Levi Carter Nash

Levi sat in the chair in the waiting room of Hartsville Medical center. His head buried into his hands. His eyes were swollen from crying and his head hurt from the rage that he was feeling in that moment. Sheriff Stanton thanked the receptionist and walked over to Levi. He took a seat next to him and patted his back gently as he let out a huge sigh. “There is nothing you could have done.” He said in a hushed tone. Was that supposed to make Levi feel better? His mom was dead. DEAD!. Meaning he would never see her again and all this jackhole could do was give him the typical ‘There is nothing you could have done.’ speech.

Yes, in a way he was right. Levi really couldn’t have done anything in that moment but if he just decided with his intellect and not his anger, maybe the outcome would have been different. All he could do was wipe his eyes for the hundredth time and go over the moment in his head. His step father and mother were in the kitchen, Thaddeus told Levi that he planned on taking his daughter because Levi was a “No good addict and didn't deserve to be a father.” It was the one sentence that could make him just lunge at anyone and beat the shit out of them. Especially coming from that asshole. 

Levi grabbed the gun from the the drawer and pointed it at Thaddeus. Next thing he knew he shot the gun and Thaddeus pushed Mary in front, causing her to get shot instead of him. It was as if the world was put into slow motion. Levi watched his mother fall to the ground, a huge blood stain forming on her chest. He ran to her and caught her before she hit the ground. He apologized to his mother, balling his eyes out as she died right there in his arms. Its a memory he would never forget. 

Would you rather questions!

Ingredients

For the Macarons:

2 cups blanched almond flour

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

7 medium egg whites, room temperature, divided

1 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup water

Food coloring paste (white or your choice)

For the Filling:

1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, divided

1 cup water

5 medium egg whites

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 pound unsalted butter, room temperature and cubed

1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped out (or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract)

Preparation

Make the macarons: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the powdered sugar, almond flour, and ½ teaspoon of salt, and process on low speed, until extra fine. Sift the almond flour mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl.

In a separate large bowl, beat the egg whites and the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt with an electric hand mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add the granulated sugar until fully incorporated. Continue to beat until stiff peaks form (you should be able to turn the bowl upside down without anything falling out).

Add the vanilla and beat until incorporated. Add the food coloring and beat until just combined.

Add about ⅓ of the sifted almond flour mixture at a time to the beaten egg whites and use a spatula to gently fold until combined. After the last addition of almond flour, continue to fold slowly until the batter falls into ribbons and you can make a figure 8 while holding the spatula up.

Transfer the macaron batter into a piping bag fitted with a round tip.

Place 4 dots of the batter in each corner of a rimmed baking sheet, and place a piece of parchment paper over it, using the batter to help adhere the parchment to the baking sheet.

Pipe the macarons onto the parchment paper in 1½-inch (3-cm) circles, spacing at least 1-inch (2-cm) apart.

Tap the baking sheet on a flat surface 5 times to release any air bubbles.

Let the macarons sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until dry to the touch.

Preheat the oven to 300˚F (150˚C).

Bake the macarons for 17 minutes, until the feet are well-risen and the macarons don’t stick to the parchment paper.

Transfer the macarons to a wire rack to cool completely before filling.

Make the buttercream: In a large bowl, add the butter and beat with a mixer for 1 minute until light and fluffy. Sift in the powdered sugar and beat until fully incorporated. Add the vanilla and beat to combine. Add the cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat to combine, until desired consistency is reached.

Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a round tip.

Add a dollop of buttercream to one macaron shell. Top it with another macaron shell to create a sandwich. Repeat with remaining macaron shells and buttercream.

Place in an airtight container for 24 hours to “bloom”.

                                     City Of Love Playlist

1: Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GemKqzILV4w

2: Cant Help Falling In Love, Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGJTaP6anOU

3: Truly Madly Deeply https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQnAxOQxQIU

4: She’s Always A Woman To Me, Billy Joel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx3QmqV2pHg

5: When You Say Nothing At All, Ronan Keating https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IobNcpiwpSc

6: Wonderful Tonight, Eric Clapton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UprwkbzUX6g

7: My Person, Spencer Crandall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYaVNFHcpu

8: Faithfully, Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMD8hBsA-RI 9: Stay With Me, Sam Smith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB-5XG-DbAA 10: Stand By Me, Bootstraps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRO5XAGDb5w

Levi sat on the chair at Dr. Stewart's office. The clock on the wall ticked away the minutes. He just stared out the window allowing his thoughts to just roam to whichever one he felt at that moment as he watched a small bird flutter around the window. He could feel a single tear slide down his cheek and he flicked it away with his thumb quickly, not wanting to show any kind of weakness to this woman he was made to see. 

Levi was never a man who opened up about his feelings. He dealt with trauma from his childhood. Dealing with his stepfather’s abuse, watching his mother being abused, to his sister treating him horribly. He learned early to deal with such shit that had happened to him. He even learned to deal with the death of his daughter’s mother pretty well. That could be he never really cared for the woman. He barely knew her when she got pregnant and he married her in some Elvis style quickie wedding. 

His mother’s death was something else. He knew it could be a possibility of her dying by the hands of Thaddeus, but to see he was the one who took her life was something he could never get over. The way the knife slid into her stomach always made him almost puke with the mere thought of it. That knife was meant for Thaddeus. Levi lunged toward him but That, the coward that he was, pushed Mary in front of him. Levi didn't have time to react before the knife plunged into his mother

He could still see the shock across her face when it slipped inside of her. She looked at Levi still with such love in her eyes. As if she forgave him right there for what he did. That she knew he never meant for it to be her to fall upon his blade.  Levi held his mother in his arms. Felt her warm blood flow over his hands as he desperately tried to stop the bleeding. He felt her hand on his cheek and saw the light dim out of her blue eyes before slipping away into her death. It was a nightmare that followed him to this day. 

So Levi sat in the chair at his therapist's office. Trying to find the words to say to her on how he was feeling. After what felt like hours when it was only minutes. Dr. Stewart looked over at Levi, trying to get his gaze to meet hers. “Levi?” She asked sweetly. “I know this is hard for you, but you need someone. Let me be that person. Let me be what you need.” Levi looked over at her and scoffed at her words. 

When Levi saw Chris Stapleton he almost died on the spot. He stopped mid step and could do nothing but stare at his idol. His mouth went dry and the wind was knocked out of him. There he was, Chris Stapleton in the flesh. “Howdy Mr, Nash.” He said, holding out his hand to Levi. “Pleasure to meet you.” Levi just stood there still in shock. Clayton cleared his throat to try to knock Levi out of his catatonic state but it didn’t work. He then nudged Levi and that seemed to do it because Levi shook his head, seeing if he was just dreaming or if this was real.

He held out his hand to Chris and shook it. “Hi, Mr. Stapleton. It is a big honor to meet you. I am one of your biggest fans.” He rambled, shaking Chris’s hand. Chris chuckled and shook back before taking his hand away. “Please, call me Chris.” He said. “I was wondering if we could talk for a minute.” He motioned for them to sit on some chairs. Levi followed suit and took a seat across from Chris while Clayton sat next to Levi. “So Levi, your buddy over here was telling me how you are trying to make a comeback in music.” Levi laughed nervously, running his hand through the back of his hair. “Yes, sir. Clayton and I have been working on a new album. Just fiddling with a few songs.”

Chris sat back and rubbed his chin through his beard. “Look kid, I have heard your stuff and it's good. Really good and I think I can help you really make that comeback that you need.” Levi sat there in shock. He had to be dreaming. This was not happening. He was not sitting here with one of his music idols to whom was saying he wanted to help Levi with his music. “I am very honored that you want to help Chris, but I have to ask why?” Chris chuckled and nodded. “Why not? Mr Novak and I think having a big name on your first single would give it the push it rightfully needs.” He held his hands up. “Now we would be singing your own song I would just be helping out.”

Levi laughed in disbelief. “I would be honored for you to sing on my record. It would be a dream come true.” Chris clapped and smiled. “Awesome. I will have my people call your people and perhaps we could hit the studio sometime soon.” Chris stood and held out his hand for Levi. “It has been a pleasure and I look forward to working with you.” Levi stood and shook his hand. “Pleasure is all mine.” Chris took his hand back and smiled. “Now excuse me, I have a set to perform.” He tipped his cowboy hat and off to the stage her went. When he was out of view, Levi turned to Charlie, grabbed his face and planted a bill old kiss on his cheek.

                                     Music Festival 2022

1: I still haven’t found what I’m looking for - U2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3-5YC_oHjE

2: Wake me up- Avicii https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y_KJAg8bHI

3: Shallow- Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo_efYhYU2A

4: Unsteady- Xambassadors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFjryf8zH_M

5: In the air tonight- Phil Collins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkADj0TPrJA

6: Body like a back road- Sam Hunt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdh2p03cRfw

7: Made- Spencer Crandall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR-6wqkjrvs

8: Friends in low places- Garth Brooks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvCgSqPZ4EM

9: Heat of the moment- Asia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvdYll1euGU

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup lime-flavored seltzer water

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

2-1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

1-1/4 cups panko bread crumbs

1 pound uncooked shrimp (31-40 per pound), peeled and deveined

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 ounces each), cut into 3/4-inch cubes

Oil for deep-fat frying

Salt and pepper to taste, optional

maui mustard:

1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, well drained

1/2 cup red pepper jelly

3 tablespoons stone-ground mustard

Directions

In a shallow bowl, whisk together first 5 ingredients. In another shallow bowl, combine coconut and panko. Dip shrimp in batter to coat. Dip in coconut mixture, patting to help coating adhere. Repeat with chicken.

In a deep cast-iron or electric skillet, heat oil to 350°. Fry shrimp, a few at a time, until golden brown, 3-4 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with chicken. If desired, sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.