Page 21 of Life After Levi

“Okay, that works. I’m sure Vinnie will be excited to tell you all about what she’s gotten into since you last saw her,” I tease, mentally preparing him for the whirlwind that is my daughter.

“Looking forward to it. Honestly, it amazes me how many mannerisms of Levi’s she has,” he admits. “I wouldn’t have expected that especially since all she’s got are the videos and pictures.”

“I didn’t either, to be honest. Genetics are a funny thing sometimes. So, when she gives me a look at times that is all Levi, it’s like seeing her daddy through a mirror. But where before it made me cry, now it makes me smile.”

I drop him off at the motel then wait for him to get into his rental car so he can follow me to Miriam and Dale’s house. The entire time we’re driving, I find myself looking in the rearview mirror and smiling. It’s been a long time since that deep desire has been burned into my chest, but I find with Damien to expect the unexpected as far as my emotions go.

* * *

“Mama!”Vinnie exclaims, running toward the car once I’m parked and the motor is turned off. That’s something that we’ve instilled in her from a young age because of how Miriam and Dale’s driveway is once you’re close to the house. “And Mr. Damien!” she screeches, changing trajectories to run to his driver’s door. “You’re here too!”

“Guess I’m chopped liver,” I mutter while grinning at my daughter's exuberance. Iwanther to like him because I sure do and if this goes anywhere with us, she’ll be part of the package.

“Hey, Vinnie, how’s Bonnie?” Damien asks as he walks toward my car to help me unload all the stuff I packed and brought. “I’ve got to help your mama, sweetie, okay?”

“Mama, did you bring me something?” Vinnie asks.

“I brought you some fresh clothes, and one of your plushies you forgot when you put your toys in the bag,” I reply.

“Yay! Memaw is making meatloaf and I helped smush all the stuff together,” Vinnie says, grinning up at Damien. She’s always proud when she helps in the kitchen or around the farm.

“That’s my favorite part,” he admits, the excitement in his eyes matching hers. I can see hearts floating around inside of her eyes as she glances up at him, listening to every word he’s saying. “Getting my hands all gushy is fun.”

My nose wrinkles which he sees, causing him to chuckle a bit. “Again, you’re going to be working with body fluids, yet you don’t like mixing the ingredients for meatloaf?”

“I’ll repeat, I wear gloves! Meatloaf is just… ewww. No, I can’t even picture it, which is why I never make it at home.”

“We’re having sweet corn, mashed potatoes, and some kind of pie,” Vinnie adds. “I peeled the potatoes, Mama.”

“Very good, Vinnie,” I praise. “I love that you help Memaw.”

“Memaw said I’m a good helper,” Vinnie replies, making sure we understand the importance of her role.

“Well, hello you two. I see you’ve gotten the menu from our town crier,” Miriam says, as we make our way up the steps to the back porch. She’s got a bushel basket in front of her full of beans that she’s preparing for canning.

“Give me a few minutes to carry this load inside, put all of it up so nobody trips over it, and I’ll give you a hand,” I tell her.

“I won’t say no to the help,” she replies.

* * *

I’m sortingthrough my mail as Vinnie plays in the yard while dinner cooks when I come across something a little more bulky than usual from my bank. “What is this?” I muse as I open the envelope. I quickly read the letter, my shock growing before I belt out, “Y’all aren’t going to believe this!”

“What is it, Em?” Damien asks.

“Apparently, my bank had a contest, and I was the local branch’s grand prize winner. It has something to do with their round-up program where the difference in what I spent on my debit card is deposited into my savings account.”

“What’s the prize?” Miriam questions.

“Well, it’ll cover hotel accommodations for two different resorts, my choice of course, plus there’s a five-hundred-dollar prepaid credit card to use for whatever I want at the facility of my choice,” I reply, still scanning the letter to see if there are any hidden rules for accepting this prize. “Oh, one of the places is for a waterpark resort, that would be a lot of fun to take Vinnie to.”

“Is there a time frame that it has to be used by?” Dale queries. At my look, he continues. “Well, I was just thinking. You’re about to get certified once you’re done with this next forty-eight-hour shift, right? What if you were able to plan to go afterward, kind of a reward for getting through your schooling? Miriam and I’ll be glad to toss in some extra money so you can go crazy. Hey, maybe Damien could go with the two of you.”

I glance over at Damien and see his slight nod. It would be a great way to spend time together and get to know each other better, that’s for sure. Although with Levinia with us, it would definitely be a PG rated expedition, but that’s okay too. Bonding doesn’t always have to be sexual in nature. I think a lot of folks rush into the physical side of things too quickly these days, and while I definitely didn’t wait for marriage with the love of my life and my daughter's father, I want to be sure that Damien is the one and that our relationship is more dynamic and meaningful than a one-time roll in the hayloft.

“I’d enjoy that, if you wouldn’t mind me tagging along with the two of you,” Damien says.

“I wouldn’t mind one bit,” I admit. “Okay, so I need to get on their website and see what needs to be done. It’s a good thing I brought my tablet with me, right?”

---