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“Yeah. We didn’t have much money, so my mom would swing by the local library to see if they were tossing away any ratty old books. Occasionally, she found some that were kid-appropriate, so she brought them home for me and would even read them to me when she had the time.” Levi smiled at the memory. “One of my favorite books was an old hardcover of Beauty and the Beast. The cover was torn to shreds, but the inside had these beautiful illustrations. I must have read that book at least one hundred times over the years. I like that underneath that rough exterior, Belle was able to see the kind, gentle soul that the Beast was and fell in love with him. I guess what made it all so special was that even though we didn’t have money, my mother still found a way to do something special just for me. Taking the time to get the books and then read them with me is something that I will always cherish.”
“Wow. That is a really nice memory,” Chase replied.
Levi picked up a twig and tossed it aside. “Yeah, but then my father ripped up the book one night in a drunken rage, so it’s a good memory that had a terrible ending.”
Chase’s jaw tightened hearing the fate of Levi’s beloved treasure.
“I’m really sorry to hear that.” He sat up and took Levi’s hand in his. “Your dad sounds like a real piece of work.”
Levi’s eyes narrowed as he stared off into the abyss. “Yeah. Some people just weren’t meant to be fathers.”
Sensing the shift in mood, Chase pulled Levi in for a hug. “Not all people will let you down in life. Just always remember that.”
Nodding, Levi snaked his arms around Chase’s torso and breathed him in.
“Okay. Now it’s your turn to bare your soul to me, babe,” Levi asked, nestled against his chest.
Chase was silent a moment as he debated sharing with Levi the one truth that had nearly destroyed him not so long ago. Feeling the boy’s warm body snuggle up into him, Chase wanted nothing more than to share with this man the darkest secret of his life.
“I had a sister who was murdered,” his voice was low and pained. He was barely able to get out the words before he started to feel the anxiety begin to rise inside him once again.
The body leaning against him, which had provided such warmth and comfort, suddenly pulled away.
Levi sat up at him with shock in his eyes.
“What?” Levi managed to choke out. “Oh my God, Chase. I’m so sorry.” He placed a hand on Chase’s arm and waited patiently for Chase to continue.
“When I was six years old, I was put up for adoption. I don’t remember much about my birth parents, only that they seemed to fight a lot. I spent a few months in an orphanage until a kind woman in her forties adopted me. She already had a daughter from a previous marriage named Madison.” Chase reached into his back pocket and pulled the folded photo out of his wallet. He passed it to Levi before continuing. “Maddy was two years younger than me, but she clung to me like I was her real older brother. I became very protective of her. We played together, we rode our bikes together, and when she got old enough, I was the big brother that vetted the guys that she wanted to date.”
“She’s so pretty,” Levi said, gently caressing the image of his sister.
“She was,” Chase corrected, lowering his eyes as he began to fidget with his fingers. “Two years ago, they pulled her body from Lake Ontario. She had been raped and murdered and dumped as if she were trash.” Chase’s eyes narrowed as he dug his fingernails into the palms of his hands.
If he ever found the guy who did this, he would make him suffer unimaginable pain.
“Oh my God. Chase, that’s horrible,” Levi choked, eyes beginning to fill with tears. “I can’t imagine the pain you must have gone through. Still go through,” Levi corrected.
Chase reached over and took the photo.
“After her death, I went to some really dark places.” He traced Madison’s smile with his index finger and thought about the sound of her voice. The way she snorted when she laughed too hard. The way she would punch him in the arm when he made fun of her laugh. God, he missed his little sis.
Pushing the memory of his little sis aside, he folded up the picture and placed it safely back in his wallet.
“I’ve been hunting this monster for the past two years but haven’t had any luck tracking him down. So, until I do, I’ll track down these other monsters and make sure that they’re punished and never hurt anyone else ever again.”
Levi lunged at Chase and wrapped him in his arms.
“I’m so sorry for your loss, Chase. Just know that I’m always here if you ever want to talk or share any stories. It’s important that we keep the memories of our loved ones alive.”
Chase leaned into the hug. It felt nice opening up and sharing his pain with someone who understood heartache.
“How did you get so wise?” Chase asked, gently kissing the crown of Levi’s head.
“What can I say? It’s a talent.” Levi squeezed him tight once again before adding. “Thank you for sharing that with me. I know it mustn’t have been easy opening up like that.”
Leaning against a tree, Chase held Levi firmly in his arms. If there was one person who he trusted the most with his deepest, darkest secrets, it was the sweet, gentle man wrapped in his arms.
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