Episode 20: If I Had a Heart
March 14th – 19th
Fever Ray sings a song with this line, "After the night when I wake up. I'll see what tomorrow brings." After everything that has been going on here, after the choices I made, after choices others have made, I wonder if that line is pertinent or if another line from that song is, "If I had a heart, I could love you." Have you ever made choices that so change your world that after making them, you question your choice? Please share and comment below.
RavenHussar
T3 Collective.
Chapter 696: LaGuardia Airport
Tuesday, March 14th, Morning
He was woken up from his short nap by the beep of the onboard paging system. He picked up his head and shook out the cobwebs from the overnight hop of a flight. Looking around the cabin, he settled into the dark.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to New York City and LaGuardia Airport; connecting flights are on the displays in the terminal. Have a great morning," came over the PA.
Noah Adams shook his head and rubbed his eyes. He sat up and pushed his dark hair out of his eyes. He could feel the airplane coming in for a landing as he woke. When the plane landed, with a thud, Noah could hear the engines screaming as the aircraft tried to slow itself.
Once the plane stopped, it started to taxi towards the terminal. Noah began to stretch himself out in the seat. The early morning light poured in through the windows. He nodded as the plane slowly reached the terminal.
As the plane reached the terminal, Noah anticipated what would come. Once the plane stopped and hooked into the jetway, Noah got up with many other passengers. Reaching into the overhead bin, Noah pulled his backpack and skateboard and headed toward the hatch. He walked up the jetway, feeling the anticipation of starting his new life. He turned towards baggage claims, where he was meeting someone.
Noah approached baggage claims; finally, he desperately needed time away. He looked around and found who he was looking for. Noah smiled and went over to the man.
"Cash!" Noah said and walked over to the man.
Cassius "Cash" O'Brien looked at his younger distant cousin. Noah smiled at the man. Cash shook his head.
"Noah," Cash said.
"Thanks for letting me hang out," Noah said.
"We're only here until Saturday; we head back to Buffalo first thing Sunday morning," Cash said.
Noah nodded, "So, why are you down here?" Noah asked.
"Tournament," Cash said, "So, why did you want to come up here?"
Noah shrugged, "I needed a break," he said.
Cash nodded, "Are you hungry?" he asked.
"Starving," Noah said.
"Okay, I got a van, and we'll get you something to eat," Cash said.
"Great!" Noah said.
"Head out; I'll be right behind," Cash said.
"All right," Noah said, shrugged, and walked away.
Out of earshot, Cash reached into his pocket, pulled out his smartphone and opened Facebook Messenger.
Shay: Hey y'all, it's Shay, listen, Aunt Kris hasn't heard from Noah since this morning, and that's incredibly out of character. Can y'all do us a huge favor and get in touch if he reaches out? We're really concerned. I think the conversation he had with one of his older half-siblings earlier today may have been something he unintentionally overheard, which really shook him up.
Cash: He's with me. Will keep you guys posted.
Cash put his phone away and followed Noah outside. He stood next to Noah. Cash towered over Noah, but the younger man looked at Cash.
"So, where are you staying?" Noah asked.
"Hotel, not far from the tournament site," Cash said.
"You don't mind me staying with you?" Noah asked.
Cash shook his head. "No, I got the room," Cash said.
"I can't wait to see the city," Noah said.
"Yeah, you might be seeing a lot of the hotel or the tournament," Cash said.
"What?" Noah asked.
"I know a great diner not far from here," Cash said.
"Okay," Noah said, following Cash to a nearby van.
"Why did you stop?" Noah asked.
"We're at the van," Cash said.
"Oh," Noah said.
Cash unlocked the van and climbed in. Noah got into the passenger seat. Cash started the van and drove off. Noah watched the scenes of the airport pass by. They merged onto the Grand Central Parkway and headed towards Manhattan. Soon they left East Elmhurst and entered Astoria Heights. Cash steered off the parkway and pulled into a diner called Jackson Hole. Cash parked the van, and they got out.
Once inside, they took their seats. The server came over and took their orders. Cash just got a cup of coffee while Noah ordered a full breakfast and coffee.
"That's a lot of food," Cash said.
"I'm hungry," Noah said.
"Your momma doesn't feed you?" Cash asked.
"Bird food, she's been on a heavy health kick, especially since my dad's been getting worse," Noah said.
"How is that going?" Cash asked.
"Mom says she thinks he's stable, but I feel he's slipping away, day by day," Noah said.
Cash nodded, "It was a nasty fall," he said, "He almost died."
"He should've died; it would've been better for all of us," Noah said.
"You don't mean that, Noah," Cash said.
"I do; when he's not angry, he's looking at me and calling me the name of his favorite child," Noah said.
"Noah, he has a brain injury," Cash said.
"But he thinks I'm one of my sisters," Noah said.
"Which sister?" Cash asked.
"Chastity," Noah said.
Cash nodded, "The wild child," he said.
"Yeah, but also the only one that took up skating," Noah said.
"You took up skating," Cash said.
"Yeah, I know, but he wants Chastity," Noah said.
Cash nodded and looked to see Noah's breakfast coming.
"Eat up; we still have a bit of a drive," Cash said.
Noah nodded, "Okay," he said as his breakfast was placed in front of him.
Cash nodded and sipped his coffee.