He drives me all over town showing me places that were special to him. I can just imagine him running the streets, playing hockey, and being, well Levi. We finally make it home and we bring our bags in.
Victor is asleep in his chair when we come in, and I can see some relief on Levi’s face now that we are home and he can see Victor. We take all the stuff upstairs and I flop on the bed. Levi laughs and lays next to me.
“Did you have fun?” I turn over to look at him.
“Well, let’s see. I spent all day with you shopping and driving.” He thinks for a second. “Meh. Guess it wasn’t too bad.” He smirks.
I slap his shoulder and laugh.
Chapter Six
Levi
While Presley was shopping alone, I managed to find her a present. I didn’t really know what to get her, but I think she’s really going to like the two things I bought. If all works well, I’m going to really like it too. She’s getting a gift card for some lingerie and another for shoes. I picked up a blank card too, so I can write something. Tell her how much she means to me. Tell her how thankful I am to know her and to have her in my life. Just a few simple words to let her know.
“I need to go to the store,” Pops says from his recliner.
“Why?” He doesn’t need to be out and about, walking around for hours at a time.
Pops glares at me. “Are you asking because you think I need your permission, Levi?”
“No, sir,” I answer quickly.
“Good. I need to go to the store, so I can fix Christmas breakfast for Presley. We can go tomorrow.” There is a not-up-for-further-discussion tone in his voice.
“Yes, sir.”
Presley squeezes my hand and Pops says he’s heading to bed. When I stand to follow him up, just in case he needs any help, he tells me to sit back down. I plop back down, straining my ears to listen. After a few seconds, I hear his door shut.
“What else do y’all do on Christmas day? Besides breakfast, I mean. Do you do anything on Christmas Eve?” Presley asks as she moves to lay down with her head in my lap.
“We have dinner on Christmas Eve and usually watch movies all day. On the big day, we have breakfast, open presents, drink hot chocolate with little marshmallows in it, and hang out together. Nothing special. When I was little, even my parents had as many presents as I did. We would sit in a line on the couch with all our gifts at our feet and we would take turns, opening one present at a time. Every year, I begged Mom to let me start.”
Presley turns to lay on her back, so she can look at me. “Did she let you?”
“Of course. It was me, her, and then Pops. Holidays were always fun with Mom around.” I look at the TV before Presley grabs my attention once more.
“Are they starting to be fun again?” she asks softly.
“Between you and Pops? Tons of fun.” I grin.
~
I keep a careful eye on Pops as we walk around the grocery store. We’re getting food for dinner tonight, breakfast tomorrow, and anything else we will need. He hasn’t appeared to be tired yet though. Somehow, I’ve managed to keep my mouth shut from asking how he’s feeling. Anytime I get the urge to ask, either Pops gives me a small glare or Presley squeezes my hand and asks me a question about something else.
After about two hours and once we’ve paid for everything, we head back home. My dad is insisting on cooking tonight and tomorrow. Apparently, I can’t get the job done as well as he can. I guess it will be good to give him something to do other than sitting around watching us cook. I just hope he doesn’t over do it.
“He’s fine, Levi,” Presley says quietly.
I look back at her, wishing she hadn’t caught me looking towards the kitchen from the couch in the living room, which is where we are. Pops has just started cooking supper.
“I was just checking, Smarty.”
“Well, you’re supposed to be watching the movie.” She gives me a sweet, little kiss. “With me,” she adds. Smarty lightly trials her fingers over my knee and then up my thigh. “Don’t you want to take a nap?”
“You’re a terrible girl, Smarty.”
Presley giggles. “I mean an actual nap, Levi. Get your mind out of the gutter for once.” She shakes her head and I laugh.