TWENTY SIX

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As I was finishing putting away the leftover dishes, everyone soon had their meals all squared away while Levi and Jordan kept having a blast of what felt like endless hours of catch, until he finally got one in his hand.

Though just as I was about to return to the festivities, I suddenly heard his captivating voice almost directly behind me with words I'd hadn't heard in a long time—unless they were 8 years old or under that is.

"Do ya need any help?"

Spinning around out of surprisement, I jumped up a little taken aback. His gaze was beaming back.

"Levi! Oh! Uh...no, I-I-I got it. Thanks." I shyly replied, trying to tidy up the kitchen to what may be to his liking.

But yet, he kept glancing around while observing the small room without saying anything. Rather, he just nodded so casually.

"Well, do ya mind if I go grab a few drinks from ya icebox? The kiddos out there are getting pretty thirsty, they keep telling me. I think I may be warming up to them." He told me, heading toward my fridge.

Talk about making himself at home. Though surprisingly...I didn't mind it.

"Uh, sure. But ya don't have to do that. You're the guest after all, mister. I can grab it for ya-" I started to say rushing to the icebox myself.

That is until he grabbed my waist and spun me back around to face him.

God, did he always have to get my attention like this?! It was very distracting.

Kindly however, he shook his head. "No, no. Please. Let me get it. Ya seem to have ya hands full anyway. I don't wanna impose more than I have uninvitedly as it is."

Staring at him in a period of silence while he did the same to me, I simply agreed slowly. "It's okay. I uh...I actually appreciate that ya came here to talk, Levi. Not many folks I know further into the city would normally even think to."

"Well what can I say? For ya, I'm not just any folks." He winked as my mind went haywire before he moved past to get the beverages. "But I must say! Ya house is very swanky. I really love it."

"Ya do?" I honestly was astonished.

"Yes! I mean, why would ya think I wouldn't?"

I shrugged unsure. I actually didn't know why. I guess it was a force of habit. But he was surely changing my own way of thinking.

"I just figured you'd think it's nothing fancy-" I started to utter.

He chuckled, closing the icebox door with the items in hand. "Hey, you've been to my place, Ivy. It doesn't have to be. Ya shouldn't be ashamed of where ya live. Certainly ya shouldn't try to impress anyone either, but yourself. As long ya love it...that's all that matters. Right? It shouldn't define who ya are, I personally think." I gratefully grinned. Well if he thought like that, then there was definitely more I'd like to tell him. "Though...may I ask?" He stared timidly. I gave a mystified expression at first before he gestured to the house. "Your family. Now, if memories serve me correctly—ya said your father was no longer here. But ya only said your Mom was in an accident. Does she live here too?"

And there it was.

The big question I knew the more he stayed here, the more he would wonder. But still, with all he just assured me of...there was only one way to tell him.

"C-c-can ya come with me Levi? I wanna show ya something..." I let out, taking the drinks out of his hands as our hands brushed.

Joy rushed in for a moment to collect while smiling at us once more—racing back out.

We stared at her strangely before sharing a nice laugh, as I held my hand out for him to take as he didn't even hesitate to respond, giving it to me as I led us out of the room.

Soon as we approached my Mama's bedroom door that was closed for her nap time again, we stopped in front.

"She's in there." I started off.

He glanced at the door nodding, snapping his fingers. "Oh! I get it. She must be sleeping. Understandable-"

I giggled and shook my head. "No, no, no. I mean, yes she is sleeping right now—but she stays in the bedroom at all times."

Appearing more baffled, he began to look around. "Wait, what do you mean by that?"

I shrugged hesitantly, heading into the living room as he followed shortly behind. I didn't want the chance of her hearing any part of what I was about to say. Somehow, something about him and inside of me just made me long to tell him everything.

So I would. Well...at least I would try.

"My Mama's been paralyzed from the waist down for at least over ten months now." Levi's eyes quickly widened. I shyly nodded. "The Doctor told me she may never be able to walk again. But in the meantime I should keep her active and alert. Make sure she doesn't fall into a further depression than she is now. See, life at the lounge is like a fairy tale. But this is my real life Levi." I gestured around. "I make sure my family and neighbors are well taken care of, fed, and happy. I've been kinda ashamed of showing ya where I came from, because I didn't want anyone to think less of me. Especially a man like yourself. Though I don't want to sound like I'm complaining by any means—but God, ya have no idea how exhausting and harder it gets everyday. To my siblings...I'm the only parental figure they really have. Before my singing, there were nights where I didn't have enough food to feed everyone including myself. But it didn't matter because I only needed to care about them anyway. I made it work. I did. We've been getting by just okay." I began to tear up, realizing how daunting it had been. 

But all Levi could do was shake his head, becoming more distraught himself. 

"W-w-why haven't ya told anyone this? W-w-why haven't ya asked for any help? Ivy, ya shouldn't have to do this all alone. You're only eighteen." He pleaded, grabbing my shoulders and squeezing onto them tightly.

"Exactly! I am! But what else am I supposed to do?" I eventually cried out. His fingertips began to caress my cheeks, wiping each tear away from my eyes. God, it felt so perfect. "Why do ya think I needed a job and had to drop out of school? Look, I know my situation sucks—but I also know it could be a lot worse."

"Please Ivy doll, that doesn't deflect that this situation isn't great either. I could've helped. Why didn't ya tell me?!" He now pulled my body even closer.

I sighed, biting my bottom lip and trying to hold back any more pain I still harbored —just so he didn't have to worry this much. "Oh come on, why would I even dream to ask? Levi, these are my battles—not yours. I would hate to be such a burden to ya. I mean, you've got enough going on with your own fears, your wedding, and also your parents. But hey, maybe they do have a point. Maybe I am just pathetic and poor..."

"No! Don't ya ever say a crazy thing like that! Hear me?! Ivy Hart, you've gifted, you're sweet and honest, and now that I see and know everything...you're the most amazing young woman I've ever met in my life!" He eagerly told me, now visibly shaking with his hands like he'd just been scared straight.

I couldn't believe it. Hearing those encouraging and memorable words. Seeing the determined and firm look in his eyes to assure me that I ain't just a nobody like the world thought...I never felt more comforted and safe than being here right now, with the only man I deeply cared about.

Feeling my heart grow fuller, wanting to do more than just touch with our warm hands, I turned slightly away—assisting him in wiping the tears off. "You should go. I have to get back to work-" I tried to get up before he pulled me back closer.

"Ivy don't. Please! Just tell me what ya want me to do. At this point, I'm not gonna ask if ya need help, because I will do it no matter what you say or do to keep me in the dark! Just...I beg of you...let me be there for ya. I swear I'll do it right. Don't keep carrying all these burdens on only yourself, before I can prove to ya I'll be worth the chance." He pleaded, staring into my deep gaze longingly.

I wanted to give in so much. Show him I did want him there for me too. But I couldn't. I still didn't feel right about him helping with my problems. He didn't deserve to carry this load too. 

"There's nothing you should have to do Levi...I'm sorry." I spoke weakly, pushing myself away and heading back to the backyard.

That is until he suddenly said the words I'd never forget.

"10 A.M."

Stopping right in my tracks, I slowly turned around baffled. "Excuse me?"

Smiling warmly, he began to move forward. "From now on...your call time starts at 10 A.M. I'll take a few extra hours and kinda explain to Shelly it's for my personal reasons. This I will promise ya."

I know it probably didn't mean a lot to many, but for me—hearing him utter that...it truly meant the world.

I didn't have to get up at dawn anymore. I didn't have to get only three hours of sleep each night. No...now, I could finally rest. Even just for a moment—which was surely better than none at all.

Getting choked up once more as the water works fell like a stream down my cheeks, I smiled gratefully back nodding–reacting before thinking.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" I exclaimed while racing up to him.

With that, my arms wrapped around his body in a tight and comfortable manner—squeezing him hard as he didn't hesitate to give in too, swaying me again like we usually did when we touched.

And from then, I continued to cry tears of pure joy into his strong shoulders. But happily–even though I was drenching his suit shamefully, he just held on not even caring.

In that moment, something happened that I knew I shouldn't have felt or thought of, but I couldn't help it any longer. I would drive myself insane if I just kept it hidden to myself. After weeks and months of knowing him, the truth was finally made clear for the first time in my head.

I had just fallen hopelessly in love with an engaged man.

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

Uh-oh that can't be good...or can it? ;)

Let me know your thoughts as always and I'll see ya next time! 


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