I sharply inhale and drop my fork. “Mom, that’s none of our business. Levi, you don’t have to answer her.” My throat tightens at my inability to cut her off.
“Lindsey, Levi was young when she left. Maybe there were circumstances he didn’t know or understand. Not that there’s much to justify her actions, but maybe talking with her would be beneficial.” She nods at me assuredly and then turns to Levi. I sit helpless and appalled.
Levi watches my mother and me and then directs his answer to her. “Well, Mrs. Hilliard, I respectfully disagree. I appreciate your perspective as a mother. Speaking as a son, and specifically the son she abandoned, I can’t imagine any benefit to finding her now. Nothing can change. It’s done.”
My mind flashes back to the letter containing Levi’s mother’s contact information. I’ve often thought of broaching the topic, but obviously Levi has no intention of reuniting with his mother. Despite the highly personal nature of this ambush, he’s behaved with dignity. I could kiss him. And that thought makes me admit, yes, I really would like to kiss him.
Mom picks at her salad. Without looking at Levi, she zings him with one of her special judgments. “Well, it’s certainly easier to avoid a potentially ugly confrontation than to secure answers.”
With that statement, Levi inhales slowly and leans back in his chair. He examines my father through narrowed eyes. He must be curious about Dad’s silence, but I’m used to it. “Trust me, ma’am, I’ve never shied away from confrontation. But I’ve moved on, so I don’t need to confront my mama.” His eyes dart to me and his grim expression becomes friendly. “Why don’t we steer the conversation in another direction before Lindsey becomes uncomfortable. After all, this is her party, right?” He beams at me. “We should celebrate her involvement with advocacy for abused kids. She’s very enthusiastic about the program. I’ve no doubt she’ll be accepted into CAA once she finishes the training, which she has more time to do now that she’s no longer taking care of me. After that, she’ll be assigned her first case.”
Levi’s obvious pleasure sends my heart to my throat. My mother, however, tosses a trivializing hand gesture my way. “The nonprofit business? Yes, she’s mentioned it.” She swirls her wine glass twice and takes a sip.
“Lindsey tells me you do a lot of charity work. You must be pleased she’s following in your footsteps.” Somehow he managed to say that without making it sound like an obnoxious dig.
“No, Levi. It’s completely different. I was a lawyer before I quit to raise Lindsey. I got involved with charities rather than go back to work because being her mother was my priority and Bill’s job afforded me the option.” My mom sighs. “I’m not sure why Lindsey needed to attend Columbia if she only ever planned to be a volunteer.”
Levi’s eyes darken with indignation at my mother’s remark, but he restrains his temper. “You think she’s wasting her education by using it to help the less fortunate and give a voice to those who can’t speak for themselves?” He tips his head sideways to level one of his trademark stares at my mother. “Regardless, you aren’t the first parent to spend too much money on an Ivy League education. I’m not convinced of the value of paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to have other people teach you what you can learn for yourself, or at least can buy at a lower cost. I suspect it’s often egos driving the investment in the brand name of the college as much as the actual education the kid receives for that sum of money.”
“Really?” My mom raises her eyebrows. “So you don’t advocate continuing education?”
“I didn’t say that, ma’am. I just don’t think you need to spend a lot of money to get an education. I’m all for knowledge. But that’s beside the point, which is Lindsey’s current excitement. She’ll be an excellent liaison and I’m happy for the lucky children who’ll benefit from her compassion. Having Lindsey in their corner will make all the difference.”
Without being aware of it, Levi momentarily takes hold of my hand. “I hope she doesn’t get too attached to them and end up hurt when things don’t go well, which is bound to happen on occasion. But she’s a big girl, and a smart one, too. She’ll figure it out in her own way, in her own time. Don’t you agree, sir?” Levi releases my hand when addressing my father.
Dad’s cornered. Levi’s successfully defeated my mother’s insult, complimented me, and forced my father to either support his wife and offend me, or support me and upset his wife.