Reservations

“Keep your hands off me.”

When Thane put enough distance between them, he let her go and his mother rounded back, screaming across the yard. “This is gonna happen. I’m back and that’s my kid. I’m his mother. His social security goes to me.”

Levi held his ground as his worst possible scenario played out in front of him.

“And you,” she screeched, pointing to Linda. “You old cunt, you’re done.” His mother grabbed for her purse that had fallen when Thane released her. She was still yelling, this time her vengeance aimed at Levi. “Before this is over, that boy’ll be mine. His money goes to me. You watch.”

Levi stared helplessly as she forcibly slung her purse strap over her shoulder and started down the street, shouting at the top of her lungs as she went. Levi finally turned to Thane, completely shell-shocked by what had happened. This was so much worse than the humiliation heating his cheeks. He was scared, his life and his brothers’ lives were going to be ruined. There was no way the state would let them leave now, not with his mother fighting for custody of Luke. Distress and desolation flooded his heart.

Whatever Thane saw as he looked at Levi made him pivot on his heels and take off after his mother. If it were even possible, things got worse for Levi in that second. Levi started down the steps, calling out to Thane, “No, let her go.”

Linda yelled out in a stern voice. “Let him go, Levi. Go check on Luke and Logan. They’ll need you.”

Helplessly, he did stop, knowing she was right. As he turned back toward the house, he saw a visibly upset Logan standing right inside the threshold of the front door, Luke directly behind him. He went straight for them, wrapping an arm around Logan, pushing him back inside as his other arm reached out for Luke.

~~~

“Wait up,” Thane yelled, jogging the distance to Levi’s mother.

“Fuck you,” she called out, looking back over her shoulder as she stalked down the street. She was a mess. From behind, he saw her clothes were dirty, hair greasy and tangled, the smell trailing behind her proved she hadn’t bathed in a while. He knew her kind, had dealt with them in the restaurants when they walked out on the bill, begged for food, going through his trash bins, or claiming injury and lawsuit all the damn time. She wasn’t interested in her sons, but she would turn their lives upside down to get a hold of the measly social security money.

Did he fear she’d actually get custody of Luke? Hell no. Would she change the course of their lives? Abso-fucking-lutely. And thereby change the course of his life. Thane ran past her, stopping her retreat as he pulled his wallet from his back pocket. He fished through the folds until she came to a stop, cocking that hand on her waist, staring him up and down.

“I want some of that,” she said, pointing to the cash in his wallet. He ignored her and handed over a business card.

“Give me ten minutes, then call my attorney to set an appointment.” He handed over the card. She eyed him, then the card before flipping it back at him.

“They done pissed me off. I’m those boys’ mama. I control this show,” she said with certainty.

Thane let the card fall to the ground. “Stop. We both know this is about money. You can call that number and schedule an appointment or you can call social services, but know, if you choose that route, you’re fighting me and you won’t win.”

Thane left her standing there while he jogged back across the street. The front door was open. Linda was watching his whole exchange, and he could see Levi standing inside, his arms wrapped around his brothers. Luke stared at him over Levi’s shoulder. Thane leaped up over the steps, meeting Linda’s direct stare as he slid past her to enter the front door.

“Get packed,” he said with authority as he took in the fear and despair before him. “Logan, you should get to class, but take a minute and gather your things. We’ll take them back to the suite with us.” Thane stepped around them, looking through a doorway, seeing the kitchen. He went straight there, opening cabinets, looking for a glass. He needed water. Something to rinse the vile taste of Levi’s mother away. “Take as much as you can now, and we’ll come back and get the rest later. You’re all staying with me indefinitely.”

“Thane…” Levi started. The cupboards were close to bare. He counted four plates, four bowls, and a single serving dish in one. Thane had more in his tiny suite than these three did. When he finally found the glasses, he grabbed one and went for the faucet.