The night had gone really well. Better than he hoped. When Jill, Lainey, and Presley had come back in after sharing wine on the back patio, there’d been a lightness to Jilly he hadn’t experienced so far. Like she’d come to some conclusion and was content. The way she looked at him from across the room as they’d pulled out board games and set up teams was enough to make his mind wander about what decisions she might have made.
He wanted to be one of them. His mom held his arm as he walked her to the houseboat. Twinkle lights hung over the entrance to the docks that surrounded the homes.
“You’re really talented, Levi.” His mom stopped walking and looked up at him. There was a soft breeze coming off the water that made them sway in a barely noticeable way. If a person were used to it. He noticed and was happy, once again, that he’d taken the apartment over Pete’s.
“Thanks, Mom. That means a lot to me. I’m really happy to be home. Even though…” he said, his voice trailing off as he looked down the lane his parents’ home was on.
His mom patted his arm. “Do you remember being seventeen and full of dreams, sweetie?”
Levi looked down at his mom, aware of music in the distance. Sunday night in Tourist Lane brought a lot of locals who shopped and ate or just strolled in the park.
“I do.”
His mom nodded. She was aging well. There were subtle lines and creases on her face and her hands were weathered but she took care of herself. He’d missed her when he was gone and liked that he could check in on her, on them, frequently now.
“Your dad had dreams, too, honey. When you were born, he really put his all into the business. And when we couldn’t have more babies, he was okay with it because we had you.”
A stitch lodged in Levi’s side. He hadn’t thought about his parents having or wanting more children. Being an only child had been okay with him. He’d had Gray and Beckett and a lot of other friends. He’d never felt lonely or left out. He wondered how Ollie felt about being an only child. Or if Jillian wanted more children.
His mom squeezed his arm, getting his attention again. “I wanted more and was sad for a long time, but as you grew, you had so many friends, I didn’t have to worry about you being alone. It’s hard when you put your whole heart into something and then it goes a different way. Even if he shouldn’t have, your dad did that with you, thinking you’d be his partner. It wasn’t just that he lost that, but you went away and he felt like he lostyou.”
Levi’s mouth went dry. He nudged them forward because the emotions swirling inside of him were too strong to stand still. “I didn’t move across the world, Mom. I tried to come home to visit, asked you guys to visit.”
“I know, honey. And you did what you were meant to do. I’m not saying any of this to make you feel guilty. Just trying to help you understand. And I did visit! Two summers in a row. I was andstill am very proud of the man you’ve become, Levi. Your father will come around. Just give him some time. He might be scared to get his hopes up about you staying.”
Nodding, Levi bent and kissed his mom’s head. “I’m staying, Mom.” For more reasons than he’d originally expected.
When they got to the houseboat, the door opened before his mom could take the first step up onto the little platform entryway. Anderson stepped out of the doorway, tucking a strand of brown hair behind their ear, smiling when they saw Levi and his mom.
“Hey, guys. How was dinner?” They held a dented old-school red toolbox.
“It was lovely. What are you doing here, Anderson?” His mom stepped back so Anderson could exit as Levi’s dad shuffled to the doorway.
“You’re home earlier than I thought,” his dad said, a soft smile for his mom.
“What are you doing here, Anderson?” Levi asked, looking back and forth between Smile’s go-to for any problem big or small and his own dad.
“Your dad just needed some help with a leaky faucet. Couldn’t get down there to check it out.” Anderson stepped onto the dock, their expression neutral.
“You knew I was dropping Mom off. You could have asked me,” Levi said, stepping away from his mom.
“It’s not a big deal,” his dad said, moving so his mom could enter the house.
“Levi,” his mom said.
Levi shook his head. “No. I just…” He cut himself off, not wanting to say things in anger. He scrubbed both hands through his hair and let out a deep sigh.
“You’d ask anyone before me. I’m sorry if I hurt you, Dad. ButI was a kid, focused on making his dreams come true. You’re an adult who has ignored my apologies, shown absolutely no remorse over not supporting my move home, and shut me out purposefully. You win. I’ll leave you alone. You made a life that didn’t include me even though that wasnevermy intention. I won’t try to force my way in anymore.”
“Levi, please. Don’t say that,” his mom said.
“I didn’t mean to step on any toes, Levi,” Anderson said, shuffling in the awkward aftermath of Levi’s words.
Levi shoved his hands in his pockets. “Not your fault, Anderson. You didn’t. I did.”
He heard his mom’s whispered anger toward his dad but didn’t hear his dad’s gruff response. Levi hurried off the dock and went back to his apartment, ignoring his mom’s phone call. He’d smooth things out with her later, but it was time for him to admit that the tear between him and his dad might be too jagged to patch back up.
When he let himself into his apartment, he stood by the doorway, staring at the space. It was bigger than he’d expected, but that could be the lack of furniture. Pete had lent him a television and said it was fine to use the couch.
