Chapter 7 - The Library on the Hill
Saturday arrived under a pale, clear winter sky.
I took the train to Hudson, New York, arriving an hour early. I walked up the stone steps of the public library, my heart pounding so hard I felt lightheaded. I wore my only good sweater, clean jeans, and a dark wool coat.
At precisely 1:55 PM, I saw them.
Mara walked through the glass doors wearing a long burgundy coat. Beside her, holding her hand tightly, was a little boy with thick brown curls, wearing a yellow winter jacket and tiny boots.
Noah.
He was nearly three years old now. He had Mara’s bright, curious hazel eyes and my jawline.
I stood frozen beside a display of children's books, unable to move, terrified that if I breathed too loud, the moment would dissolve into smoke.
Mara stopped a few feet away. She looked at me—really looked at me. She saw the deep callouses on my hands, the faint scars on my fingers from construction work, and the total lack of vanity in my eyes.
"Hello, Nathan," she said softly.
"Hi, Mara," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
She looked down at the little boy beside her. "Noah, honey... do you remember the picture Mommy showed you?"
Noah blinked, looking up at me with his big, wide eyes. He let go of Mara's hand and took two hesitant steps toward me, pointing a tiny finger at my face.
"Daddy?" he asked, his voice soft and innocent.
The entire world vanished. I dropped to my knees on the hardwood floor, tears streaming down my face without shame.
"Hi, Noah," I choked out, holding my arms open, keeping a careful distance so as not to scare him. "Hi, buddy."
Noah didn't hesitate. He waddled forward and wrapped his tiny arms around my neck, pressing his soft cheek against my shoulder.
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I held my son for the first time in nearly two years. I buried my face in his soft curls, breathing in the scent of baby shampoo and fresh air, feeling his heart beating against mine.
I looked up through my tears at Mara. She was standing quietly, her hand over her mouth, tears glittering in her eyes as she watched us.
