Page 79 of Levi
“Sir, we can’t reach any of the men from security.”
“Not even Ryan?”
He shakes his head.
“The house phones aren’t working either.”
“Fuck!”
“Who is this person to you, obviously he’s kin to you in some way?”Brody pipes up as we load in the elevator to take us up to the roof.
“He’s someone who apparently wants to ruin my life and take everything from me.”
Saylor
We finally pull up to my grandparent’s house and the place looks the same as it did a few days ago, before the bottom fell out.
Once Ryan punches in the code to the gate, we were granted entry.Out on the porch, Dad stands from the rocking chair and is waiting for Halo and I to get out.He’s bouncing on the balls of his feet and looks more than excited to see us.
“There she is!Oh, Saylor, she looks just like you when you were a baby,” he gushes and it’s as if no time has flown by and we haven’t seen or heard from each other in almost three years.The moment is a little surreal, but I chalk it up to being tired.
“Hey, Dad,” He engulfs me and Halo but she squirms in my arms wanting down.
“Hello, pumpkin, I’m your granddad or Papa,” he introduces to Halo but she toddles off towards Ryan, who has her teddy bear and pink blanket in his hand.
“She takes a while to warm up to people,” I say and give him another big hug.“How’ve you been?”I ask.“Where have you been?”
“I’ve been looking for you.Took off on some leads.It was only recently that I received word from Tommy that you’d been found and were here,” he shrugs, not looking at me but watches as both Zeus and Ginger climb out of the car and head straight for us.“When did you become a dog lover?And why do you have so many guys here with you?”
“Zeus kinda just stuck to me one day, he’s the best,” I tell him and give my dog some scratches behind his ears.“Ginger was given to Halo for her first birthday and they’re inseparable.As far as the guys, Levi thinks it’s best right now until Halo and I get settled back into our lives,” I vaguely answer, not wanting to tell him about the threats that just started back up.
I can see an odd look in his eye, but then he turns back to me.
“Well, let’s get you and my granddaughter nice and comfy.”He walks to the driveway, towards the guesthouse that Glammy and Granddad had added for him years ago.Whenever he did come in for visits, he’d stay out there or in the shop he built to tinker in.“Your muscle can all stay out in the shop if they want; I’ve made a room to relax in out there.”
“Oh, okay.”
After letting the guys know about the shop, Halo, the dogs and I all follow Dad in the guesthouse.It still looks the same as it did the last time I was back here; absolutely nothing has changed.My room was always in the main house and none of us stepped foot back here.Dad has always been a very private person, since I can remember, and loved to have his space.
Once Halo is set up with some toys in the living room, Dad and I sit on the couches and catch up with everything that’s happened.I’ve brought photos of Halo and myself over the last two years, living in Montana.Brody gave me those photos that were supposed to be sent to Levi, and I made copies to give to the family.
It’s late afternoon and Halo is starting to rub her eyes, letting me know that her quick nap before dinner is ready to start.Dad and I have been talking for what seem like hours, and I’ve lost track of time.I leave out that I’m pregnant again because Levi and I want to wait and see how things turn out with Brody before we let others know about the baby.Also, I wanted to have a very elaborate discussion about what Levi has said regarding how Dad treated him when he was in the hospital, but I want it to be when Halo isn’t in the same room.I have no doubt in my mind that Levi is telling the truth and I want some honest answers as to why my dad would attack a man in a hospital bed.My dad can seem rough around the edges but he’s never seemed like the type to be so violent.Yes, he has left me most of my life for my grandparents to raise but after hearing about him losing his twin sister, and then my mom, I can start to understand where he might be coming from.
I love my dad more than anything, but Levi is my whole life.If for some reason he can’t accept that, then we are going to have a problem.Levi isn’t going anywhere so if Dad can’t seem to get along and be civil with my husband, then I can’t see how we’re going to get past this.I’m hoping after Dad sees how great Levi is with Halo, and how he’s moved heaven and earth to find me and his daughter, that Dad has a different attitude towards him.
“Hey, Dad, let me put Halo down for a quick nap and I’ll start some dinner for everyone.Levi and the others should be here any time and I’m sure the guys out in the shop could use a meal.”
“How much time do you think it’ll be before they get here?”he asks, looking over at his watch.
“Not sure but soon.”
“Okay, you can use the spare room, next to the office, down that hall.I’ll go and check on the guys outside, and see if they need anything until then.A storm’s coming and I want to make sure everything is secured and locked up too.If little Halo is anything like you were, then naps are essential to her happy life.”It makes me giggle when Dad reminiscences about my time as a child.“I’ll let the dogs out to do their business.”I nod, but know that Ginger won’t go if Halo is going down for a nap.It’s like she’s programed to stick with Halo and when she sleeps; Ginger is ‘On Duty’.
We both go our separate ways and I carry an almost asleep baby down the hall.It’s been a long time since I’ve seen these walls and entered his home here.Ginger, of course, is trailing behind, as it took some convincing to get Zeus to follow Dad outside.
I make quick work at putting the portable crib together that goes everywhere with us and I place her in it, along with Teddy Bear and blanket.She snuggles right up to it and I turn on the small lamp in the corner.Ginger is planted in front of the crib, and she lays facing the door.
Closing the door, I take a few steps down the hall towards the kitchen to get dinner started, but a loud thud then a shatter slams against the wall in Dad’s office.Opening the door, I see that the window is slightly open.Papers are scattered on the floor from the wind blowing in, so I quickly move to close the window and latch it.Turning, I bend down and start to pick up all the papers and receipts, then place them on the desk and try to organize them the best I can.
