Truce
1266 Words
Levi POV:
I arrive at the location of the foster care to apply for whatever position their offering. The place is much bigger than I would have imagined, and fancier too. With a deep breath, I open the front doors to the lobby that is designed for children with bright colors and beautiful animal murals.
The place smells sanitary, soft music plays, children’s laughter can be heard from a nearby room, which I assume is like a classroom. The lady at the front desk smiles warmly. She looks to be around my mother’s age but with bright pink hair.
“Hello, welcome to Forever Family. You must be Levi.”
I nod and shake her hand.
“That’s me. I’m here for an interview.”
“Follow me.”
She leads me to an office where she tells me to wait for the interviewer to come by as I sit in one of the two seats in front of the desk. After 12 minutes Monica walks in with a clipboard and a cup of coffee.
“Hey, there stranger.” She says as she hands me the coffee, and I smile gratefully.
“Thank you. I needed this.” I tell her honestly. I really am tired today after Venny’s tossing and turning last night. My poor Venny has been suffering lately.
“No problem. So let’s get started, Levi. Tell me how good you are with children.”
I gulp and realize I wouldn’t really know.
“I’ll be honest with you Monica. I’m an only child. I was never raised with children younger than me. But I wouldn’t mind learning.”
She sighs with a small smile as she looks at me thoughtfully.
“You wanna know what I think Levi?” She asks and I nod.
“I think you think of others before yourself. I’ve seen the way you care for Venny, and you go out of your way to make sure he’s okay, like that day you practically asked the whole class for some pills for him. You have a good heart, and that’s good enough for now.”
“Well, thank you, Monica. I really appreciate that, but I’m curious, what position am I applying for exactly?”
She looks over her clipboard.
“How would you feel, being a counselor for children of the age five and up?”
My eyes go wide in surprise.
“A councilor? But don’t you need a degree for that?”
She shakes her head.
“No need. You just have to be kind, and a good listener. And of course, offer some light advice to them. Many of the kids become sad, or fussy, or jealous. They just need someone they can trust to talk about their problems. Kind of like a shrink except without the doctorate.”
I think about it, as I look down at the paper.
“That sounds intriguing. I am a good listener, and perhaps I could be good with children, but what if I’m not?”
She shrugs.
“Then there are other open positions, but trust me on this one Levi.” She says hopefully and I finally agree with a nod and a smile.
“Okay. I’ll give it a shot. Thanks for the opportunity.”
“Monny!” A cute little girl that I swear to bob looks just like boo from the Monsters Inc movie skips towards Monica and Monica scoops her into her arms.
“Hey Bayley, what are you doing out of class huh?”
Bayley shrugs before turning her big cartoon-like eyes towards me and looks at me curiously. I smile at her and she blushes and looks towards Monica.
“Bayley, this is Levi. He’s going to be our new counselor. Starting next week.”
“Levi? That’s what my pants are called.” She says with a giggle and I can help but laugh deeply.
“What do you think Bayley, is he going to need a nickname once he starts working here?”
She laughs and nods.
“Yeah, and a funny costume.” She giggles adorably again and my heart flutters. Oh no. How is it that I haven’t even started working here yet and she’s already my favorite?
“Okay well, you can come up with ideas after class, no get going sweetheart,” Monica says she shoos her away, and Bayley skips towards me.
“It’s was nice meeting you Bayley,” I tell her and she nods.
“Yes, it was.” She says with a wave before skipping off to class. I chuckle and Monica smiles.
“Adorable huh?”
“Very. Are they all like that or...”
She laughs deeply.
“Oh honey, if only. You may get a few temperamental kids but I’m sure you can handle it.”
***
After the interview, I went to the supermarket to get food and medicine for Venny.
Back home I spot Venny watching supernatural in pick darkness. He hasn’t even noticed I’ve walked in as he looks at the TV screen in suspense. I creep up beside him and blow in his ear. He flinches and goes into fight mode.
“Ah! f**k! Levi!”
I crack up and he attacks me onto the bed and tickles the hell out of me.
Alright! Ha! Stop! Truce, Venny truce!” I say pushing him back and he laughs. After we regain our breaths he asks how my interview went.
“It’s was great! My position would be a counselor. I know it’s different, but I won’t know if I’m good at it, if I don’t try. Oh yeah, and you should have seen this adorable little girl that looks just like boo from monsters inc.”
His eyes twinkled a bit in the light of the tv, and I can see him smile as he listens.
“I didn’t know you like kids Levi. You know, there is nothing more attractive than a man who is great with kids.” He tells me as he holds my hand in his.
“Venny... what are you saying?”
He blinks and shakes his head. Is he thinking of having kids with me?
“Nothing, I’m just saying... If I’m saying anything at all... you might like it.”
His answer is all over the place, but that makes me understand the answer more.
“Venny... have you ever thought of having childr...”
“No.” He says firmly in a way that makes me blink surprised.
“I just... I don’t have a perfect model figure of a dad in my life. I don’t think...”
I pull him into my arms as his voice breaks and rub him soothingly, as he begins to cry.
“Shhh, my love... Don’t waste tears on him okay? Save these tears for when we Exchange vows at our wedding.”
He pulls away wiping his eyes.
“Wedding?” He says in a curious way.
“Oh yeah. The biggest gayest wedding in Houston Texas. We’ll have a giant rainbow, inflatable slide as our entrance, flowers of all colors, the best food, a killer band, and it will only be filled with the people who accept us and love us.”
He takes a deep breath before smiling warmly.
“That sounds beautiful Levi. Like a dream.”
“You’re a dream,” I whisper and his blue eyes drown in mine.
“Your so sappy, it’s going make me sick.” He says playfully pushing me back onto the bed, with a chuckle.
- Writer
