Page 101 of Gifts

*****

Keelie

“Hey, Keelie.” I look away from the stove to where Levi’s come into the kitchen. “Can Carissa come over after dinner?”

I give him a small smile. “Sure. She can eat with us if she wants. I’m making pasta and there’ll be plenty.”

He grins. “Thanks.”

“You’ve got less than a month, Levi. How does it feel?” I stir the sauce while looking over my shoulder.

He loses his grin and tips his head.

I put my spoon down and look to him. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.” He leans into the counter and crosses his arms. “Carissa’s just a junior. It’s gonna be weird.”

I know he’s only eighteen and Carissa’s even younger, but to dismiss his feelings because of that would be hurtful, even though the chances of them sticking it out after he goes to college aren’t high. I see it all the time. “You’ll only be two hours away, Levi. You can try and make it work next year if you want.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“You know your dad will be at all your home games and I bet he’ll travel to see you play, too. She can tag along and you can come back here to visit. You know what they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

He smirks and shakes his head. “I hope you’re right.”

“I’m your counselor. I’m always right.” I grin. “We’ll eat in about an hour. Let me know if the kids need to set a place for her.”

“Thanks,” he says and I think he’s left until he calls for me again. “Um, Keelie?”

I look back. “Hmm?”

“I’ve never seen my dad with anyone.” His words come out in a rush, like he’s uncomfortable, but making himself say what he needs to. “Before you, I mean. My parents have been divorced a long time. My mom dated a lot before she remarried, but dad never did.”

“Oh.” Asa has given me space and time for two days now, even though his idea of these have proved to be much different than mine.

“He’s different,” Levi keeps on. “With you. Different than I’ve ever seen him. Emma thinks so, too.”

I don’t say anything and bite my lip. It’s got to be evident to everyone but Saylor that Asa and I aren’t the same as we were, and that’s only because Saylor is oblivious to everything around her.

“I just wanted you to know.” He clears his throat. “I like knowing he’s happy, you know—with you, even if it is right before I’m getting ready to leave for college.”

Everything in my chest tightens and I have to make myself smile. “Thanks, Levi.”

Looking pained after expressing his approval about his dad’s relationship with his school counselor, he gives me a quick nod and escapes the kitchen as fast as he can—and I’m glad. I wasn’t prepared for that and I certainly wasn’t going to tell him I tried to break things off but his father was too stubborn to let me, so now we’re living in the same house not speaking to one another and he’s still sleeping next to me naked.

How did I get myself into this fiasco?

I go to my pantry, and just like every time I come in here, memories of Asa shutting me in to steal away from nosy children flood my brain. Him suggesting a pantry blow job the other day doesn’t help, either.

I quickly grab a bottle of red from my wine stash. More Asa memories, dammit.

It’s a good thing I have more than half of a case left. I’m gonna need all the wine.

*****

Sliding in the key to unlock my office door, I’m more sluggish than ever. It’s Friday and Asa hasn’t said a word to me in five days.

Five fucking days.

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