NOAH

None of us expected that Adam would stay this long in the hospital. I'm hoping he can go home tomorrow if he doesn't have a new setback. After surgery, he had his ups and downs, but he seemed to be on the mend until he developed a fever. Young men are not usually survivors of heart attacks, so the state of his health kept us anxious. I've been trying my best to split my time between the club, my business and Jordan. We all have pitched in to keep the business running and to promote tonight's Halloween party, who also happens to be on Jordan's birthday.

The past month and a half have been an educational experience on parenting. He's a good kid in general, but having a father figure who enforces rules and boundaries isn't something he's used to. Most of the time he respects them, but I can see he struggles. From the little he talks about his father, it seems that Jordan grew up pretty much on his own, and the memorable interactions with Nolan were filled with violence. I'm trying to show him that structure is good for him and that I'm always open for communication.

Last Monday, he brought two boys and a girl to the house after school. It surprised me because I wasn't sure he even had friends. He froze by the door when he saw me sitting in the living room playing my guitar as I normally head out to get groceries around that time.

"Can I talk to you for a minute alone?" He asked.

We walked into the kitchen and out of the corner of my eye I could see the kids standing awkwardly by the door.

"Do I have to ask you for permission to bring friends over?" He asked while avoiding my stare.

"Your friends are more than welcome here. A heads-up would have been appreciated in case I was in my underwear," I said and he smiled. "Can you introduce me to them?"

Jordan motioned to his friends to come in. "This is my foster dad, Noah. These are John, Mark, and Chloe. We go to school together."

"Pleasure to meet you all. Jordan, I've filled the drinks in the fridge and the snacks under the sink. Please, enjoy yourselves," I said while gathering my things to sit on the back porch.

I looked back as the kids headed to the kitchen and felt I'm doing things right. He feels comfortable and at home here. The first time he called me his foster dad I didn't know how to feel about it. I certainly care about him, but I don't know how long he will live with me. I'm afraid to fall in love with the idea of having a son, only for him to move with another family. Yet, the idea of him moving away breaks my heart.

At a certain moment, I needed a piece of paper to take some notes and saw Chloe coming out of the bathroom. An idea popped in my head and I called her aside to share with her my plans for Jordan's birthday party. She gave me some tips and promised to tell the guys. I handed her my business card and told her to call me if they were coming to add them to the guest list.

Yesterday morning, I finally had a meeting with his school counselor, which I wanted to schedule the moment he came to live with me, but time didn't allow it. Jordan doesn't know about this because I don't want him to feel as if I'm spying on him. I just wanted to know how to help him. His education has been neglected for far too long and a smart guy like him needs support to reach his full potential.

"Good morning, Mr. Tanner. I'm Gianna Trevino. Pleasure to meet you," said the beautiful woman with caramel brown hair and dark green eyes, welcoming me into her office.

"Likewise."

"As you requested, I spoke with his teachers and we are all glad you have taken an interest in his education. Jordan has passed each grade with the academic minimum. Since you took him in, his grades have improved significantly and he even got a perfect score in his last Math exam. A common positive remark among his teachers is that he looks well taken care of and he's gaining weight."

"The evening we met and we came home I gave him a clean t-shirt to sleep in. I felt really concerned when I saw his ribcage was visible. He eats like a proper teen now and sometimes asks for seconds, which makes me think that food wasn't available all the time at his house."

"I had Jordan here in my office last March. I got a tip from another student who saw him changing for gym class and said he had a large bruise on his ribs. He kept clutching to his side during class and seemed to be in pain. He had been absent the week before and that rung alarms in my head. I asked him if his father had ever hurt him, but he wouldn't talk. He kept avoiding looking at me and it was painful to see him suffering like that. I really wanted to help him, but he didn't let me."

That brought memories. At least Jordan showed to gym, I skipped class so people didn't see the bruises my father gave me. I would constantly make up stories about getting in fights which of course, Adam and Sam didn't believe.

We talked about Jordan's chances to go to college. She made a calculation of what he'll need to do besides passing the entrance exams and offered help to fill in the applications. After thanking her, I gave her my business card in case she needs to call me about Jordan.

"You own Moonlight House?" She asked while looking at the card.

"I also own a plumbing business, but right now I spend most of my time at the club. I'm one of the partners. Have you visited us?"

"I'm going with my friends on Saturday for the first time," she gave me a bright smile. "I wanted to be there tomorrow for Halloween, but the tickets for the party were gone in no time."

"It's our busiest night and the tickets are the only way to control how many people are inside. I will see you then on Saturday. No need to wait in line, I'll give your name plus friends to our bouncer."

"That's very kind of you, Mr. Tanner."

"Call me Noah. I'm sure you and your friends will have a great time."

The meeting with Gianna left me wishing Saturday came by fast, but I have other priorities to attend to. This morning, I woke Jordan up for school and gave him his birthday gift, his own laptop. His smile outshined the sun and I couldn't feel happier. He doesn't ask for anything and whenever I give him something new, something of his own, he really appreciates it. I didn't mention anything about his party and just said that if he wanted to hang out with his friends here that I could make sure to have food delivered.

As I reach the school to pick him up, I see him standing at the corner with a sour face. He gets in the car with a huff and doesn't even greet me.

"Hello to you too. What's going on?"

"I asked Chloe and the guys if they wanted to hang out and stuff, you know, because of my birthday, but they made plans to go to a Halloween party."

"Why don't you go to the party with them?"

"I wasn't invited. I tried to invite myself and Chloe said that it didn't work like that," he almost pouts and I have to refrain from laughing.

"No worries, we can have dinner together before I head to the club. Then you can spend the evening playing with your new laptop."

"Yeah. Thanks. Whatever," he frowns.

My phone rings and I answer it through the car system.

"Noah, we have an emergency," Erin says. "The fucking toilet in the first stall is leaking again. Rory tried to tighten the valve, but it didn't work. Can you bring a new valve and a supply tube?"

"Sure, I'll be there as soon as possible," I say and hang up.

Erin sounded really convincing and now Jordan looks pissed. It's a good thing he wasn't at the club when I fixed that toilet because I renewed the whole system.

"It will take just a few minutes. I promise."

When I came back from the hardware store, I find him playing games in his phone. We drive to the club and park at the back. He doesn't move when I get out.

"Are you coming?" I ask him and his grumpy attitude as he gets out and follows me will make me break in laughter at any minute.

"Hi, Jordan," Robbie says in his usual cheerful mood.

"Hi, Robbie," Jordan mumbles as we walk past him.

"SURPRISE!"

Jordan's mouth hangs open and there's a look of pure shock in his eyes. I place my arm over his shoulder and he looks at me.

"Happy birthday!"

Jordan gazes at the room and looks overwhelmed. For a moment, I doubt if I made the right thing, but then he grins. Erin reserved one of the lounges and decorated it with every glow-in-the-dark item she could find. In the middle of the lounge table, Sam made a spread of hearty snacks around a cake tower covered with edible spiderwebs. The cake is devil's food inside as Jordan loves chocolate.

Members of the staff come around to give him hugs and share wishes. In such a short time, they have become very fond of him. Matt pulls Erin off Jordan to give other people a chance to greet him and also to avoid breaking his bones. When his friends approach him, he looks confused as he didn't expect them to be here. Chloe kisses his cheek and even in the dim light of the club I see him blushing. Every member of the team chipped in to buy him a gift. I told them it wasn't necessary, but they wanted to do it. He opens the wrapping paper and looks delighted to find a gaming system with a few games, which Chloe said was something he enjoyed doing with them. Erin stands next to me and links her arm with mine.

"You are an amazing father. You know that, right?"

"I don't know if I am. I'm trying to do things differently for him."

"Also for yourself," she says and I nod.

Six weeks ago, a scared,anxious and sick boy approached me at the club for help. Now, before me, is ahealthy young man, laughing with his friends and with a smear of chocolatefrosting on his bottom lip. It's all worth it.