Reservations

“Of course, it’s not too much for me, but, guys, listen. It’s got to be too much for Levi.” Linda turned directly to Levi. “When do you sleep? You’re up with Luke at the crack of dawn. You work all day then all night.”

“Then I’ll quit my day job. I earn enough at my new night job for us to get by,” he said, absolutely not wanting to give up the second source of income. He’d finally gotten to a point where he could stash some money away. If everything kept going like it was, he might be able to make enough to get them moved.

Luke reached across the table for the napkins. He grabbed a handful, drawing everyone’s gaze his direction.

“This is my fault,” Luke said, staring directly at Levi as he rubbed the bundle in his hand across his cheeks. His little brother dropped his head to his hands and buried his face in the napkins. Levi huffed out a harsh breath; his shoulders slumped as the devastating sense of defeat washed over him. In a matter of a few minutes, all the progress Luke had made in counseling slipped away.

“Boys, now listen to me. It’s not this complicated. This plan gives everyone a couple of years to get Logan in college and Luke older. Maybe when Levi finishes school, Luke could move up there with him. It’s a good reasonable solution that I think needs to be considered.” Clearly set in her decision, Linda’s voice grew stern as she spoke.

“Have you talked this over with Child Protective Services?” Levi asked, to find out if this decision had already been made or if he still had a chance to keep them together.

“Of course not, but I have talked the idea over with Mrs. Underwood. She sees the value in what I’m proposing.”

Levi nodded, looking over at the counselor who had remained absolutely stone-faced and silent. More concerning to him was the fact that Linda had done all this planning without any of them knowing.

Luke looked up over the napkin, the tears still filling his eyes. “Levi, please don’t let them do this. I’m doing better. I’ll do better,” Luke begged. “Dad wanted us to be together. He knew it would be hard, but he had faith in us.”

“Guys, I believe your dad would agree with me now. This is hard to watch. You three are giving up everything when nothing’s going to change how this ends. You’re living in your father’s shadow here. You need to live your lives,” Linda explained, trying her best to make all three of them see the reason behind her suggestion. Not from the angle that Levi was failing his brothers, but from how stagnant they’d all become. Their father and his illness had been reflected in every step they took for months now. In that, Linda was right.

Levi swallowed that bitter bit of news and furrowed his brow, staring at his overly distraught little brother. In their defense, Dad had only been gone less than six months. They’d had adversity, yes, but they were dealing and overcoming. If they were separated now, they’d risk the very foundation that made them a family. They had to stay together and rebuild what family meant to them, and to Levi, that meant the three of them stuck together no matter how hard things got.

“They stay with me.” He meant every word.

Levi swallowed the worry that bubbled at his declaration and prayed Linda and Mrs. Underwood wouldn’t fight him on this. He and his brothers were all still grieving. Of course, they lived in their father’s shadow. He was right there with them in everything they did and always would be. That wasn’t a bad thing. He was their ultimate foundation. Levi reached across the table toward Luke, extending a hand. At first, he thought Luke planned to shrug him off, but he didn’t. He finally clasped Levi’s hand, clinging to him like a life preserver tossed to a drowning man in a stormy ocean, where one misstep could seal their fate. That did it for Levi; the tears he fought slid free, trailing down his cheeks as Logan’s palm landed on theirs.

“You have to go on to medical school, Levi. You must finish. Luke and Logan need you to finish. That’s what I wanted to say to you. I’m willing to have you all move in if that helps that goal happen.” Linda reached across the table, putting her hands on top of Logan’s. Her words broke as they all held on to one another. Linda’s concerned gaze moved to Levi’s. “You’re so smart. You have the power to change their lives. I can’t see how you can add medical school into everything you’re currently doing.”

She was right, but he wasn’t leaving his brothers behind. “I’ll figure it out. These are my brothers, and they practically take care of themselves. They’re with me.”