Drive home

I packed my bag… looking at the ring box. I hadn't opened it since I'd left the apartment I shared with Arianna. With a deep breath, I made sure the customized ring was still inside, then packed it away. Glancing at the time, Robby would be here any second. I was expecting him to just start pounding on my door like a debt collector… so was a bit surprised when I saw his call coming in.

"Hey Robby… you find the place okay?" I asked when he remained silent.

"Dude, seriously… this place… fuck I'll be up in a second, 210 right?" Robby asked exasperated.

I closed my eyes, "Yeah, 210, see you in a sec." Well, this was just going to go great! I sighed as I waited by the door. All too soon the familiar pounding commenced. Robby practically flew in, slamming the door shut behind him.

"What the actual fuck Max…" His voice tailed off as he looked around my apartment. I took a small bit of satisfaction as his hazel eyes went wide taking the apartment in. He was only an inch taller than me, but spent more time at the gym so he as a bit bulkier. Maybe… I'd ask him what flats were…

"Come on in, I'll show you around, then we can go." I called, "Shoes off at the door." I added when he was about to walk forward.

Robby rolled his eyes but kicked his shoes off. "Well, at least the inside looks better than the outside, have any of them given you a hard time? Are those dolls? Are they your dolls?"

I prayed for patience, "The dolls came with the apartment, leave them alone. As you can, I've only just started moving in, bed room…" I showed opening the door so he could see my hanging laundry. Then I led the way to the bathroom, "Bathroom," Then I waved to the living room window, "And the living room. Not much, but's its perfect for single life, and affordable. Can we go now?" I asked pulling my backpack on.

Robby pinched the bridge of his nose, "Dude, we were worried. You just… went MIA. You didn't respond to texts, calls, what were supposed to think?"

I sighed, "Robby, I'm going to have to repeat myself anyway, can we just get to mom's place before I have to explain fifty times?"

"You wouldn't have to explain fifty times if you just kept us updated." Robby snapped.

"I needed space Robby! I needed time alone! I didn't need someone banging on my door every other day, I needed time to digest that my life for the last 5 years has just gone up in fucking smoke okay?!" I snapped back. "I wanted time to figure out what my plan was before everyone in the fucking family had to give me their idea of what I should do. Can we go now?!" I demanded.

"Fine, fine. You don't want to talk, and I'm the asshole for caring." Robby scoffed as he stomped over to put his shoes on.

I glanced at the dolls… if Robby was here… they couldn't exactly shrink down to fit on my key chain. I took a deep breath, then followed Robby out. As I turned to lock the door… the seven dolls were on my keychain. Well, so much for keeping the family drama private.

The car ride was uncomfortably silent, I really needed to buy headphones so I could at least listen to something other than Robby's mutters. If I didn't know how this would go down, I might have apologized… but it had been the same song and dance our whole lives.

Dad complaining we had it too good, mom defending his actions. Robby the ever caring older brother who wanted the best for us, Stevie the youngest who made sure to be as blunt as possible.

Nosey, needy extended family who always needed something, money, help around the house, someone to watch their little monsters, or to pet sit. I sighed, secrets… yeah, no secrets in this family. Which sucked because everyone always had their own version of a story…

I sighed, I was just working myself up for a fight that would pointlessly end as soon as we were just trying to help became their justification. There were really only three ways a conversation ended, for a time, in the family. Just trying to help. You knew better. You'll appreciate this when you understand later. It was suffocating.

I closed my eyes to sleep for the next hour and half.

I woke up as the car turned off. I stretched, pulling my backpack off the floor. "Robby, thanks for picking me up." After calming down, I'd realized I didn't even thank him, this was over three hours round trip for him… as much as I hate to think it, I was glad for the distance. That would reduce the unannounced visits at least. Still, it was a pain when I did want to see them.

"Of course Maxie, we're always here for you scrub." Robby looked almost taken aback by my thanks.

I gave a small smile, then slid out to face the music… hopefully… hopefully we could focus on Stevie tonight.