Grandma Daley died peacefully in her sleep the night after Don Wagner stopped to visit her in the hospital. Levi was at her bedside holding her hand. Brandon was at home. Levi said that he wanted to be alone with his grandmother, and he would call for a ride when he was ready to return to Arrowhead Falls.

Levi didn’t call Brandon for a ride. Gabe sent Brandon a text message, and it read,

Brandon stayed up until 2:00 a.m. and didn’t hear anything else. Knowing that he couldn’t wait any longer for news, he sent Gabe a text:

The response was simple and direct.

Levi returned to the cabin the next morning. He refused Brandon’s attempt to contact him, and he left calls and text messages unanswered. Brandon wanted to trek out to the cabin, but Elle suggested that he give it at least a week. She said, “He’s mourning. You have to respect that. If you love him, then Gabe is right. You need to give him space.”

As he stood at Elle’s desk in the Arrowhead Adventurers office, Brandon pulled out of his pocket the fumsup Levi gave him for good luck. He opened his hand and held it out toward Elle. “I guess this little guy doesn’t give me so much luck. I’m ready to tie a heavy washer around his neck and throw him into the nearest lake.”

Elle shook her head. “It’s not like I’m superstitious or anything, but hang on to it. That’s a connection to Levi. I think it’s important. If you throw it away, it’s like throwing the relationship into the bottom of the lake.”

Brandon rubbed the shamrock on the belly of the tiny figure before dropping it back into his pocket. “Okay, but this little guy is hanging by a thin thread. I want him to earn his keep.”

Three days later, Brandon sat at a table across from Gabe at the Lost Loon. It was already 10:00 a.m., and he was getting a late start on his day. Suddenly, Gabe asked, “Are you okay, buddy? You’ve turned white. Did you see a ghost?”

Brandon struggled to speak. He blinked his eyes to make sure that he wasn’t seeing things. Brandon pointed across the shop, and Gabe turned his head. Brandon’s voice was hoarse and husky when he was finally able to speak, “It’s Levi.”

“Not only is it him, but he’s also advertising your business. Do you pay him for that? I’m willing to join in and help out for some extra cash.”

A huge smile spread across Levi’s face as he approached the table. He wore an Arrowhead Adventurers T-Shirt with the outline of a canoe displayed proudly across his chest. Brandon stood up and said, “I have to be seeing things. Oh, fuck, how are you?”

Levi offered a hug, and Brandon reciprocated. “I’m doing well. I stopped by the office, and Elle gave me this shirt. It fits me perfectly, and I think it looks good, don’t you?”

“It’s stunningly handsome on you. I thought you were gone forever. I’ve got so many questions.”

“Why don’t we have coffee first?” Levi pushed forward and whispered into Brandon’s ear, “By the way, I love you, too.”

Gabe offered Levi a hug. He said, “It sucks so much about your grandma. She was one classy old lady.”

Levi nodded and said, “Thank you. She was.” He returned his gaze to Brandon.

Gabe looked from Brandon to Levi and back again. “Uh, I think I’ve got a call coming up. I’ll leave the two of you alone while I get back to work. “ Gabe backed away, and he wasn’t sure either of them heard his words. Neither responded. Instead, they continued to look at each other.

Brandon said, “Here, have a seat. I’ll get the coffee. I’ll be right back. Don’t you move a muscle. It will break my heart for good if you run off again.”

When Brandon returned, Levi was shuffling through web pages on his cell phone. He said, “My grandparents were very wise people. I found something else in the cabin. When I tell you about it, maybe that will help answer some of your questions.”

“You found something else? Of course, they were wise. You can’t live off the grid like that and not be smart. What did you find?”

Levi sipped the coffee. “I said wise, not smart. I think there’s a difference. Anyway, I’ve spent a lot of time over the past few days packing up most of Grandma’s things from her bedroom. While I searched, I found an old cardboard box. It was so beaten up that I was ready to throw it out. When I picked it up, I noticed that it was kind of heavy. There was a smaller box inside, and it was bulging because it was so full of something.”

“Full of what?”

“Letters. It was full of Grandma and Grandpa’s love letters.”

“Wow. That’s amazing. Did you read them?”

Levi nodded yes. “I think I sat in the living room and stared at the box for about three hours before I finally pulled a letter out and read it. Privacy was so important for my grandparents. I didn’t know if I should read them, but once I started, it was addictive. I couldn’t stop with one. I’ve read every single letter in the box.”

Brandon shrugged. “They’re both gone, and you’re their grandson. I’m sure they’d trust you with them.”

“I’m not worried now.” Levi grinned, and Brandon saw the sparkle return to his eyes. “I was surprised. Grandpa was so much like me. His letters helped me sort out a lot of issues. I think reading them was better than three years with a counselor. He didn’t think he was good enough for Grandma. It was like I feel when I’m with you.”

Brandon tried to stop himself from laughing, but he failed. The laughter came out in a few chuckles and snorts. “Levi, I can guarantee I’m not a picnic. I think you’re the one that’s possibly too good for me. I’ve got a lot to learn. Just ask Elle, and please don’t ask Gabe.”

“He calls you the Golden Boy.”

Brandon reached up for his wavy blonde hair. “That’s this, and yeah, he thinks I’m cute, but our relationship was a mess.”

“You dated Gabe?”

“Oh, shit! We didn’t tell you, did we? Let’s drop that topic. Let’s get back to you and me.”

Levi smirked. “That bad, huh?”

Brandon nodded. “I want to share something with you. I’ll try to speak softly because it’s nobody else’s business here but yours and mine.”

“We can go outside.”

“No, that’s not necessary, and it’s pretty simple. Levi, I know when I love someone. I know that I love you, and understanding that is the easy part.”

Levi grinned. “I love you, too. I know that now.”

Brandon nodded. “The hard part for me is knowing how to love you. I understand the what that I love you. It’s the how to do it that I need to learn. So far, being in a relationship for me has been like sitting in the canoe with the paddle but not knowing how to stick it in the water and sweep it back so that the boat will move forward. I still need to learn the basics of being in love.”