Chloe draped her arms over the shoulders of her mom and Max. "Man, that breakfast smells soooo good. I'm ravenous. As much as I love chilling with you Mom, you're not going to be able to cook it sitting here."
"You never eat this early, Chloe…er…what would you like?"
"Whatever Max is having. I should hurry up if I were you. I don't know how much longer I can wait. I may have to start nibbling on Maxo Paxo here. Now what do I fancy? Hmmm. A bit of your arm? A taste of your leg? Your thigh feels nice and tender. I think I'll start there. Mmmmm." Chloe grabbed Max's thigh and squeezed it again and again.
Max started to giggle. "Gerroffme! Joyce, tell her. She's gonna eat me!" squealed Max in delight.
"I'm sorry but you're on your own, I'm afraid Munchkin. I've got my hands full here."
"Aha! You're all mine now, Caulfield! Now come here and let me munch on you."
Joyce looked over at the two girls and felt giddy with happiness. Chloe had never been the same after William had died and Max left for Seattle. Joyce had tried everything she possibly could over the years to help her, but nothing worked. She felt completely helpless as she watched her daughter who she loved more than anybody slowly crumble before her eyes.
She did seem to perk up a little when she was with Rachel, but Joyce knew that she was just a substitute for someone else. Then Rachel broke Chloe's heart. How many times would Chloe have to endure that agony? It had happened to her so many times already, and she was only nineteen. How much more could Chloe take? Rachel was the last straw for her. She declined rapidly after that. She was terrified of what Chloe would do – Joyce feared the worst.
Chloe had been suffering from bulimia and severe depression ever since Rachel left. She never ate breakfast now. She couldn't sleep properly. But now suddenly everything was different. Joyce had looked into Chloe's room early this morning and saw her cuddled up tightly with Max, the both of them soundly asleep. Joyce just stood there for ages looking at her daughter's beautiful face, lost in the moment. She looked so peaceful, content and happy. Joyce hadn't seen her look like that for years. The contrast between the sleeping girl and the 'I CAN'T SLEEP' she had scrawled upon the wall was a pleasure to behold. Now she wanted breakfast for the first time in months.
Joyce knew the reason for the sudden changes – Max. The girls were soulmates – Joyce had known that for years. Joyce also knew that Chloe was head-over-heels in love with Max. She always had been, but only now was it something more than platonic. 'But would Max reject Chloe? I know Max loves Chloe too, but she's so shy she'll never say anything. What if she rejects her out of panic or fear?' Joyce was both happy and also petrified. 'A rejection would destroy Chloe. Once and for all. Oh Max, my daughter's life is in your hands, and you don't even know it. I don't want to put pressure on her – that would be very wrong and tremendously unfair. I love Max too. She's my other daughter. But Max, I'm begging you - please don't kill my baby. You're her last chance.'
"If you're finished molesting me, Price, I'm gonna go up to take a shower and get dressed before brekkie."
"Cool. Take what you need from my wardrobe and whatever. My room is your room."
"Thanks Chloe. You're the best." Max headed upstairs. Chloe gazed after her as she ascended. She turned to find her mom watching her, smiling. "What?"
"Oh, nothing." The last word was laced with meaning. "Is there anything you want to talk to me about? Anything at all?"
"Nope. Like what?"
"Oh I dunno…like Max…and you."
Chloe was silent for a long time, then moved from the hallway back to the couch. Joyce followed after her.
"You know, don't you? You can tell, right?" 'Damn, Debbie was so fucking right! Shitshitshit!' thought Chloe to herself.
Joyce seated herself next to her daughter and clasped Chloe's hands lovingly. "Yes, I do and I can. I've known for days now, Chloe. I've been wondering when you were finally going to get around to telling me."
Chloe began to weep. "I was gonna, Mom, but I didn't want to give you any more stress after all the crap that I've caused you, especially recently. I'm in a mess, Mom. I don't know what to do. She's my best friend…but I love her, Mom. So much that it hurts. I want to tell her but…I'm so scared…I could ruin everything…drive her away again. I couldn't take that. I want to be with her forever. But I don't know how she feels about me. What if she doesn't love me?" Chloe broke down and buried her head in her mother's chest. "I'm sorry Mom. I'm nothing but problems to, you aren't I?" sobbed Chloe.
"Not at all, Pumpkin. I'm here for you – no matter what. I'd do anything for you. You're my world." Joyce gently stroked Chloe's hair, then lifted her chin to meet her gaze. "Listen to me Chloe. I know that you love Max. I also know that Max loves you. You've been soulmates basically since you first met. Your dad knew it. I knew it. So did Ryan and Vanessa. The only people that didn't were you and Max. You were both too young to understand…to understand your feelings for each other. But now you're older, you know."
"I know, Mom…but Max…"
"Chloe, listen. Max is in love with you too. She just doesn't know it…or is only just beginning to realise it."
"How…how can you tell?"
"By the way she looks at you. The way she acts around you. The way she talks to you. You two are meant for each other. I've seen love before, many times, and I know I'm not wrong. Why do you think she didn't want to go to Seattle but wished to stay here? Why do you think she made that promise to you the day she left? Why do you think she came back here as soon as she was able? For Blackwell? For me? My cooking? Max's life has always revolved around you, and it still does. She came back for one reason only - you."
"Are…are you sure, Mom? I mean what if…"
"I've never been more sure of anything. Trust me Chloe."
"But what do I do? I'm terrified."
"Of course you are – love is very scary, but that's what's so great about it. As for what to do, just let things happen naturally. True love will find a way. It always does." They could hear Max moving around in the bedroom.
"Thanks Mom. You're great. I love you so much. I'd best see if Max needs help finding anything." Joyce kissed her daughter lovingly. "I love you too. And stop worrying. Everything will turn out fine."
"I really hope so." said Chloe as she walked towards the stairs.
"So do I, for your sake Chloe." Joyce uttered under her breath softly.
'Chloe has had this damn dirty pirate towel since we were kids.' Max thought as she dried herself off, a little smile on her face. 'Damn, there's no pads in here…I'll check Chloe's room. And I'm all out of clothes. Time for some Chloe cosplay.' Once in the bedroom she turned on some music and selected some ripped denims, a white print T-shirt and a red and black check flannel blouse from Chloe's wardrobe then inspected herself in the mirror. She smiled wryly and took a selfie. "Ready for the mosh pit, shaka brah."
She searched the drawers for a pad. She found what she was looking for and lifted out the box. Now she could see the corner of a photo sticking out from under some parking tickets. It appeared to be someone wearing the very flannel she had on right now. Max was intrigued and slid the photo out. 'What the…?' Max was stunned by what she saw. The girl in the red flannel was kissing…Chloe. 'This has to be Rachel! Chloe and her were…ohmygod!' Max realised that looking at the photo hurt. It stung. A lot. It felt like betrayal somehow, like she had been stabbed in the heart. Max was incredibly confused. Then the creeping realisation finally broke through to the surface.
'Oh…my…fucking…christ! I'm jealous of this girl! I'm jealous of Rachel! Because…because I like Chloe. Ohhhh shit! I'm a lesbian! No wonder I've never liked a boy. I'm a freakin' lesbian! And I've got the hots for my best friend! I want Chloe. Fucking hell Max!' Max flopped down on to the end of the bed in shock. She stared at the photo a little longer, her mind racing, then it fell out of her hands.
"You ready yet, Maxo? Fancy taking a cruise somewh…" Chloe cut off abruptly. She was standing inside the doorway, staring in utter horror at the photograph lying on the floor.
"Sorry, I wasn't trying to be nosy. I took the pads and it was just lying there. I…"
Chloe looked up at Max. She had tears in her eyes. Without a word she suddenly turned and ran down the stairs. Max heard the front door slam. She grabbed her shoes and tried to get them on as fast as she could.