When Max came out of the bathroom, she grabbed her duffle and threw her toiletries into it. She spent a few minutes packing the last of her things before setting everything by the door and heading downstairs. The minute Max reached the bottom, she could hear the chatter of more than the four people she was expecting. Curiously, she walked to the kitchen and then stopped. There, sitting around the table were her kru. They'd shared one last meal last night, but they had all headed home with tear-filled hugs. Tears immediately sprung in her eyes because she didn't think that she'd see them again for a while.
Mitchie was the first to see her standing in the doorway, a knowing smile on her face as she called out, "There she is. The woman of the hour."
Max wetly chuckled and walked into the room, "I wouldn't go that far, Tia. What are you guys doing here?"
Terro stood up and approached her, "You didn't think we'd let you leave without saying bye first, did you?"
"I thought that was what last night was," Max replied, hugging him.
"No," Caris said, coming up to hug her. "That was us saying bye to your cooking, Max. You're making us eat at home from now on."
"Oh, shit, you mean your parents have to cook now," Max feigned concern as she moved further into the kitchen and greeted everyone. "The world's ending."
"Yes, it is," Artigas pouted. "You're leaving us, Max."
Max sighed and pulled Artigas into a tight hug, "Dude, it won't be that bad. I'll still be able to visit, and I'm sure I can talk Aunt Becca into convincing Uncle Gustus to let you guys visit. I do have my own plane, remember."
"That is something we will discuss at a later time," Aunt Becca sternly replied and leveled a hard stare at Max. "The plane is not a toy, Max."
Max rolled her eyes, "I know, Aunt Becca. I do have a sense of responsibility underneath this reckless teenager exterior."
"Stop being a smartass, Max," Mitchie warned.
"Sorry, Tia," Max said.
"Forgiven, Mija," Mitchie replied. "Now, go sit down. Breakfast is almost ready."
"You mean, I don't have to cook. Oh, my god, I died, didn't I," Max grinned as she sat down.
Mitchie rolled her eyes, smiling and looked at Becca, "Are you sure you're ready for this, Becca? She's like this all the time."
Becca dramatically sighed, "Unfortunately, it's too late. The paperwork's been filed."
"Ouch, Aunt Becca," Max said, holding her chest. "That hurts. Right here. I'll have you know that I am a perfect angel. An-gel."
The room was silent for a second, and then everyone burst out laughing. That eased any remaining tension, and they fell back to their usual banter. Breakfast was a lively affair filled with laughs and anecdotes. Everyone recalling their favorite Max moments. By the end of the meal, Max was sure that Becca's eyebrows were permanently stuck near her hairline with some of the stories her friends had recounted. When everyone was finished, the kru got up and helped clean up, prolonging their time with Max.
When Becca's phone chimed, everyone knew that their time together was ending. Artigas followed Max up to her room and helped carry the rest of her belongings down. As the youngest member of Max's kru, Artie stuck close to Max. Even at school. Max understood because Artigas wasn't the most confident when it came to believing in himself. He needed Max's reassurance, and she was more than glad to give it to him.
The driver had arrived, and Becca directed him to load the car up with their belongings. Max watched as the last pieces of her left the house. Suddenly it was too real for Max. Without a word, she spun on her heel and headed to the one room that had always grounded her. The music studio.
Entering the empty room, her steps echoed off the walls making her breath hitch. Standing in the middle of the room, she closed her eyes and tilted her head back to hold off the tears that threatened to fall. Putting her hands on her head, she went through the breathing exercises Komfoni had taught her long ago and hadn't needed very often.
Lost in trying to gain control of her emotions, Max didn't hear someone enter the room. She jumped when she felt arms encircle her from behind. Without looking, she knew who it was.
Max sniffed and chuckled, "We just can't seem to stop finding ourselves in this position, can we?"
Luna pulled her into a tighter embrace, "We've been doing this since we were little girls, Max. You always run off when it gets to be too much, and I always come to ground you. This is who we are."
Max lowered her arms and laid her hands over Luna's, leaning back into her embrace, "It's one of the things I love most about you, Lu. My music speaks when I can't find my voice, and you ground me when I feel untethered. This move is going to be so hard without you."
"I'm not leaving you, Max," Luna replied softly in her ear. "We may be miles apart, but I'll always be here for you. I'm sorry that I can't be the person you want me to be. I never meant to hurt you."
Max moved her head slightly to lean against Luna's, opening her eyes, she sadly responded, "I know. But I don't regret the way I feel. You reminded me that I can love and that it can be returned. You showed me a different love, and I will always remain grateful for it. You were there for me when I needed it. And you remained when I was at my worst and darkest. No one will ever replace what you mean to me, Luna."
Luna nodded against Max, her emotions getting to her, "I hope that you find someone to love you the way you deserve, Max. The way I can't. You deserve to be happy and loved after all the skrish you've been through. And I know with everything in me that you will find happiness in Virginia. And you will find love. Don't shut yourself off before you give it a chance."
Max hummed in agreement as she continued to gather strength from Luna's embrace, staring out of the windows into the balmy October sky. They were drawn back to reality by a knock on the door.
"Max," Mitchie called out. "It's time."
Max let out a heavy sigh, and Luna squeezed her one last time before reluctantly letting her go. Wiping her face to rid it of the tears that had fallen while they stood there, Max turned to Mitchie and gave her a small smile.
Luna walked out of the room, leaving the two behind. Mitchie stepped into the room and had a folder in her hand.
Looking down at the folder, Mitchie held it out to Max after a moment, "I thought you'd like to have these, Max."
Max reluctantly took the folder and looked inside. She was greeted by an old photograph of her paternal grandfather, Antonio Castillo. She had known him for only a brief time, but what memories she had of him were of a kind and gentle man. He had died when she was five after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. He was always kind to her even though he never used the right pronouns; she loved him anyway. The next photo was one of her and Tori when they were little. Max traced a finger over the smiling faces as she remembered the day of the picture. It was before Tori had started to treat her differently and had looked at Max like she was the greatest sister ever. A tear fell on the photo, and Max hastily wiped it away. She missed what they used to have. She quickly moved to the last photo, and she jerked in response. It was a photo of her and her mother, a candid shot as they stood behind a table filled with science equipment. Max was beaming up at her mother as her mother looked down at her. What got Max was that it was one of those rare moments where Allie showed an emotion besides indifference. There was a look of pride on her face with just the faintest hint of a smile. Something Max remembered always trying to get out of her.
Looking up at Mitchie, "Tia, I, I can't—"
Mitchie reached out, laid a hand on the photos, and gave her niece a reassuring and understanding smile, "You should remember that it wasn't always hate and resentment, Max. That these right here showed that they loved you, even if they forgot later on. For the ofrenda (offering)."
Max looked at the photos uncertainly, "I, I don't know, Tia. I don't know if I'll have the time. And, and Trikru don't—"
"Max," Mitchie interrupted, and the girl looked up at her. "This is a part of who you are. Just because you're leaving doesn't mean you have to deny this part of you. Your aunt, uncle, and grandmother aren't telling you to give this up. Not like your parents made you give up Trikru. And it's not like you listened anyway."
Max chuckled and nodded in agreement.
"You, Max, are Mexican-Trikru. A perfect blend of both our people. Be proud of who you are and don't let anyone make you feel less because you're not one or the other. Just. Be. You," Mitchie said with a determined look on her face.
"Sha, Tia," Max replied and hugged Mitchie like her life depended on it. "Thank you for everything. For being here when I couldn't be here for myself. For loving me when I hated myself. And for letting me be in Dove's life. The two of you help save me."
"Thank you for opening your home to me, Max," Mitchie replied with tears in her eyes. "To us. And thank you for letting us in your life. Te amo, Sobrina (I love you, niece)."
"Yo tambien te amo, Tia (I love you too, Aunt)," Max whispered. "Mebi oso na hit choda nodotaim (May we meet again.)"
"We'll meet again, Mija," Mitchie replied. "Come on. It's time to say bye to rest."
Max nodded and let Mitchie go, holding on to the folder tightly. They left the music studio for the last time and headed to the front where everyone was waiting on Max. The goodbyes were even more drawn out than the night before. No one had a dry eye as they promised to keep in touch. Max held on to Dove the longest, whispering promises into the little girl's ear.
Finally relinquishing Dove to Mitchie, Max walked slowly to Becca and the waiting car. She refused to wipe the tears away as she took one last glance at the people she had come to call family. They tried to remain stoic, but it failed miserably with tears streaming down their faces. With a final wave, Max got into the car.
As the driver pulled the car out of the drive, Max wiped the tears away, and her phone immediately started pinging. She pulled it out of her pocket and let out a wet chuckle. They were already keeping their promise and vowing to let her know what went on in their lives.
Becca looked over at her niece with a sad smile, "You'll see them again, Max."
"I know," Max replied with a husky voice caused by the emotions she was feeling. "They're my family. We'd go through hell to be there for each other."
"Nothing's stronger than family, ai goufa," Becca knowingly replied.
Max nodded and looked at Becca, "Do they know we're coming?"
Becca gave her a mischievous smile, "No. I thought we'd surprise them."
Max rolled her eyes and smiled, "I hope I'm not rubbing off on you, Aunt Becca. That's just asking for trouble."
Ignoring the jab, "Let's go home, Max."
"Home," Max whispered too quiet for Becca to hear. She looked out as San Antonio passed them by, "Do I have one?"