Page 86 of Ice Ice Maybe
“It’s a palindrome, the same backward and forward,” he explained.
“Do you really believe in that?” I asked, skeptical. “The good luck thing?”
Nolan smirked. “Today, for your dad, I do.”
“Me too,” Mom chimed in, her voice filled with hope.
We made our way to the elevator and up to Dad’s room. As we entered, we found him fiddling with the TV remote, muttering under his breath.
“Can you believe this?” he complained. “I can’t seem to find one channel that has the latest on the stock market!”
To my surprise, Nolan stepped forward.
“I can help with that,” he said, taking the remote from Dad’s hand.
“Thank you—I appreciate it,” Dad said.
Nolan pointed the remote at the TV, promptly turning it off. He set the remote out of reach from the bed and grinned.
“There you go,” he said.
Dad stared at him, dumbfounded.
Mom and I burst into laughter.
“You think that’s funny?” Dad asked, indignant.
“Yes!” Mom and I chorused, still giggling as we went to kiss him.
“We were so worried about you,” I said, squeezing his hand.
“Yes—we were,” Mom said, giving him a kiss. “But it looks like you are going to be just fine.”
Nolan approached, offering a handshake. “Glad it wasn’t serious, sir.”
Dad huffed. “I’m not talking to you until you give me back that remote.”
“Good,” Nolan retorted. “We’ll finally get some peace.”
More laughter erupted from Mom and me.
Dad glared at Nolan for a moment before chuckling. “You’ve got some serious backbone, son. It’s a good thing for you I find that a positive trait.”
“That’s one of the things I love about him,” I said without thinking.
Suddenly, all eyes were on me.
“Did you just say you love Nolan?” Mom asked.
“No!” I squeaked, my voice unnaturally high. “I lovethingsabout him! Like his shoes! I love his shoes!”
I was making it worse.
I needed to shut up.
“There are certainly a lot of things about Zena that I love,” Nolan said.
“That’s becoming quite apparent,” Dad grumbled.
