Part 3 Max sat in his jeep, his hands still gripping the steering wheel. He had been sitting that way for half an hour. “Buh buh?” Max turned to look at his son still strapped to his car seat in the back. Max expelled a heavy sigh before unbuckling his seat belt. He held Noah, walking through the heavy iron gates of Pine Crest Cemetery. Walking slowly, he stopped at one particular headstone. Teresa Harding Beloved daughter of McKenzie and Edward Harding. June 1983 - May 1999 Max knelt down on the soft grass and gently traced the engraving on the headstone. “Hi Tess. It’s been a while. I’ve come with someone.” He perched Noah on his knee and faced him towards the headstone. “It’s Noah. I brought him to........to say goodbye.” The tears slowly began to trickle down his cheeks. “I know it’s sudden, but it’s for the best. I don’t want to take him away from you, but I have to.” “I stopped by to see your parents. But they didn’t want to see him, or me. They still blame me. I do too. I think the reason why they don’t want to see him is because he looks exactly like you. He has your eyes, and your hair. Everyday I look at him................I see you.” Max gave Noah a kiss on the crown of his head. “Another reason why I came was to apologize. I’m sorry that you’re not here with us now, or that you never even got a chance to see our son. I know how much you wanted to. I’m sorry that we have to go away, and I’m sorry that Noah will never know you. But I promise, I’ll tell him all about you when he’s old enough to understand.” Max gave a little laugh. “You should see him Tess. Every time I talk to him, I swear it’s like he can understand me.” Max’s watch began beeping. He twisted his wrist to get a look at the time. 4:00pm. Max sighed heavily. He didn’t want to leave. Not yet when he had so much to say. The drive home would take at least another hour and a half, then he had to make sure all of his things were ready before their flight. Max stood up and rubbed remnants of grass off of his jeans. “I don’t wanna leave you.” He gently kissed his fingers before placing them across her engraved name. “I love you Tess. Goodbye.” ********************** Roswell, New Mexico. They had arrived in Roswell without a hitch. Max sat in the back seat with Noah and Isabel. He looked out of the window and watched as the houses zoomed past them. Diane turned from her seat in the front. “We’re almost there kids. You guys are going to love it.” The car slowed in front of a house. It was a modest house, but certainly larger than their old one. “We’re here!” Max turned to Isabel. The two of them shared a look before they piled out of the car. “What do you think kids? Isn’t wonderful?” Diane ushered everyone into the house. Phillip stood back, watching his family before following. “....... and there’s plenty of room for Noah to play, and there’s a huge yard. Your dad and I were thinking we could set up a swing set- Max interrupted his mom. “That sounds great mom, but you really don’t have to. Noah’s my son. I’m doing my best to provide for him. You don’t have to feel like you have to do this. You’ve already done enough as it is. Letting us live with you, and watching Noah while I’m in school and at work.” Phillip placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Max, stop right there. Your mother and I aren’t doing anything we don’t want to. You’re doing a great job of being a father. We’re only being grandparents, Max. It’s our job to spoil our grandchild.” Phillip leaned in closer to Noah and grabbed his tiny nose. “Got your nose.” Max allowed himself to laugh a little. He was glad to have his family‘s support.