June gestured him toward her foam green armchair. She sank onto the matching sofa, leaving the love seat empty between them.
The room was full of Cale family memories. Photos of Noah crowded the maple wood fireplace mantel and dotted the pale yellow walls. The images were records of his life from birth to young adulthood—first steps, first bike, prekindergarten graduation, First Communion, Confirmation, football.
“Noah’s worried about you.” Darius put his right ankle on his left knee.
“Me? Why?” June’s voice lifted in surprise.
Darius chose his words carefully. “He’s afraid to go away to college because he doesn’t want you to be alone.”
“That’s stupid. He’s going to an out-of-state university.”
So much for diplomacy. “That’s what I told him.”
“What did he say?”
“That you don’t have any friends.” Darius watched closely for her reaction. “All you do is work and take care of him.”
She rolled her eyes, shifting in the armchair as though uncomfortable. “He makes me sound like a martyr.”
“Saint June.”
“Far from it.” She frowned. “Why didn’t he talk to me about this himself?”
“He asked me to speak with you.” Darius spread his hands. “He didn’t think you’d be honest with him.”
“As if.” June heaved a sigh, crossing her arms and legs. “He needs to stop worrying about me and pick a university already.”
Darius shrugged. “You know Noah. When he forms an opinion, only divine intervention will change his mind.”
“Divine intervention?” June rose from the armchair to pace her living room. “I’ve never been called that before.”
Darius laughed his surprise. “What are you going to do?”
“I can’t understand why he’d tell you he’s considering a local university when most of the ones on his wish list are out of state.” June’s voice was pensive. Her pace slowed.
“But he included a few that are in state, which means they’re more than safety nets. He’s legitimately considering them.”
“Where would he go?” She gave him a dubious look as she paced back to her armchair. “Sequoia Community College? Trinity Falls University?”
“Those are good schools. You went to TFU.”
“He’s going out of state.” June turned to cross to the fireplace again. “I’ve never been out of Ohio. That’s something I’ve always regretted. I want more for my son.”
“It’s ultimately his choice, June.”
“Staying in Sequoia’s not what he wants.”
“What are you going to do to change his mind?”
“I’m going to tell him that he’s not staying in Ohio.” June resumed her seat.
Darius lowered his right foot to the ground. “What are you going to do once Noah leaves for college?”
“Remodel his room and have sex.” June crossed her arms and settled back into her armchair. “Not necessarily in that order.”
“All right.” Darius tried to mask his surprise. He failed. “Maybe you can word that a little differently for Noah.”
“Of course.” June rolled her eyes again.