19

That same night, Max found Georg completely drunk and crushed, with an empty bottle next to him and another one opened. Max was worried about him, he looked utterly broken and numb.

He had an idea of what was going on, but he wanted to hear it from Georg's mouth. He was too dear to him not to get involved and help him solve whatever was bothering him. Max's natural curiosity was tormented by what was happening to his longtime friend who had finally begun to look more like himself over the last few weeks.

He had looked relaxed and happy around Maria and maybe sometimes overprotective, but that was his friend. When he loved, he loved deeply. And of course Max closely followed what was going on between the two of them.

It was as if Max had the best seat in the house to observe a romantic play: all the longing looks. the, mutual teasing, the shared discreet smiles, the communication only with the eyes, and how both faces lit up radiantly when one of them entered the room.

Max was immensely enjoying himself watching all of this love drama play out from his vantage point in the front seat . After all, his best friend had suffered so much and deserved to be happy.

Then, suddenly everything had changed and Georg was the same as before Maria arrived: somber, disappointed, withdrawn. He was constantly drunk and had become an insufferable boor. On a couple of occasions, indirectly, Maria had jokingly connected Elsa's departure and Georg's mood. But Max did not comment out loud while his thoughts were on Georg. But Maxy Waxi knew better, the reason had to be Maria, not Elsa.

But why Georg was in such a foul mood was not clear to Max. In fact, everything was going fantastically in Georg's favour, Maria had given up her vocation, and decided to start teaching children at school. She would be close, which meant that Georg could finally be able to court her openly.

So it was not clear to Max why Georg had suddenly had turned back into his old self again: arrogant, sarcastic, hostile towards Maria, and even jealous of Max. He knew that Georg was passionate. But the problem was that Maria was the same, if not worse.

Although no one could tell at first glance she was a live wire and Georg had felt it first hand. If Georg continued to behave like this he should expect conflict and inevitable fights between the two of them, Max laughed to himself. While he was deep in thought he was struck by a quiet and defeated voice.

"Sorry Max, I'm a terrible host and I'm not the best company tonight, I'd love to be left alone!" Georg sounded deeply thoughtful and distant, looking at the fireplace, holding a glass of whiskey in his hand.

"No Georg, that's enough. Something's going on and I'm worried about you, I'm here to help you," said Max persistently and stubbornly, not intending to leave him alone.

"Max, that's enough, leave me alone!" Georg's voice had a dangerous and commanding edge. He was unaccustomed to being contradicted by anyone.

"Don't try to fob me off. I'm not leaving until you tell me what's going on. I don't want to repeat the mistake of four years ago, when I was waiting for you to find your way to yourself and your children. It's completely different situation now. I'm not going to let you go back to your old ways."

Max finished preaching to him, while Georg listened absently. As silence enveloped them, Max bravely proceeded with the interrogation, wisely deciding on a safer approach.

"Elsa called and she has arrived in Vienna without any problems. She's already planning what party she's going to!" he said joyfully, watching him carefully.

Georg didn't even move, the words seemed to go through him, just as Max expected, without any reaction. He braced himself okay, Max you can do this!

So he took a deep breath expecting a storm. There was no other way, knowing that his friend was a private person and he wouldn't easily share his problems with others.

"I've found some good contacts and I think we'll be able to rent an apartment for Maria very soon!"

As he expected, Georg immediately flinched and tensed. But that wasn't enough, he had to be more direct to find out what the problem was.

"I think she'll be able to leave the villa soon and live there," said Max slowly, watching him like a hawk, noting every facial expression and body movement.

"Yes, I have no doubt she can't wait to move on and start a new life while exploring all of life's possibilities!" Georg's angry voice thundered.

In Max's head nothing was clearer, he was still very confused. He felt he was on the right track but also in very dangerous territory. Nevertheless he had to move on, for his and the children's sakes.

"Well, yes. Now that she won't be becoming a nun she can travel, see the world, and who knows - maybe one day even have a family. I'm glad for her. She's not suited for a cloistered life. She brings so much joy to everyone and she simply deserves a much more fulfilling life," Max said sincerely with all his heart. At the same time he observed how Georg's whole body became rigid.

"I have no doubt you'll be the first to congratulate her and that damn Italian!" Georg said sarcastically and angrily, while swallowing his whiskey.

Max sighed, finally glad that he had managed to encourage Georg to say what was bothering him.

But Max didn't have time to rejoice for managing to break through the well-guarded wall. Now a problem arose. Italian? Which Italian?

He was puzzled. He knew he shouldn't ask too much because Georg was likely to catapult him into the lake, but still, he had to help his friend.

"Italian? Is that the guy from the patisserie? But they're just good friends!" In fact, Max didn't know anything about it, but he had to improvise to find out the real truth.

"Yes, obviously very good "friends" kissing in front of my house and spending a whole day tumbling around on the mountain," Georg said harshly.

Then he suddenly stopped, ashamed that he had revealed too much to his old friend.

Max was shocked.

He decided not to comment further and leave things like that. It didn't make any sense to him. Maria was crazy about Georg, even a small child could see that.

He decided to slow down with the search for an apartment until Maria and Georg had resolved their disagreements, he was convinced his friend was wrong. He had enough life experience to know that something was wrong. He needed to find out what was going on. It seemed so wrong, Maria wasn't like that.

First and foremost, he would take his friend to the bedroom, since in his current state he would be unable to do that himself. And tomorrow he would talk to Maria and encourage her to talk to Georg and reconcile with him.

Of course there was a danger that things might escalate before that.

Max had noticed that Georg had started on a dangerous course of upsetting and pestering Maria.

She had restrained herself from reacting for the sake of the children. But if Georg continued to act like that towards Maria, with her a short fuse, the main question would be, how long it would be before she exploded.

xxx

So do you like Maxy-waxy ? Do you think he will manage to help before a new battle between our stubborn Billy goats?