Chapter 17
Chapter
Seventeen
Brooke
It turns out we’re not just joining Juni, Jack, and Asher for the Fourth of July extravaganza. Skyler also asked his parents to meet us there, and I invited Levi’s sister Kate to bring her family down and surprise Levi. They arrive an hour before we plan to leave, and Levi looks so happy to see them he has tears in his eyes. Everyone swamps him with hugs and kisses, telling him he looks great.
We all head over to the high school football field that is barely recognizable as a sports venue. Red, white, and blue is the color scheme of the day for everyone’s dress as well as the decorations, and flags of all sizes fly proudly wherever someone has been able to attach one. There is a stage at one end with constant entertainment—everything from a kid doing a magic show to a barbershop quartet to baton twirlers to the local ballet school giving a recital. The little ones are adorable, and Levi’s niece Lulu announces immediately to her parents that she wants to learn to “Do ballet and wear a pink tutu.”
The rest of the area is populated with games, food trucks, and booths filled with local Honeybee Hollow crafts. The Sewing Bees seem to have a booming business going with their fine needlework projects, and there are several booths selling t-shirts of all kinds. There are delicious-looking baked goods, jams and preserves, and more flavors of honey and beeswax products from local beekeepers than I ever imagined possible. Kids are getting their faces painted in patriotic designs, and a guy dressed as Uncle Sam is handing out balloons non-stop. The lawn in front of the stage is covered with blankets and yard furniture where people are sitting with their families and enjoying the festivities. No matter who performs on that stage, the applause is raucous and enthusiastic.
You have to love small-town enthusiasm.
It's a little weird, I have to admit, to see Levi and Skyler dressed like they’re almost ready for combat, even though they aren’t the only ones in uniform. They toned down their uniforms to the basics—meaning they aren’t wearing Kevlar vests or helmets, and they certainly aren’t armed. But they do look official to me at least, all decked out in boots and camouflage. As the day progresses, and the temperature rises, they both take off their jackets. Skyler’s scars are visible this way, but so are the impressive muscles on both guys, earning them some—well…a lot of stares. I admit they’re desperately handsome.
Levi is still using his cane, so the two of them spend most of the day explaining things about being a soldier to curious kids and accepting thanks for service from grateful citizens. I’m so proud of them and wish I had a nickel for every time a pretty girl hugs them.
I’ve also noticed that a lot of friends and acquaintances are making a point to visit with Skyler, and he’s happy to talk to them. He’s apparently popular in this town. That’s understandable with his affable personality and good looks.
Finally, we all sit down with Skyler’s parents to have dinner. They had already staked out a large area for us to gather. I can’t help noticing that Levi doesn’t eat much. “Butterflies about singing?” I ask him quietly.
“Hmm, not really, but it’s hard to sing on a full stomach. Maybe I can save something and have it afterward.” He may not admit it, but I’m positive Levi’s nervous. His eyes are darting around like he’s looking for an enemy or an escape. I try to catch Skyler’s eye to alert him, but I find that he’s already keeping a very close eye on Levi. Maybe he’s been acting jumpy for longer than I realized. There isn’t a lot I can do, so I reach over and stroke Levi’s back. His muscles are tight. Maybe the large crowd is starting to get to him. The number of people gathered for the fireworks has grown quickly.
After a while, Juni, Jack, and Asher join our group with exhausted smiles. As they sit down, Juni explains that she had been running a food stand with Jack and Asher’s help. The three of them had been serving coffee and pastries all day. About a half-hour ago, they sold their last red-white-and-blue berry cupcake and closed up shop. “We grabbed the first food we could find and headed this way!” Juni says, leaning against Jack’s shoulder with a happy sigh.
We introduce everyone, and they quickly become part of the family. Lulu immediately makes her way over to Asher, tells him he looks like a giant, and grills him about his tattoos. He takes it all in stride and answers her with good humor, smiling the whole time. I wonder idly whether they plan to have children after they move into their new house. I’ll have to ask Juni privately; that’s certainly too nosy of a question in a large gathering.
As expected, Lulu tells her parents she wants to get tattoos like her friend Asher. “He’s pretty!” she exclaims, and I have to squelch a giggle. He’s a ruggedly handsome guy who has that massive Samoan look going on, and “pretty” doesn’t do him justice.
The grassy area where people are eating is getting more and more crowded. I’m glad we brought chairs because I couldn’t see Levi trying to be comfortable sitting on the ground and getting up again gracefully. He’s getting better all the time, but some things are still a struggle.
And speaking of struggles…as Skyler explained, there are no noisy fireworks planned for later, but you just never know what to expect in a large crowd.
A group of rowdy teenagers has congregated right behind us, and they seem to be getting more and more boisterous. Suddenly, there is a series of loud bangs when one of the kids pops a whole bunch of balloons in rapid succession, making a couple of the girls with them scream.
Levi loses it. He flies out of his chair and hits the ground, grabbing me on his way down. I shriek in bafflement and then realize he’s having a PTSD episode from the bangs and screams behind his head.
I try to let him know everything is okay and we’re safe. I try to haul him up into a sitting position, and then Skyler wraps him in his arms. We both speak to him in soft voices, telling him over and over what the noises were. Levi has a wild look in his eyes, and he’s completely unfocussed. It amazes me that even in his panic, Levi’s instinct was to protect me from harm.
Jack scoots closer to us saying, “Man, I can’t stand those stupid things either. I’ve hated balloons ever since my parents hired a terrible clown for my fifth birthday party and we had the Balloons of Doom disaster.” He lowers his voice and adds, “I peed my pants.” I try not to snicker, and I appreciate Jack’s attempt at lightening the situation.
Somehow, the message finally gets through to Levi, who says, “Thanks, guys. I think I need to go take a walk and find a quiet spot for a while.” We help him up, and I see that Asher—who is at least six-foot-five or more—is having a quiet chat with the kids who thought popping balloons was a fun thing to do. With a no-nonsense look on his face, Asher looms over them and points out the various servicemen and women around them. The only word I can make out is “respect.”
Before Levi can settle himself enough to take his walk to calm down, one of the kids approaches him looking mortified. “I’m sorry, sir,” he says. “I didn’t mean to make you upset.”
“I know you didn’t,” Levi says and shakes his hand. “No lasting harm done. It’s just an ingrained reaction that I hope to eventually be able to get rid of.” He smiles at the kid, but it’s wobbly, and he’s still trying to control his breathing. I haven’t let go of him yet.
People around us were obviously aware of what happened. They’re all subdued and trying not to stare. I guess it’s a learning experience for a lot of them.
Skyler takes Levi by the arm, helping him navigate out of the crowded area. Levi seems to be limping worse than he has in several weeks; it makes sense—crashing to the ground must have hurt like hell. I decide to let them handle this themselves since Skyler knows better what to talk about with Levi—if they talk at all. Instead, I give Jack a quick hug and tell him, “Thanks for sharing; your story seemed to help bring him around.”
“Hey, it was true. I was traumatized for years after that experience. I can’t even imagine what those guys went through in combat . Their shit was real.”
About half an hour later, Levi and Skyler return to our group. Levi is walking a little better, but I’m still worried about his pain level. The sun is setting, and the guys both look calm now. They’re smiling as they sit back down, and soon the mayor takes the stage which is now lit up with spotlights. He welcomes everyone and tells them all how proud he is to serve as mayor for this wonderful community. He tells a bit about the history of the town and thanks the sponsors for the event. It’s a typical mayor-type speech on a patriotic holiday that goes on just a little too long.
As he speaks, the high school band quietly fills up the stage behind him with the band director. Finally, the mayor winds down his talk and asks, “Will all of the military personnel please make their way up here and line up in front of the stage?” He waits as they file forward, during which time the band members make a bunch of squawky noises as they tune up.
When everyone, including Levi and Skyler, stands at attention in front of the crowd, the mayor says, “On this most patriotic of days, please everyone, show your appreciation for these brave men and women who have given so much of themselves to serve and fight for our beautiful country.” Cheers go up, and the applause is deafening. As it dies down at last, he says, “Now if you would all please join the Honeybee Hollow High School Band and sing
‘America the Beautiful.’” He steps to the side of the stage as the band director takes over.
The band isn’t the best I’ve ever heard, and the voices are a mixed bag, but the whole thing is so enthusiastic and genuine, I’m on the verge of tears throughout the song. I look over at Skyler’s parents, and they are singing arm in arm—just as moved as I am.
When the applause subsides, the mayor takes the mic again as the band files out. “Thank you, kids, that was just wonderful. And now we have a special treat, I’m told. We have a brand-new Honeybee Hollow resident among us who is going to sing our national anthem, and I’ve heard from several people that he’s exceptional. Please once again put your hands together and welcome to the stage US Army Sergeant Levi Spencer.”
Well, our new residency is news to me! I guess the community already wants to claim Levi as their own. The thought makes me warm inside.
Skyler carefully helps Levi up the stairs to the stage. I feel awful that I hadn’t even considered how he’d manage the eight or so steps. Once they reach the top, Skyler lets go and stands proudly at the edge of the stage. Levi approaches the mic, shakes the mayor’s hand politely, and thanks him. The mayor asks everyone to stand and then steps away.
I’ve heard Levi sing many times. But his a capella rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” cuts me to my very soul. He looks so brave and handsome, and his voice doesn’t miss a trick. He’s impassioned, proud, and utterly amazing. I chance a glance around at the crowd, and jaws are dropping everywhere. Tears are streaming down Levi’s sister’s face, and I’m sure I look the same. His brother-in-law seems to be capturing the entire performance on his cell phone, as are a few hundred other folks in the audience. I want to kick myself for not recording him too.
I look over at Skyler, who is standing proudly at attention with his hand over his heart, and I can see pure love in his eyes as he watches Levi and listens to the magic of his voice. My heart pounds as I wonder, Why didn’t I realize it before ? He’s in love with Levi just as much as I am . Well…he has good taste. I think back to what I’ve been told about their horrible experience in Afghanistan and how they risked their own lives to save each other, and I understand the dependency and respect they have for one another, but I also see that it runs deeper than that. If those two aren’t in love, I’m nuts. Part of me wonders why I don’t feel threatened or jealous, but I’m okay with it. No matter what kind of love it is, it’s beautiful and to be respected. I don’t feel as though anything is being taken away from me, only added. Levi can have two people who love him. He’s a lucky man for it.
As soon as Levi sings the line, “And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,” the silent fireworks begin in the sky, and the crowd gasps and points. Levi continues the verse to its end like a champ, and finally waves to everyone with a big smile before exiting the stage to thunderous applause—and with Skyler’s help.
The crowd settles into their seats, and the magnificent fireworks show continues with a rousing musical soundtrack that begins as soon as the guys are off the stage. The display is breathtakingly beautiful and inspiring, but I know the most memorable part of the entire celebration was Levi.
When the grand finale fades away, and the last crescendo of the music is nothing but a memory, everyone claps once more, but this time it’s more of a polite applause. It feels to me like clapping in church. Everyone is smiling and happy—but subdued. Several people come over to thank Levi and welcome him to the community. When he can get a word in edgewise, he introduces me to well-wishers, but they truly only have eyes for him. I can tell he’s drained by all of this, and I could not be prouder of him.
We’re all exhausted and half asleep by the time we make it back to Skyler’s house. It’s been a long, emotional day. Kate and her family are taking over the upstairs tonight, so they don’t have to drive home so late. After quick showers, Levi and I fall into bed, and I snuggle into his warm embrace. I can’t help but whisper, “So…we’re officially moving here?”
Chuckling sleepily, Levi answers, “Guess so. At least that’s what everyone tells me. You okay with that?”
“Absolutely.” He squeezes me tighter. “Levi? I’m pretty sure Skyler is in love with you. Did you know?”
Dead silence. But I feel a certain stirring in his boxers. Smiling to myself, I pull the covers away, scoot down, and slide his pants out of the way to show Levi how much I love him too… with my mouth. He doesn’t have any objections, and soon I feel him tensing and thrusting and finally releasing into me.
“I love you so much,” he mumbles. “Tomorrow…” and he falls asleep. I understand. It’s been quite a day.