Page 10 of The Walls of Levi

I just bought a 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. It is my baby. I’ve been eyeballing this car since Dodge dropped the hint they were coming out with it. I have watched countless hours of videos online about it. I couldn’t get enough. Before I saw it in person, I knew I had to have one.

When it was finally revealed, I lost my shit. I was like a kid on Christmas morning. I did hold myself back and waited a couple months before buying one, though.

I had to make sure everything was going to check out with it. A buddy of mine at the dealership knew what I was looking for; we talked for days and days about everything to do with it. Once I finally sat in one, it was all over.

It’s everything I was hoping it was going to be and more. I picked an orange one. The official color is Go Mango. Go big or go home is my moto. Why not stand out?

I pull up to the office and park in my usual spot. After killing it, I grab my cell and slide out.

Ron is waiting on me inside the office.

“What you need me to do today? I have the contracts on your desk that you asked for. Why, again, am I feeling like a secretary? And why in the hell am I in here on a Saturday?”

I punch him in the shoulder as I make my way to my office. Sitting in my leather chair feels like pure Heaven, I roll up to my desk.

I look up at Ron standing in the door. “You feel like a secretary because you’re special old man.”

He laughs. “Good think I like you, boy.” He turns and walks back to his office.

We have a small office space in the middle of town. After learning there are sponsors that like the office atmosphere over talking in the shop, we found this place. I never wanted any of them to come to my house anyway. I do whatever anyone needs, to keep me on the track. Well, almost whatever they need. There are some things I don’t do. At the end of the day, my name is on all of this. I have a brand that I want to keep, and I make sure to do that, at all cost. I want to know that I can lay my head down at night and be at peace. It’s been a goal of mine since the shitty beginning I was given.

I look over the contracts that Ron left for me and leave notes for him. He will take care of everything while I’m gone home.

I always have a say in all the deals. He made sure to give that to me from day one. He always said, “you are the one on the bike, boy. You’re the one who’s life is in the balance. You are the one that holds all the cards, from every angle. Be involved.” So, I was and I am.

“Ron-o, everything on these contracts are ok by me.” I get up and make my way to his office. He’s hanging up the phone when I take a seat on the opposite side of his desk.

“Everything’s ok, you said?”

“Yeah. Everything seemed like it was on the up and up. When you meet with them, patch me in on video and I’ll trust you on the vibes.”

“Like always,” he replies. This is how we do it. I try not to meet with the sponsors in person at first. They all seem to want to kiss my ass and over give when I’m around. I don’t like that. Just be real. Ron picks up the vibes and we consider those in our decisions.

We talk through a few more business things before switching gears.

“So, has Micah text you yet?” Ron says, giving a chuckle while leaning back in his chair.

“You know it. First thing this morning. I told her I’d call her later. If I don’t, she’ll kick my ass as soon as I pull up. She’ll probably do it with a kid on each hip, too.”

Ron gives a big, deep chuckle. He knows exactly what I’m talking about.

After going over a few more things that he and Dale will need to take care of next week, I leave it to him.

Pulling back up to the house has me excited. I feel good. I’m ready to see my people.

I unlock the door and pull my phone out. I’ve got a lady to call.

After a couple rings, a raspy voice answers. “Hello?”

“Mi?” She doesn’t quite sound like herself.

“Yeah, it’s me. Hold on a sec.” I hear some banging around, and I make my way inside, slipping my shoes off and pulling things out of my pockets.

“Vi?” Micah says after a few more seconds. She’s the ONLY person that can call me that.

Vi is a girl’s name. She won me over by saying… “It goes with Mi. Mi and Vi.” Who can say no to that? I sure as hell can’t. This girl.

“Yeah. I’m here. You ok? You sound weird.”