Page 76 of Dear Daddy, Please Want Me

Levi clicked on the link to start the movie they chose, but then paused it. “This is a foreign film. They’re speaking Italian.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“It’s going to be sad. And it’s summer time, so it’s not exactly Hanukkah. Why was this even here?”

“We don’t have to watch it.”

“No, I want to. I just need to know how sad it’s going to be. Let’s get some food.”

“I’ll get it for you, motek. Thank you for ordering.” Saul kissed his cheek and urged him off his lap. He was getting the motek nickname all the time now, and it was even better than boy. His own special name.

Levi read the synopsis. “OK, it’s sad,” he called out to the kitchen.

“Did you just read the whole plot?”

“Yep. Want me to tell you?”

“Absolutely not. I want to enjoy the movie.”

“Well, sometimes you can enjoy the movie more if you know why it’s going to be sad.”

Saul came back with their plates and set them on the coffee table. “You’re precious.” He grabbed Levi’s chin and gave him a lingering kiss. “Now let’s celebrate Christmas properly.”

Levi snorted.

They started out sitting up so they could eat, but as soon as he was done, Levi draped himself over Saul’s lap.

Call Me By Your Name was indeed sad. But it was also beautiful and poignant and touching, like a good foreign film should be.

“That was amazing.” Levi stretched and curled into Daddy’s arms. “We need something cheerful now, though.”

“Good point. I don’t think I can sit for any longer, though. I need to move around.”

They put the leftovers away and stretched their legs. Saul was washing their two plates and Levi hugged him from behind. He carefully kept his hands below Saul’s chest, since he knew it could be an uncomfortable area of his body.

“Abbale?”

“Hmmmm?”

“I’m really happy.”

Daddy put a hand over his. It was wet and maybe a little soapy, but it didn’t matter. “I’m glad to hear it. Though I may have been cheating a little with the letters you left in Cuffd. I don’t know what I’m going to do when I run out of hints.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll let you know what I want.”

“I’m sure you will.” Daddy laughed.

Levi pulled back. “Am I too greedy?” He was thinking of the boy in the film. He’d been a little bit pushy, and he’d only gotten what he wanted for a few days. It left him thinking about glorious things that came to a tragic end.

Saul gave him a searching look. What was he thinking?

“Let’s go talk on the couch, baby boy.” Saul was smiling as he reached out his hand, but Levi didn’t want to take it.

Levi had been checking in sure, but he’d expected the answer to be no. He’d hoped that Saul was finally the Daddy who didn’t think he was too much. Who didn’t need to have a “conversation” with him about his behavior.

This had suddenly gone from the most relaxing, perfect day to the worst. He felt like he had rocks in his stomach.

“Come on,” Saul coaxed. “This isn’t a bad thing.”