Levi took off his green jacket and laid it on the seat next to him. He was wearing a black sweater and black jeans, and he was holding his digital recorder. He pushed it into his pocket. I wonder if theres coffee around here, he said.
St. Richards wasnt a regular hospital. Nothing but the waiting
room was open to the public, and the waiting room was more like a hallway with chairs. There wasnt even a TV hanging in the corner tuned to Fox News.
Levi stood up and moseyed over to the orderlys window. He leaned forward on the counter and started to make conversation.
Cath felt a surge of irritation and got out her phone to text Wren. at st richards, waiting to see dad. She thought about calling their grandma, but decided to wait until she had more information.
When she looked up from the phone, Levi was being buzzed through the main doors. He glanced back at her just before they closed behind him, and smiled. It had been so long since Levi smiled at herCaths heart leapt up into her sinuses. It made her eyes water.
He was gone a long time.
Maybe he was getting a tour, she thought. Hed probably come back with a pitcher of beer, lipstick all over his face, and Fiesta Bowl tickets.
Cath didnt have anything to distract herself with except her phonebut the battery was low, so she shoved it into her bag and tried not to think about it.
Eventually she heard a buzz, and Levi walked back through the doors, holding two disposable coffee cups and balancing two boxed sandwiches on his forearms.
Turkey or ham? he asked.
Why are you always feeding me?
Well, I work in food service and my major is basically grazing.
Turkey, she said, feeling grateful, but still not feeling like she could look Levi in the eye. (She knew what that was like. His eyes were warm and baby blue. They made you feel like he liked you better than other people.) She took a coffee cup. How did you get back there?
I just asked about coffee, he said.
Cath unwrapped the sandwich and started tearing off bite-sized pieces. She pinched them flat before pushing them into her mouth. Her mom used to tell her not to mutilate her food. Her dad never said anything; his table manners were much worse.
You can, you know, Levi said, unwrapping his sandwich.
Can what?
Call me the next time somebody goes crazy or gets arrested I was glad you called me tonight. I thought you were mad at me.
Cath smashed another chunk of sandwich. Mustard oozed out the sides. Are you the guy who everybody calls when they need help?
Am I Superman? She could hear him smiling.
You know what I mean. Are you the guy all your friends call when they need help? Because they know youll say yes?
I dont know, he said. Im the guy everybody calls when they need help moving. I think its the truck.
When I called you tonight, she said to her shoes, I knew that youd give me a ride. If you could.
Good, he said. You were right.
I think I might be exploiting you.
He laughed. You cant exploit me against my will.
Cath took a sip of the coffee. It tasted nothing like a gingerbread latte.
Are you worried about your dad? Levi asked.
Yeah, she said. And no. I meanshe glanced over at him quicklythis isnt the first time. This just happens. Usually it doesnt get this bad. Usually were there for him.
Levi held his sandwich by one corner and took a bite from the other. Are you too worried about your dad to talk about why youre mad at me? His mouth was full.
Its not important, she muttered.
It is to me. He swallowed. You leave the room every time I walk in. Cath didnt say anything, so he kept talking. Is it because of what happened?
She didnt know how to answer that question. She didnt want to. She looked up at the wall across from her, up where thered be a TV if this place wasnt such a prison.
She felt Levi lean toward her. Because Im sorry about that, he said. I didnt mean to make you feel uncomfortable.
Cath pinched the top of her nose, wishing she knew where her tear ducts were, so she could hold them closed. Youre sorry?
Im sorry I upset you, he said. I think maybe I was reading you wrong, and Im sorry about that.
Her brain tried to come up with something mean to say about Levi and reading. You didnt read me wrong, she said, shaking her head. Just for a second, she felt more angry than pathetic. I went to your party.
What party?
She turned her head to face himeven though shed started to cry, and her glasses were fogging up, and she hadnt officially brushed her hair since yesterday morning. The party, she said. At your house. That Thursday night. I came with Reagan.
Why didnt I see you?
You were in the kitchen preoccupied.
Levis smile faded, and he sat back slowly. Cath set her sandwich down on the chair next to her and clenched her
hands in her lap.
Oh, Cath, Levi said. Im sorry.
Dont apologize. You both seemed pretty happy about it.
You didnt say you were coming.
She looked over. So if youd known I was coming, you wouldnt have been making out with somebody else in the kitchen?