Page 110 of Leviticus
“What’s wrong?” Malachi’s voice called from the other end of the line.
“Well, good evening to you too, Malachi. Nothing is wrong. Quite the contrary, actually,” I grinned into the phone. I took a long pull from my cigar as I sat on the back porch, the chilly, mid-October air. I pulled my jacket closer in around me, warding off the cold.
“Why else would you be calling?” he tossed off flippantly.
“I see you are still in a chipper mood, brother,” I scoffed sarcastically.
“Well, you would be in a similar mood if Father had been to visit you today,” he grumbled, and I immediately understood his sour tone.
“Actually, I did get a visit from Father.”
“You didn’t,” he groaned incredulously.
“I did, in fact. Bright and early this morning. Literally before nine in the morning,” I muttered, shaking my head at the memory.
“The man’s audacity cannot be emphasized enough.” Malachi sighed. I could feel the heavy burden he felt. One I similarly shared. As the eldest Temple brothers, there was a weight placed on our shoulders, one slightly different from what our younger brothers were forced to carry.
“So what did Father want with you?” I asked.
“Trying to marry me off, of course,” he scoffed. I couldn’t blame him, however, we did have a plan to adhere to.
“Kai, you know we have a plan,” I reminded, rolling my eyes at the way he cut me off with a growl. “I’m not trying to be a dick about it here.”
“Well, maybe you should stop trying to fuck me over so hard here, brother!” Kai argued.
“I’m not trying to. I’m just saying—”
“I know what you’re trying to say. I know the plan. I know that this fucking cesspit of a place is nothing more than a morally bankrupt hell in which we are all being forced to pretend that our God is an awesome God who has delivered us. But look around! Everything we are surrounded with… everything we have ever been taught is nothing more than shit disguised as heaven and propaganda dressed up like gospel.”
“Kai,” I whispered, feeling his pain and wishing that I could convince him that it would all be worth it; wishing I had the words to ease his burden. My own burden had been lifted far more than I had anticipated, all by marrying Ruth.
“Don’t Kai, me. I know. I know I need to marry and I will. But, Christ, Levi, you need to give me a damned minute. I’m trying here. I swear to you I won’t back out, I just—”
“Okay. Okay. Then let’s let it lie for now, okay?” I cut him off calmly. I could hear how distraught he was. I could hear the stress in his voice. “Can I tell you the real reason I called?”
“You mean your reason wasn’t to push me into marrying some brainless woman our parents have picked out for me?” he chuckled humorlessly.
“No, not today at least,” I teased. “No, I actually was calling to commission a piece.”
“Way to bury the lead, Levi. Commission a piece, you say? Color me intrigued. I’m assuming you want some furniture custom made?”
“Not this time. No furniture. This time I need a bit of leatherwork if you can manage,” I explained.
“Do tell.”
“I want a collar made for Ruth,” I admitted with a heavy sigh. It was a heavy sigh born of utter contentment.
“A collar? That’s big. Especially for you, Levi,” Malachi retorted. I could hear the the grin in his voice.
“I know, but I have never been more sure of anything in my entire life. She is the one for me, Kai. She is… She is just everything.”
“Brother, you sound positively smitten. I can work something up, for sure. Anything in particular you’re wanting? Color? Size? Anything?” Malachi offered.
“Yeah, if you could somehow find a way to engrave the inside of the leather, I want it to say Beloved. Other than that, black leather please, and on the daintier side of collars, if you don’t mind.” I could picture it so clearly in my head, and it filled me with joy.
“Not a problem at all. I’ll get to work on it in the morning,” Malachi stated proudly. I could hear that the tension had left his tone, and that gave me even more reason to be happy with how this conversation had ended up.
“Kai? Don’t forget that even though this is a shitty situation, I’m here for you. Okay?” I reminded him. Suddenly, I heard the beep of another call coming through. “Shit, I’ve got another call coming in. It’s Ollie. I’ll give you a call tomorrow, okay?”
