Journal Entry -- September 29, 1999

I know it's rare that I'd write in this journal before dark. Usually I obey my daily ritual of finishing out the day then recording it and all its quirky eventualities. But today is different. Today is the day I finally suck up all my courage and tell Max how I feel. Normally, confessions of this nature are limited only to the pages of this journal…and Maria of course. But it's time I stand up for what I want.

And what I want is Max Evans…


Since her conversation with Max at lunch, Liz had been a constant ball of nervous energy. While her shift tonight at the Crashdown had helped to preoccupy her brain, she couldn't help the growing anxiousness in the pit of her stomach.

It's almost 7:30…Max will be here any minute.

Walking from the kitchen to the floor of the restaurant she's pulling at her uniform, trying to remove her apron gracefully when she notices Maria headed straight for her.

"Okay Chica. So what do you say…my shift's over in an hour. Wanna catch a movie at the Cineplex?"

"Oh! Yeah not tonight Maria."

"Not tonight? What you got something better to do? Come on its Friday night!"

Laughing at Maria's typical exuberance Liz explains, "Yeah I know, but I kind of already made plans…"

"Ahhh…you made plans? And why am I just now hearing about this…HELLO? Who's your best friend in the whole world?"

Off Liz's answering embarrassed laugh, Maria eggs her on, "…Spill it sister! So who is this mysterious, lucky and totally undeserving guy?"

Just as Maria is about to shamelessly pump Liz for information, the sound of the bell above the door immediately announces the arrival of another customer.

Eagerly searching the entrance, Liz smiles in her excitement once she sees Max walking in. Their eyes instantly meet as he slowly walks toward her. The anxious feeling in her chest is quelled when he smiles tenderly at her…his eyes fixed on her intently.

Noticing Liz's obvious exit from reality, Maria turns to see what she finds so intriguing. Seeing Max slowly closing the distance between them, she immediately understands. Laughing in disbelief she turns back to her friend as they share a look.

"Now I understand…Planet Max is calling. You know I expect a FULL report later!"

"Absolutely!" Liz nods her head for emphasis.

Arching her in head in satisfaction, Maria walks off briskly as Max approaches.

Liz smiles tenderly at her friend as she leaves; she knows that Maria isn't comfortable about this whole situation. But the fact that she's able to set her fears for her friend aside and give her this time alone with Max makes Liz smile.

Of course it helped that Maria had finally accepted that nothing she could say could change Liz's mind…they'd already had that conversation.

Refocusing her attention, Liz's eyes follow Max's every movement; it was as if by simply watching him walk toward her she was entranced. She involuntarily smiles up at him as the corners of his mouth slightly lift in greeting.

"Hi," he smiles slightly as he stops to stand in front of her.

"Hi."