Levi Swanson and His Secret

 by Genevieve W. (ages 14-17)

Chapter 1

June 11, 1883

Thirteen-year-old Levi Swanson whistled to himself the melody of a song he had heard not too long ago from his aunt as he walked briskly down the sidewalk of one of San Francisco’s many streets. Up ahead, he spotted one of his friends, Henry Climmonds, munching on an apple as he gazed through a bakery’s window at some pastries.

“How’s it going, Henry?” Levi asked as he came up behind his friend. He lifted his eyes heavenward when his friend didn’t respond. “Henry, you there?” He waved his hand in the air in front of Henry’s eyes, which snapped Henry out of his trance.

“Levi! You almost gave me a heart attack.” Henry said, stepping back away from the window and glaring at Levi.

Levi shrugged, knowing his friend was being a little dramatic. “If you don’t want to have a heart attack, maybe you shouldn’t start dreaming in the daytime and wait until night.” He grinned as his friend’s face flushed slightly from embarrassment.

“I wasn’t dreaming,” he muttered as he glanced wistfully at the food on display. “I was simply thinking about how good it would be if we could have one of those lemon tarts.”

Glancing at the pastries, Levi spotted the tarts and his mouth started watering as well. He couldn’t help but agree with Henry. It would be splendid if he could have just a taste of one of those tarts.

“Imagine,” Henry was saying, “if we were bakers and we could make things that taste like Mr. Flack’s food. We could eat them all the time, but claim we were taste testing them.” He licked his lips.

“That would be fun,” Levi agreed, but he knew he wouldn’t fare well in the kitchen.

“Your rich aunt hadn’t perhaps sent you off with money, did she?” Henry and Levi both stepped out of the way as a family of three walked around them to enter the bakery through the door to the right of the boys.

“Unfortunately, no,” he answered. “I was in too big of a hurry to leave the house before she could force me to take Hannah and Betsy with me.” He made a face at the mention of his two younger sisters.

“You shouldn’t be so hard on your sisters, you know.” Henry advised, pressing his nose against the glass to get a better look at the bakery. Levi ignored his comment and watched the action going on in the warm bakery.

The inside of the bakery was clean and spotless, not a crumb to be seen on either tables or floor. The family was seated at a table in the left corner directly in front of the counter and wall that divided the bakery into two sections. The front half was for customers and the back half was for the baker and his workers. Behind the counter was a wall with a door in it that swung open and had no knobs to turn.

Mr. Flack burst through the door and stepped around his counter, making his way towards the newly arrived family, dodging tables and chairs.

Levi watched as Mr. Flack wrote down what the family ordered before he nodded and left to go back behind the wall.

“I dare you to go and steal a lemon tart from the display. I’ll meet you in the back alley behind the bakery. Hurry, my stomach isn’t going to stay quiet for long.” Henry grinned at Levi before disappearing around the curve.

Levi’s jaw dropped. “Henry, you know I can’t steal.”

“I’m waiting!”

Huffing, the boy glared at the display before taking a deep breath of air and exhaling slowly. He can do this.  He’d done it many times, and what’s one little lemon tart? Still, guilt nagged at the back of his mind.

Opening the door, Levi stepped into the warm building, and, immediately, his stomach growled loudly, causing him to grimace, hoping no one had heard that.

“Mr. Flack, I have a question for you.” Levi called into the back of the bakery, walking up to the counter and leaning against it. The family on his left gave him an odd look before continuing their conversation.

“I declare, John, today is simply unbearable!” The mother exclaimed, fanning herself so fast the fan itself was a large blur. “How can people live out here in this heat?” Levi could tell by her accent that she was not from around here, and a big clue which helped him decide was how hot she seemed to appear.

“Mary, dear, not so loud,” The father, John, whispered to his wife. “Different people prefer different weather. What do we say we go back to your sister’s house after this and cool off?”

“Oh, Father, that sounds like a great idea. I suggest we take our dessert with us so we can hurry back. This heat is dreadful. My dress will be ruined by this heat! I wish we were back in New York, where the weather is so much more pleasant.” The only child, a young woman, was also fanning herself with a pink fan which matched her dress.

New York, interesting, Levi thought, glancing at the family. Their red faces certainly made them stand out in a crowd. How could they think this was hot? They hadn’t even gotten to the hottest time of the year. Summer was just beginning!

“Ah, Mister Swanson, how good it is to see you.” Mr. Flack, the best baker in America, said as he came into view. His large middle was covered by a white apron, its strings straining to encircle around his waist. His face was a pleasant one, quick to smile and slow to frown.

“Yes, sir,” Levi said. “You wouldn’t happen to have any free lemon tarts just laying around, waiting to be eaten, would you?” He grinned up at his older friend and waited for an answer. He was often found hanging out here just talking to Mr. Flack and helping out sometimes, which occasionally included eating a tart or pastry.

“Unfortunately, not at the moment,” Mr. Flack shook his head, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement. “But you tell your aunt that old Mr. Flack said, ‘hello’. Now, if you’ll excuse, I have costumers to serve.” He smiled down at the boy before going back to grab a tray full of sweets and desserts that made Levi’s eyes widen. Who could eat that many sweets?

Stepping out of the shop, he waited until the family left before slipping back in through the door, careful not to ring the bell dangling from the ceiling. Swiping a lemon tart off display, he quickly exited the building and dashed behind the bakery.

Grinning in triumph, Levi tore the tart in half before handing Henry his portion of it.

“As you requested, I got this for you.” He grinned as he nibbled at the sweet, flaky, and sugary treat.

“Hmm, this is the best.” Henry mumbled through a mouth full of lemon tart, spraying crumbs as he spoke. “If a person ever told me that someone could make lemon tarts better than Mr. Flack, I’ll kill them for their lie. No one could ever make anything this good. Trust me.” He sighed in content as he began the job of licking the lemon filling off his fingers.

Just as Levi stuffed the last of the tart in his mouth, he spotted three figures step out of the shadows.

“I see someone’s thieving strike is continuing. Aren’t you the same boy who stole those seven dollars from the offering plate on Sunday?” The eldest of the three accused, his smirk growing when he saw his prey blush and squirm. He crossed his arms and when he did so his two companions, who were both younger and smaller than he was, copied his movement. Levi guessed the boy was at least a year older than himself, if not more.

“You were the one who did that?” Henry asked, aghast, his mouth dropping to the floor in shock. “I didn’t think you were capable of doing that.”

“And if you want to keep up with staying anonymous to the world that you are the new thief around, then I have a little job for you.”

“Why would I do something for you?” Levi challenged, his face growing hotter by the second. Who was this boy to come storming out of nowhere, threatening him like this?

Quicker than a rattlesnake the older boy had him pinned to the wall, his arm at Levi’s neck and slowly pushing away access for his air to travel down to his lungs. Levi’s feet were barely skimming the ground, and he knew he was going to faint if he didn’t do something.

No, he told himself firmly. Girls faint. Men black out.

“You better do what I tell you or your rich sassy aunt is going to find out what all you’ve been up to lately. Wouldn’t want that to happen, eh?” The older boy’s face was beginning to fade, and before he knew it all was black.

Chapter 2

Levi woke with a gasp and jerked up to a sitting position, feeling the shock of freezing cold water being splashed onto his face.

“You could drown someone by doing that!” He shouted when he saw Henry holding a bucket and a sorry look on his face.

“I didn’t know what else to do. You were out cold, so I thought something cold would help you snap out of it.” He grinned at his own humor. “Get it? You were out cold and I used cold water–”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Levi grumbled as he stumbled to his feet.

“Oh, and by the way Roger wants you to snatch one of your aunt’s brooches for him by tomorrow evening.” Henry shrugged and mumbled something else too quiet for Levi to hear, but he ignored his friend and wiped his face off with the bottom of his shirt.

“Who’s Roger?”

“You don’t know? The guy who made you faint?”

“Girls faint, men black out.” Levi glared at Henry before shaking his head to clear the water from his hair and walking away. “What if I don’t do it?”

“Then he’ll tell your aunt all about your little ‘adventures’, as he calls them. In other words, he’ll tell on you.” Henry glanced sideways at Levi before adding with a grin, “And you know what happens to snitches.”

Levi laughed and nodded. “Yep, don’t I know? Snitches – and this snitch certainly will – end up in ditches.”

“You got it!” Henry said.

“I should probably get back. Who knows? Maybe I can find one of Aunt Rebecca’s smallest brooches.” Levi nodded to his friend before leaving towards his aunt’s large mansion.

Outwardly, he portrayed a sense of calm and determination. Inwardly, he was seething and had no idea what he was going to do. How could he not have noticed that he was being watched?

I bet he picked me just because I’m related to one of the city’s richest ladies. Growling, he kicked at a loose pebble and shoved his hands in his pocket. He was being blackmailed, and now he was going to have to pay for all his crimes.

Once he arrived at his aunt’s large house, he made sure to avoid the servants and especially his aunt and mother. Noticing the house was lacking the owner, he racked his brain until he remembered that his mother, sisters, and aunt were out at some ladies gathering.

Levi slipped into Aunt Rebecca’s large room and started sifting and digging through her drawers. He should at least be able to find one small brooch which she never wore.

After a few minutes of searching, he spotted a brooch no bigger than his thumbnail, a single diamond surrounded by a blue oval shaped, sparkling jewel. Smiling at his victory, he pocketed the brooch and stepped out of his aunt’s room.

And… he collided straight into his aunt.

“A-a-aunt Rebecca! W-what are you doing back so early?” He stammered, his heart pounding like a miner’s pickaxe.

“I should be the one asking the questions.” His aunt huffed, planting her delicate hands on her hips, glaring down at him. “What do you think you are doing in my room?” She snatched his hand and reached into his pockets.

“I must have entered the wrong room. I’m really tired –” He broke off when he saw that Aunt Rebecca had found the brooch.

“And to think I was starting to believe you could change. You no-good scoundrel! Do you know who bought this for me? Why, my own dear brother who is no more. And, to think you had the guts to steal this!” His aunt’s face turned a deep red while he glanced around to spot his mother, a disappointing frown covering her beautiful face.

“I want you to go down and sit in the parlor to wait for me to come down.” Aunt Rebecca huffed once more before entering her room and shutting the door.

Levi’s face burned with embarrassment. His aunt wasn’t supposed to be home so soon. He looked down at the floor and shook his head. He should never have thought about taking one of his aunt’s brooches. What was he thinking?

“Levi,” Katherine stepped forward and tilted her son’s chin up so he was looking at her. “Why did you take Aunt Rebecca’s brooch?”

He shrugged, not knowing what to say. He averted his mother’s gaze and stared at the wall behind her. “I thought a brooch would be fun to show off.”

Katherine sensed that he wasn’t telling the truth, and pressed for more information.

“If you must know, I had to or else…” his voice trailed off and he flushed at his cowardice.

“Or else what, dear?” Katherine’s eyes got a worried look and Levi quickly shook his head.

“Nothing bad is going to happen to anyone.” Levi paused. That wasn’t quite true, because he was going to get in a lot of trouble, but he shrugged it off. Grabbing his mother’s arm, he led her down into the parlor and sat down across from her. “I have to tell you something, and you have to promise not to tell anyone.” He looked around before deeming it safe. He took a deep breath and then continued. “Remember how on Sunday someone had taken the church’s money? Well, I may know who did it.”

“It wasn’t you, was it?” His mother’s face paled slightly.

“Yes.”

“How could you do that?” Shaking her head, his mother sat back in her seat and crossed her arms.

“I’ll tell you later. I also stole a few tarts from Mr. Flack’s bakery, and snagged an apple from a store.” Levi stared at the wooden floor and started counting the boards.

“I can’t believe it. I thought you were changing, Levi.” Katherine’s shoulders sank in disappointment.

“I am changing, Mother,” he said. “The reason I’m telling you this is because I was threatened. A kid I ran into earlier today said he saw me do those things and said that if I didn’t bring him one of Aunt Rebecca’s brooches then he’ll tell you that I stole those things. I wanted to be the one to tell you, not him.”

Katherine stood up and straightened her light red dress. “Who is this boy who threatened you?”

“His name is Roger, but I don’t know his last name. And, before you do anything, please don’t get involved.” He stood up and scratched his head.

“I’ll just have a talk with his mother. You said you didn’t know his last name? Well, I’ll find out who he –”

Levi’s mother was interrupted by a knock on the front door. They shared a glance before hurrying out of the parlor and towards the door.

“I can get this, Mary, thank you.” Katherine said to one of Aunt Rebecca’s servants. The maid dipped into a bow before leaving them.

Please don’t let it be Roger, please. Levi held his breath as his mother opened the door.

“Hello, can I help you?” Katherine asked to the boy standing in front of them.

“Hello, Levi, nice to see you again.” Roger grinned menacingly at Levi before nodding politely at Katherine.

 

Chapter 3

“Roger,” Levi growled, glancing up at his mother. Katherine eyed Roger with a look of distrust and kept a firm hand on the door, ready to close it at any moment.

“Excuse me, ma’am, but do you happen to know who Mrs. Rebecca Carter is?” Roger asked, clasping his hands innocently behind him and standing up tall.

“Indeed I do. What do you want to talk to her about?” Katherine replied stiffly.

“Oh, just about Levi here. I’ve come to say –”

“You mean you came to tattle on my own son?” Levi’s mother glared at Roger and beckoned him forward.

Roger hesitated before taking a step. He was almost halfway in the doorway. “No, ma’am, I came to say that he had been committing crimes and he should probably pay for them.”

“So you did come to tattle on my son!” Katherine shook her head and clucked her tongue before slamming the door shut.

Levi heard Roger’s cry of pain and the sound of someone falling and watched the door swing back from hitting its target.

“What was that for?” Roger shouted, pulling his hand away from his face to reveal a bleeding, tender, and swollen nose.

“That was for threatening my son and then snitching on him. Do you know what happens to snitches?” Katherine folded her arms and tilted her head so she was looking down her nose.

“No,” Roger whispered, suddenly afraid.

“Snitches end up in ditches.” She grinned as she saw Roger’s face pale.

“Please don’t hurt me, I swear I’ll leave and never come back.” He glared at Levi before stumbling to his feet and taking off, his feet kicking up dust behind him.

“I didn’t know you knew that phrase.” Levi said, his chest swelling up with pride for his mother. “Thanks, I don’t think he’ll come bothering me anytime soon.”

“Oh, sweetie, I love you and don’t want you messing with bad kids like Roger there.” His mother smiled down at him before going stern. “I want you to promise me that you will not steal anything else, and if someone like that threatens you again, I want you to tell me immediately. I want no more hanging out with Henry unless you can control yourself and not do what he dares you to do. Do you understand and promise?”

“Yes, Mother,” Levi looked down at the floor and bit his bottom lip. “Please don’t tell Aunt Rebecca, she’ll kill me!”

“I won’t, but only if you help her out and do whatever she tells you to for a week.” Katherine closed the door and returned to the parlor, resuming her seat. Levi followed her and sat back down in his own seat. “I also want you to apologize to her for taking her brooch, and for even thinking about taking it. That is not something I will put up with, you understand?”

Levi nodded his agreement and felt lighter. “Thanks again for helping me. I never imagined you could do something like slamming a door in someone’s face.” He grinned over at his mother and she grinned back, a sparkle dancing in her eyes.

“It was my pleasure. I actually almost enjoyed it.” She paused before adding, “But, I do not want to see you slamming doors into people’s faces, alright?”

“You got it!”

Katherine and Levi both looked up when Aunt Rebecca stepped into the parlor, her face covered in a frown. Levi’s mother tilted her head towards his aunt in a signal for Levi to apologize.

Levi sighed inwardly and stood up, clearing his throat. “Aunt Rebecca, I am really sorry for taking that brooch, and for even thinking about it. I promise I won’t steal ever again. Will you forgive me?” He looked up at his aunt and silently prayed she would forgive him.

“I am very disappointed in you, young man. I never thought you would stoop to such levels as to take my brooch. And the one my brother gave me! You should be ashamed of yourself.” Aunt Rebecca glared down at her niece before sighing. “I forgive you, but you should be punished for your sin.”

“Aunt Rebecca,” Katherine said, standing up. “I’ve already given Levi his punishment, so I don’t think you should worry about it.”

“Alright then, shall we go eat?” Aunt Rebecca suggested, turning in the direction of the dining room. As if on cue Levi’s stomach growled loudly, and this caused everyone to laugh.

“I’m starved!” He exclaimed, rubbing his stomach and sniffing the air.

Katherine smiled down at her son and put an arm around his shoulders, placing a kiss against his head.