Chapter 46
Jon was on the porch waiting for his grandfather to arrive. Gus was in the backyard on the grill. Levi was panicking inside. Gus had sent him to retrieve some potato salad. Jon’s grandfather would arrive any minute. He ran to the bathroom to check himself in the mirror for what felt like the hundredth time that day. Jon had tried to ease his nerves, but had only made him more self-conscious about the fact that he was older.
He looked out the front window. Jon was on the phone. They must be close. He grabbed the potato salad and rushed out the back door.
“They here yet?”
“No, but I think they’ll be here soon.”
“You need to calm down. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“What if they think I’m some creepy old man?”
Gus laughed. “I’m the old man hanging around younger gay boys. You’re not even ten years older than he is. It’s not like you’re my age. Stop worrying and breathe.”
“But I’ve never done this before.”
“I know. It’s been a while since I met Betty’s parents for the first time, but just be yourself.” Gus looked at his phone. “They’re here. I told him to text me as soon as they pulled in.”
Levi’s breath hitched. “What?”
Gus placed a hand on his shoulder. “Hurry on inside. Come out when y’all are ready. I have a feeling Jon needs you. This is going to be emotional for him, too.”
Levi’s eyes flew open. He turned and ran inside. From the kitchen, he could see they were exchanging hugs on the porch. He didn’t want to intrude on their moment. Jon was facing the window. Their eyes met, and he could see the tears. He felt his own eyes welling up. He smiled.
Jon opened the door. He was saying something, but Levi couldn’t make it out. He inhaled.
A petite old woman entered first. She looked up at him and smiled. “You must be Levi. I’m Agnes. Where’s the pisser?”
He pointed down a hallway. “It’s the first door on your left.”
“Thanks. We’ll get proper introductions in here in a few.” She rushed towards the hall.
Before he could react, Jon came in with his grandfather. They were laughing.
“Grampa, I want you to meet Levi Ward.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Doyle.” He reached out to shake the old man’s hand. He was surprised when he gripped his hand and pulled him sharply towards him for a hug.
“Shit. No need for all the formalities. From what Jon said, we’re all family here. Call me Aiden.”
“Alright, Aiden.” There was something about that name. A distant memory clawed at the back of his mind. He pushed it back. He needed to focus. “Gus is outside and the chicken’s almost ready. Can I get y’all something to drink?”
“I could sure use a beer if you have one.” Agnes was standing in the hallway, watching them. She smiled and embraced him. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve been waiting to give you a big hug and get to know you. If you are half as great as Jon makes you sound, you must be a really special person.”
Levi felt his face grow warm. He shot a glance at Jon, who was also blushing. Levi smiled. “Thank you. I hope I can live up to the hype.” His phone buzzed in his pocket. He didn’t have to look to know it was a text from Gus. “Jon, Gus sent me in here to get the rolls. Do you mind grabbing them while I grab the beer?”
“Sure. I’m sure the chicken’s getting cold and the potato salad’s getting warm. Neither is good. Besides, I bet Gus is excited to have someone other than us to chat with.”
“Ok. I’ll be right behind you if you want to handle the introductions.”
Levi maintained his composure until the door closed. He exhaled. He walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured a shot of whiskey. Something about Aiden seemed familiar to him. He thought something about Aiden’s expression, said he felt the same. He downed the shot and prayed it wasn’t a bad thing.
When he made his way out onto the patio, the four of them were laughing. He tensed, hoping it wasn’t at his expense.
Jon squeezed his hand as he sat down. “I was telling them about how ridiculous I looked when we first met.”
Agnes shook her head. “Sounds like Levi didn’t think it was as ridiculous as you did.”
Levi smiled. “No, I guess not. It made him stand out, that’s for sure.” He could feel eyes watching him.
Gus laughed. “Yeah. I seem to remember you spotted him before we even opened the doors.”
“Are you from Derecho originally?” Aiden asked.
“No sir. I grew up in a small town outside of Baton Rouge.”
“Really? Baton Rouge? I lived there a long time ago. You remind me of a blues singer I knew there years ago. He went by ‘Cash’ but if I’m remembering correctly, his last name was ‘Ward’ too.”
Everything started to spin. The blood rushed from Levi’s face.
“Levi? Are you OK?” Jon’s voice was a distant echo behind the thoughts racing through his head.
Agnes spoke up. “I remember him. I think he said Cash was short for something…”
Levi bit his lip. Jon’s concern was written on his face. “Do you know who they’re talking about? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Levi nodded. He knew why Aiden was so familiar. “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.” He rushed into the house. He could feel their eyes following him, but he knew he would just be a moment. The battered old guitar case sat unopened since the move. He opened Myra’s case and retrieved a photo from the storage compartment inside and glanced at it to be sure before heading back out to rejoin his family.
Levi grinned as he sat back down. The tone had settled, and he could feel everyone’s concern. He handed the photo to Aiden. “If I’m not mistaken, you are in this picture.”
He studied the photograph. For a moment, Levi was certain he had been wrong. “Where did you get this?” He handed it to Agnes. Her eyes grew wide.
“Cashel Ward was my father. He kept it in his guitar case, and I’ve always kept it there. He died when I was young. I never knew who the other people were.”
Jon leaped from his seat and rushed to stand behind his grandmother. “You were so young. When was this?”
She smiled. “Your dad was in college when we lived in Baton Rouge, so I wasn’t that young.”
“Ok, so I recognize you and Grampa. I’m going to assume the guy that looks kinda like Levi is Cash, but who’s the other guy?”
Aiden smiled. “That was the connection between us. Christopher was a buddy of mine from law school and had delusions of starting his own talent agency. He was great at spotting talent but terrible at the follow-through. We moved away not long after this, but I take it Cash’s music career never took off.”
Levi shook his head. “No sir. I don’t know what happened either. I always suspected it had something to do with my mom. Dad never talked about it much, and she hated that he taught me to play.”
“I hate to hear that. He was such a good young man.”
Gus cleared his throat. “Levi never talks about him much. But considering what’s happened to him, and how great he is, I figured his dad must’ve been a good person.”
Levi smiled and nodded at Gus. He was thankful that someone had recognized the elephant in the room. Would they equate their love for his father with giving him a chance? So far, that seemed to be the case, but he was still terrified.
Aiden looked straight into Levi’s eyes. He smiled. “I’m sure he is. Like Agnes said, if he’s half as good as Jon described to us, then he’d be a saint.”
Levi relaxed.
It felt like only a few minutes passed, but daylight was fading. Aiden and Agnes said their goodbyes to Levi and Gus and took Jon out onto the porch. A hand clapped hard on Levi’s shoulder.
“You were nervous for nothing. That went amazingly well.”
“I know, but I wonder what they’re talking about?”
“Honestly? Maybe you. But Aiden seems like a straight shooter, and if they had a problem with you, I think you would’ve known it when they first walked in. It’s also possible they’re discussing Jon’s father.”
Levi sighed. Gus was right. He always was. It was infuriating, but comforting.
“I’m glad I’ve got you in my corner.”
“You never really talk about your family or what happened between you and your mother, but maybe you should. I know you haven’t forgiven her, and it eats at you. Even if you don’t tell her, you need to let that anger go.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
“You have to. I think you’re going to be learning a lot about your father the more they are around, and you won’t be able to separate him from her in your mind. You’re going to have to figure that shit out. If anyone can give you the answer to how your dad would’ve reacted to who you are, it’s those two.”
“It felt like there was something they weren’t saying.”
“All in due time, I’m sure. Remember, they were as shocked as you were.”
Before Gus could respond, the front door opened. Jon was smiling. Tears ran down his face. He jumped into Levi’s arms and kissed him. “I love you so much.”
Gus let out an awkward chuckle. “I should probably get back to Galveston. I’ll see myself out.”
“Thank you, Gus. If I can talk him into taking a day off one weekend, how do you feel about some company soon?”
“Anytime. Just let me know.”
Levi just shook his head. “Drive safe, old man. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”
Jon locked the door behind him. He turned with a sly smile. “Did I mention how much I love you?”