Page 21 of Levi
After a pause, the reporters start their assault of questions.
“Mr.Thorne, is it true that your daughter-in-law is responsible for the car bomb that almost killed your son, and is being held at the police department?”
“We are not allowed to comment on that right now, as the investigation is ongoing.But I will say that everyone who is family and loves Levi is by his side, and it will stay that way for the time being.Thank you all, and we’ll update you as soon as we know anything.”
“Mr.Thorne, is it true that your son, Levi, has filed for divorce from his wife, Saylor, of only six months?”
“Yes, that is true and hopefully it will be quickly resolved.That is all for now, thank you.”
He walks back through the sliding doors of the hospital, and the feed ends.I toss the iPad across the bed and let out a mournful sob.It’s over.It truly is over with a simple snap of the fingers.I turn on my side and cry into the pillow.I cry for the woman who loved a complicated man.I cry for the woman who thought she was enough for a man, who professed before me and God that he’d love her until death due them part.I cry for the little girl who had big dreams of marrying her Prince Charming and living happily ever after.I cry for all the silly books I loved to read that showed me that your true love really does exist.I just… cry.
I feel the bed dip and a cold, wet nose lands against the skin of my neck.Zeus has half of his body on top of me in some sort of comforting position, almost like he’s trying to give me a hug.I give in and throw my arms around his body, and sob into his hair.He never once moves as my body finally tires out and I fall asleep.
Levi
Los Angeles, California
3 Months Later
BEEP…BEEP…BEEP…
The constant buzzing in my ear is making my head hurt.It feels like the morning after an all-night drinking binge.God, I wish someone would shut off that stupid alarm.Where the hell is Saylor at?She must hear it too.
Trying to open my eyes is like lifting a car up by the bumper using only your upper body.Christ, what did I drink last night?
BEEP…BEEP…BEEP…
I let out a groan and hear voices from afar.
“He’s waking, call the doctor.”
I’m barely able to open my eyes.When I finally do, I see I’m in a dark room and the smell of disinfectant spray hits my nose.Tina has truly gone overboard on the cleaning.
“Call everyone and let them know,” I hear a voice again, and then the sound of a door latching shut.
“Levi?Levi, it’s mom.Please baby boy, wake up.Come back to us.”
Mom?What is she talking about?I’m right here trying to wait out this annoying hangover.I really want to sleep some more, to maybe bypass the excruciating pain I’m suffering from right now.
BEEP…BEEP…BEEP…
I groan and try to call out for someone to shut off the alarm.
“Saylor,” I try to say, but it comes out a whisper as my throat feels like sandpaper.“Saylor!”I try with a little more force.
“Oh dear,” I hear mom gasp.
The door opens and I vaguely see a blur of a person in a white coat.
“Mr.Thorne, I’m Dr.Legend.Can you open your eyes for me all the way?”
Doctor?What doctor?Why is there a doctor in my face?
I try to force them open, as they sting, but a bright light flashes into them, forcing them shut to stop the shooting pain.“Okay, I’m going to order some tests and scans to be run, and then we’ll be able to tell where we’re at.Can you squeeze my hands?”I do the best I can.“Good, now can you feel this?”I feel a sharp object against my feet and jerk away.“Great, great.”
“Saylor,” I say again, wanting to find out what the heck I’m doing here and why I can’t feel her presence like I always do when she’s in a room.
“We’ll get to that in a moment, Mr.Thorne.I need you to open your eyes again and focus on my finger.”
