Page 23 of The Walls of Levi

“Don’t be nervous. You’ll be fine.” I look at Levi and notice that he is looking at my stomach. I look down and notice that my hand is gripping my shirt. I slowly let go and look back at him.

“I don’t know these people. I don’t even know you. I only know what I’ve read about you, and that has proven to be a very small part.”

“I’m the hyper one in our group. I’m the loud, obnoxious brother. I’m the cool uncle. That’s about all I can tell you.”

“Ok.” I take a deep breath and look at the house again. Here goes nothing.

We walk into chaos. Three little kids are running around the living room. Zant and another guy are sitting in recliners in the living room. Two women are in the kitchen. The house is cozy. It’s an open floor plan and you can see everyone everywhere. It feels like a home.

I subconsciously reach for Levi and grip the back of his shirt. I feel his muscles tense, but he doesn’t move away from me. I’m glad because I need the anchor.

I’m used to quiet. I have no siblings. I have one friend, Charise. She obviously doesn’t have kids. She says she isn’t going to settle down until she is in her forties. So, all this noise is a complete shock to me.

I hear a scream come from in front of Levi. I look around him to see this little blonde headed girl running towards him. Before I can step back, she launches herself at him. He catches her with ease and starts kissing all over her face while she giggles and squeals.

“Stop. Stop it. I can’t handle anymore.”

“You can’t handle anymore? Well, I guess I’ll have to give my sugar to someone else,” Levi says. The little girl looks over Levi’s shoulder at me and grins.

“I guess so,” she says and laughs. Levi isn’t laughing with her. Turning around, I see that he is smiling though. That causes me to smile back at them.

“Kathleen, this is Nova. Nova, this is Kathleen. She says people call her Katie.” Levi makes his introduction. It surprises me when he gives Nova a choice in what to call me.

“Hello, Ms. Katie.” Nova puts her hand out for me to shake. I take her little hand in mine and give it a good shake.

“Hello, Nova. It’s nice to meet you.” I let go of her hand and I then notice everyone is quiet and staring at me.

Levi coughs and puts Nova back down on her feet.

“Everyone, this is Kathleen. Or Katie. Whichever you prefer to call her.”

“You can all call me Katie.” I give Levi a look, but his face is stoic. I don’t know what he is thinking.

A woman walks towards me that must be Nova’s mother. “Hey. I’m Micah. Welcome. Come on in. Get comfortable. Nova had to sidetrack Levi and he forgot his manners.” She slaps Levi on the arm, but he grabs her and wraps her in a hug. I watch her tense for a second before closing her eyes and melting into him. He leans down and whispers something in her ear that I can’t hear. She slowly opens her eyes and smiles.

In total honesty, a little jealousy bloomed.

“What about me? Am I chopped liver,” the other woman says. Levi and Micah laugh as they pull apart.

“Nope,” Levi says. “Come here Kel.” He hugs her but doesn’t whisper in her ear. They just sway side to side for a minute before parting again.

“Kelly. This is Katie. Katie. Kelly.” Kelly and I shake hands. I remember that she is married to the other guy here and they have Bone.

The other guy approaches and Levi introduces him as Chance. They hug it out before the two little boys move in for their time with Levi.

He’s a popular man and very loved. It’s obvious.

Axel and Bone are polite and say hey before running off and continuing to play. Nova stays next to Levi. It appears she isn’t going to let him get too far from her.

We all make our way to the kitchen. It looks like Micah and Kelly were starting lunch. They get back to what they were doing, and I sit down next to Levi on a barstool.

“So, Katie. Where are you from?” Micah asks. I look at Levi with a raised eyebrow. I don’t know how much he wants to tell them up front. I can’t even understand what is going on, so I don’t know what to say.

“She’s from Martinsville.”

Micah keeps cutting up vegetables and just nods. I don’t want to assume, but it looks like she’s having a hard time not asking a million questions. I put my hand over my mouth to cover my smile.

Kelly finally speaks up after a few beats of silence and it looks like Levi isn’t going to give any more details.

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