Home Sweet Home

Max and Anna smacked the door open as they arrived back home, ready to spill all the details from Anna's successful interview.

Chris jumped up, startled. It looked like he had been stressing out. "Well?! Baby?!"

Anna smiled as she ran and threw her arms around him. "Babe, we did it!"

He stepped back and touched her face. "I knew it! Tell me everything!"

Anna had tears running down her face once again, which made Max want to cry too.

"She was so kind!" Anna jumped up and down, "And my questions led to this big announcement, and I can hardly speak! Oh my god!"

The two laughed and embraced. Max's eyes met Chris's as she winked at him and stood back, smiling, while leaning on the door frame.

"Max! What the hell are you wearing?" Chris snorted as he broke away from Anna.

Max rolled her eyes. "For shit's sake, dude, you KNOW this wasn't my idea."

Anna clapped her hands and jumped up and down again. "Surprise! It was me!"

Chris shut his eyes and shook his head. "I don't know what's more amazing, the interview or you getting her to wear that dress."

Max squinted her eyes and shot a less-than-amused look at him. "HA HA. Yes, it's all very funny." She flipped her hair jokingly. "I'll be in my room."

Max quickly shuffled to her bedroom and heard Anna ask Chris, "Would you be terribly upset if I took a nap for the next three days?" Max smiled with tired eyes as she shut her door and whispered, "you and me both."

Hours passed while Max slept off the adrenaline she'd built up the past week, but her dreams of relaxation were abruptly interrupted by a phone ringing in the living room.

Max slowly opened one eye and heard Anna's loud wake-up. "Noooo, whyyy," she said in her best child-like whiney voice. "How long have I been out?"

Max couldn't help but smile as she checked the clock. Only three hours?!

Anna must have gotten an answer to her question because Max heard her shout,

"What?! I specifically said three days!" Max laughed quietly as she jumped up from her mattress and started toward the living room.

She was greeted by Anna opening her door. "What the hell." Max said. Her eyes were barely open. "Who is doing this to us?"

Anna giggled and picked up her phone.

Her smile fell, and just as quickly, so did Max's.

"What, Anna? Who is it?" But she knew.

Anna slowly pressed her finger against the green button to answer the call. "Hey, Mr. R.!"

Max felt the color drain from her face. She knew this was the call she had been dreading. Her dad had finished the house.

"No way! That's amazing! And . . . so . . . fast." Anna's nervous laughter sent lightning through Max's stomach. "I'm sure you are excited! Who isn't?!" She looked up at Max with a hesitant grin on her face. "I'll talk to her once she wakes up and we'll get a plan together!"

Max shut her eyes, on the verge of tears.

"Okay, great, I'll talk to you soon."

Anna ended the call quickly and walked up to Max, her eyes now felt damp.

"Remember what we talked about, Max." Anna steadied her friend's shaking hands. "You don't have to do anything you aren't ready for." Anna shook her head up and down reassuringly.

Max opened her eyes and gulped, "No." She sighed. "I can't do that to him."

"This isn't about hi—"

"I know. But I can't do it to myself, either." She took in a big breath. "Will you stay with me, Anna?"

Anna looked Max right in the eyes. "I will never leave your side."

Max nodded, feeling a bit better knowing that Anna gave her word and she would be there.

Chris emerged from the bedroom with a smile on his face. "So! Are we going on a road trip?"

Anna looked back at him excitedly. "Hell, yes we are!" Anna turned around and hugged Max. "I'll call your dad."

The plan was simple. Take the subway, take the bus, get picked up, and then home sweet home.

So, why didn't it feel simple to Max?

Tonight was her last night in what had been her home for almost two years. The place wasn't a five-star hotel, but she loved it. This place and Chris had held her together all of these years. Could she make it if everything changed?

"Okay guys! Let's get packin'!" Anna hopped toward Max's room to unnecessarily help her grab her five articles of clothing.

"Anna, I feel like I can probably do this myself."

Anna stopped and looked at her. "I know, babe. But you don't have to do it yourself. Or anything for that matter. I am here."

Max shook her head and bit her lip. She wanted to say something to show her gratitude, but she couldn't. The bad thoughts were overwhelming, the fear all-consuming.

Anna must have guessed it. She quickly tossed the clothes into a plastic bag. "All righty! It was tough work, but someone had to do it!" She grinned, and Max knew she was trying to get her to feel better.

"I'm smiling on the inside," Max said unconvincingly.

Anna bumped Max lightly with her elbow. "I accept that."

She took the plastic bag and her purse to the living room and plopped them next to the ugly couch. Chris's plastic bag was already waiting and he had planted himself on the left side of the couch, as always.

"I have an idea!"

His enthusiasm took Max by surprise. She jumped. "Damn, dude!"

At the same time, Anna exclaimed, "What is it?! I'm so excited!"

Max thought Anna's enthusiasm was equally as annoying as Chris's.

"Let's have another eat-like-shit night! It's our last night for a while here, and I feel like we should say goodbye the right way!"

Anna gasped loudly, "I love it, I love it!" She turned sharply toward Max. "Oh please, Max? Please, please?!"

Max grimaced, looking from one face to the other. She sighed. "Whatever. Screw it, whatever."

Chris and Anna yelled happily, instantly, and ran for the door. "Let's go, babe! I am DYING for some pizza!"

Max walked across the room, apprehensively shutting the door behind them.

Once more the group made the trek from Italian to 7-Eleven and back. At the convenience store, Max loaded up on Skittles because she'd run out last time and that was not a mistake she'd make again.

As they were about to check out, a man stumbled through the door looking half alive. "Hey kids! What are we up to tonight?"

"Doug!" exclaimed Chris. "How ya doin', man?"

Doug stumbled over and put his hand on Chris's shoulder, Max noticed Anna's apparent anxiety.

"Anna! Come over here and meet my friend!" Chris exclaimed.

Max smirked while she watched Anna swallow her frown and give a barely visible smile.

"It's okay, Anna," Max whispered in her ear. "He's a good guy, I promise."

Anna walked to Chris and held out her hand. "Doug, it is nice to meet you. I am Anna from PENNSYLVANIA. Chris speaks very highly of you."

Doug reached back and gave her a weak shake. "Ah! Manhattan! I didn't know you two were lovebirds!"

"I'm from Pennsyl—"

She started to raise her voice when Max interrupted. "Man, he knows Chris loves him. That's why he gives us so much shit!"

Doug made a cough-like laugh and pointed at Max. "You're trouble, little lady!"

"Damn straight." Max gave a soft laugh in return.

"All right, I'll leave you to it. Just wanted to catch my breath. Have a good night."

"Hold up!" Chris turned to Anna. "I know it's a lot to ask, but can we get him a few things? I'm sure he hasn't eaten in days."

Max saw Anna hesitate, but then she looked at Chris and sighed.

"Of course. Let him grab some stuff."

Chris smiled big and skipped over to Doug who was making his way to the door. Chris said a few inaudible words to him and Doug turned to Anna, smiling.

"That's very nice of you, Manhattan."

Max let out a muffled laugh.

"Shut up," Anna hissed at Max, rolling her eyes.

Max, Chris, and Anna finally arrived back home after their mini adventure, ready to settle in for the evening.

"All right everyone! Can I assume we remember the rules from last time?"

Anna jumped up and down, looking at the sugary feast.

"Yes!" Max and Chris shouted together, but Chris sounded excited and Max purposefully sounded irritated. Anna smiled and rolled her eyes. "Well, let's get going!"

Everyone hopped in their spots on the ugly couch, but Anna was making weird faces at Max like she wanted to say something.

"Hey babe," Anna finally said as she nudged Max, "can I say something without you getting mad?"

"No." Max replied curtly.

"Oh come on! I am serious!"

Max scoffed, "So am I. If you have to ask then you know I'll get mad."

Anna squinted her eyes. "Well, I am saying it anyway, butthead!"

Chris snickered and Max raised her eyebrows, waiting.

"You are an amazing person." Max was shocked by her statement and wanted to disagree, but Anna spoke quickly. "I don't care what you think about yourself. You deserve a beautiful life, too. I know you don't see it yet, but tomorrow is the beginning of it. I love you so much."

Anna pulled Max in for a hug and squeezed a smile out from her.

"And thank you for saving my boyfriend, Max!" she shouted dramatically.

Max started wheezing as she choked out, "I see you told her how we met."

Chris laughed out loud. "Yup! Look at you two! SO SWEET!"

"I don't appreciate your sarcasm, Chris." Max squeaked out as Anna let her go.

"Was that really necessary, Anna?" Max shook her head and smirked.

"YES!" Anna yelled with an obvious fake desperation.

"Seriously though, Max. Thank you for being you."

"Sure," Max said casually and shrugged her shoulders.

"You're welcome."