment to admire the ease with which Noah was able to hoist it and how his muscles bulged before giving her little brother a hug.

  “I missed you,” Cassie said, wondering how long it would take Tyler to even notice Noah.

  “Me too,” Tyler said as they began walking to Noah’s car. “I hate to say this, but camp was pretty cool. We didn’t just do the normal camping outside stuff. I mean, we did do some hiking and things, but what was really cool was it was filled with science.”

  “Tyler loves science,” Cassie said to Noah.

  “I do,” Tyler said with a huge grin. “So we’d spend a day in the classroom talking about what we’d see on a trail, what kind of flowers and plants and stuff, then when we’d go out we actually got to see it all. Then the next day we learned about the history of a region of New York, and then we’d take a field trip there.”

  “Tyler loves history,” Cassie said to Noah.

  “I do,” Tyler said as he climbed in the backseat while Noah tossed his duffle bag in the trunk. He waited until Cassie and Noah got in the front before continuing. “We’d do the same stuff about stars and the planets.”

  “Let me guess,” Noah said. “You love astronomy?”

  “Yeah,” Tyler said with a smile. “I actually made some friends. Some of the older kids that I’ll see in middle school.”

  “Were any of these kids girls?” Cassie asked.

  Tyler turned six shades of red.

  “I guess so,” Cassie said. “What’s her name?”

  “Jaycee,” Tyler said. He then proceeded to describe a very pretty young girl who was exactly one year older than he. He talked about her red hair and green eyes, how smart she was, how athletic she was and how she thought it was cute that he tripped whenever he tried to play sports. “Most girls who are interested in stuff like that can’t stand guys like me, but she’s different. I’m hungry. Do I smell pizza?”

  “Next to you,” Noah told him. “Should be four slices left. Help yourself.”

  “She’s smart, too,” Tyler continued as he helped himself to a slice. “I’ll be in some of her advanced science and math and English classes in a few weeks. I can’t wait.”

  Cas
sie had thought the pizza might slow him down, but he still managed to continue to talk a mile a minute while munching down the remaining slices.

  When Noah finally pulled into the driveway, Tyler jumped out and ran to the back. Noah popped the trunk and Tyler desperately tried to drag his duffle bag with him.

  “I’ll get that for you,” Noah offered.

  “Thanks,” Tyler said. “Um… Who are you, by the way?”

  Cassie laughed as she covered her face in her hands and shook her head.

  Noah turned around and offered his hand. “Noah Hunt.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Tyler said. “Just toss the bag in the door. Dad has a rule of no boys in the house if he’s not here. Sorry.”

  Before Noah could respond, Tyler disappeared into the house.

  Noah grabbed Tyler’s duffle bag and carried it up the front porch. His cell phone, which was in the console between the two front seats, started to vibrate. Cassie saw a picture of a very pretty young woman on the display, with dark hair and blue eyes. She looked like she was in her late twenties. Her name displayed as Paige. Cassie thought about answering it, but decided it would be wrong. She grabbed the phone and brought it to Noah.

  “Someone’s calling,” she said.

  Noah took the phone, glanced at the display and smiled before answering. “Hello?”

  There was a moment of listening, then a nod and another small smile. “Yeah, I can do that. Can I call you later? Thanks. Bye.” Noah shoved the cell into his pocket.

  Cassie noted he didn’t have the same look of sadness when he got off the phone this time.

  “Girlfriend?” she asked.

  “Hmm?” Noah asked as they climbed the porch together. “Paige? No, we’re just friends.”

  “Okay,” Cassie said. “Is there one?” She waited. “A girlfriend?” she prompted.

  “No,” Noah said. He quickly tossed the bag inside. “I should probably go.”