Love on the Brain

“I must thank you. For saving Bee’s life,” she says solemnly. “To me, she is like a mother. The mother I never had.” “You have an amazing mother back in Baltimore,” I point out, “and I’m only five years older than you.” I am ignored. “I want to give you a token. To acknowledge your contributions.” “There’s no need,” Levi says, just as solemnly. Roc

“About the frequency trains, I wonder if we could take advantage of the magnetothermal—” Something splattered on the side of the road catches my eye. “What’s that?” “Wow.” Levi’s tone is forcefully cheerful. “Check out that farm on the right!” “But what’s that on the— Oh no.” “I didn’t see anything.” “Is it a dead raccoon?” “No.” “Yes, it was!” I s

He’s definitely flustered, and I laugh. The blush makes him almost endearing.

Become a scientist, they said. It will be fun, they said.

“Hello?” “Um, sorry. This is Bee. Königswasser. We, um, work together? At NASA?” A pause. “I know who you are, Bee.”

Levi and I watch them walk away in the late afternoon sunlight. When they’re just little dots on the street, he tells me, “That was excellent practice for when we’ll have teenage daughters.”

Levi is standing in front me, still icily furious but more in control. Like he counted to ten to calm down a bit, but would gladly go back to one and flip a desk or three.

Google comes to my aid: there’s a little cemetery about five minutes away. Reading baby names like Alford or Brockholst on gravestones might be a nice distraction from the gut-wrenching torment of exercising.

“Bee?” Levi says. “. . . Yeah?” “Can you do something for me, sweetheart?” Unlikely. “Yeah?” “I want you to take a step to your right. Another. Another.” My knee hits the edge of one of the lobby couches. Levi smiles, like he’s incredibly proud of me. “Perfect. Now sit down.” I do it, confused. There’s something wet on my hand. I look down: Félicet