HOME | DD

Description
Chapter One: Levi

The library was cold and empty today. There was no readers to keep me company, no other librarians, nobody but me…and of course Macy Lee. But she’s only a little girl; I’m not sure she counts. Oh, yeah. I’m Levi Maxwell; I work at the local library part time. Where? I’m not quite sure of the city…or town; I’ve never paid too much attention to that. I suppose I could look into it.

Macy came up to the counter with a “Curious George” book, she wasn’t old enough to actually have a library card, and so she had come in every day just to read books. I had actually caught her a few times, trying to sneak out with a book under her shirt. That day I had made a deal with her, I told her I’d sign her books out with my library card. I loved that smile she shone at me when she told me that she wouldn’t bring books back late. So today I scanned my card and shoved it into my pocket, and scanned the book, and then handed it to her.

“Sank you!” She exclaimed, she had recently lost her front two teeth in an accident, explaining her sudden slurred Th’s.

I nodded and she skipped off. I suddenly felt myself wondering why I got flustered around women and refused to speak. I mean, I was gay, still am. Didn’t like women at all in that way, it’s the same way still. I refused to speak, even around young girls that hadn’t even hit puberty. I am not a pedophile. I am gay, I wouldn’t even think of that, jeez. But I can’t explain it, I’m fine around guys, maybe because that’s my sexual preference, but I don’t know.

A lady walked in. She wasn’t a normal “customer.” She was as old as my mother’s mother. If I had one. And about as big as my father’s father. She asked me where the biographies were. And being the femme fearing idiot I am I blushed lightly, stammered and pointed at the aisle where they were. She was obviously pleased with herself for making me, a shy, mildly attractive (so I’ve been told) bookworm stutter, stammer, and blush.

And then he walked in. The man of my affections. Jake…something, I’ve never seen a last name on anything. God is he hot. He was grinning at me, as usual, waving. And that’s when I did it, I blushed even more, I looked down at my shoes. Stuttered a weak “hello,” and waved a tiny finger jiggle. God I really am an idiot. I’m not supposed to get all shy and timid around guys, but around Jake I do. Its almost like he is the only male female. If that makes sense.

What’s he look like? Well, he has this nicely groomed black hair and dark chocolate eyes. He’s always wearing a business shirt rolled up just before his elbows. A blue, striped tie is always around his neck and he wears nice grey colored slacks. His skin is the color of dark caramel.

In my eyes, he is the epitome of delicious. Of course…I don’t think he’s gay. He acts gay though. Well, if he is I’m probably a far cry from what he wants. What with my stuttering and fear of women, I’ll never have a chance.

Oh no, here comes the lady again. She had two biography books. One on Edward H. Gein and another on Joachim Kroll…or some other person. She had a killer complex or something.  I’m not quite sure. I took the books from her and used the laser pen to go over the bar codes. And then I did the same to her library card. I refused to look up at her. There was a furious heat on my neck and face. And I could feel the eyes on my back. The deep milk chocolate eyes of Jake.

I put the two books in a bag and handed them back to her with her card. “Th-thanks for com-coming.” I stammered. The woman smiled and uttered a small “no problem” before leaving. I looked up briefly and grimaced, she had looked back and winked. I looked away, a look of utter disgust on my face. I resumed reading my book, it was a romantic fantasy. My favourite kind. This one was reminiscent of  “Bewitched” but not quite the same.

I looked up at the clock; it was ten to five, might as well close. I locked the door, and shut the system down, with me being preoccupied with my duties I never noticed that Jake was sneaking behind me, not having left the library at all.

“It’s cold.” I murmured to myself as I found my way to the bus stop. It always is this time in October.  So here I am sitting on the bus stop bench and it starts raining. I blush as people look at me sympathetically. I can’t see myself but I can feel the all to familiar burn on my cheeks. I close my book, ready to head home. Dreading my run in with the twins.

I stood up and moved to the side of the bench, wanting to keep going but being pushed back by the throngs of people who haven’t the money for a vehicle. A man pushed me and my book dropped into a muddy, wet puddle. My eyes widened, I fought back tears. It’s all I could do not to throw myself in the street right then. I fell to my knees and picked up the book wiping off some of the mud. I realized soon enough that it was useless. I let the book slide from my fingers. And then it happened, smooth, long fingers slipped under the book; another hand joined it, holding a blue cloth, handkerchief.

My eyes widened, they travelled up, and I blushed. It was Jake…Something. He smiled softly and handed me my book. Wordlessly I took it, the cover was wiped off and the spine and page edges. The rest of the book was wrecked, not worth keeping, but Jake was obviously trying to help as best he could. Wait! Hadn’t he left the library? I couldn’t remember.

“You okay?” He asked me softly. “You dropped your book.” His eyes were concerned, but I figured he really didn’t care too much.

“Do you think they meant to make me drop it?” I scrubbed at my eyes with the palm of my hand, my glasses slipping off my face to hang off my ear. I snatched them off and wiped them on my scarf before replacing them.

“Huh, who? Did I…? Uh... The pages should dry, but all this dirt. The streets get really mucky when the weather is like it has been, But it should be … -- are you going to be okay?” he stood up, hesitating just slightly,  “Would you like to go for ice-cream?”

The question surprised me. I wasn’t expecting him to ask me to go for an icy treat. Especially in such icy weather. I stood up and put the book in one of the big pockets inside my coat.

“Uh, s-sure.” I extended my hand. “I’m uh—I’m Le--”

Jake interrupted me. “Levi.” He grinned. “ I’m Jake.” He took my hand and shook it enthusiastically. We stood there, looking at the ground. My face beat red.

I found myself looking at all my faults. Why was I such a freaking pansy? It gets me every time. “Uhm…ice—ice cream, hu-huh…?”

“Yes, yes.” He was grinning widely. “Unless you’re prejudiced against ice-cream? You aren’t prejudice of ice-cream are you?” his expression quickly changed to one of unease. “ ‘Cause we could always get something else, or--or something.”

. "N-no, no pre-prejudice...to-to anything really." I took a step back from the curb, not sure which parlor Jake would take me to, I quickly voiced my concerns. "Wh-what ice cream pa-parlor?" I pointed to my left, "The cas-cashier in the one down there does-doesn't like me mu-much." I shrugged, looking down at my now sopping knees.

He nodded “Follow me, I know a great place a little more downtown.”  He started walking down the street to my right. I nodded and followed him, careful to keep my distance.

I found myself looking at a very big ice cream parlor twenty minutes later. It was designed like a big pink and white Victorian style house. The only difference was its colossal size was muted slightly. On the big picture window beside the stairs the words, or rather name, “Victoria’s Place” was printed in fancy letters, and underneath the logo “Anyone’s welcome in my place!” Jake smiled down at me. I was in awe.

“Sh—shall we g—go in?” I stammered, inwardly cursing myself at my pathetic demeanor.

He nodded, “I wonder if Victoria is in today…” He murmured, almost to himself. “She gives me the best deals.” He smiled.

My eyes widened and I found my heart pounding in my ears. I hadn’t taken into consideration that a woman could work the parlor. Not even considering the name on the glass.

I followed Jake in; the inside was a mess of stained wooden walls, lime green tiles, and purple and blinding orange plastic. A man with sparse red hair, and happy green eyes greeted us. His shoulders were as wide as two and a half men, his arms hairy enough to cover my head three times. Or so it seemed. He looked odd, dopily cleaning the counters.

He caught us in his twinkling gaze and lumbered over to Jake, I was scared he was going to cause an earthquake. He caught my affections in a warm, friendly hug, a great grin on his wobbly face. “Jake, my boy! I knew I’d get uh customer sometime too day just never expected it ta be yoo. What say too day yoo’ll try a new flavor other then just the cream, eh?” his accent sounded like the twins’. What with the overly pronounced “oo’s” and the lack of “a’s”.  He released Jake from the big hug and moved over to myself. Taking my hand softly and smiling with sincerity. Which strangely had me shivering. “Who’s the buy Jake?” He asked, looking me in the eyes. Jake’s smile was weak as he gingerly rubbed his right shoulder

“That’s uh, Levi. And Levi, the moose here is Andy.” He said carefully.

“Ah, uhm…A pleasure to meet you.” I stammered only slightly. When he released my hand, I reflexively moved closer to Jake, my hand slipping into his own. He looked down at me with a quirked brow but said nothing.

Andy’s belly jiggled with his jovial laughter. “Quite th’ moose yoo ‘ave there, eh?” He chuckled poking Jake with a strangely pointed elbow. Jake nodded, laughing weakly. With this Andy must have meant ‘mouse.’ Because I certainly would not be referred to as a moose…I’m too small.

“Who’s Victoria?” I produced vocally, quietly.

"She'll be aboot in a short while, attending to some squuhndering 'hens' no doot." He chuckled some more, his tiny, bead-like eyes twinkling. I bit my lip, dreading this point very clearly.

Jake looked back towards me “Should we order? What kind of ice-cream do you want, Levi?” he smiled softly.

Andy growled “ Yoo’re not gon’ be gettin a regular this time Jake. I refuse ta serve yoo any more plain cream. Yoo‘ll be tryin somethin‘ new, aye?”

“ Come on, Andy. You old moose, you know I can’t stand the other flavors you make. I almost died from shock the last time I tried that rainbow kind.” Jake pouted pleadingly.

Andy raised a sausage of protest before the most stereotypical of feminine pretty girls walked out from the back of the parlor, carrying a steaming plate of something. The parlor was obviously a restaurant as well. She wore a floral pink dress with white apron and visor that read the name of the parlor in big, pink block letters. Her blonde hair was tied back in a hairnet and her baby blue eyes flickered with recognition “ Jake, I wasn’t expecting you’d be here after what happened that other time, are you recovering well?”

Jake laughed, “As well as I can be.” He rubbed the back of his head. Andy sighed in defeat.

“Ulrigh, Ulrigh. Yoo be getting th’ cream and for th’ moose?” Andy went behind the counter and set about putting the near liquid soft serve vanilla on a flaming pink cone.

“Uhm…jus—just strawb—berry for me.” I told him, carefully eyeing the woman as she carried the plate to a table near the back where an old man sat with his newspaper.

Andy nodded as he handed Jake his cone, the moose being strangely quiet through it all. “Now be gettin down to uh table.” He shoved the ice cream into my hands and shooed us away, glaring as Jake tried to put down a few coins.

Victoria disappeared into a doorway after serving the old guy. Andy went back to cleaning counters with graceful moose-like movements.

I nibbled my ice cream, looking around nervously as if on the lookout for something. I’m not even sure what it was.  “Your ice—ice cream’s mel—melting.” I murmured while taking a small lick of the frozen pink milk. I glanced at the door when the bells chimed and a group of women and girls walked into the parlor, before looking back at Jake. I smiled, but I knew it was nervous.

“Oh!” he said, “so it is.” rested his head on his left hand and dipping the pinky finger from his free hand into his ice-cream. He took a bit off the top and ate it, almost thoughtfully. His head titling onto his other hand his finger still in his mouth. “Are you okay? If you’re not comfortable we could lea—”

I interrupted him loudly, and blushed. “No! I mean…uhm…I—I’m fine.” I shook my head, not noticing anything else but the spinning in the parlor.

Jake grinned and leaned forward over the table. He hooked his finger under my chin and gently licked the pink froth from the tip of my nose. I froze and stopped breathing for the length of a second.

I’m standing. Not quite sure why. But I know I can’t breathe. I barely registered Jake’s confused look or the ice cream cone slipping from my numb fingers and crashing to the bright tiles. My legs are pumping. The tables, chairs, and people in my way I hardly notice. I don’t know why I’m running into the door. Ouch my hands…I hope Jake doesn’t find me in the stall. I’m so pathetic.

Description
Chapter One: Levi

The library was cold and empty today. There was no readers to keep me company, no other librarians, nobody but me…and of course Macy Lee. But she’s only a little girl; I’m not sure she counts. Oh, yeah. I’m Levi Maxwell; I work at the local library part time. Where? I’m not quite sure of the city…or town; I’ve never paid too much attention to that. I suppose I could look into it.

Macy came up to the counter with a “Curious George” book, she wasn’t old enough to actually have a library card, and so she had come in every day just to read books. I had actually caught her a few times, trying to sneak out with a book under her shirt. That day I had made a deal with her, I told her I’d sign her books out with my library card. I loved that smile she shone at me when she told me that she wouldn’t bring books back late. So today I scanned my card and shoved it into my pocket, and scanned the book, and then handed it to her.

“Sank you!” She exclaimed, she had recently lost her front two teeth in an accident, explaining her sudden slurred Th’s.

I nodded and she skipped off. I suddenly felt myself wondering why I got flustered around women and refused to speak. I mean, I was gay, still am. Didn’t like women at all in that way, it’s the same way still. I refused to speak, even around young girls that hadn’t even hit puberty. I am not a pedophile. I am gay, I wouldn’t even think of that, jeez. But I can’t explain it, I’m fine around guys, maybe because that’s my sexual preference, but I don’t know.

A lady walked in. She wasn’t a normal “customer.” She was as old as my mother’s mother. If I had one. And about as big as my father’s father. She asked me where the biographies were. And being the femme fearing idiot I am I blushed lightly, stammered and pointed at the aisle where they were. She was obviously pleased with herself for making me, a shy, mildly attractive (so I’ve been told) bookworm stutter, stammer, and blush.

And then he walked in. The man of my affections. Jake…something, I’ve never seen a last name on anything. God is he hot. He was grinning at me, as usual, waving. And that’s when I did it, I blushed even more, I looked down at my shoes. Stuttered a weak “hello,” and waved a tiny finger jiggle. God I really am an idiot. I’m not supposed to get all shy and timid around guys, but around Jake I do. Its almost like he is the only male female. If that makes sense.

What’s he look like? Well, he has this nicely groomed black hair and dark chocolate eyes. He’s always wearing a business shirt rolled up just before his elbows. A blue, striped tie is always around his neck and he wears nice grey colored slacks. His skin is the color of dark caramel.

In my eyes, he is the epitome of delicious. Of course…I don’t think he’s gay. He acts gay though. Well, if he is I’m probably a far cry from what he wants. What with my stuttering and fear of women, I’ll never have a chance.

Oh no, here comes the lady again. She had two biography books. One on Edward H. Gein and another on Joachim Kroll…or some other person. She had a killer complex or something.  I’m not quite sure. I took the books from her and used the laser pen to go over the bar codes. And then I did the same to her library card. I refused to look up at her. There was a furious heat on my neck and face. And I could feel the eyes on my back. The deep milk chocolate eyes of Jake.

I put the two books in a bag and handed them back to her with her card. “Th-thanks for com-coming.” I stammered. The woman smiled and uttered a small “no problem” before leaving. I looked up briefly and grimaced, she had looked back and winked. I looked away, a look of utter disgust on my face. I resumed reading my book, it was a romantic fantasy. My favourite kind. This one was reminiscent of  “Bewitched” but not quite the same.

I looked up at the clock; it was ten to five, might as well close. I locked the door, and shut the system down, with me being preoccupied with my duties I never noticed that Jake was sneaking behind me, not having left the library at all.

“It’s cold.” I murmured to myself as I found my way to the bus stop. It always is this time in October.  So here I am sitting on the bus stop bench and it starts raining. I blush as people look at me sympathetically. I can’t see myself but I can feel the all to familiar burn on my cheeks. I close my book, ready to head home. Dreading my run in with the twins.

I stood up and moved to the side of the bench, wanting to keep going but being pushed back by the throngs of people who haven’t the money for a vehicle. A man pushed me and my book dropped into a muddy, wet puddle. My eyes widened, I fought back tears. It’s all I could do not to throw myself in the street right then. I fell to my knees and picked up the book wiping off some of the mud. I realized soon enough that it was useless. I let the book slide from my fingers. And then it happened, smooth, long fingers slipped under the book; another hand joined it, holding a blue cloth, handkerchief.

My eyes widened, they travelled up, and I blushed. It was Jake…Something. He smiled softly and handed me my book. Wordlessly I took it, the cover was wiped off and the spine and page edges. The rest of the book was wrecked, not worth keeping, but Jake was obviously trying to help as best he could. Wait! Hadn’t he left the library? I couldn’t remember.

“You okay?” He asked me softly. “You dropped your book.” His eyes were concerned, but I figured he really didn’t care too much.

“Do you think they meant to make me drop it?” I scrubbed at my eyes with the palm of my hand, my glasses slipping off my face to hang off my ear. I snatched them off and wiped them on my scarf before replacing them.

“Huh, who? Did I…? Uh... The pages should dry, but all this dirt. The streets get really mucky when the weather is like it has been, But it should be … -- are you going to be okay?” he stood up, hesitating just slightly,  “Would you like to go for ice-cream?”

The question surprised me. I wasn’t expecting him to ask me to go for an icy treat. Especially in such icy weather. I stood up and put the book in one of the big pockets inside my coat.

“Uh, s-sure.” I extended my hand. “I’m uh—I’m Le--”

Jake interrupted me. “Levi.” He grinned. “ I’m Jake.” He took my hand and shook it enthusiastically. We stood there, looking at the ground. My face beat red.

I found myself looking at all my faults. Why was I such a freaking pansy? It gets me every time. “Uhm…ice—ice cream, hu-huh…?”

“Yes, yes.” He was grinning widely. “Unless you’re prejudiced against ice-cream? You aren’t prejudice of ice-cream are you?” his expression quickly changed to one of unease. “ ‘Cause we could always get something else, or--or something.”

. "N-no, no pre-prejudice...to-to anything really." I took a step back from the curb, not sure which parlor Jake would take me to, I quickly voiced my concerns. "Wh-what ice cream pa-parlor?" I pointed to my left, "The cas-cashier in the one down there does-doesn't like me mu-much." I shrugged, looking down at my now sopping knees.

He nodded “Follow me, I know a great place a little more downtown.”  He started walking down the street to my right. I nodded and followed him, careful to keep my distance.

I found myself looking at a very big ice cream parlor twenty minutes later. It was designed like a big pink and white Victorian style house. The only difference was its colossal size was muted slightly. On the big picture window beside the stairs the words, or rather name, “Victoria’s Place” was printed in fancy letters, and underneath the logo “Anyone’s welcome in my place!” Jake smiled down at me. I was in awe.

“Sh—shall we g—go in?” I stammered, inwardly cursing myself at my pathetic demeanor.

He nodded, “I wonder if Victoria is in today…” He murmured, almost to himself. “She gives me the best deals.” He smiled.

My eyes widened and I found my heart pounding in my ears. I hadn’t taken into consideration that a woman could work the parlor. Not even considering the name on the glass.

I followed Jake in; the inside was a mess of stained wooden walls, lime green tiles, and purple and blinding orange plastic. A man with sparse red hair, and happy green eyes greeted us. His shoulders were as wide as two and a half men, his arms hairy enough to cover my head three times. Or so it seemed. He looked odd, dopily cleaning the counters.

He caught us in his twinkling gaze and lumbered over to Jake, I was scared he was going to cause an earthquake. He caught my affections in a warm, friendly hug, a great grin on his wobbly face. “Jake, my boy! I knew I’d get uh customer sometime too day just never expected it ta be yoo. What say too day yoo’ll try a new flavor other then just the cream, eh?” his accent sounded like the twins’. What with the overly pronounced “oo’s” and the lack of “a’s”.  He released Jake from the big hug and moved over to myself. Taking my hand softly and smiling with sincerity. Which strangely had me shivering. “Who’s the buy Jake?” He asked, looking me in the eyes. Jake’s smile was weak as he gingerly rubbed his right shoulder

“That’s uh, Levi. And Levi, the moose here is Andy.” He said carefully.

“Ah, uhm…A pleasure to meet you.” I stammered only slightly. When he released my hand, I reflexively moved closer to Jake, my hand slipping into his own. He looked down at me with a quirked brow but said nothing.

Andy’s belly jiggled with his jovial laughter. “Quite th’ moose yoo ‘ave there, eh?” He chuckled poking Jake with a strangely pointed elbow. Jake nodded, laughing weakly. With this Andy must have meant ‘mouse.’ Because I certainly would not be referred to as a moose…I’m too small.

“Who’s Victoria?” I produced vocally, quietly.

"She'll be aboot in a short while, attending to some squuhndering 'hens' no doot." He chuckled some more, his tiny, bead-like eyes twinkling. I bit my lip, dreading this point very clearly.

Jake looked back towards me “Should we order? What kind of ice-cream do you want, Levi?” he smiled softly.

Andy growled “ Yoo’re not gon’ be gettin a regular this time Jake. I refuse ta serve yoo any more plain cream. Yoo‘ll be tryin somethin‘ new, aye?”

“ Come on, Andy. You old moose, you know I can’t stand the other flavors you make. I almost died from shock the last time I tried that rainbow kind.” Jake pouted pleadingly.

Andy raised a sausage of protest before the most stereotypical of feminine pretty girls walked out from the back of the parlor, carrying a steaming plate of something. The parlor was obviously a restaurant as well. She wore a floral pink dress with white apron and visor that read the name of the parlor in big, pink block letters. Her blonde hair was tied back in a hairnet and her baby blue eyes flickered with recognition “ Jake, I wasn’t expecting you’d be here after what happened that other time, are you recovering well?”

Jake laughed, “As well as I can be.” He rubbed the back of his head. Andy sighed in defeat.

“Ulrigh, Ulrigh. Yoo be getting th’ cream and for th’ moose?” Andy went behind the counter and set about putting the near liquid soft serve vanilla on a flaming pink cone.

“Uhm…jus—just strawb—berry for me.” I told him, carefully eyeing the woman as she carried the plate to a table near the back where an old man sat with his newspaper.

Andy nodded as he handed Jake his cone, the moose being strangely quiet through it all. “Now be gettin down to uh table.” He shoved the ice cream into my hands and shooed us away, glaring as Jake tried to put down a few coins.

Victoria disappeared into a doorway after serving the old guy. Andy went back to cleaning counters with graceful moose-like movements.

I nibbled my ice cream, looking around nervously as if on the lookout for something. I’m not even sure what it was.  “Your ice—ice cream’s mel—melting.” I murmured while taking a small lick of the frozen pink milk. I glanced at the door when the bells chimed and a group of women and girls walked into the parlor, before looking back at Jake. I smiled, but I knew it was nervous.

“Oh!” he said, “so it is.” rested his head on his left hand and dipping the pinky finger from his free hand into his ice-cream. He took a bit off the top and ate it, almost thoughtfully. His head titling onto his other hand his finger still in his mouth. “Are you okay? If you’re not comfortable we could lea—”

I interrupted him loudly, and blushed. “No! I mean…uhm…I—I’m fine.” I shook my head, not noticing anything else but the spinning in the parlor.

Jake grinned and leaned forward over the table. He hooked his finger under my chin and gently licked the pink froth from the tip of my nose. I froze and stopped breathing for the length of a second.

I’m standing. Not quite sure why. But I know I can’t breathe. I barely registered Jake’s confused look or the ice cream cone slipping from my numb fingers and crashing to the bright tiles. My legs are pumping. The tables, chairs, and people in my way I hardly notice. I don’t know why I’m running into the door. Ouch my hands…I hope Jake doesn’t find me in the stall. I’m so pathetic.