He looks down at his hand and then back at me. “I… I wanna do it.”
My heart lifts. “Of course.” I wait until he’s lifted his hand before I lift mine. I have to lean onto the center island in order to reach him. Then I guide my pinky around his and we lock onto one another.
I can feel him tremble but he seems calm. “There,” I say with satisfaction. “Now, that promise is unbreakable.”
He grins the widest I’ve ever seen. “Cool.” I giggle softly as he pushes his empty bowl towards me. “Can you make me some more cornflakes?”
As I fill up his bowl again, it occurs to me that Lev might be just the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. A few pointed questions, a pinky swear or two, and I might be able to get him to do exactly what I want.
Namely: get me out of here.
He gets his basement back; I
