Life Gets Crazy
Part 1: Winter
Chapter 9: Thank You (2)
I searched for the right place to start with William. He was just someone you couldn't describe with words to be honest. But every time I thought of William, it's like the words are in my head, but I just don't know how to get them out.
"William..." I started. "William was like a second father to me. If my dad were the bad cop, he'd definitely be the good cop trying to act bad. That goes for me and Chloe."
I sat down on Chloe's bed again trying to gather my thoughts on how to present William to Warren and Kate. "I remember I could never have what I wanted with my dad, so I'd try to guilt trip William into getting me what I wanted...heheh then Joyce would find out and give me the same treatment she would give Chloe."
"You're more conniving than I thought, Max." Kate teased.
"Hey we were all troublesome kids at one point, and Chloe wasn't exactly the best influence either," I retaliated. "William was so kind so it was hard to not take advantage of that kindness every now and again."
"I would've loved to meet him," Kate said, loving what she heard. Warren agreed.
"I know he would've loved you guys. Kate, you're so down to earth, but you carry a sense of optimism that I don't even think you realize you have. So kind, even to the people I personally think don't deserve it. That's exactly like William. He would love you, easily..."
All I could think about was the day I visited Kate in the hospital. Everyone was so mean to her but after seeing all those letters on her desk, how easy she was accepting them all in her heart, even Victoria's "bitchiness" at the time...she's one of a kind.
Her scenario could've easily made her a much darker person. Someone who hated life, and I believe she was very close at the time...still makes me feel uneasy, as if the air gets thinner.
Kate blushed a bit after how I described her though. She wasn't expecting that kind of thing and frankly, I don't know where it came from, but there was no point on getting off the train...or...however that saying goes...if it's a saying at all, whatever, I don't know.
"And Warren. You always find a reason to smile, have fun and do the right things. You have this instinctive confidence about you...I can't put my finger on it, but when I look at you, I see someone who will always be helpful in any situation...any. William would love that."
All I could think about were the times Warren risked his ass for me. That time in the parking lot, as dangerous as Nathan was at the time, who probably still had his gun and everything...and then in the boy's dorm he kicked the gun right out of Nathan's hand and "went ape" all over his face...
He could've been seriously hurt or worse...It's...it's not something I encourage him to do...in fact, I would advise him to not do anything that reckless again in the future if I could, but knowing him, he probably wouldn't listen, especially if my livelihood were at stake.
I feel a sense of security when he's around, as goofy as he is...
Warren scratched the back of his head, feeling the same way as Kate I'd imagine. "Thanks Max...it means a lot to hear you say that," He answered. I smiled as genuinely as possible, but I probably was before anyway, so I might've just looked a bit stupid.
I looked down and silence filled the room for a few seconds. It was an awkward silence, but not exactly uncomfortable. It kind of felt like we took a "moment of silence". "And you Max," Kate started.
"Huh?" I was confused. I didn't know what she was talking about.
"You want affection, even though you put up a wall so others can't get close to you," She diagnosed.
"You think so?"
"I know so, Max," She smiled lovingly. "Yeah, you're awkward and tentative, but you're constantly thinking about others...you constantly thought about me."
"That's what makes you Super Max," Warren added.
"Super Max...wowser, it's been a while," I put my hand on my forehead, saying under my breath.
"Huh?" Warren asked, wanting me to repeat it.
"Nothing...just thinking out loud" We had Chloe's door closed, so someone was knocking on it.
"Breakfast is ready, come down and get it." Joyce enunciated from behind the door.
"Okay, coming!" I told her. I put the items I had back where I found them, but I held on to the picture of Chloe and Rachel. I didn't think about asking Joyce cause knowing her she wouldn't mind at all.
The three of us went downstairs , looking at the table with three plates there filled with pancakes, sausages and eggs. It looked delicious as always and all three of our faces were in awe.
It hasn't been that long, but I forgot how good of a cook my mom was. And her cooking combined with Joyce's was a meal made by the Heavens. "Wow, thank you!" The three of us said together, as if it were rehearsed beforehand.
We walked to the table and sat down. Kate looked for every chance to place me and Warren together, it was crazy. So naturally, he sat next to me and Kate sat across from me.
We started eating, and each bite felt special. Even more special than usual, and nostalgic for some reason. "How is it?" Joyce asked, just looking for praise at this point.
"It's great, as always. Better than usual," I answered.
"Why can't I have this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?" Warren asked childishly.
"Thank you, Joyce. It's amazing," Kate told her.
A million good things could be said about her cooking, but none of us knew a million words to describe the breakfast, so we left that alone.
As I ate, I started to feel weird. Like I was sent back in time, watching events of the past play out, however that felt. I stopped eating, even though I was almost done. I heard children laughing in my head. Running around, being nothing more but kids.
So many crazy things have happened up to this point, I didn't even know if it was my imagination or if it was something actually happening to me, like the rest of my visions.
From the base of the staircase, a younger Joyce yelled for Chloe to come down to get her breakfast, the same one in front of me. It wasn't any special occasion. It was a regular day like any other.
Everyday with Chloe was a fun day, but it wasn't like this particular day was better than the rest. It was just normal. I looked at my hand, only to notice that I could barely hold on to the fork. My hand was small, gripping the fork with a fist.
I looked across from me, who was supposed to be Kate, was William, reading his paper, while eating his pancakes. Joyce walked up to me, fresh and smiling brightly, "How is it, Max?" She was much larger than I was, and so was William
"I love it! Better than usual!" I answered, but it wasn't me, it was the scenario playing out...I was just viewing it first person.
I heard loud, quick footsteps coming down the stairs, and saw a smaller Chloe swing passed the railing of the staircase, running to the table. "Hey, how come you guys started without me?!" Chloe screamed, still running.
"You were late!" I screamed back.
She came beside me, looking at her plate, then compared it to William's and my own. "And how come they get more than I do!?" She whined.
"Because you never finish yours off! You keep on late-night eating!" I talked back to her. I had forgotten I had such a raw attitude back then. Victoria-esque.
"Not this time, I didn't have any late-night snacks, so I'm much hungrier this time around! Gimme some, I'll show you!" I quickly held my plate up, fighting off Chloe, trying to save my pancakes.
"If you two keep this up, I'll eat both of your breakfasts," William intervened.
"And I won't stop him either, sit down and eat quietly, both of you!" Joyce came in.
I stuck my tongue out at William. I knew he was a pansy at the time and had a soft spot for me, but Chloe lived close to the edge and stuck her tongue out at Joyce. Then it was dynamic duo vs dynamic duo.
I came back to reality, tears in my eyes that I wasn't even aware about...It was easy to remember the special days. Our birthdays, holidays, special get togethers...but moments like those were so easy to forget about.
We had times like those too, calm moments turning into shit shows, and shit shows becoming calm moments. Now I know why this breakfast felt so special. The days Chloe and I got on William and Joyce's nerves were the best days...days we can never go back to.
"Honey, are you okay?" Mom asked me, worried.
"O-Oh..." I wiped my tears with my wrist. I looked nuts, eating the rest of my breakfast. Kate turned to Warren, Mom turned to Dad, and Joyce stayed looking at me. She was the only one who new the significance in my tears.
She probably had the same memory too. After some more talking all of us were ready to leave. We were in front of her door, dressed, and Joyce wasn't ready to go to Two Whales for another hour or two.
"Take care of yourself, Joyce. If you ever need anything, just call," Mom explained to her.
"I will, hun. Thank you," She replied. I hugged her and everyone else said their goodbyes.
I turned to see Chloe's car parked in front of the garage. I don't know why I didn't notice it earlier. I looked up at the house that wasn't finished being painted. I don't think I'll ever get over not seeing them at their house, but I was ready to move on.
In Dad's car, we took off with Joyce waving bye to us quickly before going back inside. I sat next to the window, leaning against it watching Arcadia drive by me. It wasn't goodbye, and I don't know why it felt like one.
"Do you guys think she'll see the vacation tickets on the table?" Kate asked, curiously.
It was like some kind of rehearsed scenario, but my phone vibrated as she asked that. It was Joyce who texted me. I smiled. She saw it. Before going there, I was struggling to find the words to say, cause I was planning on presenting it to her myself, but no words were needed. We all understood each other.
I didn't even read the message. I will later, but I can almost guess what she said, word for word. I leaned my head on the window smiling with my eyes closed.
Author Notes: That's the chapter guys and this marks the end of the first arc of the story "recollection" Arc. "Seattle Arc" starts with chapter 10 and this arc is when the story starts to pick up. Thank you all for reading so far and I hope you guys continue to read and enjoy :D
