Page 29 of Life After Levi

Me: Be safe.

I set my phone on the portable charger because I’ll read later on, then head back downstairs so I can see what needs to be done. In addition to helping Dale, I’ve been doing small repairs around the house that Miriam has on her honey-do list. Some of the stuff is minor, like changing the lightbulb in the root cellar because she can’t reach it, while some of it is more labor intensive, like repainting the trim in the living room.

While both of them are in good shape considering their ages, they’ve got arthritis and when I found out that Dale had had both knees replaced, I told them I’d do it. It’s still difficult for me to get down so low, but I’m pleased at how well it’s going. Next will be using a steam cleaner on the furniture. It too is older, but has been taken care of, and apparently, Miriam cleans and shampoos the upholstery twice a year to keep it that way.

“How are the chicks?” I ask Vinnie, who is sitting next to the box staring inside.

“They’re good, see?” she replies, pointing inside. I peer down to see the chicks going to town on the worms we gathered while fishing. I shudder inside because they’re eating live bait, but I know from the searches I did that this is a treat for them.

“What’s next on our agenda?” I ask.

“Now I have to collect eggs with Memaw,” she says, getting up so effortlessly that I wish I was still that young. “Then, I’m going to help her cook dinner. Do you like meatloaf?”

“I love it,” I confess. “I guess I’ll go see what your pappy is doing so I can help him.”

“He’s in the barn, tinkering on something,” she replies. At my amazed look, she grins and continues. “That’s what he said he was going to do. What’s tinkering?”

I chuckle then say, “It means he’s trying to fix something. I’ll go see what it is and whether or not I can help.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later, Mr. Damien!”

* * *

Dale is indeed tinkeringwith something. It’s one of his tractors that needs some parts replaced. As we work together, he says, “You’re good for them, Damien. Levi would be happy knowing that Emerie has someone he trusts to take care of his girls, even though he didn’t know about Levinia.”

I swallow past the lump that’s suddenly in my throat. “I’ve grown to love them both, but the last thing I want to do is cause any problems.”

“How would it cause problems?” he asks.

“Well, I mean, wouldn’t there be talk in town if she and I went further with our relationship?” I inquire, not wanting to be an additional thorn in their side where the busy bodies are concerned.

He shrugs as he reaches for a wrench. “I didn’t take you as someone who cared what others thought,” he replies.

“I don’t, but Em might, and I refuse to allow others to bash Emerie any further,” I retort. “Seems some of the people in town hold her to a higher standard.”

“Trust me, she’s got the support of me and Miriam, as well as her parents. As to why she’s held to a higher standard, I honestly can’t answer that one. Maybe it’s because Levi was killed and she wound up pregnant, another high school statistic, who knows? Miriam and I, along with Mark and Barbara, do what we can to squash shit. But the best thing Em has done is stay right here and not allow their malicious behavior to run her out of town. She’s proven herself time and again, and if nothing else, she can hold her head up high. A lot of girls who were in her position might’ve taken another route when they found out they were expecting on the same day they found out the father was dead. She didn’t. She faced her critics, had Vinnie, and finished school as well as college. Many others in her class ended up dropping out, a few have overdosed and are dead, and there are a few who are now single mothers as well. We’re proud of our girl and we’d be equally proud if you and she wound up permanently together.”

I catch what he’s throwing at me, a smile gracing my face. I told my mom when I came to visit, I wanted my grandmother’s antique wedding set, because I plan to marry her and if she’s willing, adopt Levinia.

“That’s my plan, just need to make sure she’s totally onboard,” I tell him.

ChapterSeventeen

Emerie

It’s beena month since I started my new job and I’m loving the challenge of the position. I’ve learned so much from Shane, who is apparently my partner since we’re always on the same shifts. I won’t complain, because he’s got over a decade of experience under his belt and he’s not stingy about sharing his knowledge, which goes far beyond what I learned from my textbooks. I’m tired as I pull down the driveway to the farm, but it’s a good tired. We had a lot of calls, and while one was unfortunately a fatality, the rest are recovering nicely. That’s one good thing about working in Maggie Valley. In most cities, once the drop off is made to the hospital, that ends our involvement. But working in this small town, we’re kept in the loop as far as how folks are doing.

As I park my SUV, I notice an RV parked on the pad that Dale put in and realize my parents are home a lot sooner than I expected.

What in the world?I wonder as I get out of my vehicle then grab my tote bag full of my uniforms so I can get them washed. We have a service that the fire department uses, but I quickly found out that I’m allergic to whatever detergent it is that they use, so now, I bring mine home after my shift ends to get them washed and pressed. Miriam helps since she irons far better than I do, that’s for sure.

When I see another vehicle parked off to the side, a huge dually truck with Arizona license plates, I’m shocked. Damien went home briefly for a visit and since he came back, he’s been a bit mysterious. He found a job that allows him to work remotely, which is good. As long as he has the work done, they don’t care what hours he works, so on my off days, we’re free to spend them with Vinnie, or together as a couple.

He’s really something else, too. He hasn’t once put any pressure on me to become physically intimate, even though I know he wants me. I want him too, but I won’t give anyone a chance to gossip about us, so outside of some heavy making out, we’ve abstained from going all the way.

I hear the voices coming from the back porch, so I start walking along the pathway that’s been added. “Mama! Did you see? Grammy and Poppa are home! And guess what? Mr. Damien’s mommy and daddy are here, and his little sister! Her name is Dena and I’ve already shown her the baby chicks and Bonnie!”

My dad engulfs me in a hug as he whispers, “We’re so proud of you, Emerie.”

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