First Night

Drew

Cooking dinner was always a great way to clear her mind. Tonight was no different as she prepared the lasagna. It didn't take long, but she found other ways to keep herself busy. She wasn't sure how to start the conversation she planned to have on the drive.

After thirty minutes of being in the kitchen, she heard her son squealing. Running towards the living room, she listened to his excited shouts continue and slowed her pace. She debated on entering the room for a moment before she finally decided to make sure the two were okay. She could tell in his tone that he was fine, but something in her pushed her further.

She quietly stood in the doorway as Max sank back onto the couch. She couldn't see what the other girl was holding, but she watched as her son grabbed for one of the items. Taking a picture, she watched as he continued bouncing on the couch and decided to leave the two alone.

Seeing that everything was prepared, she decided to pick up her sketchbook. As time passed, she heard the constant stream of noises coming from the two who seemed to be bonding over the game. Max's cheers and groans were always followed by Junior, making nearly identical noises.

After an hour, she made her way back into the living room. She hadn't been prepared to see Junior spread out on Max's lap as she played with him. After taking another picture, she noticed Max glance toward the backyard as Junior tossed the football into the air.

“You two can take that in the backyard during halftime if you'd like.” She watched as Max narrowly avoided Junior hitting her. “Slow down, buddy, and you want to go play?”

“Yes, mommy!” His energy never ran out, and she wondered how long it would be until Max exhausted herself, trying to keep up. She heard Junior shouting commands as she picked up the remote to record the game.

“You better go, the game's recording now, you can fast forward through halftime when you get back.” Smiling, she returned to the kitchen. Finally, putting the lasagna in the oven, she knew she had made the right decision. Seeing the two of them together was confirmation that every conflicting emotion she was dealing with was worth it.

Junior seemed so happy to have the other girl around. He wasn't old enough to comprehend the magnitude of the situation, but he was old enough to recognize her. She showed him pictures and told him stories of Max every night. She had pictures around their home and in his room. He knew her by sight, but now he finally had the chance to meet her.

Her dad, Ruby, and she were the only ones who would tell him stories about his other mother. She forbade anyone else from talking about Max around him when she caught Lupe’s version of a child-appropriate tale when he was one. She was sure Dwayne would have great stories, but he rarely talked about Max. He rarely spoke to anyone other than Shayna after Max left. She often wondered why he became so silent in her absence.

After setting the table and finishing dinner, she walked to the backyard. Junior was in a dead sprint as Max jogged, pretending to score the football. She snapped another picture before she called for them. “It's time for dinner,” she watched as they both fell to the ground dramatically. “Now, please.” Junior quickly popped up and ran towards her. Max seemed to take a little more time getting up, but she thought nothing of it as she turned around.

After helping Junior clean up and sitting him at the table, she finally checked her phone. It had been buzzing for the past hour, and she didn't feel like dealing with anyone.

WTF DREW?!?! -Loopy.

Ruby just told me you picked up Max. I told you she wasn't allowed to be with you alone. -Loopy.

*Why the hell aren’t you responding?*-Loopy.

Don't do anything stupid! -Loopy.

Better yet, she better not do anything stupid. -Loopy.

WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL US SHE WOULD BE HERE SO EARLY? WE WOULD HAVE NEVER GONE OUT TO DINNER! -S.

You can't seriously think this is okay? -S.

Drew, what are you guys doing over there? -S.

I can cancel dinner. We can be there in 15 minutes. -S.

What's the point of a cellphone if you never use it? -S.

Please, respond to them before they demand we show up at your house. -Ruby.

Sorry. -Dwayne.

She looked up, debating how to respond. There were more text messages, but she didn't want to deal with the set from her mom right now. She watched Max take her seat beside Junior as he launched into a story. Taking a picture of the two, she sent out a group text with the image attached.

Everything is fine. We’re going to eat, and the two of them will continue bonding. Please, calm down and don't show up. For once, stay out of it. -Drew.

She hoped that would be enough, and they would leave it alone for now. Her phone buzzed as she walked back to the table.

YOU MADE HER FAVORITE MEAL? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? -Loopy.

Seahawks? You never let me buy him a Rams jersey, but she can put that trash on him? She's already brainwashing him! -S.

That's not her favorite meal; it’s Juniors. -Ruby.

Excuse me, who are you calling trash? -Dwayne.

And suddenly, she remembered why she hated group texts. Her phone continued vibrating, but she set it aside. She looked up to see Max's brows slightly furrowed. There was a hint of something she couldn't place in the other girl’s eyes, but she ignored it.

“No phone,” Junior called for her attention. Her no electronics at the table policy was ingrained in him, and she grinned with pride.

“You're absolutely right, buddy,” she ruffled his hair. Reaching to cut up his food, she noticed it was already done. She glanced at Max, who was shyly staring down at her plate. “This is Junior's favorite.” She heard a yell as Junior launched into his toddler mumbles about his love for lasagna.

Max beamed at him as she ate from her plate. “It's definitely in my top three.” Drew smiled and refocused her attention on her plate. The dinner was silent unless they were engaging Junior. “Let me clean up,” Max offered.

Looking at her watch, Drew knew that Max must be antsy to start the game back. She also noticed it was getting close to Junior's bedtime. Deciding to let him stay up a little later tonight, she shook her head. “No, you two go finish the game. Will you help him wash his hands first, please?”

She watched as Max cleared the table and placed Junior on her hip. “Of course, Drew, thank you. Dinner was perfect.” With another smile, Max and Junior walked to the bathroom as Drew began cleaning.

…

When she was done, she sat back against the counter. From the sounds in the living room, she gathered that the Seahawks had won. She thought about the afternoon and allowed herself to relax. Sending Ruby a text and ignoring everyone else, she moved to the bathroom. Accepting that things finally seemed to be repairing themselves, she prepared Junior's bath.

When she was finished, she walked into the living room and found Max showing him the end of the game ritual. It hadn't gone unnoticed that she had put on the jersey after arriving, that she changed his clothes or the beanie that sat on top of his head.

She remembered Max's routine vividly. She remembered the words Max spoke every time she would tease her. “It's not crazy if it works, Drew.” Drew had to admit, she hadn't seen it not work. Drew would sit in her designated spot that was only changed if Max decided they needed to change tactics. Most games, Drew would draw while listening to Max's rambles. It never bothered her; she loved those times of carefree Max and games playing on the TV.

“These are only for game day; I’ll buy you others tomorrow. Now, copy me, okay, baby boy?” Junior beamed as Max pulled off her beanie, and he copied her. She watched as they gently placed their beanies side by side on the table. Max then pulled off her jersey, and Drew felt her pulse race as the wife-beater caught and rode up rock-solid abs. Damn, she’s still mouthwatering. She refocused on Junior as he copied Max's next movement setting down his jersey and trying, but failing, to properly fold his as she did. Max praised his efforts, and Drew hated to interrupt.

“Bath time,” she called to Junior. He raced toward her, grumbling that he wanted to play. “We will be done shortly,” she said as she turned away.

Bath time was quick but still left her soaking wet as Junior splashed. He told her all about the game but Drew could barely keep up as she tried to decipher his words. She fought to calm him down as he bounced around in excitement when she dressed him for bed.

“MAMA!!!!” Junior's yell rang in her ears, but she didn't have time to scold him as a panicked Max rushed into the room. She tried to hide her laugh as Max looked around to make sure the young boy was okay. “Come read to me!” Max's eyes widened as she realized the boy wasn't hurt but was calling out for a bedtime story.

Her eyes were confused and slightly dazed as she passed Drew. The look of alarm Max reminded Drew they never had their talk. She hadn't been able to tell Max the young boy knew who she was. Throughout the night, Junior had never referenced her directly, and the new revelation threw Max for a loop.

“It's okay; I can read to him,” Drew tried to diffuse the situation quickly.

“No, mommy, mama read,” apparently Junior had a different idea.

“What am I reading, baby boy?” Max seemed to have calmed down as she looked at Junior. Drew noticed the watery gaze and removed herself from the bed as Junior directed Max to his favorite story.

“I love you, Junior, goodnight.” Drew wasn't sure she could handle staying in the room much longer. She bent over to kiss his cheek after he climbed under the covers.

“I love you, mommy,” he responded distractedly. He was thoroughly enamored with Max, and Drew wasn't sure she could blame him. She watched as Max sat down next to him and began to read.

Removing herself from the situation so she could breathe, Drew walked to her room.

Max is reading Junior a bedtime story. She should be done in about 20 minutes. Maybe pick her up in about 30? Please, don't bring Lupe, I can't handle her tonight. -Drew.

Pulling out a wife beater, sweat pants, and sweater, Drew headed to her bathroom for a shower. As the hot water fell onto her body, she thought over the day and the long conversation she knew needed to happen. Assuming Max would want to return tomorrow to see Junior, she figured the conversation would be able to happen then. It needed to happen before they all met on Saturday. She contemplated hiring a babysitter so that Junior wouldn't witness the fallout. It might help the mess from getting out of control if Junior was there, though.

A deep sigh resonated through her body as she stepped out of the shower and got dressed. She wasn't sure what the right thing was, but she wanted to try at least to get answers before the whole family went on the attack. Despite better judgment, she wanted to be able to be strong for Max and protect her. That feeling never went away, but she knew that wouldn't be possible when she was still questioning the brunette.

As she left her room, she peeked in and saw Max with the book still open on her lap. Junior was curled into her sleeping, and Max sat gently, stroking his hair. She was looking down at him, seemingly in deep thought. Drew took another picture and moved to leave the room. Her phone buzzing caused Max's head to pop up.

I will be there in ten minutes. -Ruby.

She felt Max approaching her and decided to head to the living room. She just needed to get through ten minutes, and then the day would be perfect. Well, as perfect as it could go in this situation.

“He calls me mama.” She couldn't decipher Max's tone. It made her uncomfortable. She hoped that Ruby would be here quickly if this were about to go south. “Why? How does he know?”

“Did you look around his room at all?” Drew was buying time. She knew that Max's focus had been solely on their son. She watched as Max shook her head. “Does it bother you?”

Max's eyes shot up at her question. “Of course not,” she could hear the scoff in the other girl’s voice.

“I always wanted him to know who you were. I always hoped that I would find you and the two of you would meet. I've told him stories since the day he was born about you—stories from when we were young and how we fell in love. I always omitted the ending but,” she watched the emotions play in green eyes as she gathered the courage to continue. “I placed pictures of you in his room. There are four that I can think of. Your pictures are still at your parent’s house, Ruby's, and Dwayne’s, but I made sure some were in our home. He has copies in a book that we went through each night, and he always loved the one that I keep here in the living room.”

“You took a similar one with him.” Max's eyes showed her amazement, and Drew relaxed under her gaze. “Thank you, Drew. Thank you for raising our son, telling him of me, today, just…thank you, for everything.”

“When we were at the park, he wanted to take a picture like one of us. My dad took it, and Junior loved it.” Drew swallowed the lump in her throat, trying and failing to hold back her emotions. “Ruby should be here any minute.”

Max nodded.

They stared intently at each other.

“It's time, Drew.” The weight of Max's words crushed Drew’s heart. She suddenly felt utterly unprepared for this. The day had gone well, and Junior had fallen in love with his other mother. She didn't want the day to be tainted. Looking at Max, she placed her fears aside at the resolve she saw. It was now or never.

A soft knock on the door brought Drew out of her thoughts. Maybe this wouldn't happen after all. It could wait until tomorrow, and she would be more prepared.

“Ask Ruby to come in please; this involves her, too.” It seemed that Max was determined to talk now.

Walking to the door in confusion, Drew wasn't sure if she hoped Lupe would be there or not. When she opened it, she breathed out a sigh of relief. She didn't want Lupe there because Ruby stood before her alone. “Max wants to talk.”

Ruby nodded and stepped silently into the house. Max had moved to the dining table and waited patiently. Both girls sat opposite her and waited for her to speak.

“No yelling, Junior is asleep in his room,” Drew reminded both girls. The room grew tense as the three sat there, wondering what came next. After the longest minute of her life, Max's head raised, and she turned to look directly at Ruby.

“Did you know that our biological mother was at our graduation?” Drew’s face dropped in horror at Max's words. Questions raced through her as she tried to control herself and not open her mouth. This part of the story wasn't about her; this part was between the twin girls who were abandoned by their parents.

“I did,” Ruby breathed out, and suddenly it clicked for Drew. Suddenly things began to place themselves in the correct order. For three years, she thought this was all about Max leaving her, and suddenly at the look on both girl’s faces, she realized that it was never entirely about her. The look of anguish on Max's face and regret on Ruby’s made Drew scoot her chair back as she rose to her feet.

She wanted to scream at Ruby to leave. She wanted to finish this conversation with Max alone. She wanted to fix whatever mistakes her biological family obviously made. But, she couldn't lose her temper now mere moments after she warned the other two to be calm.

“Drew, it's okay. I already knew the answer.” A shocked gasp fell from Ruby's lips as she looked up in fear. Drew couldn't find it in herself to be worried about Ruby. She searched Max's eyes as her feet moved her to the other side of the table.

Max pulled out the chair as her body gave way to her feelings, and she fumbled clumsily into the seat. “I lied to you, Drew. I didn't leave because I loved you. I always told myself that was why. I was scared; I didn't lie about that. It helped, but it wasn't the real reason, it was only the catalyst.” Max sighed deeply as she looked up with anger in her eyes, “I left because of Ruby.”

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