Chapter 7:
He walked down the dark streets, his hand in his pockets, his head lost in the silence. He walked past an old, familiar house. He began to turn towards it, and stopped at the front door. He stared at the door, not quite sure why he was there, but knowing that he needed to see them. He raised his hand to knock when the door flew open.
"WOAH! What the heck?! You scared me! Geez... I'm sorry. I just didn't expect someone to be at my door and this hour." The man stood, hand on his chest, eyes a little wild with confusion.
"Who is it?"
"I got it Dad!" Max smiled at the exchange.
"Kyle."
"Yes, do I know you?" Kyle looked at the stranger suspiciously.
"Let's just say I saved your life... once upon a time." As he met eyes with the man in front of him, Kyle realized he recognized that glare.
"Oh my God! Dad, come quick!" He stared in awe for a few minutes, then he apologized and rushed Max into the house.
"Where've you been man?"
"New York."
"It's really good to see you again."
"Same here." Max sat on the couch and looked around. He pushed away the images that were beginning to form in his head. All he could see were images of he and a blonde that he had put behind him long ago. Jim walked in from the kitchen with a rag in his hands. He looked at the boys in front of him. Incredible.
"Max?"
"Hey Sheriff." Max lowered his eyes, with the quiet, shy quality he had been known for.
"Just Jim, Max. It's just Jim." They hugged each other and Kyle smiled. Finally, things were returning to the way they should be. Maria and Michael were getting married, Jesse and Isabel had their daughter and were expecting another, and Max was back. The only one who needed to get himself together now was Kyle.
"So, I just stopped by to say hi. See how everything was going." Jim sat down and motioned for the both of them to sit as well.
"Well, me and Amy got married about three years ago. The attraction was unbearable, so we had to go ahead with it. Kyle has a steady girlfriend, right Kyle?"
"Umm.. yea sort of. I met her about a year ago, when I tried to join the police force and then decided I wasn't cut out for it. She was my nurse when I got beat up and sent to the hospital after a party for my becoming a cop, which I never did. Great friends, huh? Don't ever trust old football players. They're pretty violent. So anyway, yea. I met her at the emergency room. She was my nurse. And once we got to know each other, we figured out that we both were interested in Buddhism, in the most liberal ways, and we both loved football. So, then and there, I knew; it was love." Max laughed at Kyle. He had grown to be a pretty great guy. Max couldn't help but wonder what would have happened to Liz, had she stayed with Kyle. Had he not healed her at all.
"Well, Evans, I'm on my way out. You need a ride somewhere?" Max was snapped back to reality and looked around.
"Umm... yea actually. Can you take me to Michael's?"
"Sure." Max said good-bye to Jim as he put down his tea.
"You take care Max. Come back and visit tomorrow, when I'm more available to talk. It's good to see you again." Max walked out after Kyle and got into his red Corvette. They drove in silence most the way, then Kyle parked up in front of Michael's apartment. Max went to get out but turned around and closed the door.
"Have you seen the Parkers lately?"
"Yea, just saw them today actually."
"How are they? I mean, how have they taken it all?" Max looked into Kyle's eyes worried and Kyle knew that Max was now reaping the consequences of his actions so many years ago.
"They're fine. Actually, they're great. They were a little shocked at first, understandably so. But they're over it. They're happy now." Max nodded and lowered his head. They would never be truly over it. Kyle was trying to be nice.
"Thanks Kyle. For everything you've done."
"Hey, no problem. I'll see you around Evans." Max got out and heard Kyle speed off. He walked into the apartment looking for Maria.
"Maria? Maria?? Hey, I wanted to ask you about Liz's parents and the...." He looked into the living room and realized that it was dark. They had gone off to bed. He didn't blame them. It was about midnight already, he had been out for hours. He went to get his clothes and get ready for bed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEXT MORNING:
Max rubbed his head in pain. What was all the racket about?
"PUT THAT DOWN! Alex, you're going to break it! Don't make me call your mother! No, you know what? I'm calling Uncle Mike!"
"NO!!! I'm sorry. I'll put it down Aunt Maria, I swear! I just wanted to try it."
"Lipstick is for big people Alexandra. If you want to use it, you have to ask."
"I'm sorry." The little voice made Max snicker. If that wasn't little Isabel, no, it had to be. Not only did she sound just like her, but her curiosity obviously got her in as much trouble. He got up out of bed and smelled the breakfast brewing in the kitchen. He brushed his teeth and washed his face, and then he threw on a tee shirt. As he looked in the mirror, he felt a strange discomfort. He looked like his younger self much more now, with the comfortable shirt exposing his arm muscles. He thought about shaving, but then decided to just trim instead. He didn't want to go all the way back. Not yet. He wasn't ready for the flashbacks that his younger face could cause. For the memories that could flood his brain as he stared into the mirror. He'd shave the night before Michael and Maria's wedding. That was just three days away. He made his way into the kitchen and saw two little girls running around. It was like a sitcom family.
"SIT DOWN AND EAT! Jesus Christ, I'm losing my mind here!" Maria looked up as she saw Max come into the room. She couldn't help but smile at his lost statement.
"Is it like this everyday?"
"No. Just on weekends."
"Hey, when am I meeting my partner? The woman I'll be walking down the aisle with. Your umm... what do you call that...?"
"Maid of honor. That'll be later on this afternoon. When I come back." Maria grabbed one of the girls, a beautiful brunette, by the arms and sat her on the chair at the dining room table.
"Now, you are going to eat breakfast. When you're done with breakfast, you can play with Alex. Ok?"
"Yes, Auntie Maria." The child obediently turned towards her food and began stuffing the scrambled eggs into her mouth. She made a quick face of disgust and then poured some of the Tabasco sauce on the table on to her eggs. She took another bite and smiled in contentment.
"Ok. I am running late already, I thought you'd be up earlier. Michael is out at the dining hall, making sure all the preparations are made for Saturday. I have to run out to the florists, and if Michael calls I need you to tell him to meet me there. Can you do that?"
"What about the girls?"
"You'd have to watch them for a few hours." Max's face showed signs of pure horror.
"It's really not that bad!" Maria laughed at his dramatic statement. "Here is my cell phone number, Michael's cell phone number, Isabel's home number, in case Alex begins to misbehave, the number to the florist, in case you have to rush either of them to the hospital, and the number to the Crashdown, where you will probably find Isabel, Kyle, Jesse, anyone. Ok?"
"Wait! What about the other girl? Who's her mother, and how can I get in contact with her in case of an emergency?"
"Gotta go Max! Look, just dial 911! I trust you. Thanks!" Maria waved good- bye as she made her way outside and into the car.
"But..." Max was left with nothing else to say. It couldn't be that hard. They were in fact, just children. Max served himself some eggs and bacon and two slices of toast. He sat across from the little brunette and his heart stopped. He felt himself be drifted off to the third grade. He saw Liz, as he got off the school bus for the first time. He was in his own world when he heard her little voice.
"Not hungry huh? Auntie Maria's food is really not that bad." She smiled as she kept her head low, her shy gaze in contrast to her bold comment. Max smiled as he eyed her closely. Her bangs hid her big eyes, the ones that blew him away when she looked up.
"Hi. I'm Ellie."
"Hi. Max." She smiled widely at this, getting a better look at him, and he at her. Her eyes were hazel, deep and mysterious, an identical copy of his own. He could not believe it. Who was this girl? No one had told him that Isabel had two daughters. And it was impossible that one of them looked like Liz.
"I'm seeing things..." He whispered to himself, and then looked up again, realizing that she was just staring. When she saw his eyes meet hers, she quickly put her head down.
"So... Ellie. Is that short for something?"
"Uh huh. For..."
"ELIZA!" Her eyes grew wide with excitement. She looked over at Alex as she found another lipstick to play with. Then she looked back at Max with pleading eyes.
"Can I go play?" Max was staring at her in awe. Everything about this child was making him nostalgic.
"Go ahead." He could barely get the words out. This was too weird. She smiled widely and ran over to her friend. Max sat and stared at his cold eggs. He shook his head to try and clear the clouds. He placed his hand over the food and felt the steam come back. He smiled at himself. Microwaves, what a joke. It had been so long since he used his powers, even simple ones like that. He reached for the Tabasco sauce and poured it all over his eggs. He began to eat when he felt eyes on him. He looked over and saw both Alexandra and Eliza, standing side by side, staring.
"You're like us." Alex's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Are you Uncle Max?"
"Yea. I'm your mom's brother." She looked at him for a moment, and then smiled at his warm eyes.
"You are Uncle Max!" Alex ran and hugged her uncle. "Mom told me all about you! You came from New York?"
"Yup. All the way from the other side of the United States." He smiled and held her on his lap as she latched on to his neck. Her short blonde hair making her look exactly like a younger version of her mother. He looked down and saw Eliza staring.
"You're like us?" She was very suspicious, even after Alex had embraced him so quickly. He saw in her eyes that she wanted to believe him. That she wanted to trust him. It reminded him of a younger version of himself. So suspicious, but wanting to trust.
"Yes." She approached him, getting slowly closer. She reached up and touched his cheeks softly, letting her fingers linger. That's when he felt it. He saw the flashes come in an instant. The feeling was drowning, emotions overtaking him like they hadn't in years. He saw images quickly, and blurry. But he felt her feelings. She was happy. She was warm and comforted, but she was lonely. She wanted... her father? She pulled away, and looked into his eyes with her own smiling ones. She also jumped on his lap and kissed his cheek.
"You are like us!" Eliza smiled and hugged Alex who was on his other leg. They both laughed, as if dwelling on some five year old inside joke.
"Let's play! I found Auntie Maria's nail polish!" Alexandra jumped off Max's lap, and Eliza followed. Before Max could get up to think, he heard some yelling at the door.
"Maria! Maria! I came to pick up Ellie!" Max heard the voice and sighed. Finally, one down, one to go. He got up and went towards the door. Before he could reach it, the door flew open and he knocked right into the woman who came rushing in.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry..." She got on her knees and reached over to pick up the big bridal gown book she had come to drop off.
"No, no. It's my fault." He was shaking his head a bit, since he was kind of dizzy. He reached over for the big book she'd dropped and their hands met on top of the book. She looked up and he met her gaze. It was as if the world had fallen away and time had stopped. He couldn't breathe. He was sent back to sophomore year.
~FLASH~
"You really can't stay long."
"I know. I just wanted to tell you that I've been thinking a lot about last night."
"Yea, me too."
"When I saw Valenti taking you away like that. It just hit home for me... how much knowing me has screwed up your life."
"No. It's just the opposite."
"Thank you for saying that."
"It's all the truth Max."
"I better go."
"Why?"
"'Cause if I don't go right now, things are gonna change."
"Change how?"
"I'm gonna have to touch your hair, cause it's so soft. And I'm gonna have to tell you no matter what we go through, it's all worthwhile for me, because we're together..."
"And then?"
"And then... I'm gonna have to do this..." It was their first kiss. Their first kiss on Earth that is. It was the end of the heat wave and they'd given in to their passion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Oh... it's bright tonight. You see that one? That star is the only star this far out visible from Earth. We call it the North Star. I think of you whenever I see it." She lowered her gaze shyly and looked to her right, away from Zan's piercing eyes.
"It's our star."
"What?"
"It's ours. That way no matter where we are, or what we're doing, we can remember... us."
"Oh, I see. Suddenly you can own the stars."
"Eliza, I'm king of Antar. I can do and own whatever I want."
"I see. When did you become brave and almighty?"
"I'm not all that brave. There are things I'm sure I couldn't do, things I want to, but just can't because of fear."
"Really? Name one." She stared into his eyes, and in a sudden movement, they were face to face, staring profoundly into each other's souls.
"I... I really can't."
"Come on! Take chances! Be bold!" Eliza's big brown eyes were large with mockery.
"Eliza!" Zan raised his finger to his lips and shushed her. Slowly he moved in, and nervously but passionately kissed her.
~REALITY~
"Liz?!" She stared at him, with wide eyes.
"OH MY GOD! Max!"
He walked down the dark streets, his hand in his pockets, his head lost in the silence. He walked past an old, familiar house. He began to turn towards it, and stopped at the front door. He stared at the door, not quite sure why he was there, but knowing that he needed to see them. He raised his hand to knock when the door flew open.
"WOAH! What the heck?! You scared me! Geez... I'm sorry. I just didn't expect someone to be at my door and this hour." The man stood, hand on his chest, eyes a little wild with confusion.
"Who is it?"
"I got it Dad!" Max smiled at the exchange.
"Kyle."
"Yes, do I know you?" Kyle looked at the stranger suspiciously.
"Let's just say I saved your life... once upon a time." As he met eyes with the man in front of him, Kyle realized he recognized that glare.
"Oh my God! Dad, come quick!" He stared in awe for a few minutes, then he apologized and rushed Max into the house.
"Where've you been man?"
"New York."
"It's really good to see you again."
"Same here." Max sat on the couch and looked around. He pushed away the images that were beginning to form in his head. All he could see were images of he and a blonde that he had put behind him long ago. Jim walked in from the kitchen with a rag in his hands. He looked at the boys in front of him. Incredible.
"Max?"
"Hey Sheriff." Max lowered his eyes, with the quiet, shy quality he had been known for.
"Just Jim, Max. It's just Jim." They hugged each other and Kyle smiled. Finally, things were returning to the way they should be. Maria and Michael were getting married, Jesse and Isabel had their daughter and were expecting another, and Max was back. The only one who needed to get himself together now was Kyle.
"So, I just stopped by to say hi. See how everything was going." Jim sat down and motioned for the both of them to sit as well.
"Well, me and Amy got married about three years ago. The attraction was unbearable, so we had to go ahead with it. Kyle has a steady girlfriend, right Kyle?"
"Umm.. yea sort of. I met her about a year ago, when I tried to join the police force and then decided I wasn't cut out for it. She was my nurse when I got beat up and sent to the hospital after a party for my becoming a cop, which I never did. Great friends, huh? Don't ever trust old football players. They're pretty violent. So anyway, yea. I met her at the emergency room. She was my nurse. And once we got to know each other, we figured out that we both were interested in Buddhism, in the most liberal ways, and we both loved football. So, then and there, I knew; it was love." Max laughed at Kyle. He had grown to be a pretty great guy. Max couldn't help but wonder what would have happened to Liz, had she stayed with Kyle. Had he not healed her at all.
"Well, Evans, I'm on my way out. You need a ride somewhere?" Max was snapped back to reality and looked around.
"Umm... yea actually. Can you take me to Michael's?"
"Sure." Max said good-bye to Jim as he put down his tea.
"You take care Max. Come back and visit tomorrow, when I'm more available to talk. It's good to see you again." Max walked out after Kyle and got into his red Corvette. They drove in silence most the way, then Kyle parked up in front of Michael's apartment. Max went to get out but turned around and closed the door.
"Have you seen the Parkers lately?"
"Yea, just saw them today actually."
"How are they? I mean, how have they taken it all?" Max looked into Kyle's eyes worried and Kyle knew that Max was now reaping the consequences of his actions so many years ago.
"They're fine. Actually, they're great. They were a little shocked at first, understandably so. But they're over it. They're happy now." Max nodded and lowered his head. They would never be truly over it. Kyle was trying to be nice.
"Thanks Kyle. For everything you've done."
"Hey, no problem. I'll see you around Evans." Max got out and heard Kyle speed off. He walked into the apartment looking for Maria.
"Maria? Maria?? Hey, I wanted to ask you about Liz's parents and the...." He looked into the living room and realized that it was dark. They had gone off to bed. He didn't blame them. It was about midnight already, he had been out for hours. He went to get his clothes and get ready for bed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEXT MORNING:
Max rubbed his head in pain. What was all the racket about?
"PUT THAT DOWN! Alex, you're going to break it! Don't make me call your mother! No, you know what? I'm calling Uncle Mike!"
"NO!!! I'm sorry. I'll put it down Aunt Maria, I swear! I just wanted to try it."
"Lipstick is for big people Alexandra. If you want to use it, you have to ask."
"I'm sorry." The little voice made Max snicker. If that wasn't little Isabel, no, it had to be. Not only did she sound just like her, but her curiosity obviously got her in as much trouble. He got up out of bed and smelled the breakfast brewing in the kitchen. He brushed his teeth and washed his face, and then he threw on a tee shirt. As he looked in the mirror, he felt a strange discomfort. He looked like his younger self much more now, with the comfortable shirt exposing his arm muscles. He thought about shaving, but then decided to just trim instead. He didn't want to go all the way back. Not yet. He wasn't ready for the flashbacks that his younger face could cause. For the memories that could flood his brain as he stared into the mirror. He'd shave the night before Michael and Maria's wedding. That was just three days away. He made his way into the kitchen and saw two little girls running around. It was like a sitcom family.
"SIT DOWN AND EAT! Jesus Christ, I'm losing my mind here!" Maria looked up as she saw Max come into the room. She couldn't help but smile at his lost statement.
"Is it like this everyday?"
"No. Just on weekends."
"Hey, when am I meeting my partner? The woman I'll be walking down the aisle with. Your umm... what do you call that...?"
"Maid of honor. That'll be later on this afternoon. When I come back." Maria grabbed one of the girls, a beautiful brunette, by the arms and sat her on the chair at the dining room table.
"Now, you are going to eat breakfast. When you're done with breakfast, you can play with Alex. Ok?"
"Yes, Auntie Maria." The child obediently turned towards her food and began stuffing the scrambled eggs into her mouth. She made a quick face of disgust and then poured some of the Tabasco sauce on the table on to her eggs. She took another bite and smiled in contentment.
"Ok. I am running late already, I thought you'd be up earlier. Michael is out at the dining hall, making sure all the preparations are made for Saturday. I have to run out to the florists, and if Michael calls I need you to tell him to meet me there. Can you do that?"
"What about the girls?"
"You'd have to watch them for a few hours." Max's face showed signs of pure horror.
"It's really not that bad!" Maria laughed at his dramatic statement. "Here is my cell phone number, Michael's cell phone number, Isabel's home number, in case Alex begins to misbehave, the number to the florist, in case you have to rush either of them to the hospital, and the number to the Crashdown, where you will probably find Isabel, Kyle, Jesse, anyone. Ok?"
"Wait! What about the other girl? Who's her mother, and how can I get in contact with her in case of an emergency?"
"Gotta go Max! Look, just dial 911! I trust you. Thanks!" Maria waved good- bye as she made her way outside and into the car.
"But..." Max was left with nothing else to say. It couldn't be that hard. They were in fact, just children. Max served himself some eggs and bacon and two slices of toast. He sat across from the little brunette and his heart stopped. He felt himself be drifted off to the third grade. He saw Liz, as he got off the school bus for the first time. He was in his own world when he heard her little voice.
"Not hungry huh? Auntie Maria's food is really not that bad." She smiled as she kept her head low, her shy gaze in contrast to her bold comment. Max smiled as he eyed her closely. Her bangs hid her big eyes, the ones that blew him away when she looked up.
"Hi. I'm Ellie."
"Hi. Max." She smiled widely at this, getting a better look at him, and he at her. Her eyes were hazel, deep and mysterious, an identical copy of his own. He could not believe it. Who was this girl? No one had told him that Isabel had two daughters. And it was impossible that one of them looked like Liz.
"I'm seeing things..." He whispered to himself, and then looked up again, realizing that she was just staring. When she saw his eyes meet hers, she quickly put her head down.
"So... Ellie. Is that short for something?"
"Uh huh. For..."
"ELIZA!" Her eyes grew wide with excitement. She looked over at Alex as she found another lipstick to play with. Then she looked back at Max with pleading eyes.
"Can I go play?" Max was staring at her in awe. Everything about this child was making him nostalgic.
"Go ahead." He could barely get the words out. This was too weird. She smiled widely and ran over to her friend. Max sat and stared at his cold eggs. He shook his head to try and clear the clouds. He placed his hand over the food and felt the steam come back. He smiled at himself. Microwaves, what a joke. It had been so long since he used his powers, even simple ones like that. He reached for the Tabasco sauce and poured it all over his eggs. He began to eat when he felt eyes on him. He looked over and saw both Alexandra and Eliza, standing side by side, staring.
"You're like us." Alex's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Are you Uncle Max?"
"Yea. I'm your mom's brother." She looked at him for a moment, and then smiled at his warm eyes.
"You are Uncle Max!" Alex ran and hugged her uncle. "Mom told me all about you! You came from New York?"
"Yup. All the way from the other side of the United States." He smiled and held her on his lap as she latched on to his neck. Her short blonde hair making her look exactly like a younger version of her mother. He looked down and saw Eliza staring.
"You're like us?" She was very suspicious, even after Alex had embraced him so quickly. He saw in her eyes that she wanted to believe him. That she wanted to trust him. It reminded him of a younger version of himself. So suspicious, but wanting to trust.
"Yes." She approached him, getting slowly closer. She reached up and touched his cheeks softly, letting her fingers linger. That's when he felt it. He saw the flashes come in an instant. The feeling was drowning, emotions overtaking him like they hadn't in years. He saw images quickly, and blurry. But he felt her feelings. She was happy. She was warm and comforted, but she was lonely. She wanted... her father? She pulled away, and looked into his eyes with her own smiling ones. She also jumped on his lap and kissed his cheek.
"You are like us!" Eliza smiled and hugged Alex who was on his other leg. They both laughed, as if dwelling on some five year old inside joke.
"Let's play! I found Auntie Maria's nail polish!" Alexandra jumped off Max's lap, and Eliza followed. Before Max could get up to think, he heard some yelling at the door.
"Maria! Maria! I came to pick up Ellie!" Max heard the voice and sighed. Finally, one down, one to go. He got up and went towards the door. Before he could reach it, the door flew open and he knocked right into the woman who came rushing in.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry..." She got on her knees and reached over to pick up the big bridal gown book she had come to drop off.
"No, no. It's my fault." He was shaking his head a bit, since he was kind of dizzy. He reached over for the big book she'd dropped and their hands met on top of the book. She looked up and he met her gaze. It was as if the world had fallen away and time had stopped. He couldn't breathe. He was sent back to sophomore year.
~FLASH~
"You really can't stay long."
"I know. I just wanted to tell you that I've been thinking a lot about last night."
"Yea, me too."
"When I saw Valenti taking you away like that. It just hit home for me... how much knowing me has screwed up your life."
"No. It's just the opposite."
"Thank you for saying that."
"It's all the truth Max."
"I better go."
"Why?"
"'Cause if I don't go right now, things are gonna change."
"Change how?"
"I'm gonna have to touch your hair, cause it's so soft. And I'm gonna have to tell you no matter what we go through, it's all worthwhile for me, because we're together..."
"And then?"
"And then... I'm gonna have to do this..." It was their first kiss. Their first kiss on Earth that is. It was the end of the heat wave and they'd given in to their passion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Oh... it's bright tonight. You see that one? That star is the only star this far out visible from Earth. We call it the North Star. I think of you whenever I see it." She lowered her gaze shyly and looked to her right, away from Zan's piercing eyes.
"It's our star."
"What?"
"It's ours. That way no matter where we are, or what we're doing, we can remember... us."
"Oh, I see. Suddenly you can own the stars."
"Eliza, I'm king of Antar. I can do and own whatever I want."
"I see. When did you become brave and almighty?"
"I'm not all that brave. There are things I'm sure I couldn't do, things I want to, but just can't because of fear."
"Really? Name one." She stared into his eyes, and in a sudden movement, they were face to face, staring profoundly into each other's souls.
"I... I really can't."
"Come on! Take chances! Be bold!" Eliza's big brown eyes were large with mockery.
"Eliza!" Zan raised his finger to his lips and shushed her. Slowly he moved in, and nervously but passionately kissed her.
~REALITY~
"Liz?!" She stared at him, with wide eyes.
"OH MY GOD! Max!"