The days that fallowed were ones full of hope, laughter, and friendship. Liesel couldn't help but smile every morning she woke up and Max was still there. Although his smile was small and fleeting it was growing bigger and more genuine each day. Every afternoon Liesel found herself completely wrapped up in Max, whether they were working in the store, picking apples, or just reading on the floor. These days were bliss to everyone. Alex Steiner noticed the connection between the two almost instantly, but what could he say when everyone was happy just being together.
"Hey, Max! Come help me patch the roof." Alex shouted from behind the store counter.
"Sure thing, Boss," Max gave Liesel a quick smile.
"Be back later, wait for me 'kay?" He whispered so close to her ear she broke out in goose bumps.
She watched her best friend get off the floor from where they were laying reading a book together. Where would we be if Max hadn't of shown up? The store had never been doing better since Max came, he was also able to help Mr. Steiner with the handy work that she could not do—like patch the roof. Max also helped her stock the shelves in the store when the boxes were too heavy or it was too high to reach. Spring was just starting so there was a lot of cleaning and fixing to do from the long winter. It was mid-afternoon, and Liesel went down to take Mr. Steiner's place at the register. There was a man downstairs that came in at least once a week. He usually just bought one or two things, which made Liesel think that he came in just to make sure the business would stay afloat. The economy was rocky at best and everyone in town was doing what they could to help each other salvage what was left of their lives. There was a loud shout that came from up on the roof followed by a long stream of profanities; Mr. Steiner must have accidently hit himself with his hammer.
"Where would we be if Max hadn't shown up?" She laughed a smile playing on her lips, and as she looked out the front window of the shop at the crystal blue sky and puffy white clouds. Liesel could hear the steady thumping of hammers on the roof, as she took out her book again to read at the counter. This is bliss.
No one else entered the store until closing time, so Liesel locked up and went upstairs to the small apartment. Liesel sprawled out on the threadbare rug and closed her eyes. Normally she would have sat on the sofa, but Max had not put away his bedding this morning. Since there were only two bedrooms, Max had been sleeping on the couch. He insisted that it was the softest thing he had slept on in months, which was a dark reminder to where he had been before coming to live with Liesel and Alex. Liesel looked up at the rumpled mess of sheets and blankets, and then listened for the sound of the men on the roof. They were still hammering away. No one would notice if I laid in his bed for a moment. It is technically our sofa. Liesel's logic was flawless—in her opinion. She pushed herself up onto her knees and clamored into the blankets. Max's smell engulfed her and she inhaled deeply. Wrapped in his covers she couldn't help to think back to the night he showed up. The night he had let her kiss him. Liesel heart ached with longing and confusion. Liesel had woken up expecting…something. But Max acted as if it had never happened, as if he regretted kissing her. They had been caught up in the moment, but she had poured her heart into that kiss. She loved Max, in ways she was not even sure of herself. She longed to be near him, to be close to him, to love him.
"Liesel, my dear, have you been sleeping this whole time?" Max lightly shook her, he had still had dark circles under his eyes, but his skin was finally gaining some color. He smiled at her brightly, his eyes shining and face dirty from working outside all afternoon.
"You shouldn't be sleeping so early in the day!" Max sat her up rubbing her arms.
She had dozed off, and was slowly realizing that she never left the sofa. The sun was setting outside their western facing window. She looked up at Max and made an incoherent groggy noise, rubbing her eyes with her balled up hands. Max smelled of books and wood mixed with a manly sent that made her heart flutter, this is exactly the kind of moments she longed to share with him. Max hesitantly pulled her closer to him, his hands holding her shoulders. She felt him smiling against her hair, as he hugged her. Liesel closed her eyes and listened to his light breathing and could faintly hear his beating heart.
"Hey, Max." She softly whispered.
"Hm?" He hummed, seeming to enjoy the moment just as much as she had been. She decided now was not the time to ask him about their kiss.
"Never mind."
Mr. Steiner walked in the stairwell door with a loaf of bread in his hand, and a paper bag in the other. He paused at the door a little taken back by seeing Liesel in Max's blankets, and Max kneeling next the sofa hugging her. Max's hands were still on her shoulders though. Alex Steiner seemed to be satisfied by this and walked all the way into the room.
"Hey, you two," Alex set the groceries on the table. "How does pasta with real sausage sound for dinner?" Alex was waiting for the gleam of excitement on their faces and was not disappointed. Liesel jumped up off the coach and Max grinned from ear to ear. Alex had been anxious to accept Max into the little apartment, having only the tales of a star-swept girl to go off of. But Liesel's account of Max was spot on, and Alex could not have asked for a greater blessing. Alex was finally able to patch the leaky roof with Max's help, and had grown closer to him which normally happens from bonding during a grueling task. Alex finally had the chance to ask Max about the camps without worrying about Liesel over hearing them. It was so much to hear, and what Max did tell him was edited he was sure. After Max had finished his story, Alex had to advert his gaze to try and stop a tear from escaping. Both men agreed that Liesel was still much too young to know what happened. Alex had to admit that when Max first came, he feared for Liesel. He could tell that she greatly admired and loved Max, but was worried how Max would proceed with the relationship. To Alex Steiner, they were both children needing to be cared for which filled most of the hole left in his heart.
"The store has been doing so well this month I decided that we deserved a treat." Alex announced, setting a pan on the old rusty gas stove. Liesel and Max came over to the table to gawk at the bag of groceries.
"This must be the first time since Christmas!" Liesel exclaimed. Alex smiled at her and ruffled her hair.
"Liesel, Sweetheart, would you wash up and set the table?" Alex asked, putting on a pot of water as well.
"I'm going to take a shower real quick." Max announced to no one in particular and set off for the bathroom with Liesel right next to him.
