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Ever so slowly, he lifts his head and meets my eyes for a split second before dropping his chin back to his chest. I wait patiently until he looks at me again. I give him a reassuring smile. “See? I’m right here with you.”
He swallows, his hands tightening around his legs. But the shaking has slowed. “One big breath. You and me. Let’s do this.”
I inhale and so does he. Then exhale slowly and he follows suit. “Again.” We repeat the process again and again until the shaking stops altogether.
“There you go. See? You’re okay.”
He frowns and knuckles away the tears streaking his cheeks. “I want cornflakes.”
I’m half-tempted to ignore Uri’s orders and cave. But I know that falling back onto Lev’s demands won’t help him in the long run.
“Lev, look at me please. Do you trust me?”
He frowns and I’m struck with the horrible thought that he might not trust me. It’s a big ask for anyone, let alone someone as vulnerable as Lev.
“I… think so…”
Good enough.“Then trust me when I tell you that not having cornflakes this morning is not gonna hurt you.”
The shaking starts again.
“Lev, take another deep breath with me,” I say quickly. “In. Out. Good. That’s so good.”
As he breathes, I make eye contact. “You know what always made me feel better on a rough morning? Chocolate chip pancakes!”
He looks at me skeptically. “C-chocolate?” he hiccups.
“Oh, big time. I’m not the greatest cook but I do make the best chocolate chip pancakes in the city, maybe even in the whole entireworld. You wanna try them?”
He considers it for a moment and then he nods slowly.Victory!I’m clapping myself on the back for this one.
I get to my feet and offer him my hand. He takes it, and by “takes it,” I mean he slips one finger onto my palm like a shy child. I turn around to make sure he’s okay—and freeze.
Uri is standing at the entrance of the kitchen, watching the two of us with a brooding gaze. Lev stiffens and his eyes flicker to the broken glass lying in a heap of shards a few feet away.
I ignore that. “Lev and I were just about to make pancakes. Want some?”
Uri nods coolly. “Sure.”
Lev and Uri sit down beside each other and watch me make my not-so-famous chocolate chip pancakes. I keep up a patter of light banter through the pancake-making process. Partly because I want Lev to feel at ease, but also because I’m very conscious that Uri’s eyes are following me religiously.
By the time I dole out the sweet-smelling pancakes onto three plates, Lev is actually smiling. “I want more.”
Uri chuckles. “You haven’t even tried one yet.”
“I’ll like them,” Lev insists.
It’s enough to make me tear up. I watch as Lev dives into the pancakes, smearing his mouth with chocolate after only a couple of bites. It’s the only review I need. Lev gobbles down the three thick pancakes I’ve served him and then holds out his plate for more, Oliver Twist style.
He’s chowing down on his second helping when I turn to Uri, who makes no secret of the fact that he’s staring at me thoughtfully.
“Did you like them?” I ask shyly.
“Best pancakes in the entire world,” he replies deadpan.
I smile self-consciously, determined not to let things backslide into silence. His gaze is so much harder to deal with in the silence. “Thanks. I workshopped the recipe quite a bit. The secret is—”
“I want to take you out again.”
