Chapter 7
Levi’s impression of Alicia hadn’t been wrong, and he hated being right this time.
“Jon, I am so sorry. Is there anything I can do?”
Levi looked over at this young crying man in his passenger seat. He didn’t have anyone or anywhere to go. He wasn’t responding and kept his face buried in his hands.
Levi drove past the Derecho’s only hotel and kept driving. He turned into the entrance to the lake and pulled into a parking space overlooking the water. He shifted the car into park.
They sat there in silence. Minutes felt like hours. Levi gripped the steering wheel tight and chewed his lower lip. His anger grew with each passing moment, and it was interfering with his ability to find the words he wanted to say. He couldn’t let this kid end up in the roach motel in this town with a meth lab for a neighbor, but he wasn’t sure what he could do. He put on a good front, but he had been running from these same emotions, and this same pain, for the last 12 years.
Jon broke the silence first. “Where are we? I thought you were taking me to a hotel?” he asked.
“This is one of my favorite spots in town. This is where I come when I need to think.”
Jon just looked down. “It’s probably best, anyway. I’m not sure if I should stay in town. I don’t have enough to stay at the hotel for more than a couple of days, or a car to get to the park and ride, so if it isn’t too much trouble, could you take me somewhere in Houston? With any luck, I’ll be able to land a job, and hopefully, land on my feet in a month or two.”
“A month or two?” The words echoed in Levi’s brain. It had taken him a month or two to land on his feet with a free place to live and a job. It was at that moment that he knew he had to do something.
“Jon,” Levi paused for a moment, gathering his courage. “I’m going to say something, and I don’t want you to argue or say anything back until I’m finished, ok?”
He nodded; the movement so slight, Levi almost missed it.
“Jon, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I let you go to the hotel here in town. I know we’ve not talked about money, but you said cheap and that place is so bad, even the crackheads avoid it. Dropping you off in Houston, where the same would cost twice as much, would be even worse. I know we just had our first date, and we don’t know each other very well, but I am taking you back to my place until you can get something figured out. When you find work, I could take you to the park and ride. We can get to know each other and take things as slow or as fast as you want. If you want to just be friends, that’s cool. If you want to date, that’s cool too. I have a futon in the office, my bed, and a couch. There is more than enough space for you and your stuff, and you can land there for as long as you need, and let me say this as bluntly as I can, this offer is NOT contingent on dating or sex or anything else. Would you be ok with that?”
Jon didn’t move at first. He remained motionless, stoically staring at the floor, resigned to his fate.
He looked up at Levi with tears in his eyes, “You would do that for me? Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. I may not know exactly what was said, but I’ve been where you are. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I didn’t at least offer to help. Besides, if you went to Houston, it would be harder for us to have our second date when you are ready for it.”
“I would love to have a second date.” No sooner than the words escaped his mouth, he buried his face in his hands and let everything he had been bottling for the past week release.
Levi put his hand on his back. “Ok let’s get home.”
The drive back to Levi’s house was quiet. Jon sobbed the entire way, not saying a word. Levi kept his hand firmly on his back, wanting to reassure him, but unable to find words he felt would ease the pain.
Once they pulled into the drive, he got out of the car. Jon didn’t move. Levi grabbed his bags from the back. “Come on inside.”
He sloughed his way into the house. His tears had stopped.
“Levi?” His voice cracked.
“Yes?”
“I know you said that this wasn’t contingent on anything, but…”
“No ‘buts’ Jon” Levi interrupted. “I won’t hold this over you at all. If you say that you just want to be friends, or let’s take this slow, I will not treat you any differently. I’m gonna take your suitcase to the office so you can have a little privacy, ok?”
“Wait,” He looked at Levi, “so if I wanted, I could sleep in your bed with you?”
“Yes, but you don’t have to.”
“Levi, I need to. I need you to hold me and make me feel safe and loved. I’ve lost everyone I’ve ever loved this week. Yet somehow, in the midst of the chaos, I’ve found someone who understands, not only where I’m coming from, but that I can be myself around for the first time in my life. I’ve never felt as good as I did when I woke up in your arms.”
Levi set his bags down and walked over to Jon. He put his arms around the broken young man. Jon returned his embrace and buried his face into Levi’s shoulder, and sobbed.
“It’s ok babe. I’m here for you.” Levi whispered and kissed the top of his head. “Can I get you anything? A beer, something to eat?”
Jon looked up at him. “I’m not hungry or anything. I’m beat and I just want to lay down for a while.”
“Ok, let’s get you to bed.”
Levi led Jon to the bedroom. Jon sat down on the bed. Levi put his hand on his shoulder. “Are you sure I can’t get you anything?” he grabbed his hand gently.
“Can you just lay with me and hold me?”
“Absolutely.”
Jon stretched out on the bed. Levi climbed into bed beside him and pulled the blanket over them. He wrapped his arms around Jon and pulled him close.
“You’re safe now,” he whispered as he kissed the back of Jon’s neck.
“Levi, I don’t even know how to begin to thank you.”