26. Lennie
Lennie
E very day for a week, I expect a phone call from my mom. The days go by fast, a blur of work and social events like never before. There’s eating dinner with Ren and Isolde. Making fun of Ben and Abe.
I asked if they’d be interested in creating a book club.
“Books with smut?” Ren asked.
“Yes,” I answered unapologetically.
She shrugged. “Yeah, I’m in.”
I picked a monster romance and get constant text updates from Isolde which make me grin.
Isolde: I’m sorry but his cock is how big?
The chilly spring weather turns to summer. The city heats up and swells with even more tourists. Elijah and I take Albert out for walks, holding hands.
Adeline calls me frequently to discuss Nat’s baby shower which is still months away but our family can never do anything half-assed. I think it’s also the one bright spot we can all agree on.
Nat explained everything to Dad and Mom about Peter. They had lots of questions that they desperately wanted answers to but were ultimately too scared to ask.
The only other big development was Max’s graduation, celebrating his MBA. I received an invitation, marking my official introduction to the Zimins as someone other than Lennie, the old childhood friend of the family.
I found it equal parts easy and terrifying. Lev welcomed me with a hug, kissing my cheek. Roma’s smile was genuine and Uncle Dima nodded in his typical, but friendly way.
Russet saddled up to me, Sailor on her hip. “I have so many questions,” she whispered, with a mischievous smile. Naturally, I invited her to my new book club.
Irina, Elijah’s grandmother hugged me tight, and took both my hands before she told me, “Oh, I like you.”
I couldn’t fight the blush, especially when Elijah wrapped a hand around my waist and pulled me close.
The only snag came when Yelena took a group photo. Looking back, I should’ve been more suspicious when she agreed to take the photo. But we all surrounded Max, relieved Yelena agreed to take a backseat for once.
Only turns out she wasn’t being a team player. She texted my mom the photo, acting innocent about her intentions. She said it was a good photo and thought my mother would like to see it.
Ads called me ASAP. Mom took the photo like an assault and the knife twisted deep. Mom ranted and raved about the bitch, but then sobbed.
“You should call her,” Adeline advised.
“And say what?” I asked, walking back from lunch, ready to murder someone which goes against most HR policies. I called Mom the day after I talked to Nat. “She keeps sending me to voicemail.”
“She doesn’t know what to say.”
“Oh, she’s shy suddenly?” I guess that’s why she pretended to not be at home when I swung by to try to see her.
Dad calls to check in on me almost daily, but Mom continues to say she’s upset. She offers no details about her feelings or what made her hurt the most during our conversation.
We’re at a stupid impasse and I hate it. But I also don’t want to be the one banging on the door, trying to please my mother again.
Elijah listened to my rants with dark clouds swirling around him.
I was this close to calling Lev myself. Telling him to divorce Yelena’s ass and ship her back to Russia.
“How do you handle her?” I asked, sitting on the bed. He ran a soothing hand down my arm. “You’ve dealt with her all these years even though she’s awful.”
“It helped when I moved out,” he admits. “She happily helped me pack my bags when I went to Oxford. I think she hoped I’d stay.”
“Doesn’t your dad see it?” I asked. “She makes everyone around her miserable. Roma barely speaks to her and even Max gave her the cold shoulder at his graduation.”
“And you know why,” he reminded me.
My shoulders sagged, realizing. “Lev still doesn’t know? Why hasn’t anyone told him?”
His wife is going around slapping people. Shit, no wonder Max put himself between his mother and Russet and Sailor. She’ll rightfully never get babysitting privileges.
“That’s Max and Roma’s mess,” Elijah said.
“Since when do you let them make decisions on their own?”
He smiled, leaning in for a kiss. And then for a lot more than a kiss. I don’t know how I don’t walk bow-legged most days.
So while some things are complete shit, others are great.
And the good thing is I’ve still got a great therapist. Janis might not know all the details, but she’s here to help me navigate the developing boundaries with my family.
I’m headed to an appointment when I check a new text from Elijah.
Pen Pal: The taste of you is still on my tongue.
Lennie: Not right now. I’m headed into therapy.
Pen Pal: Make sure to talk about me.
Smiling, I slip my phone into my pocket and cross the street.
A breeze blows my hair back and I’m calmer going into my therapy session than I first began.
It’s a good feeling, and I marvel at how the pins and needles that once ruled me have slowly abated.
I’m in control of my mind and body for the first time in my life.
I relish the stability. My panic no longer controls my movements.
But when you think you’re winning, life tells you otherwise.
“Hi, Leanora.”
I don’t know what takes me by surprise more—Leopold or his use of my full first name.
Only Elijah calls me that.
My eyes drag up, his broad shoulders casting me in shadow.
And everything about him is a shadow. His face is pale, instead of the golden tan that once told of a man who liked to go for daily jogs. His curly blonde hair is haphazard, the stubble along his jawline unusual.
He places his hands on his hips, smiling despite the gray bags underneath his eyes.
“Leonora,” he booms again, a false cheerfulness dripping from him. Or maybe it’s because I now know the golden retriever energy is all a lie.
I take a step back, drawing away from his shadow. Ivan’s nearby I remind myself.
“Excuse me,” I say. “I’m running late.”
There’s one more crosswalk before I’m at Janis’s building. I’ll skirt around him.
“For therapy?” he asks, his smile never dipping.
I should’ve agreed with Adeline and Elijah and had someone drop his body in the harbor.
Why did I keep telling myself everything was fine? He’s not gone away.
I don’t want to turn my head away from him, but I need to know that Ivan’s here. My eyes try to take in as much of the peripheral view and that’s when my senses kick in.
The street is too quiet.
We’re not at Times Square, but it’s a rare thing when any street in this city is empty. There’s one man up ahead but he buzzes himself into a building. Someone crosses the street but walks out of view.
Leopold’s shadow casts a larger net than I first thought.
“I have to go.” I inch around him.
“Leonora.” His step mirrors mine.
I snap. “I need you to fuck off.”
He’s got to go away now. I’m done with whatever this is.
“I can’t,” he says, his brow darkening.
“Ma’am.” Ivan’s at my side. He edges me out of the way and I allow a painful breath to expand my lungs.
“Leonora.” Leopold remains on my heels.
I dig my phone out of my pocket. Adeline’s name flashes on the phone. In an increasingly frazzled state, I answer it instead of swiping away and calling Elijah.
“Leonora.” Leopold’s dark tone causes my shoulders to jump.
Ivan whirls around and I’m caught in a prism I don’t understand. The phone remains in my palm and I think I hear Ads’ voice. The bodyguard’s shoulder brushes mine and I feel the jerk of his body at the same time I register the gunshot.
“Lennie!” Adeline screeches.
The phone tumbles, bits of the screen crumbling on the pavement.
Leopold grabs my elbow, dragging me against his chest. He takes my body, but I swear my soul is left behind, and before I realize it everything goes dark.