Levi Mathis

This story is about Levi Mathis. A young man who often hangs around in the library. He frequented the library because it was close to his house. He could walk there. He hadn't have read any live changing books until today.

I post all of my stories on Commaful, so if you would like to read more of my work, you can find me: @grammarnazi.

Levi was a young man still trying to figure out who he was. When someone thought of Levi, they would think one of two things.

"The Funny Kid" or

"The boy that always hangs at the library."

Levi didn't mind, he knew he had jokes, and he is ALWAYS at the library. 

Being at the library was part of his personality. 

Every day that Levi ends up at his table, he grabs a book. One book turns into two and two into four. Levi would always tell himself.

"One day, I'm going to find a book that will change my life." 

He said this day after day, and yet none of the books changed anything.

Levi walked through the non-fiction aisle. Nothing caught his eye until he happened upon this book titled "Utilitarianism" by John Mill. The picture on the cover showed water flowing through some rocks. That's what caught his attention.

Levi pulled the book off the shelf. Walking up to the library counter, he sets the book down, fiddling with his library card. 

"This is a good read." The Librarian says

"I sure hope so." Levi responds. 

He smiles when he hears the beep of his library card, then the book. 

"Thank you." Levi says before grabbing his book and heading over to his table.

Once he cracked the book open, he got hooked.

He spent hours reading this book learning about Utilitarianism philosophy. 

Levi's life did a 180. He was nicer to people. He never said no. 

"Utilitarianism says that an action is good when it spreads happiness to as many people as possible. It's okay if someone gets hurt if it helps out the majority of the group." Levi would say this when people ask what happened or wanted to know why he made such a drastic change in his personality.

Once Levi finished the book, he walked back into the library with a tote full of books. Paperback, hardback, it didn't matter. When Levi walked up to the front desk, he slammed the bag down.

I found all of these books around the city, and they all say they are from this library. I am here to return them."

Levi said, proud of himself with a big smile on his face. 

"Well... that's nice of you, Levi, but since these books are most likely overdue... You would have to pay for all of them."

Levi sighed, pulling out his wallet. He forks over his library card along with his debit card. 

"Swipe it until it declines." Levi said optimistically. 

The Librarian looked at him as if he was insane.

Soon enough, she starts swiping Levi, could feel his money draining from his pockets. But he thought to himself. 'At least the people who got these books won't have to pay for it.' He sighed when the Librarian handed him back both cards. "Thank you!." Levi said before taking his empty tote and walking out the double doors. He held the door for a few people before beginning his walk home. 

On his walk, he saw a woman struggling to bring her groceries inside. He rushed over, "Let me help you!" Levi said, grabbing the handles of the bags. The bags were so heavy no wonder she was struggling. Levi could feel the veins in his arms popping out as the woman escorts him into her home. He sets the bags on the kitchen table. 

The woman gave Levi a puzzled look, seeing as though she had once been a victim to his coldness. She has witnessed firsthand how cruel he could be. 

"Mrs. Jones, I would like to apologize for how I acted towards you."

She was shocked that he remembered her name.

"It's fine, Levi." He looked at her and put his hand out. Mrs. Jones was hesitant to shake his hand because she didn't know what he might do.

After having a minute to think, she saw the sincerity in his eyes. She decided to reach out and give his hand a firm yet gentle shake. 

Levi smiled, "Need help with anything else?" Levi said. His voice was joyful.

Mrs. Jones shook her head and smiled. 

"Okay, I should be going then." Levi waved her goodbye and started toward the front door. 

Continuing his walk, he helped a few people along the way. 

Before his walk came to an end, he observed his surroundings when he saw a child walking down the street. Levi didn't think anything about it until he heard the sound of a car coming. Levi's eyes widen as he looks around, thinking about what to do. He knew the child wouldn't make it across the road in time. It was a no-brainer.

Levi jumped into action, running to the child. He shoved him out of the way. The sound of tires screeching fills the neighborhood. Then silence. Everything goes silent. Then suddenly, the screaming of a child sounds out. 

It is days later. Levi is lying in his hospital bed, hooked to machines and clinging onto life. 

As he sat there, he began to think about the little boy who can now live his life. The parents could have lost their child if he let it pan out. 

He let a painful tear roll down his cheek. Given his situation, he was happy. 

He had hoped that one day he would see the little boy. 

Levi sighed as he sat up in bed, listening to classical music. His eyes closed, and the crown of his head pressed against his pillow. 

His eyes shoot open when the nurse pops her head into the doorway. "Levi?" She said, her voice soft.

Levi looked at her and waited for her to speak.

"You have some visitors." The nurse said with a smile on her face. 

The next thing he knows, the nurse disappears, and he sees two adults walk through the door. One male, one female. They have slight smiles on their faces. The female is holding flowers, and the male has balloon strings clutched in his hand. 

"Are are you tw..." Levi pauses once he sees another male coming in behind them, he was shorter.

As Levi looked at him, he recognized him. A smile is plastered over his face when he realizes it's the little boy.

He is holding a card in his hand. Once the boy looks at him, he walks over to the far side of Levi's bed, the boy's parents guarding the nearside. 

"What's your name?" Levi mutters.

"Lucus." The boy answered, handing him the homemade card. His smile refused to go away, but the words inside broke his heart."I'm sorry I did this to you." Levi closed the car and grabbed Lucas's hand. 

"You didn't. I did this to save you because I've learned that one book can't change your life, but the actions of others can." 

Lucas wouldn't understand what Levi meant by that at the moment. As Lucas went on in his life, the meaning started to become prominent.

Lucas made sure to tell his children about this man that saved their dad. At the end of the story, we would say the words his savior once said to him. 

"I've learned that a book can't change your life, but the actions of others can." 

I hope you enjoyed this story! Thanks for reading!