Summary:
Part 2 of a trilogy. The
follow up to Turning Points. What
happens in the minutes, days and weeks following Max, Isabel and Michael’s
departure? After reading this go to
Enduring Promises.
Category:
Max/Liz, et al.
Dedication: To
friendships and the Dreamers, in celebration of when they mingle.
______________________________________________________________________________
Part 1:
Minutes after Max, Isabel and Michael are gone.
The most heart-wrenching sacrifice was made.
Liz sits on the ground staring into the night sky.
Maria approaches her. “Liz, let’s go home.
You can come to Michael and my, I mean, my place.”
Liz does not respond. She sits and looks at the sky.
Mrs. Evans looks to her husband then at Liz.
Mr. Evans nods, knowingly, and walks to the jeep.
He returns with a blanket and hands it to his wife.
“Come on Maria, I will see you home.”
Maria touches Liz’s head. “Goodnight.”
Liz continues to stare at the sky.
At Maria’s look of concern, Mrs. Evans walks her to
the car. “She’ll be okay, she
needs time. Alone.” At Maria’s
hurt look, Mrs. Evans continues. “It’s not you, she needs to be alone with
thoughts of Max right now. Remember
that you had a few months with Michael. She
only had a day with Max. She’s
overwhelmed. It’s okay.”
Maria and Mrs. Evans hug.
After Maria and Mr. Evans leave, Mrs. Evans
approaches Liz and silently places the blanket around her shoulders.
She then moves a few feet away, quietly watches and waits.
It’s now 5:00 am and unaware of the time Liz
finally asks a question. “Mrs.
Evans?”
“Yes, Liz?”
Mrs. Evans says as she moves to sit next to Liz.
“Do you think…?
Will Max…?” Liz chokes
on her tears, unable to go on.
Mrs. Evans looks at her with empathy. “I don’t
claim to know the significance of why they were brought here or why they had to
leave now, but I do know in my heart – Max will not be able to stay away from
you forever. He really does love
you.”
Liz is quiet, thinking about what Mrs. Evans said.
“I know that he loves me, as much as I love him.
I pray it is enough to see us through.”
“Liz, it’s really early in the morning.
You need some rest, why don’t you let me take you home?”
Mrs. Evans offers.
“No!” Liz
states emphatically. “I can’t,
not yet.”
“Liz, you need to sleep. Why don’t you come back to our home?” Mrs. Evans offers.
“You can stay in Max’s room.”
“Really?” Liz questions. “That would be okay with you, and Mr. Evans?”
“Liz, I know things were awkward yesterday morning.
And I’m sorry for that – I was just a little shocked.
But to be perfectly honest, Mr. Evans and I always wondered about you and
Max. Since you came into his life,
the two of you always seemed so naturally close – as if you belonged together,
from the start. And we were
grateful for it. Max was alone for
so long – it broke our hearts and we didn’t know how to help him. You became a very important part of not just Max’s life,
but that of our family and we would like the relationship to continue and grow.
No matter what happens – Mr. Evans and I are here for you.
I think we can help each other through this.”
With Mrs. Evans heart-felt words, Liz nods her head,
thankful that she has the Evans to talk to.
They embrace and Liz feels comforted.
They return to the jeep and go back to the Evan’s home.
Part 2:
5:30 am, at the door of Max’s room.
Liz hesitates when she places her hand on the
doorknob. Mrs. Evans is there with
her. She touches Liz’s arm. “It
will be okay, Liz. Go ahead, this
room is yours now, if you ever want to be here.”
With tears in her eyes, Liz sighs. “Thank you.
It means so much.”
“Come on.” Mrs. Evans opens the door.
There is a welcoming feel as they enter the room.
“Just make yourself comfortable. Sleep
as long as you like. I’ll see you
later.” She hugs Liz again, then
closes the door as she leaves.
Liz sits on the bed as memories from the night before
last are flooding her mind, her heart – Max’s heart. ‘How could it have
happened? How could they come for
him, just as we got as close as we ever could?
It doesn’t seem fair. Life’s
not fair, it never is. But I
wouldn’t change the last two nights of my life for anything. It’s enough, it has to be.’
Liz lies down on the bed and feeling Max’s lingering presence,
immediately falls asleep.
At 12:00 noon Liz stirs, smelling and sensing Max
beside her, she reaches out to hold him close….
She awakens with a start and is filled with sadness.
How could she have forgotten so soon?
But she feels it, him, in the room.
She is comforted as she looks around, noticing a few pictures of the two
of them by the bedside – in happier times, like when they were chosen as the
Homecoming King and Queen. Liz
remembers that Max was embarrassed, distraught over being in the limelight.
She smiles, remembering when he said he could have never went up on that
stage without her by his side.
But it’s a new day and she is brought to
consciousness of recent events. With
all the strength she has, Liz gets up and clears her mind.
After getting herself in some semblance of order, Liz goes downstairs,
finding Mrs. Evans in the kitchen. “Hi,”
she says.
“Liz, good morning.
Or rather, good afternoon.” Mrs.
Evans smiles. She gets Liz
something to eat, despite Liz’s initial refusal.
“You have to eat, Liz. So,
do you have any plans for the rest of the day?”
“No, not really.
I do have to work this evening with Maria.” Liz says.
She is silent as she gets a distraught look on her face.
“Actually, I also have to talk to Alex, give him something that Isabel
asked me to.”
As she stands at the kitchen sink, Mrs. Evans nods
her head. “Do you want me to go with you?”
“No, it’s okay.” Liz comments. “It’s going
to be hard though. I’d rather put
it off as long as possible. Maybe
I’ll invite him over to the Crashdown tonight at closing time.”
Mrs. Evans looks out the window then says. “I
don’t think that plan will work, Liz.”
“Why not?
I mean, I’d like Alex to have at least 24 hours of happy thoughts
before reality sets in for him. He
deserves it after all we’ve put him though.” Liz is upset.
Mrs. Evans looks at her sympathetically. “No, Liz.
It’s not going to work because Alex is walking up our sidewalk - as we
speak.”
Liz jumps up and joins Mrs. Evans at the window.
A forlorn look crosses her face as she sees Alex, carrying a bouquet of
roses with a smile plastered across his face. Mrs. Evans gently squeezes Liz’s
shoulder.
“Okay, so I think I will take you up on your offer
to help me tell him.” Liz says as
she hugs Mrs. Evans. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” Mrs. Evans smiles.
Before Alex could hide the flowers behind his back
and knock on the door, Mrs. Evans opens the door and greets him. “Hi, Alex.
Come in. Liz and I were just
talking. Please join us.”
Alex, appears surprised, smiles. “I hope it
wasn’t about me. Hi, Liz what are
you doing here? No offense, but
I’m here to see Isabel.”
Liz looks at Mrs. Evans then at Alex.
“We were up late last night…I came back here with Mrs. Evans
after….” Liz looks down at her
hands linked together.
“Liz, what’s up?
You look upset. Came back
from where? Has something happened
to Max?” Alex inquires. As
always, he shows concern for others.
“Alex, come in and sit down.
We need to talk to you. It’s
about Max, Isabel and Michael.” Mrs. Evans gently says.
Alex sits down, looking from Liz to Mrs. Evans.
All three are silent.
A look of dawning illumines Alex’s face.
“No. It can’t be.
They are not gone. Isabel
and I…we got so close last night….It was great.”
With a pause, Alex blushes. “Sorry.
But she would not leave without telling me.
When did she find out? What,
did this all happen in a two-hour period? They
just came and took her away…not giving her time to say goodbye?”
At the rush of questions and comments, Liz and Mrs.
Evans are acutely aware of one thing – Alex and Isabel consummated their
relationship last night.
“Alex, I’ve watched Max and Isabel grow into fine
young people. As I told Liz, I’m
grateful that they found such wonderful people to share their secrets and
themselves. I’m glad they opened
their hearts to you and Liz.” Mrs. Evans begins.
Not acknowledging Mrs. Evans’ comments, Alex looks
directly at Liz. “When did they find out? Liz, tell me.
I need to know.”
Liz finds her voice, despite sensing Alex’s
frustration and hurt. “The night before last.
Max and I were here and he had a vision in the middle of the night.
Michael called right afterward, his visions always being the strongest,
confirmed what we all feared.”
“When did Isabel know?” Alex demands.
“She must have had the vision the same night.
When we woke up the next morning, she seemed distraught, saying that she
needed to come home and talk to Max. She
didn’t say why at the time. When
we returned home early, we all talked about it yesterday morning.” Mrs. Evans
explained.
Alex, feeling anger, begins to raise his voice.
“And she chose NOT to tell me? We
went out last night. I can not
believe her. I was always so
supportive of her need to find her past. Yet,
when the time came she couldn’t tell me about it?!”
Alex stands up and walks to the door.
Liz finds her footing, stands up and goes after him.
She grabs his arm, holding on to his jacket, “Alex, wait.
You need to understand. It
was a very difficult decision for Isabel to make.
She told me that she couldn’t see you.
She was heart-broken. She
said it was too hard for her and she felt she wouldn’t be strong enough to
leave you if you had been there. She
needed to find herself.”
Alex laughs cynically. “Yeah, right, Liz.
Tell me another one.” He
then takes the bouquet and throws it in the trash by the door.
“Later.” He pulls his
arm out of Liz’s grasp.
“Alex.” Liz follows him out the door pleading.
“We need to talk about this.”
“Hey, nothing to talk about.
Easy come, easy go.” Alex
snidely remarks.
“No, Alex, you’re wrong. Isabel loves you. And
I don’t doubt that she’ll come back.” Liz pleads with him.
“Liz, let me go.
I need to think.” Alex says in a determined voice.
“Just one more thing, Alex.
Isabel asked me to give you this.” Liz says as she pulls the letter
from Isabel out of her pocket.
Alex looks at the letter, then looks Liz in the eyes.
At her pleading look – the one Max always said he couldn’t resist -
he grabs the letter and takes off without saying a word.
‘Apparently,’ Alex thinks to himself, ‘I can’t resist that look
either.’ Disgusted with himself, Alex glares at Liz one more time
before he gets into his car.
Liz stands there, stunned at Alex’s reaction as she
watches him drive off quickly. She
then thinks in a more empathic way. ‘Maybe
I’d react the same way if Max had not said goodbye to me.
I don’t know.’ She then feels a touch on her shoulder.
Mrs. Evans reassures her. “It’s okay Liz.
We all have our ways of dealing with what has happened.
Let him go for now. It’ll
be okay.”
Liz looks up at Mrs. Evans with tears in her eyes.
“Will it?”
They hug, knowing that the love exists, but question
if the love can transcend the sacrifices they all have to make.
Part 3:
A week later at the Crashdown café.
Maria is working her usual shift, late afternoon. Alex enters the café and sits quietly at the counter.
“Hey, Alex how are you?” Maria asks brightly.
“I’ll have a coke and a plain burger.” Alex states without looking at her.
Maria is hurt by his brisk attitude, but understands. She remembers Liz telling her about Alex’s reaction when she came in to work last week. She also remembers that was the last time Liz spoke to her about what happened. “Sure, no problem Alex.” Maria smiles.
“What has you so happy, De Luca?” Alex questions harshly.
“Better yet, what has you so peevish? I mean, geez, I’m devastated too. We all are. Why can’t we be there for each other, help and support each other? That’s what Michael, Isabel and Max asked all of us to do. What has happened to our friendship? Because the three of them left to find the answers to their past – their sacrifice - do we have to surrender our past, our friendship?” Maria questions.
Alex looks at her, seeing her differently than he did in the past. Wacky Maria –suddenly more mature, grounded. “Maria, I’m sorry. I’m wallowing in self-pity right now. I just figured you all had each other that night. No one thought it important enough to include me. I was always the odd man out.”
“Alex, that is so not true.” Maria assures him. “You did not see Isabel that night and I can understand your anger and hurt. But you need to understand that Isabel has her side, too. She was so heart-broken that night. I heard her tell Liz that she would have never been able to leave you, if you had been there.”
Alex’s demeanor softens for the first time since he found out. “Yeah, Liz mentioned that. So does Isabel’s letter. It still hurts though.”
“I know. I hurt, too. I feel so empty with Michael gone. And I’m worried – about them, about us, too. Most of all, I’m worried about Liz.”
“Is she not coping well?” Alex asks. “I know I’ve spend a week withdrawing into myself, full of anger…and hurt. But I haven’t even seen Liz.”
“That’s the whole point, Alex.” Maria tries to explain. “When she came in to work last week, she asked me if she could stay at my place – which I offered anyway. So, of course, I said yes. Now, when she’s not at work, she just keeps to herself, in the spare room at my place. I’ve tried to talk to her, but she always says she’s busy.”
Alex smiles for the first time in a week, “Don’t worry, Maria. Liz will come around. She always does. She’s always had such faith and trust in everyone, let’s show her that we have some in her.”
“Yeah, you’re right, Alex.” Maria says as she comes over and hugs him.
Alex returns the hug. “So tell me about your goodbye with Michael. Was it difficult?”
Fortunately, things are pretty quiet in the Crashdown, giving Maria the opportunity to sit next to Alex and spill her heart out to him.
Within minutes, Alex thought to himself as he hugs and comforts her as she bellows like a baby, ‘Maria, grounded? What was I thinking? Her head is in the stars now more than ever.’
Part 4: Six weeks later.
Maria is working at the café. Things are rather slow this morning so she decides to open up a school book and get ahead on her reading for once: Pre-Colombian Art. ‘Geez,’ she says to herself. ‘What was I thinking? Did I really think this would bring me closer to understanding Michael’s artistic bent? He’s got a gift, I’ll give him that, but reading about art is not the same as looking at all the great stuff he produced.’
“Hello, Maria. How are you?”
Maria looks up to a smiling Mrs. Evans. “Hey, Mrs. E! How are you? I’m doing fine – as well as can be expected. You know, busy thinking about Michael, reading about art, thinking about Michael, working, thinking about Michael……”
Mrs. Evans laughs. “You are good for the soul.”
“Hey, you know me.” Maria laughs in return.
“Maria, I was wondering…” Mrs. Evans begins then pauses.
“What?” asks Maria.
“Well, I was just thinking about Liz.” Mrs. Evan says. “How is she doing? I’m concerned. We talk every day and she comes over for dinner and lunch once a week. But she doesn’t talk to me about Max.”
Maria looks thoughtfully at Mrs. Evans. “Yeah, I know what you mean. She doesn’t talk to me about Max either. She just clams up, devises some excuse for something she has to do. Don’t get me wrong, though. She’s there for me ‘24/7’, when I’m going through my Michael-withdrawals. She’s a rock and I love her for it. She just refuses to talk about Max.”
“I know, and when she comes over, she doesn’t go anywhere in our house except the kitchen or dining room. She seems frightened. I’ve invited her to stay over night, but she just gives me a polite excuse. She seemed rested after she spent the night in Max’s room after he left, now she just looks exhausted all the time.”
“That’s strange...and interesting.” Maria cuts in.
“What is?” Mrs. Evans inquires.
“That you said she hasn’t gone into Max’s room. Come to think of it, she hasn’t been upstairs in her room either. The first night she came over to my place, she asked me to run up to her room and get some clothes together while she cleaned up the Crashdown. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but since that time she has always asked me to go to her room to get things for her. Yesterday, she made me pull a brick from the wall to retrieve her journal that she hasn’t written in since they left. She has not been there since Max left. And another thing, you know, strange things are still going on around her. No offense, Mrs. E., but let’s face it, when the Czechoslovakians were here, there was always something strange going on. I still feel it when I go into Liz’s room.” Maria looks thoughtfully at Mrs. Evans.
“No offense taken. What do you feel when you enter her room?” Mrs. Evans inquires.
Maria stops to think - she seems embarrassed about how to answer. “Well, it’s as if I feel a presence there. It’s as though Max and Liz’s memories, or feelings are still lingering in that room. I know, I know, wacky Maria at it again. It’s weird though. Something is up there and it gives me the heebie geebies.”
“Maria, you are by no means wacky, certainly more intuitive than most.” Mrs. Evans assures her with a smile. “However, I do agree with you about the lingering feelings. I feel it each time I walk into Max’s room. There’s something there, too.”
“Thank you very much, Mrs. E.” Maria says brightly. “I was thinking I had gone off the deep end.”
“You’re welcome. How is Liz sleeping? Mr. Evans and I are so concerned. We feel as though we’re letting Max down…we promised him that we would look out for her.” Mrs. Evans questions.
Maria thinks about it and responds. “To be honest, I don’t know how to help her either. She won’t let me in. I, too, feel like I’m letting Max down. I know that our school and work schedules are opposite each other, but I think she devised it that way on purpose. I mean, I get home from class by 8:30 pm and she’s already in her room, in bed. Then she’s up and gone before I wake up in the morning. It’s been worse recently though.”
“What do you mean?” asks Mrs. Evans.
“Well,” Maria explains. “I have heard her crying at night ever since they left. She cries herself to sleep. Initially, I tried to go to her, be there for her, but she kept saying that she wanted to be alone and that she was fine. More recently, like the past two weeks, I hear her sobbing in the dead of night. Now, I don’t know, she’s so distraught…she’s making herself sick. I heard her throw up the past few nights. I don’t know how and when to approach her anymore. I’m hoping that when her parents come home in two weeks, she’ll open up to them.”
“She has a lot to share with her parents, after they’ve been gone all this time. All we can do is support her. Maria, I know that you have class this evening. Do you mind if I come over and talk to her?” Mrs. Evans inquires.
“Of course not, Mrs. E.” Maria says. “She should have the Crashdown closed by 7:00 pm, so I’m sure she’ll be in bed by 8:00 pm.”
“Thank you, Maria. You’re a great friend.” Mrs. Evans smiles.
“You, too, Mrs. E and good luck.” responds Maria.
Part 5:
7:45 pm, Maria’s spare bedroom, Liz is lying in bed.
Journal
entry: September 2002
I’m Liz Parker, and I know I’ve missed a few weeks of entries – 7 to be exact. I still can not believe Max is gone. It’s been seven weeks, and it feels like a lifetime since I saw him, held him. I go through the days in my ‘normal’ routine. But what is normal anymore? So much has changed. I mean, I knew that changes would occur, like after high school graduation we all planned to move on, have profound turning points and meet the challenges face-to-face, hand-in-hand. But none of us thought the turning points would mean such drastic changes and that they would occur in solitude.
I
could not go off to Harvard – my dream, well, one of them anyway.
Yes, I got accepted and planned to go, but back then, I knew that Max
would be going with me. Me, I
was going to study micro-biology, Max was accepted into pre-med, with the idea
to specialize in genetics. We were
going to do great things together. We
did great things together, but now, he’s gone…and I still haven’t figured
out how to let him go.
I
decided to stay in Roswell and attend the local community college, take a few
classes to begin with. I just
couldn’t leave. It was a
sacrifice I had to make. Give up
two dreams that intertwined – Max and Harvard - and try to formulate another.
But I didn’t need to try too hard to create the new plan because, it
just well, sort of, happened.
I keep looking at the words Max gave to me, when he left. I keep them close to my heart, Max’s heart, inside the locket he gave to me. I read them, not because of any sense of doubt – his reason why I should look at them – but because they give me hope. Hope for my future and maybe somewhere down the line – hope, for our future, together.
Sacrifice
– one, or many? I feel
overwhelmed right now. The
intensity of my feelings for Max is still there.
I spend my alone time wondering when the ‘greatness’ will come,
looking for him in the stars… When,
Max, will we be together again? I
miss you…I need you…
Liz stops writing, mainly because she can’t see the page anymore because tears fill her eyes.
There’s a knock at the door and she sits up.
“Liz, may I please come in?”
“Mrs. Evans, ummm, hold on please. I’m just getting ready for bed.” Liz says in a muffled tone. To herself, ‘why is she here? I mean, I love seeing her. She’s a great source of comfort to me, but she’s never been to Maria’s place before. Why, now? Oh God, pull yourself together Liz.’
After Liz dries her eyes, she opens the door but doesn’t make direct eye contact. “Hi, Mrs. Evans. How are you?”
“I’m fine, Liz, and you?” questions Mrs. Evans.
“Okay, fine. Well, would you like to come in? Please, let me get you something to drink. Would you like some tea, coffee?” Liz asks in a rush as she tries to walk by Mrs. Evans towards the kitchen.
Mrs. Evans puts her hands firmly on Liz’s shoulders. “Liz, look at me.” When Liz complies, she goes on. “I wanted to talk to you. Not have you wait on me like we’re in the Crashdown. You’re always so busy. Take a rest. Let me get something for you. Would you like some tea?”
Liz is internally thankful that Mrs. Evans ignored asking about the tears that must still be lingering in her eyes. She sighs. “Thank you. Sure, I’ll have a cup of tea.”
“By the way, I brought something for you. Why don’t you relax in bed and look through this box while I’m gone. I’ll go get the tea.” Mrs. Evans firmly, but gently commands. As she walks away, Liz hears with a small laugh. “Besides, you really do need to change your shirt.”
Liz smiles as she looks down at the shirt she has on – Max’s T-shirt from seven weeks ago. She wears it every night. It still smells like him and it gives her solace. Still not ready to wear something different to sleep, she sighs. While she lies in bed, thoughts fly through her head, still wondering why Mrs. Evans is really here. But those thoughts are put on hold as she considers the box.
Liz hesitantly opens the box lid. Apprehension quickly turns to excitement – her heart is racing. She is speechless. Her first thought – it’s him, his smell. She laughs as she pulls out one of Max’s shirts holding it to her nose, deeply breathing in his scent…a flood of beautiful memories consume her whole being. The first genuine smile of Liz Parker’s radiates her face – the first in seven weeks.
“Here we go.” Mrs. Evans says as she places a cup of steeping Chamomile tea on the table next to the bed.
“Thank you…for his shirts. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.” Liz says smiling with tears in her eyes.
“Your welcome. It was worth the beautiful smile I finally see on your face.” Mrs. Evans doesn’t warm up to the topic and proceeds. “Liz, I know you’re wondering why I’m here so I’ll get right to it. We need to talk about Max. What are you feeling right now, what is going on?”
Knowing she could never hide her feelings from the woman who raised the man she loves, Liz bursts into tears. Through choked sobs, Liz begins to articulate her feelings, feelings that she’s suppressed for almost two months. “I miss him terribly. I don’t know what to do or where to turn. My every thought is Max. I’m consumed with thoughts of him and it scares me. I don’t even know if he’s safe. I try but I just can’t seem to let him go. I don’t know how to let him go.”
Thoughtfully, Mrs. Evans responds. “Maybe you’re not supposed to.” At Liz’s confused look, she clarifies. “I don’t think you are supposed to let him go.”
“But I have to. He’s gone.” Liz cries.
“Not really, Liz. I want you to know that Maria and I talked. She confirmed for me something that I observed. Why haven’t you gone home to your room, or why haven’t you been to Max’s room since the morning they left?” Mrs. Evans gently inquires.
With tears in her eyes Liz looks down at her hands holding his shirt. She clutches the shirt to her breast. “I’m scared. I’m afraid of the rush of feelings I got when I last slept in his bed. It brought me close to him but I know it’s not real. It’s not him. As I said, he’s gone and I have to let him go.”
“And as I said, I don’t think you’re supposed to let him go.” Mrs. Evans responds. “He loves you and he asked us to look out for you and help. Maria and I concurred that yours and Max’s bedrooms still have some lingering feelings - like the two of you are together. It is hard for either one of us to describe. But we both get a feeling about your rooms. Liz, have you had any feelings or noticed anything differently lately?”
Liz looks away, unable to make eye contact with Mrs. Evans. Lost in memory she pauses for a moment of reflection. “Do you remember when we told you about the shooting?”
Mrs. Evans sits quietly next to Liz on the bed. She decides to give Liz the time to talk it out loud for herself - as she sits and quietly listens, supporting Liz.
Without looking or hearing anything, Liz continues. “When Max healed me, we had a connection and his touch left a mark – a silver handprint – that faded within two days. Well, our last night together, we made a connection again. It was incredible. I felt like we made it to the stars and back, together. We were both amazed…. When we made a promise, a vow… We gave our hearts to each other. The connection formed another silver handprint – that time on both of our chests. We knew then that we really gave our hearts to each other.” Liz, finally lifting her eyes to Mrs. Evans admits. “I still have Max’s silver handprint on my chest. It never faded.”
“Liz.” Mrs. Evans says, with tears in her eyes. “This is an indication that you and Max will never truly be apart. Just like the handprint, your love won’t fade – neither will Max’s.”
“I know that, I’ve just been afraid to talk about it. I’m worried about the future and what it will bring. But I have Max’s love, I shouldn’t try to hide it away.” Liz comes to some peace and conclusions about her life, but still is worried.
Mrs. Evans, looking fondly at Liz. “We’re all here for you, Liz, no matter what. Don’t doubt that. I just have a few more questions before I go.”
“Yes?” Liz questions.
Mrs. Evans takes a hold of Liz’s hands, gently holding them. “Liz, is it possible that there is something else you haven’t told me yet? And, before I lose my nerve to ask…are you pregnant?”
Liz grabs Mrs. Evans around the neck, hiding her face in her neck, sobs and whispers. “Yes.”
Mrs. Evans gently rocks Liz in her arms, stroking her back. “Why don’t you come back to our place tonight, sleep in Max’s room? I think you should be there tonight.”
And with that, Liz went back to the Evans’ home and spent a quiet night in Max’s bed. For the first time in seven weeks, Liz slept peacefully, with feelings of his presence in the room around her, with her and through her - knowing and loving the thoughts that his child is growing within her.
Part 6:
The next evening at the Crashdown.
Maria is working her shift, stressing because it’s been a long, tiring day. Last night’s Michael-withdrawals lingered throughout the day. At least she didn’t hear Liz in the night – small consolation.
“Hi, Maria.” Alex walks up to her with a hug.
“Hi, yourself. Listen, my shift is just about over, and I don’t have class this evening. Want to come over and talk?” Maria questions.
Sensing her mood, Alex agrees. “Sure, I’m up for another tear-fest. Was actually planning to invite myself over anyway. ”
“Thanks,” sighs Maria. “I really appreciate it.
Alex hangs out until Maria is done closing the café.
When they go to Maria’s apartment, both are surprised and shocked to see Liz sitting quietly in the living room listening to music, sipping a cup of tea.
“Hi, guys,” says Liz. “Want to join me?”
Maria looks from Liz to Alex, who just shrugs his shoulders. “Sure Liz, what’s up?” Maria asks. “Oh and by the way, nice pajamas.”
Liz blushes as she looks down at the recent addition to her wardrobe – a Max T-shirt and a pair of boxer shorts that are way too large for her slight frame. “Thanks, I just thought it would be a good time to talk.”
“Great, Liz. What are you interested in talking about? The biology class you signed up for or Freshman English?” Maria states sarcastically. “No, wait, maybe it’s work at the Crashdown, such a hot topic.”
Liz flinches, acutely aware that Maria is upset with her. “No, I want to talk about what’s been going on...with me, with us.”
“Yeah, whatever, Liz,” comments Maria.
“Okay, ladies, I do believe I’ve had enough of the tension in this room. It’s hard to believe you have been cohabiting for seven weeks.” Alex warns. “I remember not too long ago a friend, a very good friend, telling me we shouldn’t sacrifice our friendship because of recent events. What was the main argument…Michael, Isabel and Max would not want this from us. They asked us to promise to take care of each other.”
Before Alex could finish his speech, Liz and Maria were in each other’s arms sobbing.
“Am I out of the loop, again?” asks Alex.
Liz and Maria grab him into a group bear hug.
“This is what Max wanted for us.” Liz says as she sniffles.
Maria stops hugging them and places a hand over her heart and the other one on Liz’s cheek. “My heart be still, she actually vocalized his name again.” On a serious note, she looks into Liz’s eyes. “Where have you been? How are you? Welcome back.”
Liz looks at her two life-long friends. “I am so sorry. It’s been so hard for me, trying to find a way to let Max go. But his mom made me realize that I’m really not meant to let him go. A part of him will always be with me…until he returns to me.”
“Liz, I know there are no guarantees, but in my heart, I know that they will be back. It’s the only thing that keeps me going. That, and the memories of Michael and his final gift, when he shared the vision of his return. We can get through this, together.” Maria smiles at her friends through her tears.
“So, neither one of you is mad at me anymore?” Insecurity is heard in Liz’s voice.
“Neither one of us was mad at you. Just confused and well, hurt.” Alex explains.
Again, all three hug. They then sit in companionable silence for a while. Suddenly, Liz stands up wide-eyed. “Excuse me.”
Alex and Maria look at each other questioningly as Liz darts out of the room and down the hall to the bathroom. Her retching does not go unnoticed by either of them.
When Liz returns a few minutes later with her face slightly flushed she nonchalantly comments. “So where were we?”
Maria and Alex look at each other again, then turn to stare at Liz.
Feeling their eyes bore into her, Liz smiles and graciously blushes. “By the way, Max gave me the most wonderful, precious gift before he left…I’m carrying his baby.”
Ten minutes go by in complete silence.
Finally, Maria says, “So…so….”
Alex jumps in, “Well.”
Maria tries again, this time taking a deep breath. “Let us get this right. Liz Parker, the girl who spent over two years dissecting her feelings about and with her boyfriend – Max, who I might add was just as into analyzing every feeling, emotion and touch that you shared for one another – never so much as thought or talked about a simple thing called birth control?!” By the end of her tirade, Maria’s voice is screeching.
Ever so softly Liz says, in that Max kind of endearing way, “I guess not.”
Maria looks like she is ready to throw something, “To think of all times you and Max tried to rattle Michael’s and my cage about being impulsive. Jeez, Liz.”
Alex to the rescue quietly inquires. “Liz, are you okay with this? I mean, what are you going to do?”
“Maria and Alex, I’m sorry. I know this comes as a shock to you. But I have had some time to do a lot of soul-searching for the past six weeks. And well, especially since I figured out two weeks ago that I am pregnant. Max did so many things for me. He gave me so many wonderful gifts from his heart. There is no doubt in my mind that this gift that I am carrying will one day be a gift that I give back to him.” Liz says with tears in her eyes. “Please understand. I hope you will be here to support me through this. I need you.”
“Okay, I just need a minute to get over the shock.” Maria pauses then takes a deep breath. “Okay, so see, I’m fine with it. Great, really, as long as I get to be an honorary aunt.”
With that, the three good friends hug again. They talk into the long hours of the night, knowing that there are still many uncertainties, despite Liz’s growing condition and her commitment to see herself through the pregnancy. The not knowing what will happen in the coming months to Liz and her body admittedly scares them all.
Maria knows she’ll be there with Liz through it all. Already formulating in her mind that she is going to take some mid-wife and child-birth classes.
And Alex, God love Alex. His altruism and compassion knows no bounds. In the final outcome, Alex made his sacrifice… and a confession to Liz and Maria. He told them about the night of their high school graduation, when Max forcefully demanded that Alex promise to take care of Liz, protect her at all costs should anything ever happen to him. And in the early hour of daybreak, Alex asked Liz to marry him.