Here's an explanation of some potentially difficult words and phrases from the text:
Faded jeans
"Faded" here means that the color of the denim jeans has lightened and become less intense over time, usually due to repeated washing and wear. It suggests a well-worn, comfortable appearance.
Adjusted the tension on two strings
On a stringed instrument like a guitar, "tension" refers to how tightly the strings are stretched. Adjusting the tension means tightening or loosening the strings to achieve the correct pitch for tuning.
Night came down around him
This is a descriptive phrase meaning that nightfall arrived or descended, gradually enveloping his surroundings. It evokes a sense of the day turning to night.
Settled back into his chair and began to rock
"Settled back" means he made himself comfortable and relaxed deeper into his chair. "Began to rock" indicates he started to move the chair back and forth, implying it's a rocking chair.
By habit, he looked upward
This means he looked up instinctively or as a routine action, without conscious thought, because it was something he commonly did.
Orion and the Big Dipper, Gemini and the Pole Star, twinkling in the autumn sky.
These are all constellations or significant stars visible in the night sky:
Orion: A prominent constellation, easily recognizable by its three-star "belt."
Big Dipper: An asterism (a recognizable pattern of stars) within the constellation Ursa Major, often used to locate the North Star.
Gemini: A constellation representing the twins.
Pole Star (Polaris): The North Star, which remains relatively fixed in the sky, making it useful for navigation. "Twinkling" describes the apparent flickering or sparkling of stars due to atmospheric interference.
Run the numbers in his head
This is an idiom meaning to mentally calculate or consider financial figures, costs, or budgets. Noah was thinking about his financial situation.
Pushed the thought away
This means he deliberately tried to stop thinking about something that was bothering him, choosing to ignore it.
It would work out for him, he knew; it always did.
This expresses a sense of optimism and confidence that his situation, particularly his financial one, would resolve itself positively, as it had in the past.
Had a hard time understanding people who felt otherwise
This means he found it difficult to comprehend or empathize with people who did not share his perspective or values, specifically regarding the enjoyment of simple, non-materialistic things.
Another trait he got from his father
A "trait" is a distinguishing characteristic or quality. This indicates that the tendency to enjoy simple things was a quality he inherited or learned from his father.
Nuzzled his hand
"Nuzzled" means to gently rub or push (with the nose or face), usually as a sign of affection, as a dog would do.
Whined softly
A "whine" is a long, high-pitched cry or sound, typically indicating distress, pain, or in this context, possibly a soft, contented sound from the dog.
Her soft round eyes peering upward
"Peering" means looking intently or with difficulty, often through a small opening or from a hidden position. Here, it simply means her eyes were looking up at him.
Remotely interested him
"Remotely" here means even slightly or in the slightest degree. So, he hadn't met anyone who even faintly caught his interest romantically.
Something that kept a distance between him and any woman who started to get close
This phrase suggests an unidentified emotional or psychological barrier that Noah unintentionally creates, preventing him from forming deep romantic connections.
Destined to be alone forever
"Destined" means predetermined or fated to happen. Noah is wondering if his future is unchangeably set to be one of solitude, without a life partner.
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