Page 33 of The Art of Deception

I just hope Tomi sees it that way.

The Weekend

After a hectic work week, Tomi invited me to go to the zoo with her and Levi. She said he hasn’t been since he was ten, but he’s doing a project at school on lions, of all things, so what betterway to work on a project than seeing his favorite animal up close and personal?

But it’s a risk.

It could be a sensory overload for him, so she wanted someone to come with her.

Just for support.

I’m so damn honored she chose me.

Walking hand in hand with Tomi, Levi walks ahead of us with his trusty backpack on, and he’s in his element. He’s gawking at all the animal enclosures. Levi’s like my own little brother. I can’t explain it, I just want to look out for him. He’s a good kid.

It’s a beautiful spring day, and the sun shines brightly in the sky, which is lightly spattered with fluffy white clouds. A light breeze rustles the bright green leaves as they dance against each other.

Today is fucking glorious.

It’s not too crowded, but it’s good to spend some time together, the three of us. Levi’s excited as he bounces from enclosure to enclosure, perhaps a little more hyper than normal, with everything making him happy today.

I wish I felt as at ease after everything with my father, but I need to set it aside and simply enjoy my time and not worry about the secret haunting me right now.

Tomi smiles up at me carelessly. She’s here with me and her amazing brother, who’s coping so well.

Things are going great.

“It’s up here, Tomi!” Levi yells, making a little girl near him jump and drop her ice cream. She pouts as her mother frowns and moves to comfort her daughter.

“Levi, inside voice, please,” Tomi mumbles to him.

Levi tilts his head, assessing her choice of words. “But we’re outside?”

“It’s not a literal thing, Levi, just… don’t yell, okay? You’llscare people and the animals.”

He puts his finger up to his mouth. “Quiet like a mouse.”

“Yes, gotta be quiet around the animals,” Tomi instructs.

He nods as he turns and keeps walking. Then suddenly turns back to face us. “But the animals aren’t quiet. Why don’t they follow the rules?”

I chuckle. “Because this is their house, their rules, buddy.”

His face takes on a stern expression like he’s processing. “Animals’ house, their rules. We must be quiet.”

“Exactly,” I reply, making Tomi smile up at me.

Levi bounces on his toes, then takes off faster, his hand outstretched as he points toward an enclosure, and we follow him, walking right up to the reason we came.The lion enclosure.

Levi is pressed right up against the barrier, studying the giant male lion who’s basking in the sun. Levi’s in the middle of two other children—of course—as we stand back, letting him have his fill of his favorite animal. He’s bouncing up and down on the spot, but he remains quiet, which is a good thing.

Tomi tightens her hand in mine as she glances up at me. “He’s so excited. I’m happy we were able to give him this.”

I bring my hand up to her cheek and caress it, tenderly gazing into her eyes. “You’re a wonderful caregiver for him, Tomi. You give him everything he needs. Don’t ever doubt it.” She weakly smiles as I lean in, pressing my lips to hers. She tastes like wild berries—the flavor’s intoxicating, sending a shiver right through me.

Suddenly, the lion roars. I tense, breaking apart from Tomi and staring straight at Levi. He’s hunched with his hands covering his ears from the loud noise.

Then it all happens so damn fast.

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