Jealous I
1380 Words
The image of Asher and Levi face to face strikes me as both tender and amusing. And I say this because, even though you can see the emotion in their eyes as they finally face each other, their serious and reserved personalities prevent them from even hugging. Finally, Asher raises his little hand to touch his father's cheek, and when he doesn't stop him, he throws himself into his arms, embracing him.
So he was lying when he said he didn't care at all about knowing who his father was. I had imagined it, but knowing that it excited him so much to see him that he threw himself into his arms is another thing.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I take it, and upon seeing who's calling me, I move away a bit from the scene —to the kitchen— before answering.
"Mom."
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry I kept it from you for so long, but it's Levi..."
"I know."
"What? How do you know?"
"He's here."
"There? At your place?"
"Leave it to me. I'll go there right away and..."
"Forget it. I already told Asher, and he accepted it," I say as I watch Levi combing his hair while talking to him.
From my position, I can't hear them, but Levi seems quite excited.
"And how did he react?"
"Well."
"How much?" she asks, curious.
I understand her concern. There were more than a few times when I felt depressed remembering Levi's coldness while we were married, and later, crying on the way back to my parents' house when he kicked me out of the mansion.
"Are you not...?"
"No, Mom. I'm doing this for Asher. Nothing else."
"Alright. In that case, how about we have dinner together?"
"I don't know. I'll ask Levi what he thinks."
"Tell him yes."
I turn around to see Levi near me. So close that he can hear my mother on the other end of the phone. I was surprised to see him so close, but I soon understood. Asher holds my instant camera in his little hands.
"Is that Levi?" my mother asks over the phone.
"Yes. I have to go. We'll talk later, okay?"
"Alright. Give Asher a kiss for me."
"Okay."
I hang up the phone and put it back in my jeans.
"Take the camera, Mom."
"Do you want me to take a photo of you? Okay, stand by the window," I say, pointing to the sofa there.
"But you have to be in it too."
I look at the camera and then at Asher.
"But I can't take the photo myself."
"I can do it," Levi intervenes. He tries to take the camera, but I don't let him. "I have longer arms than you. Let me try."
"Alright, but if it turns out bad, you owe me the rolls."
"Deal."
I hand him the camera and follow Asher to the sofa. He sits in the middle of the sofa, leaving only two small spaces on either side since the sofa is only for two people. I sit down as best I can in the space Asher left me, but obviously, Levi won't fit there.
"Come here," I say, taking Asher and lifting him onto my lap.
Levi sits in the remaining space and then looks at the camera. I know what he's thinking. Despite that, he doesn't say anything and positions the camera to take the photo. I look at Asher, and this time I don't have to say my usual "Say cheese" for him to smile. He's excited. So much so that his eyes squint when he smiles. I look at the camera just in time to smile when I see the flash.
The photo comes out as soon as the flash goes off. It's still black, but the image will appear soon. Levi smiles at his father, and that's when he seems to remember something.
"Do you want to see the invitation to my birthday party?"
Levi seems surprised by his request, but he agrees anyway.
"Sure."
Asher runs to his room, then Levi looks at me.
"When's his birthday?"
"In a couple of weeks."
"Five, right?"
I nod. Levi takes the photo from the camera and looks at it, then smiles wistfully, arousing my curiosity.
"I thought you would have thrown it away," he murmurs. I know he's referring to the camera.
It was a gift from him, as in my teens I used to take photos as a hobby. Over the years, I forgot about it. I forgot the excitement of pressing the shutter button and arranging the photos I took on my walls and albums. I had forgotten everything until Levi reminded me of it with that gift.
That memory leaves a bittersweet taste in my throat, so I stand up and wipe my hands on my jeans, drying them from the sweat caused by my nervousness.
"Do you want something to drink?"
He shakes his head. "I'm good."
Uncomfortable because apparently there's nothing to talk about, I start to look at the photo frames on the shelf next to the furniture.
"You recently had your birthday."
I stop and look at him. It doesn't surprise me that he remembers, as he has an excellent memory, what surprises me is that he mentions it.
"Yes, on Sunday."
"Belated happy birthday."
I smile falsely. "Thanks."
He seems to want to add something else, but Asher appears from the hallway, running with a box in his hands.
"Look, Daddy!"
When he gets to Levi's side, he uncovers the box and shows him his invitation. Levi takes it and starts reading it. Just before he can comment on anything, the doorbell rings.
I turn my back on both of them, listening to them talk about his party. When I open it, I'm surprised to find Maximiliano on the other side.
"Hi, I thought you would have gone to the hotel and we'd see each other later."
"Yeah, I'm sorry if I bothered you."
"Don't worry, it's fine," I say. Suddenly, I don't hear anyone talking behind me. Instinctively, I look, and I find both of them looking at me. I look back at Maximiliano.
"I came to bring you this," he says, raising the basket.
"Alright, thanks," I thank him, taking it from his hand. "I hope you finished all the cake."
"I left a piece for you and your son... and for Levi Ledger, of course. By the way, how do you know him?"
I laugh. It's more than obvious that even though Levi was rude to him, he still admires him.
"What else can I do for you?" I ask, avoiding his question.
Suddenly all his confidence disappears, and he lowers his head. When he lifts it, I'm surprised to see him blushing.
"Your birthday was on Sunday and yet you had to receive me unexpectedly. I probably messed up something, so I thought of taking you out to dinner to thank you."
"Today?"
"No, I've bothered you enough today. So, how about next weekend?"
I find it extremely sweet of him to think I'm free on weekends, but still, I accept. I'm sure if I tell Mr. Donatello that Maximiliano himself asked me, he'll accept without hesitation.
On the other hand, it's strange that he suddenly wants to have dinner with me. I understand that he might feel a little guilty about my birthday, but taking me out to dinner? Does that have something to do with his flushed cheeks?
I try not to dwell on it too much, but eventually, I nod.
"Sure."
"Does 6 o'clock work for you?"
"Isn't that a bit early for dinner?"
"It's a bit of a drive from here."
"Alright," I nod, "See you tomorrow."
"Until tomorrow."
I wave my hand gently, and he responds with a smile. Finally, I close the door, and when I turn around, I find both of them staring at me intently.
"Is something wrong?"
"Are you going on a date with Maxi?" Asher asks, approaching me.
"It's not a date, it's an apology dinner."
"Then, can I come too?"
"No."
"Then it's a date," Levi confirms.
I sigh.
"Fine, it's a date."
Asher's eyes narrow while Levi makes a barely perceptible grimace.
What's going on with these two?
- Writer
