Page 23 of The History in Us

Levi

I saw Katie coming out of Dr. Johnson’s office when I entered the outer office and froze. AJ was strapped to my chest and he moved energetically when he noticed Katie.

“Miss Carter,” I acknowledged, my tone colder than I intended. Looking at her instantly refreshed the kiss in my mind and my mouth. The swirl of her tongue, the taste of her lips, the pull of her body against mine. The image died when she simply nodded in response, and then approached to coo at AJ. His hands reached out for her and gripped her wavy locks as they dangled toward him. She tried to right herself, but remained awkwardly bent forward.

“He has my hair,” she whispered, reminiscent of our time in the bathroom stall. Trying to use her fingers to pry the tresses clear of tiny fingers, my hand reached for AJ’s and covered Katie’s instead. The touch of her skin reminded me of holding her hands within mine, warming her cool fingers. The need to warm more of her startled me. She seemed too distant at the moment. Considering AJ was attached to my chest, inappropriate thoughts wrestled in my mind. Yet, my lower region didn’t seem to care I was holding a baby. It wanted at Katie.

Still holding her hand while she bent forward, my thumb brushed the back of her knuckles when I heard Anne Johnson speak.

“What’s going on out here?” Her tone held more than one question.

“He pulled my hair,” Katie responded, suddenly released from AJ’s hold. Her eyes opened wide as she looked at me and her cheeks blushed a soft pink. “I mean, the baby grabbed my hair.”

My mind wandered to all kinds of reasons that sweet color tinted her cheeks. I’d pull her hair, if she wanted. I’d wrap it around my fist and tug it taut, holding her in place while I kissed that pouty mouth, drawing in the tenderness of her. My lower region was at great risk of exposure and holding AJ became a distracting shield for what undoubtedly protruded within my pants.

“Miss Carter babysat for me.” Anne already knew this information, but the moment remained awkward.

“I’ll see you in class,” Katie muttered, her eyes glancing up at me briefly before returning a deep smile to AJ. Brushing a tender caress over AJ’s head, she swiftly stepped past me, and I was met by the questioning glare of my advisor.

“Levi, come in here a moment.”

Following like a petulant child, my heart thudded.

“Close the door,” she said as she perched against the edge of her desk. I did as she asked and jiggled AJ.

“First. Why is AJ still with you?”

“Alicia’s at her mother’s and I…” A raised palm stopped my weak explanation.

“How is Alicia?” Anne’s tone hinted at more than a casual question. She wanted details.

“Alicia’s staying at her mother’s…” I was met with the hand again.

“Staying? Or living?”

“What?” I choked. Anne took a new direction.

“Levi, did I tell you how much I adore Katie Carter?” She could play the role of a narrow-minded principal well, if it weren’t for the fact she was already head of the English Department instead. This was ten times worse.

“Yes, the other night at the bar.”

“Can you tell me why she would request to be removed from the History of Chicago course?”

“I…” I didn’t have an answer, although I knew the truth. My heart dropped at the thought she’d leave the class because of me. I didn’t really want to be separated from Katie, even if that had been my intent in coming to this office as well. The thought that she wanted to walk away from me sunk the thumping rhythm of my heart to a slow, stagnant beat. To avoid one response, I gave another. “Alicia left me. I’m trying to work out some things, but, in the meantime, I don’t know what to do with AJ.”

Anne’s arms slid open and she rested her hands on the edge of her desk.

“I’m sorry, Levi.” She bit her lip. I sensed she had more to say on the subject, but she held it in for the sake of politeness. It would come out later. That was Anne.

“If I remove Katie from this class, I could suggest she babysit again for you, for AJ.” Anne narrowed her eyes at me, offering a personal suggestion regardless of her professional relationship with Katie. I tried to keep my demeanor calm, and my face void of any expression. It was a possibility. The thought of Katie in my home fizzled with mixed emotions. No, having her in my home again was not a good idea, if she was trying to avoid me.

“Unfortunately, I know babysitting isn’t going to help her fulfill her dream.” She stared at me pointedly, hinting she knew more about Katie Carter than she let on. “So, you’ll have to work out whatever has caused my former student to want to be removed from that class.” Anne’s point was made, but not before her eyes narrowed further. She scanned my face for something, and I realized I couldn’t withdraw from the class either. Her lips twisted like she wanted to say more but she stopped herself. Whatever had happened with Katie, I needed to tell myself it was nothing. I could avoid like the best of them.

“Speaking of dreams, have you considered the offer from my friend Jet?” Jet Markenson was the photographer Anne introduced to me at the pub. In the course of our conversation, he mentioned he had connections with Geographic Digest, probing for answers on whether I would settle for the city’s largest paper. I was candid in my response, which I assumed lost me an opportunity with the newspaper. I wanted to work with the cutting edge, internationally recognized magazine. I wanted to see the world again, like I had begun to in the military, like the military had promised me. Jet suggested I submit some of my images to him after our meeting. He was impressed with my photographs and he considered offering me work with the paper, despite my opposition. Everyone needs a stepping stone, he said. It wasn’t my dream job, but it might have to be my reality. That didn’t make me happy.