Breakaway (Penalty Kill 1)

“What are we having?” Presley asks me.

It’s my dad who answers her though. “Chili. His mom taught him; it was her favorite.”

When we start to eat ten minutes later, Dad wants Presley to tell him more about herself. I listen while she starts with the basics. Smarty informs him of her parents occupations, her twin and his accomplishments.

“Presley, it’s great to hear those things about your family, but I asked aboutyou,” he comments.

“Oh.” She glances at me quickly, and I know she’s caught off guard. Her own father doesn’t ask to hear about these things and mine has. “Well, I’m pre-law and looking for the right law school for me. I’m a big hockey fan, as you know,” she smiles. “That’s pretty much it,” she ends with a shrug.

“Don’t let her fool you, Pops. Presley is at the top of her class. She has a bright future ahead of her. Don’t ya, Smarty?” I smirk at her, but she only shrugs with a smile playing on her lips. Everyone has finished, and I stand to take their dishes and load the dishwasher.

“You don’t have to do that, Levi. You cooked,” my father objects.

“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”

“I wasn’t going to stop you,” he laughs. “Just pointed out that you didn’t have to do it.”

“We should probably head back,” I start, but he’s already shaking his head as his chair scrapes the floor when he stands.

“Can’t you stay and watch the game?”

An NHL game between the Pens and Flyers will be coming on in fifteen minutes. “I don’t know. We still have to drive back to campus.”

“You act like there’s not another bedroom here.”

I look over at Presley and she takes that as an opening. “I’m okay with staying, if you want to, Levi.”

“Alright. We’ll stay.”

Presley and Dad smile at one another as if they just won the lottery.

Chapter Fourteen

Presley

The Penguins-Flyers game is in the second period and it is tied 1-1. I’m on the edge of the couch mesmerized by the players on the ice.

“Presley, may I ask why you enjoy the Penguins so much?” Victor asks me. I look over at him sitting in his recliner and can’t help but see an older version of Levi. Victor has treated me better in the last hours than my own father has my whole life.

“Well, my father and brother are Rangers fans and I didn’t like them. But, I always loved Mario Lemieux.”

Victor laughs. “You would have loved my wife then. She was the biggest Lemieux fan ever, wasn’t she, Levi?”

I turn to see Levi looking at the TV screen. I can tell there is sadness in his eyes. Talking about his mom is still hard on him, and I wish there was something I could do to help him. “Yep, she was.”

“Excuse me guys.” I get up and head to the bathroom. I just can’t look into Levi’s sad eyes. It breaks my heart.

I stand in the bathroom for a moment trying to compose my thoughts. I can’t imagine the loss that Levi felt, especially being so close to his parents. I don’t even want to think about what it would be like if I lost one of my parents. We might not have the greatest relationship, but they’re my parents. I finally walk out of the bathroom and look at the pictures lining the hallway as I walk back into the living room. Levi and his parents look so happy in every picture.

“Dad, don’t.” I hear Levi say.

“I’m just saying, son. You have never brought a girl home.” Victor chuckles.

“I’m aware of that, Pops.”

“So, why now?” Levi doesn’t say anything, and I’m not able to see him. “You know, son, your mom would love her and I think you do too.” I have to cover my mouth, so I won’t gasp out loud.

“Pops-”