Noah (Angel Institute #7)

Chapter 21

Twenty-One

NOAH

“F ood delivery for the parade crew.”

I look up to see Will making his way through the chaos, his arms laden with bags from the Fire Station Sub Shop. Despite my conflicted emotions over Paige leaving and the success of the parade, I can’t help but smile at the sight of him. There’s something about Will’s insistent friendship that’s hard to resist.

“Will,” Paige exclaims, hurrying over to relieve him of some of the bags. “You’re a lifesaver. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until just now.”

Will grins, his eyes twinkling. “Happy to help. Can’t have our parade organizers hangry.”

As we stand around, unwrapping the subs and eating heartily, I study Will. There’s something about him, a kind of wisdom that seems at odds with his youthful appearance. I wouldn’t have noticed it before, but I’m thinking of drawing him, and things like that pop out at me when I’m considering a person. “Hey Will, can I ask you something?” He’s had good advice for me before, maybe he’ll have an answer to our question now.

He turns away from the parade and gives me his full attention. “What’s on your mind?”

I take a deep breath, acutely aware of Paige’s presence beside me and that I’m about to talk about something that’s private between us. I hope she’s not upset with me. “You’re a religious sort, right? Why do two people get different answers to the same question, and both of them feel right?”

Will’s expression becomes serious.”You’re not getting different answers.” He looks back and forth between us, and I get the sense that he knows more about what’s happening here than he lets on. “You’re only getting an answer for yourself. Both of you have to follow your hearts.”

I don’t like that answer at all. “How can her path be the right one if it takes her away from me?” I ask. My voice snags on the emotion I’m trying to keep under wraps. The queen float goes by, and the girls, in their sparkling dresses, all wave at us. We wave back and then turn back to our conversation.

Will’s eyes meet mine, filled with a compassion that makes my chest ache. “Have you asked God to make it possible for you to go?”

His question hangs in the air between us, heavy with implication. I feel Paige’s hand slip into mine, a gesture of support and understanding that nearly undoes me.

“I don’t see how He can,” I say, grasping at the practicalities that have anchored me for so long. “It’s impossible.”

Will’s smile is gentle but firm. “God is the way maker, Noah. Sometimes, we have to get out of the way and let Him get to work.”

His words resonate within me, stirring up feelings and possibilities I haven’t allowed myself to entertain because it seems impossible. A way maker? I’ve never heard that phrase before, but it feels right. God can do anything, right? Why not this? I squeeze Paige’s hand, then gently disentangle myself. “I... I need a minute,” I mumble, already backing away. I stop to shove my sandwich into Will’s hands.

I weave through the chaos of the staging area, searching for a quiet spot. Finally, I find a small alley between two buildings that can barely fit a stray cat, let alone a full-grown man. I lean against the cool brick, close my eyes, and pray.

“God,” I whisper, feeling desperate, “if there’s any way I can go with Paige, can You make it happen? Please?”

I stand there, eyes closed, heart pounding. Part of me expects a bolt of lightning, a booming voice from the heavens, some clear sign. There’s nothing. Just the distant sounds of the parade preparations and the pounding of my own heart. I’m not sure how long I stand there, waiting for an answer that doesn’t come.

Suddenly, I hear my name being called. “Noah. We need your help with the Winter Wonderland float.”

“I need a miracle,” I mumble. With a sigh, I push myself away from the wall. I make my way back to the main staging area, and I feel a twinge of disappointment. Maybe being with Paige like this was my Christmas miracle.

Maybe that’s all I get.