Page 9 of Bear Creek Christmas
“I like them all, but more mint and less lemon. Don’t mess with the others; they’re perfect. The change in consistency is good, too—smoother and easier to eat. You have another hit on your hands! I’ll take a gallon each of the original and lavender. Let me know when they’re ready.”
Aiden looked pleased.
“Can do, my friend. Thanks for taste-testing. By the way, I want you to know I’m rooting for you and Levi, so don’t mess it up.”
Grinning from ear to ear, Knox waved on his way out, eager to make contact with his man.
####
Arriving home late, starving and exhausted, Levi reached the second floor and spotted something sitting outside his apartment. Strange. He hadn’t placed any online orders and couldn’t imagine what it might be. He found a basket of blueberries, tied with a ribbon and topped with a sealed envelope—his first name scrawled in the center. Hmm... perhaps one of his neighbors? He unlocked the door, scooped up the mysterious gift and stepped inside.
Leaving his backpack full of work near the table, he set the berries on the kitchen counter.
Though he needed to eat, curiosity won out, and he discovered a short, handwritten note in the simple white envelope.
Levi,
I picked these today for you. I also want to apologize if I made you uncomfortable on Friday. My bear was a little too eager, and I had a hard time keeping him calm. We both like you, in case you were wondering (wink). I hope your first day of school went well and you have a great group of students this year. I’d love to see you again sometime soon if that’s OK. My phone number is below, so text or call anytime.
Yours,
Knox
Levi finished reading and let go of the breath he’d been holding with a nervous whoosh. Both the gift and apology were unexpected but much appreciated. Such a simple thing, yet he’d received a tiny glimpse inside Knox’s heart: kind, considerate, open. Levi wasn’t used to being treated this way, and he liked it—probably more than he should. He stored the number in his phone and then fixed something to eat.
Afterward, he spread out the contents of his backpack and got to work. By the time he looked at the clock, it was almost ten. First, he made lunch for tomorrow and then jumped in the shower before bed. Just as his head hit the pillow, Levi remembered that he’d intended to thank Knox for his gift. A simple text would do, and he grabbed his phone off the nightstand.
> Hi. Thank you for the berries. I ate some for supper, and they were great. The first day went well, though I’m really tired!
Knox must have been awake and waiting, as he responded almost immediately.
> You’re welcome. Let me know if you want more! Would it be OK if I ran into you accidentally on purpose? You can say no.
Levi laughed, thought for a moment, and then replied.
> I’d like that. See you around, big guy.
Knox responded with a dozen smiley emojis, and Levi drifted off to sleep, wondering when he’d see the man again.
####
Wednesday, third-hourchoir
Levi handed each student a folder full of sheet music as they walked in. They took their seats, by section, on the risers, laughing and talking as usual. Today would be their first serious rehearsal for the Fall concertandthe holidays, and Levi was eager to see what he had to work with. The Advanced Choir, older and more experienced, formed the heart of his performance groups. He knew it would take time for them to get used to his teaching style—and break some of the bad habits they’d no doubt learned before he arrived.
Levi watched as they settled down and then braced himself for the little speech he gave each new class. Rules, his rules anyway, served a purpose, and everyone needed to follow them from the start. Though teens might not understand, the best way to have fun in his classes was through hard work and cooperation.
“Good morning! I normally start each class with warm-up exercises and then get right to the music. First, I want to share my expectations and lay down the rules of the road. These may be different than what you’re used to, so listen carefully.”
Amid groans and eye-rolls, Levi went through the list and then answered their questions. Prior experience helped identify the ones who needed watching; fortunately, there were only a few. Neither laziness nor disrespect was tolerated, as those with a different agenda would find out soon enough. Most of the time, they’d be having too much fun to challenge him, and it kept discipline problems to a minimum.
With warm-ups finished, the students opened their folders to get a glimpse of what they’d be working on this semester. Levi watched their eyes pop—followed by nervous giggling and whispered disbelief. One brave soprano in the front row raised her hand with a question.
“Um, Mr. Green, are you for real?Rap the HallsandGrandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer? I mean, the school will never let us sing this stuff!”
Levi quieted them down, not even trying to hide his smile.
“Yes, I’m for real, and the administration is looking forward to something new and different this year—unless you’d rather do it the old way....”
