Broken (4 page)

             
“You won’t regret it, Lena.” Levi affirms.

             
“I better not, Levi,” I warn.

***

It’s Friday. I’m so nervous because Levi insisted on coming to pick me up at my house. It’s bad enough I barely saw him the past few days. It’s been a quick
‘hi’ or ‘bye’ in the hallways at school. He has texted every day making sure I won’t back out on him. Believe me. I thought about it. Especially, since he wants to come to my house.

             
My house is the typical, middle class looking bi-level on a well, manicured street. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. On our front lawn, there is a sign for my mom’s ‘Massage Therapist’ business. The entire town knows what goes down in my mom’s ‘office’. But, she has law enforcement as faithful customers, so her business is a safe secret.

             
I luck out though. She’s off tonight. Levi won’t have to deal with seeing a familiar face sneaking from her ‘office’. He will have to deal with her. I hope that she disappears into her room so he doesn’t have to meet her. Right now, she’s puttering around the kitchen, like a normal mom. It makes long for the days when life was normal.

             
My mom is making one of my favorite crockpot soups, Chicken Tortilla. I can smell it as I walk in to the kitchen. “I’m making your favorite dinner.”

             
I don’t mean to sound ungrateful but it’s hard for me to hide my bitterness. “I won’t be eating here tonight.”

             
I see the disappointment on her face. Although I shouldn’t feel guilty, I do. “Are you sure? It’s so rare that I’m not working. I’d like to spend time with you.”

             
Now she wants to spend time with me? The woman has been ‘working’ since my dad left her 6 years ago. She has always put her ‘career’ first. “Mom, I can’t tonight. I have a date.”

             
She cocks her eyebrow, “With whom?”

             
I sigh, knowing there is no way that I can get out of telling her. He’s on his way here. “Levi Porter.”

             
The knife she is using to shred the chicken drops from her hand. “Munroe Porter’s son?”

             
“Yep. That would be him.”

             
Unsteady, she picks up the knife and begins shredding the chicken again. Her brow is in V-formation. “There aren’t any other boys you’d rather go out with? You’re a beautiful girl. You can have anyone you want, Lena.”

             
I study her for a moment. We look exactly alike. Same midnight color hair bluntly cut just below our chin…same porcelain white skin...same cutting blue eyes…same small framed body. We’re constantly mistaken for sisters. So, when she pays the beauty compliment, it means nothing to me. It’s like she is talking about herself. 

             
“Believe it or not, mom, no one is knocking down my door to date me. Plus, I like Levi. I have for a long while.”

             
“Levi Porter is a handsome, young man. Be careful.” Nervously, she continues preparing her soup.

             
“Why ever would you say something like that?” I wonder. Man, she is really trying to ruin this for me.

             
The knife is thrown down this time. My mom swings her body around to face me. “His father is a friend of mine.”

             
“Friend?” I doubt that. My mother doesn’t have many friends.

             
“Client,” she says frankly.

             
“What’s that have to do with Levi?”

             
“His father gets whatever he wants, Lena…at whatever cost. He has plans for Levi. I don’t want Munroe running you over so his son can get wherever his is going faster.”

             
My mom looks scared to death. “I’ll be fine, mom. It’s just one date.”

             
The tenseness she wore a few minutes ago releases. “Okay. If you say so.”

             
A loud knocking sound interrupts my next thought. I run to the door and open it. Levi is standing there, looking dapper as usual.

             
“Hey. Let me grab my jacket. I’ll be right out.” I try to shoo him to his car before he has the chance to see my mom.

             
A strange look appears on his face. “You’re not going to invite me in?” A sigh escapes my lips. I open the front door wider and allow Levi to come in.

             
I lead Levi in to the kitchen where my mom is cooking. My mom faces Levi and me. I make the introductions.  “Mom, this is Levi. Levi, this is my mom.”

             
Levi extends his hand to my mom and she takes it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Prioli.”

             
A warm smile spreads across my mom’s face. “Please. Call me Lenora.”

             
He nods his head. “Lenora.”

             
“Where are you taking my daughter, Levi?”

             
Shyly smiling Levi answers, “It’s a surprise, Lenora. I can’t tell you. But, I can tell you that she will be safe. No alcohol, drugs, or illegal activity will be a part of our date tonight. Promise. And, of course, I will have her home at a decent time.”

             
My mother attempts to say something but I cut her off. “I don’t have a curfew.” Again, my mother raises her eyebrow but says nothing. There is an awkward silence snuffing the air out of the room. “You ready, Levi?”

             
Still acting like a gentleman, Levi takes my mother’s hand again. “It was nice meeting you.”

             
Lenora eyes him, “Likewise.”

             
Levi and I walk out of the house together. He opens the car door for me and waits for me to be seated to close the door. When he jumps in to the driver’s seat, he takes a moment to look at me. “You look beautiful, Lena.”

             
Chills leave goose bumps on my arms. “Thank you, Levi. Take me to my surprise. I can’t take it much longer.”

             
Levi smiles with anticipation. “Okay, okay. Did you bring your camera?”

             
“I bring my camera everywhere.”

             
“Great. Let’s go.”

***

We pull up to Levi’s house. At first, I am weary. I don’t want an awkward, sexual situation to occur. I like Levi. But, I am certainly not ready to sleep with him. He gets out of the driver’s seat and runs to open my door.

              It’s still daylight. Levi’s house is even more magnificent than when I saw it in the dark. The landscaping and flower arrangements are breathtaking. “You’re house is lovely.” Levi just nods and continues to walk me to his front door.

             
As we begin to walk up to the house, I get nervous. First, I have never really been on a date. Secondly, I don’t have an idea what to say to his parents. “Are your parents home?”

             
“Yep. I want you to meet them. They should be out on the terrace having wine and cheese.” Levi says nonchalantly. Yeah…like all normal families sit on the terrace having wine and cheese.

             
The house looks different without a bunch of teenagers scattered all over the place. I take in all of the antique furniture and marvelous views of the property through well-placed picture windows.

             
Once we reach the terrace, Levi interrupts his parents to introduce me. “Mom. Dad. This is Lena. The girl I told you about.” His mother appears to be a cute, petite blonde in her mid to late forties. Her skin is taut and tan. She has Levi’s pretty, blue eyes. Munroe, on the other hand, is a big man. His salt and pepper hair is meticulously in place to compliment his stern, dark features.

             
His mother immediately stands to give me a hug, almost spilling her wine on me. If I didn’t know any better, she is drunk as a skunk. Roughly, she takes me by the shoulders and takes me in. “We have heard so much about you. I’ve seen your work. The photographs that Levi brings home from school are breathtaking. You’ve got quite the talent, young lady.”

             
Levi’s mother seems oblivious to who I am. Thankfully. Maybe…just maybe…not everyone knows about my mom. “Thank you. It’s so nice meeting you.”

             
Munroe rises from his chair. At first, he seems stupefied. I assume, at first glance, he thought I was my mother. I start to perspire a bit. This man makes me nervous. “Hello, Mr. Porter.”

             
His eyes rake me over in a carnal fashion. I’m sickened by his reaction towards me, but I don’t let on. “What did you say your name is, doll?”

             
“Lena…Prioli,” I answer timidly.

             
Mr. Porter smirks a little. I guess only he and I know his little secret. “You remind me of someone. Just can’t place my finger on it.”

             
I do my best not to be snarky. “I just have that face, I suppose.”

             
“Well, it’s a pretty face…one of a kind, or so I thought. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lena,” he turns his attention to Levi. “What kind of plans do you have tonight, Levi?”

             
“I actually have a surprise for Lena. But, we will be on the property.” Levi answers.

             
His mom is having a really hard time standing up, so she slumps back in to her seat. “Lena, you have your camera with you. Levi, you should take her to the la--”

             
“Shh!” Levi interrupts. “It’s a surprise, mom.”

             
She giggles and puts her hand over her mouth, “Sorry.” It is a shame Levi’s dad is such a slime bucket. His mom seems like such a sweetie.

             
Levi takes my hand and begins to lead me down the steps of the terrace. I look back at his parents. His dad is studying me as I walk away. My skin crawls. He makes me feel gross. His mother waves to me. I wave back.

             
When we reach the bottom of the terrace, Levi laces his fingers with mine. “That wasn’t so bad. Was it?”

             
“Are you sure that your parents don’t mind you hanging out with me?” It’s been on my mind since he told me I was about to meet them.

             
“Why would they?”

             
Does he live under a rock? Doesn’t he know that his dad is one of my mother’s clients? “Well, I just thought that they might have a problem with you hanging out with a person like me.”

             
Levi taps his finger on his chin as if he’s thinking. “Hmm. I can’t see why they would have a problem with me hanging out with a beautiful, kind, sweet, and virtuous person.”

             
I smile to myself. He’s good at this. Ignoring the obvious. “If you say so.”

             
He kisses my fingers. “I do.”

             
My curiosity is getting the best of me. “Levi, where are we going?”

             
We are traveling down a dirt path with large stones stuck in the ground. The grass is edged out but the path has a natural feel to it.
Secluded behind high hedges another hidden pathway appears. Suddenly, the pathway opens to a secret garden of many different flowers. In the midst of all of the vegetation is a small, private lake. White garden benches are strategically placed along the bank of the flowing water.

             
My mouth drops open. It’s the most beautiful setting I have ever seen. Right above the tree line, the sun is about to set. From my experience, this is the perfect timing for a photographer to take pictures. I look at Levi trying to hold back the tears forming in the corners of my eyes from the beauty all around me. “Surprise.”

             
I run to him and wrap my legs around his waist. My mouth finds his and I begin to explore his mouth with my tongue. His hands find the mounds of my ass and he comfortably holds me up, while placing my back up against a tree. He tears his mouth away from mine to plant moist, hot kisses down my neck. I moan allowing my head to fall back against the bark of the tree.

             
I feel him grow hard and press against me. I’m a little afraid. Many boys have tried to have sex with me before. This is the part where I freak out. I’ve managed to hold on to my virginity for eighteen years. The person who takes it from me has to be special. He must feel me tense because he allows my legs to slide down his so I can stand. Once more, he places a light, feathery kiss on my lips.

             
“I want to make sure you don’t miss the sun setting. I would hate to ruin your surprise.” He takes the strap of the camera that is wrapped around my body and removes it.

             
I help him open the camera pack and place the camera in my hands. “Thank you, Levi. This is absolutely beautiful.”