A/N: Hallmark movies are my guilty pleasure. I love them. And one particular type of those movies is my favorite. This story is based on that type.
Riley Matthews Minkus sits in the terminal waiting area of JFK International Airport. Her right foot pats nervously on the floor. She's tried to stop it several times after getting several disapproving stairs from slightly annoyed airport goers, but she can't help it. She's been anxiously waiting for this day for two months. Her best friend since childhood, Maya Hunter, was finally coming home for an extended visit. Maya and Riley are both thirty-one years old now. They went through grammar school, middle school, high school, and college together; barley apart for even a second during that time. Now it's been ten years since Maya's been home and Riley can hardly contain herself. They both attended New York University, Riley majoring in business, while Maya studied art.
For Maya, graduation from NYU was only a stepping stone to a dream she began chasing in her sophomore year of high school. Mr. Jackson, her art teacher in high school, recognized the enormity of her talent almost immediately from first seeing her draw and paint. In all his years of teaching, he'd never had a student with Maya's talent and potential. He made it his mission to encourage her and help her in any way he could so others would get the joy he did from seeing her work. Maya had finally confessed to him that she had a dream; a dream she though foolish for someone like her. When Mr. Jackson finally coaxed her dream out of her, she told him she wanted to go to Europe and study art with the world's greatest artists, schools, and teachers. She wanted to be a professional artist. When he heard her say that, Mr. Jackson couldn't hold back his smile. When he asked her why she thought her dream was foolish, she told him she believed a nobody like her couldn't be a great artist. Mr. Jackson told her she needed to study art history because many great artists started as paupers and unfortunately many stayed paupers until they died and their genius was discovered after their death. "That's not going to be you, Maya," he told her. "It's time for you to get started on that dream." He outlined a plan for Maya and told her if she worked hard, her talent would help her see that dream come true. He told her the first thing she should do was get her grades up in all her classes, not just art. When Maya groaned at this suggestion, he explained to her that good grades in all her classes would get her into any college level art school she wanted and with a scholarship. That got her attention. So she buckled down. And to everyone's surprise, especially hers, she became a straight-A student. Riley would remind her that she always said Maya was smart. That indeed got her into the NYU Art School with a full scholarship. Once there, her art teachers saw the same thing Mr. Jackson had, tremendous talent and potential. And once she graduated from NYU, several art schools in London, Rome, and Paris had heard about her, thanks to the connections her teachers in NYU had.
At this point in her young life, Maya had to make a hard decision that could be life altering: stay home with her family and friends, or leave everything she's ever known and loved and move over 3,500 miles away and continue to chase her dreams. She agonized over this decision, but in the end, her dreams won out. So with the encouragement of her family and friends, she moved to London to begin her chase. The past 10 years have taken her to London, Rome, and Paris, with the longest time being in Paris.
Riley hears a commotion which causes her to look up. The first thing she sees are the long flowing locks of her best friend's hair. She's surrounded by what seem to be reporters as she makes her way into the waiting area where Riley is. She can tell that Maya is trying her best to be polite as she answers the reporter's questions which are being fired at her like a machine gun. They're asking things like: "Are you moving back to New York permanently? Why have you left Paris? Are the rumors true that you'll be taking over Gerard Manier's art school when he retires?" One even asked if she had a love interest now. Maya just rolled her eyes at that question while ignoring it. She had developed a reputation of having many lovers in Europe, but no one knew the truth.
Riley sees Maya looking around for her while trying to get away from the reporters. The commotion was beginning to draw the attention of others in the terminal. Riley comes up with a way she hopes will help Maya out and get her attention in the crowded waiting area. "Peaches!" she shouts loudly, knowing that Maya will know she's the only person who calls her that. "Honey!" Maya screams back while she breaks away from the crowd around her. She runs to Riley as quickly as she can and right into her open and eager arms. Immediately the questions start coming: "Who is this, Miss Hunter? Is she a New York love interest?" Then a reporter, who recognizes Riley says: "Wait, that's Stuart Minkus' daughter-in-law. Miley is her name I believe."
"It's Riley," Maya says in frustration. "She's my best friend and we've barely seen each other in the past 10 years. And her husband, Farkle, is a close friend too." Before they can say anything else, Maya continues: "excuse us guys, but I'm tired and really need to go. I'll be available to the press later, after I've settled in." While the reporters are temporally stunned, Maya grabs her roll-around tote, intertwines her arm through Riley's, begins to move away from everyone, and says to Riley: "Please tell me you have a cab or something waiting to take us away from all this."
"Better," Riley says with a big smile, "Farkle sent a car." Maya has to smile at the cleverness of her life-long friend. As Riley guides them away for the crowd, she sees a tall, rather intimidating looking man in a chauffeur's uniform. "John, help us please," Riley pleads to him.
"I'll take care of it, Mrs. Minkus," he replies. "May I have your bag, Miss Hunter?" He asks Maya. She nods her head, giving him the okay. He immediately takes her bag and begins ushering them toward a large exit door. "Ladies and gentlemen," he says to the suddenly stunned reporters, "please, no more questions. Miss Hunter just got off a long flight from Paris and needs to rest." Maya sees that he's being polite, but forceful. When they get outside, he guides them toward a waiting, large, navy-blue SUV. When they get there, he opens the back door for them to enter, which they do. He closes it just in time as the group of reports and onlookers gather at the curb. Several are taking pictures, to no avail, as the windows are tinted so Riley and Maya can see out, but no one can see in. John stows the bag in the rear with Maya's checked baggage, which he's already retrieved, gets in the driver's seat and begins to drive off. "Home to your penthouse condo Mrs. Minkus?" He asks Riley. "Yes, please," Riley answers.
"Finally, I'm away from all that mess," Maya says in relief. She closes her eyes, takes a big breath, and lets it out slowly to relax and calm her nerves. When she opens her eyes, she sees Riley, patiently waiting for her best friend to relax completely. She smiles at Riley, then says: "I've really missed you Riles." There're tears in her eyes, that Riley sees immediately, which causes her to hug Maya again. The two hold that hug for a while, not saying a word. When Riley begins to release Maya, she holds on to Riley tighter. "No yet," she says, referring to their hug. "I've missed this," she says softly to Riley. "I've missed the love in these arms and I'm not ready to let go right now." Riley doesn't mind. She's missed Maya's loving arms as well. When they finally do let go of each other, both have to wipe tears off their cheeks. "So, I'm staying with you tonight?" Maya asks.
"Yes," Riley answers. "Your apartment is ready and the furniture will be delivered tomorrow, so you should be able to move in by tomorrow afternoon." When Farkle learned that Maya would be living in New York for at least a few months, he arranged to have his personal assistant work with her so her apartment would be ready before she flew into the city. Maya had protested at first. She didn't want Farkle, who by now was vice-president of Minkus International, to use his assistant to help her find a place to live. But he insisted, so she gave in and thanked him because it would take a lot of worry off her.
"Will Farkle and the twins be there when we arrive?" Maya asks.
"Farkle will," Riley answers, "but grandpa Stuart is going to pick Penny and Liz up from school so they can spend some time with him and grandma Jennifer before they come over. That way the three of us can have some quite time together before the 'deadly duo' get here and bedlam ensues." Riley laughs as she says this.
"They're not that bad, are they?" Maya asks with a little confusion. She hasn't met Riley and Farkle's kids in person, but she's seen many pictures of them that Riley has emailed and texted to her over the years. And she's talked to them via video chat several times, but not in person, and she's looking forward to that.
"They can be a handful; six-year-olds have endless energy, believe me," Riley answers; "but no, they're not bad at all. They're a joy to Farkle and me as well as their grandparents, all four of them." This gets a smile from Maya. "I swear," Riley continues, "if it were up to their grandparents, we'd never see them." This gets a laugh from Maya as she imagines the four of them with their grandkids. "And they can't wait to see their aunt Maya," Riley goes on. "As soon as we told them you'd be living in the city for a while, they jumped up and down and screamed like it was their birthdays and Christmas combined! And every day since then they've asked when you'd be here; and that was two months ago," Riley finishes with a roll of her eyes. "So be prepared to be attacked when they get there."
The SUV rolls on through the city on its way to the Minkus' apartment in Manhattan as the two old friends continue to catch up with each other's lives. A little over forty-five minutes later, they turn down a street and a large apartment building comes into view. "Wow!" Maya exclaims. "I recognize the building, but it's much bigger than I thought."
"Minkus International owns the building," Riley says, "and we live in the penthouse apartment on the top floor." A large garage door opens as they near it and John, the driver, pulls into the door and it closes behind them. Once inside, Maya sees a small fleet of limos, vans, and SUVs parked neatly in a row. John pulls up to an elevator door and stops. "This is a private elevator which will take us up to our apartment," Riley says.
Just then the rear door of the SUV opens and John is standing there. "If you ladies would like go on up, I'll bring Miss Hunter's luggage up and place it in the guest bedroom that's been prepared for her."
"Yes, thank you John," Riley says. "Come on Maya, let's go on up."
"Wait, I want to give John something for his trouble," Maya says as she reaches for the billfold in her pocketbook.
"Please Miss Hunter," John says politely, "I can't accept anything. Mr. Minkus would have my head if I did." He says this with a smile. "He considers you a very special guest and I am to be on call for you for the entire time you're here." He hands Maya a small card and continues: "This is my cell phone number. Please call me for anything you might need."
Maya wants to protest this royal treatment, but knows it's useless. Farkle wouldn't listen to her if she tried to talk him out of this. So, she just takes the card and thanks him. They get on the elevator that will take them to the Minkus apartment. When they step out of the elevator into the apartment, Maya says: "Wow, Riles, I love what you've done with the place." This gets a giggle out of Riley, which was what Maya was going for. "Really Riles," she continues, "You've made this into a real home. I can feel the warmth in it, just like the home your mom and dad made for you and Auggie….and for me. It was what mom, Shawn, and I wanted when we became a family, and we got that." This makes Riley very happy. He eyes get a little moist and she hugs her best friend again.
"Thank you Maya," she says, "Farkle and I have tried to create the same thing for our girls."
"Well, I believe you've certainly done that," Maya tells her. "And speaking of Farkle, where is he. I'm dying to see him."
"He's probably in his office, working," Riley says, "but he wanted me to let him know as soon as you got here. I'll go get him."
But before Riley could move, Maya stopped her. "Wait," she said with a devilish grin, "Let me try something." Riley sees the smile on Maya's face and knows she's up to something, and she'll probably like it. She nods her head for Maya to go on. Maya clears her throat and yells: "Hey Farkle, are you home?!"
From the back of the apartment, the two women hear sounds of someone moving around as if they almost fell. Then they hear footsteps of someone running down a hallway toward them. A few seconds later, Farkle appears around a corner and stops in his tracks as he sees his old childhood friend. Maya can't help but smile at the handsome man standing and gawking at her. Farkle began a growing spurt in high school and was soon as tall as Riley. Now, he's a few inches taller than Riley and almost a head taller that her. She hasn't seen him in five years and only briefly then and the pictures Riley has sent her of him don't do him justice. "The years since high school have been good to him," she thinks. She can tell that being a husband and father has definitely agreed with him. The silence is finally broken when Farkle says: "Maya, it's so good to see you, welcome home." With that, Farkle and Maya come together in a warm embrace that only two old friends can have. As they continue their hug, Riley's heart is filled with warmth. She knows that while Maya has loved her time spent in Europe studying art, she's missed her friends and family very much. She also knows that her husband, along with her, are Maya's two closest friends in the world. Farkle had told them both in grammar school that he would love them both forever. His love for Riley eventually turned into romantic love, and while it never did for Maya, his love for her as his friend never diminished. "Oh Farkle," she says without releasing him, "it's so good to see you. I've missed you."
"I've missed you too," he says as they finally release each other.
"Everyone has missed you Maya," Riley adds.
Maya gives them a small smile and says: "Well, I need you to catch me up on every one of the old gang. I've lost track of some of them an I'm anxious to find out what's going on with them."
"We can talk about that tonight after the twins have gone to bed," Riley tells her. "And tomorrow night," she continues, "your mom & dad and my mom & dad will be coming over for dinner. As you know, Uncle Shawn has been out of town on an assignment, but he'll be home late tonight and your mom has been busy with the expansion of Topanga's, but they've both freed up time for the next few days to spend as much time with you as they can."
Maya smiles at that and then yawns. "Sorry about that," she says. "It's been a long day and my body thinks it's real late right now. It'll take a day or two to get over jet lag."
"Why don't you go to your room, unpack what you need to, and take a nap before Penny and Liz get here. I'll keep them quit till you finish your nap. Then after dinner, you can visit with them until their bedtime and then we'll catch up on the old gang."
"Sounds like a plan," Maya says with another yawn, "but don't let me sleep too late. I want to sleep until a decent hour in the morning." Maya heads to her room, unpacks a few things, and falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow.
A few hours later, Stuart and Jennifer bring their twin granddaughters home to their apartment. And Riley is waiting at the elevator door for them. As soon as it opens, they both ask: "Is aunt Maya here?"
"She is," Riley answers them, but before they can run past her, she stops them. "Wait you two," she says and gets their attention. "Aunt Maya is taking a nap right now. She's tired for her long trip. So you two have to be quite until she wakes up, okay?" They both nod their heads in understanding along with big pouts on their faces. "But don't worry, aunt Maya is as anxious to see you as you are to see her, and won't be asleep much longer.
"Yay!" The two girls exclaim. The six of them, parents, grandparents, and kids, go into the living room to relax while dinner is being prepared. A while later while Riley is checking on dinner, she gets a text. It's from Maya.
Maya: Are Penny and Liz here yet?
Riley: Yes they are, along with Stuart and Jennifer. We've in the living room waiting on dinner to be ready.
Maya: Great, I'll be in there shortly. Don't tell them I'm up. I want to surprise them.
Riley: I won't say a word.
Riley puts her phone away and returns to the living room with the others. In a few minutes, she sees Maya peek around the corner into the living room to see where the twins are. When she sees they have their backs to her, she quietly walks in. She stops just behind them and says calmly: "Gee girls, I thought you'd be more excited to see me than this."
Both girls whirl around to face her, but just stare at her as if they're not sure if who they're looking at is real. Finally Penny shouts: "aunt Maya!" She runs around the couch she was sitting on and throws herself into Maya's arms with her sister right behind her. They almost knock her down, but somehow, she makes it to the couch and falls down on it as both girls crawl all over her with hugs and kisses. "Girls!" Riley shouts. "Don't kill her, she just got here."
"It's okay Riles," Maya says as she laughs at the girls' affection on her while trying to hug and kiss them back; "they're your and Farkle's kids. I wouldn't expect anything less."
The two enthusiastic twins finally stop showering Maya with affection and settle down next to her, one on either side, with their arms around her. For the next few minutes, they just stare at her in silence. Finally Maya asks: "What?"
Liz speaks up: "Sorry aunt Maya, but it's like looking at a movie star. We've only seen pictures of you and only talked to you on a video chat.
"Yeah," Penny chimes in, "it's almost like we couldn't believe you were real."
"Well I am," Maya tells them. "And I plan on spending as much time as I can, proving to you I'm real."
Maya spends most of the next hour answering rapid-fire questions from her newest friends until Riley announces that dinner is ready. But at dinner, the twins keep asking Maya questions about her travels and where she's lived while in Europe. Penny even tells her that they've learned all about Europe from keeping up where she's lived the past few years. Finally Farkle puts a stop to the girls' questions: "Penny, Liz; leave aunt Maya alone so she can eat and you need to eat your dinner as well."
"Aw dad," both girls complain, but Maya can't help but think how the two little dynamos are so loveable.
"You'll have more time to be with aunt Maya after dinner and before bed," their mother tells them, sweetly but firmly, as only Riley can do. The twins reluctantly start eating their dinners. The next hour is spent with the adults asking Maya about her life abroad the past ten years. Stuart and Jennifer are particularly interested in some of the places Maya has lived in Europe that they hope to visit someday. Maya is happy to share what she knows. She especially loves talking about Paris, the place she calls home and where she hopes her permanent home will be one day.
"So as I understand it, "Stuart begins, "you've been studying at one of the more famous art studios in Paris, and therefore the world, since you've moved to Paris Maya."
"I have Mr. Minkus," Maya responds. "It's the dream I've worked for, for almost fifteen years now. I've been very lucky.
"Luck had very little to do with it, if any, Maya," Stuart tells her. "Riley has kept all of us up-to-date on your career and it seems to me that talent plus the hard work and dedication you put into your art are what has got you where you are today, not luck."
Maya is touched by Stuart's words. She knows how hard he's worked to get where he is today. "Thank you Mr. Minkus," Maya says with a little embarrassment, "it's kind of you to say that."
Stuart gives her a warm smile. He and Jennifer are quite fond of Maya. She's been one of Farkle's closest friends since grade school and wouldn't let anyone be mean to or bully him. They believed Maya felt a kinship with Farkle. When they were younger, Maya and Farkle both had few friends and were considered by some kids to be outcasts. But Maya always saw something in their son that few others did, except for Riley. And she protected him from those kids. "And you're expecting to get an offer from your studio to be a permanent artist in residence?" Jennifer asks.
"Yes I am, Mrs. Minkus," Maya answers. "And I'm pretty confident I'll get the offer. If I do, I'll move to Paris permanently and become a French citizen. That's why I wanted to spend a few months here in New York; to spend as much time with everyone as I can before I go back there to live. I wasn't sure if they'd agree to that, and keep me on as an artist, but to my delight they agreed immediately. That alone told me they wanted me there permanently. I've very excited about the prospect."
Farkle sees that Maya's latest assertion has made his wife and daughters sad. He knows they don't want Maya to go, but knows she will. He decides to cheer them up some. "And we'll come and visit you there at least once a year Maya, maybe more," he tells her. "And I think we can make arrangements for you to visit New York on occasion as well."
"That should be no problem, son," Stuart adds with a smile, "now that we have a private jet at our disposal."
"Wait Mr. Minkus, Farkle," Maya begins, "as kind as that is I can't…."
"Now Maya," Farkle interrupts, "you're not going to disappoint these three, are you?" He indicates Riley and their daughters. "How can you say no to these sad faces?" Riley and the twins give Maya exaggerated frowns.
Maya rolls her eyes and says: "you guys really know how to lay it on thick, don't' you?" The twins start to giggle, and Maya gives in, knowing she'll never talk them out of it. "Okay, okay, I know when I can't win with you all." She smiles at them and then says: "Thank you; that's very kind of you."
"Besides Maya," Stuart continues. "Your mom & dad and Cory & Topanga wouldn't be able to fly to Paris to see you that often, so you coming to New York from time to time will help them keep in touch."
Once again, Maya is touched by the Minkus' kindness. "I know they'll appreciate that as well," she tells them.
Soon, dinner ends and everyone returns to the living room to relax and continue to catch up with Maya's journeys and adventures. The mood is happy and bright. Jennifer asks Maya what she'll be doing during her stay in New York. Maya tells her that she's going to help a local art studio in Greenwich Village, which was the first to show her work, with a fund-raising night. She's grateful to them because they helped her early on in her career. She'll be showing some of her work in the hopes of attracting art lovers who will hopefully make donations to the studio. And of course, she wants all of her family and friends to be there as well. She goes on to tell everyone that she also wants to explore the city and see how things have changed in the time she's been gone. She wants to sketch the city skyline like she once did when she lived here.
In all too soon a time, for the twins anyway, it's their bedtime. Over their protests, Riley and Farkle herd the two little ones into their rooms. Maya helps and continues to promise them she'll spend more time with them. After putting them to bed, Stuart and Jennifer bid the three remaining adults a goodnight and leave for their apartment, the same one Farkle grew up in. As soon as they leave, Farkle, Riley, and Maya crash in the living room again to continue their visit with one another. "So, catch me up on everyone," Maya begins. "Farkle, you and Isadora broke up after you both graduated college?"
"We did," Farkle answers. "It was amicable though. We began to drift apart during college. She studied physics while I decided to go into business. I really wanted to work with dad. We've branched out into many tech fields though; funding research into ways to help future generations. Then somewhere along the way, Riley and I got together and, as you know, our old friendship blossomed into something more and we've been together ever since. My life turned out better than I could ever have hoped for. Riley, Penny, and Liz are my whole life and couldn't be happier."
Maya couldn't help but smile. Her two oldest friends were living their best lives together. "So how did Isadora end up with Zay?" She asked. "Well," Riley begins, "Issy decided to go to the University of Texas, Main Campus, in Austin to do her post graduate work. We don't know for sure, but I believe she was hoping she'd run into Zay in Austin and start a relationship with him."
"Really?!" Maya exclaimed.
"I believe that too," Farkle adds. "They've always been close, starting in high school. Both are loyal friends and I know nothing went on between them while Issy and I were together. But she knew Zay was living near Austin and helping Lucas run Pappy Joe's ranch, which he deeded to Lucas. Zay studied agriculture and business at UT-Austin with the intention of helping to run the ranch with Lucas. Not to long after she moved to Austin, I got a call from Zay. He asked me if it was okay if he dated Issy. He said something about the 'Bro Code,' whatever that is." Maya laughed at that. "Anyway," he continued, "I told him I was fine with that, just don't hurt her. He promised her wouldn't. And about a year later, we find out they got married. Apparently, it was just a small ceremony just attended by family and some local friends. They didn't want anything big and their honeymoon lasted only a few days. Seems they were both busy and wanted to get back to work. They live together on the ranch now in their own house. They have two kids and are planning on another one."
"You're kidding; that's amazing!" Maya exclaims. She didn't know any of this.
"Oh, that's not the most amazing part," Riley chimes in. "Issy has really taken to ranch life. She actually learned to ride a horse and helps out on the ranch when she can." Maya's mouth drops open in amazement at this news.
"Here, check this out," Farkle says as he hands his laptop to Maya. "This is an article published in a prominent scientific journal about them. Checkout the title." Maya reads the title: 'The Physicist and The Cowboy.' There's a picture of the happy couple prominently displayed in the article. Maya quickly reads the entire article. It praises not only Isadora's work but also the work Zay is doing to help preserve a family ranch with deep roots in Texas.
"This is absolutely incredible," Maya says in amazement. "I would never have thought of Issy being a country girl and working on a ranch, even part time."
Riley and Farkle both laugh at Maya's observation. "Believe us," Riley says, "we wouldn't have thought it either. But they're both incredibly happy with their lives and so is everyone who knows them."
Maya takes this all in for the next several minutes, and then asks: "What about Lucas? Is he running the ranch?"
"Not completely," Farkle answers. "Zay actually does the day-to-day, full-time work of running the ranch. Lucas became a veterinarian, like he'd always dreamed of. He opened a clinic right on the ranch property that serves the community he lives in and the surrounding communities. He opened it with his wife, Autry." When Maya raised her eyebrow at this information, Farkle continued: "He met her in veterinarian school, she's a native Texan as well. They got married and decided to open a vet clinic together. It's been quite successful."
"You'll really like her Maya," Riley adds. "She's sweet and sassy, just like an old flame of his," she smiles and winks at Maya, who knows who Riley is talking about. "But she doesn't call him 'huckleberry' or 'ranger rick,'" Riley adds with a laugh.
"Well, I need to educate the girl," Maya says, joining in on Riley's joke.
Maya shakes her head. "This is all so amazing and incredible," she says. "All my old friends, settled down with the loves of their lives. Makes my heart happy."
"What about your love life Maya?" Riley asks. "We've read all sorts of things about who you may or may not have been with."
Maya just rolls her eyes. "Don't you believe anything you read in the tabloids or social media," Maya tells her. "If you go by what they say, I've got lovers all over Europe and England; that I'm jet-setting all over the place having flings with them. But I can tell you, that's far from the truth." Riley knows Maya wouldn't lie to her, or Farkle, about this. She has no reason to. At first, she smiles at Maya's answer, but quickly loses it when she sees a sadness come across her best friend's face. She can see that Maya's mind is far away and she can feel her sadness, even if she can't read her thoughts like she once could. Just as quickly as it arrives, the sadness leaves Maya's face, as she sees Riley and Farkle's reaction to her words. She smiles at them both and continues: "Oh I haven't been alone all the time I've been gone," she quickly tells them. "I've had a few relationships, but you could count them on one hand. I've spent most of my time painting and helping others to better their craft."
"Were any of them serious?" Riley asks.
Maya smiles and shakes her head. "No," she answers, "they were enjoyable for the most part, but I never really felt the passion I thought I should for any of them to be serious."
"Oh," Riley replies with a little disappointment. Again, she notices Maya's mind wonder off to someplace far away. And then a slight grin comes across her face, but quickly fades and is replaced by an ever so slight sad look that probably only Riley could pick up on.
Riley has no way of knowing, but Maya's mind had returned to her high school and college days before she left for Europe. To a time that was the happiest of her life, as it has turned out. She was surrounded by her closest friends. Shawn had stayed with her mom and her and had even adopted her. Then they had two children of their own, her two younger brothers who she absolutely adored and they her. And then there was a certain uncle of her best friend. And Maya knew he was the reason she never felt the passion she thought she should with anyone else.
Josh and Maya's Backstory
After the ski lodge trip in high school, where Maya and Josh had promised each other the possibility of a "someday" for them, they kept up a close relationship, even though it was just as friends. But on occasion, when the two had a moment alone with each other, even if it was in a room full of people, he would look at her and ask: "long game?" and she would answer: "long game." Then on Maya's eighteenth birthday and to her complete surprise, Josh asked her out. He had even asked Shawn and Katy, beforehand, if it was okay, and they both gave their blessing. And from then on, the two were almost inseparable. Josh was everything and more Maya thought he'd be as a boyfriend. He supported and encouraged her completely while she studied art in college; they both attended New York University for his senior and her freshman year. Her freshman year was rough as she adjusted to being on her own for the first time. She though that because she didn't live with her parents, she could spend more time, much more time, with Josh; like all day and all night with him. But Josh had other ideas. It wasn't because he didn't like spending time with her, he did, but she needed to put her college work first. "It's part of learning to be an adult," he would tell her, "learning how to allocate your time." Work first, then play, he'd insist with her. She didn't like it at first, but soon realized he was right, she wanted to be a good art student and he helped her become that. And she still got to spend a lot of time with him. And they grew closer every day.
After he graduated, Josh got a job in New York because he wanted to live there, and because Maya was there still attending NYU. He was her biggest fan and continued to encourage and support her. She graduated three years later near the top of her class. An art gallery in SoHo had begun showing her work when she was a junior. And word spread quickly of her talent and she was even being called a prodigy by some. Maya was overcome with her success. She had attributed it to luck, but Josh reminded her that luck had little to do with it. "Talent, persistence, and hard work were what got you here Maya," he told her many times. Not too long after graduation, she got an offer that would change her life forever, and in ways she could never imagine. An artist from London, England visited the studio in SoHo that had been showing Maya's work. Word has gotten to this English artist about this so-called "prodigy" in New York, and she came to check it out for herself. After seeing it, and being very impressed, she had called her colleagues in London and they decided to offer Maya a chance to study art beginning in London, with the possibility of moving on to Rome, Italy, and, if she was good enough, then to study in Paris, France. Maya couldn't believe the offer. It was what she'd dreamed of since her freshman year in high school; to study art where some much of the world's greatest art was first created. It was a dream come true. But they also told her that it could take between six to eight years for her to make it to Paris, but they believed she had the talent to make it. Of course she was thrilled at first, but then she realized something: she'd be moving away from home, far away from home. And she probably wouldn't have much time or the money to come for a visit often, she'd be kept busy painting and learning. She talked it over with her parents,….and with Riley. It was the hardest decision of her young life, buy she decided to take the offer. But before she could tell the London studio of her decision, she needed to talk with one other person, Josh. She met him at his apartment so they could be alone. Josh knew of the offer; she'd told him the day she'd found out about it; so he'd had plenty of time to let it soak in. But still, Maya explained it to him and its consequences of her moving and how long she might be gone. They were sitting in his living room when she explained everything, and Maya tried her best to read Josh's face about how he felt about her moving, possibility for good. She saw the hurt look on his face. She knew he wasn't mad at her, or hurt, and wouldn't be, even if she left. But she had to ask him something, and she did: "Josh, if you ask me to stay, I'll stay." Those words hit Josh hard. His eyes grew wide open and then filled with tears as he began to weep. He threw his arms around her neck and held her tight and she wrapped her arms around his waist and did the same. Josh wept, because he couldn't believe she would give up her life-long dream and stay in New York, with him, if he asked her to. To him, it seemed like the ultimate act of love from Maya. But he couldn't do it. "Maya," he began, "I care about you very much. And people that care about each other, don't want to stand in the way of those they care about. And asking you to stay, would do just that and it's be selfish of me to do so. You have so much more growing to do, so much more to learn, and so much more to offer the world. Move to London Maya," he finished, "and amaze the world." Josh wanted to say what was truly in his heart: that he loved Maya. But he didn't. He was afraid that if he did, she'd stay, no matter what he said.
So Maya accepted the offer and left for London and a new adventure and a new life. On the day her plane left, her mom & dad, Cory & Topanga, Riley, and Josh went with her to the airport to say their goodbyes. She'd already told the rest of her friends goodbye as well as Josh's mom & dad. Everyone except Josh and Riley left about a half hour before her plane was to depart. Riley gave her one last hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Shock the world Peaches," were her last words to Maya. As she turned to leave Josh and Maya to say their goodbyes, she stopped and hugged her uncle and kissed his cheek too. She knew his true feelings for Maya, even if no one else did, including Maya herself. For the remainder of their time together, Maya and Josh stood near the boarding area of her flight and just held each other. They both knew that they may never see each other again. Josh held back his tears, and so did Maya. When she finally had to leave, he gave her one final kiss and said to her: "Like Riley said, go shock the world Maya." He watched her pick up her carryon, give the attendant her ticket, turn and give him one last wave, then she was gone. Josh stood near a window and watched her plane taxi to the runway and take off. He continued to watch her plane till it was out of sight. When it was, Josh did something that only him and one other person saw. He sank down in the nearest seat and began to openly weep. Tears flowed down his cheeks, but he didn't care. A lady in an airport uniform who had noticed him, came and sat down next to him. "Are you okay sir?" She asked softly. Josh composed himself as best he could and managed a slight smile. "I am," he answered her. He looked out at the clear blue sky where he last saw Maya's plane and told her. "I just let the love of my life go, because it was what was best for her." She smiled at him; understanding what he'd just sacrificed. She gave him a knowing hug, then left him, knowing there was nothing more she could do for him. What Josh didn't know; what nobody knew, was that as soon as the airport was out of sight of Maya's plane, she openly wept too; knowing what she'd left behind. They had agreed before she left, that they'd end their relationship. They knew it would have ended eventually anyway, with them living 3500 miles apart and not knowing when she'd return.
It was about a year after she'd moved, that Riley called her with disappointing news. "Maya," she began, "I have something to tell you."
"Okay," Maya answered worriedly. She was afraid she knew what Riley was going to tell her.
"Josh has met someone Maya," Riley said bluntly, "and they're dating."
"Oh," was all Maya could say. She knew this day might come, but she still wasn't prepared for it.
After a few moments of silence, Riley asks: "Peaches?"
"Is she good to him Riley?" She finally asks. "Does he really like her?"
There was a long pause, then Riley blurts out: "He does like her Maya. She's good to him and never causes him any pain. I really didn't want to like her Maya, I really didn't, but she's wonderful. Everybody likes her. Mom & dad do, grandma and grandpa do. Even I do Maya; I'm sorry."
Maya can't help but smile at her lifelong friend. Riley likes everybody, but she didn't want to like this girl, because she was with Josh now. "It's okay honey," Maya says trying to console her. "I knew this day might come. Is Josh happy."
Again a pause. "He is Maya. Uncle Josh wasn't looking to date anyone and hadn't since you left. But he met Ann, that's her name, Ann, at a friend's house in Philadelphia. Josh had moved back there to work because New York reminded him too much of you. She had an instant connection with him Maya. You know how nice Josh is. He resisted at first, according to grandma, but Ann soon won him over and they started dating."
"Do you think they'll get married eventually?" Maya asks. This time there was s longer pause on the other end of the phone, which told Maya all she needed to know. "It's that serious huh," Maya says. Still silence from Riley. "It's okay Riles," Maya tells her. "I just want Josh to be happy. He deserves to be happy. We're not together anymore and I don't know when I'll be home….if ever." She heard Riley whimper slightly. "It's really okay honey," she tells her best friend. "Josh and I had our 'someday' and while it lasted, it was the happiest time of my life. I'll always have those memories, but it's over now and we've moved on. I can live with that."
"Are you sure Maya?" Riley asks.
"I am Riley" she answers confidently. "Josh and I will just go back to being friends like we were for so many years before we dated. I want Josh to be happy Riley. He deserves to be happy."
"You deserve to be happy too, Maya," Riley says softly.
"I am happy honey," Maya tells her. "I'm making a living painting and learning from the best artists in the world. Just like I always wanted to." Riley knows that while that may be true, Maya deserved to be happier, like she was when her and Josh were together. She'd always hoped that Maya and Josh would somehow get back together, but now, that seems to no longer be possible. "You'll keep me up-to-date on them, won't you?" Maya asks.
"Of course I will Maya," Riley quickly answers. "And if they should break up…."
"No Riley," Maya interrupts, "I won't wish any ill on Josh or Ann, I believe you said her name was. And you shouldn't either."
"Okay," Riley says meekly.
"Just let me know the highlights," Maya continued, "you know, like if they get engaged, or married, or have a baby."
"Baby!" Riley exclaims. "Maya, you can't just give up on him."
Maya sighs. "You can't give up on something that doesn't exist Riley," she says. "And Josh told me once he wanted to have children. And I know he'll make a great dad."
"Why don't you contact him Maya," Riley says, "and you keep up with him. You two haven't spoken to one another since you left."
Now it was Maya's turn to pause. "I'm his ex Riley," she begins, "that would just be weird; and Ann might be the jealous type."
Riley finally gave in, seeing that Maya had truly moved on from Josh and wished him well. The two continued talking for several more minutes about other things and then said goodbye till next time. As soon as she hung up, Maya collapsed on her bed and sobbed. It hurt her more than Riley knew; more than she wanted her or anyone else to know. But she resolved to get it out of her system that day and move on. And she did. Josh and Ann did end up getting engaged, and married. Riley sent her several pictures of them together. Ann was beautiful and had a magnetic smile. She could see why Josh fell for her. Maya didn't attend their wedding. She was busy and even if she could take the time, she really didn't want to. She did send them a wedding gift though, a Maya Hunter original painting of them together. She remembered what Josh looked like of course and painted Ann from the pictures Riley had sent her. Josh was thrilled of course and so was Ann. She loved art and had heard of Maya and asked how did they rate getting an original painting of them from this up-and-coming artist. Josh explained to her that she was Riley's best friend, and as such, he and Maya had known each other since they were children. Ann said she hoped she could meet her someday and Josh told her that could probably be arranged. And not long after that, news came that Ann was pregnant, and Riley called Maya with the news. This news was easier on Maya this time around. She had finally moved on completely and was happy for Josh and Ann. They ended up having a little girl and named her Matilda. Riley said they told her the name didn't really mean anything to them other that they both loved it. They'd call her Mati. At Maya's request, Riley sent her pictures of the little girl as she grew. She had her mother's brilliant smile and her dad's eyes.
"Maya?" Riley asked, snapping Maya out of her daydreams. She didn't know how long she'd been sitting in Riley and Farkle's living room, daydreaming, but now she was fully back in the present.
"Sorry," she said. "I was just thinking about one of my past relationships." Riley and Farkle thought she meant one of her European relationships, but of course it wasn't.
"So what's on your agenda for tomorrow?" Farkle asked.
"I'll head over to my apartment to start getting settled in," she says. "Mom and dad are coming over around noon to help and bring my brothers, Chet and Alan, with them. Three strong men will be great to have around to move furniture." This gets a laugh from Riley and Farkle. "I don't know how much work we'll get done though, it's been five years since I've seen them and then it was only briefly, as you know. So I'm thinking most of the time will be spent visiting. But that's okay. I've got plenty of time to get settled in.
Over the next several days, Maya does get settled in, not only in her apartment, but what's she's planning on doing during her stay in New York. She's planning on showing some of her work at the studio in SoHo, where she got her start, for a fund raiser for them. She's planning on doing at least one show and maybe more. So she spends a few days meeting with them to decide which of her paintings she'll have sent over from her Paris studio for her show. She also wants to show a new painting that she'll paint while she's in New York. To that end, she's been venturing out into the city alone with her sketchpad, looking for inspiration. She's thinking about painting something with the New York skyline in it. It's changed since the last time she'd been in the city.
After finally getting everything in order that she needed to, Maya could finally slow down a bit and concentrate on her next painting. She'd already wondered around into the city some, trying to find inspiration. And that's what she was going to do on this day. She wakes up early, for her, about 10:00 in the morning. She enjoys a cup of coffee and a bagel with jelly for breakfast. After taking a quick shower and putting on some comfortable walking cloths and shoes, she heads out into the city with sketchpad in hand. But not long after leaving her apartment building, she has a change in thought. Greenery pops into her head, instead of skyscrapers, and she remembers a little park she'd noticed nearby. When she finds the little park, she delighted with it. It does in fact have a lot of greenery: trees, shrubs, and grass, as well a little pond which attracts ducks and other wildlife. "Perfect," she says to herself and finds a spot to sit and draw. She finds a little bench in the shade of a tree, sits down, and pulls out her sketchpad and drawing pencils. She smiles as she sees her pencils. She has them special made for her and she has the single word: "Cory" printed on each one. She does this to remind her of the man who gave her first drawing pencils to her; her best friend's father who was a father figure to her while she was growing up. As she scans the area for inspiration, she hears a little girl laugh and looks in that direction. She sees a little girl with long, brown hair sitting near the pond and seemingly feeding the ducks. There are several flocked around her, eating out of her hand to her total delight. Maya finds the scene irresistible and begins to sketch it. "This has possibilities," she tells herself, referring to a potential subject for her next painting.
After sketching for a while, she hears a man shout: "Are you okay honey? Are the ducks to much for you?" The little girl she'd just been drawing answers: "No dad, I'm fine." But the exchange between the two causes Maya to freeze. She thinks she recognizes that voice. But it can't be who she thinks it is. She looks in the direction from which the voice came and spies a young man sitting on a bench and facing away from her. To her amazement, from the back, it could be him, but she can't be sure. Knowing she can't just sit there and wonder, she puts her sketchpad and pencils into her tote bag and cautiously moves toward the source of the voice. As she approaches from his back, she sees nothing that tells her he's not who she thinks he might be. She stays a comfortable distance as she moves to the side of him. He doesn't notice her as his attention is on his daughter. When she gets far enough to his side she stops. "If that's not him," she says to herself, "then it's his double." She eases a little closer and quietly asks: "Josh?" As soon as the word comes out of her mouth, his head snaps around as he looks at her.
From Josh's point of view, even though he hadn't heard that voice in ten years, he recognized it immediately. "Maya?" He says with a smile as he stands. This causes Maya to smile as well, touched that her old friend recognized her immediately. She wasn't sure what to do next and just answers: "Hey Josh." She didn't have to worry about what to do next, Josh solved that for her. His smile gets bigger and he says "Maya" again and closes the distance between and takes Maya in his arms for a big hug. When they separate, they look at each other and ask, at the same time: "What are you doing here?!" This causes them both to laugh and any awkwardness between them vanishes. "Come on," Josh says, "let's sit and talk." They move to the bench where Josh was sitting.
"I didn't know you were in the city," Josh begins. "Riley told me you'd be living here for a few months, but that was a couple of months ago and she wasn't sure when you'd be coming. "You look great Maya and I'm so, so proud of you. You've worked hard to get where you are now, chasing your dreams, and now you're about to catch those dreams.
Maya is flattered and happy that Josh knew where she was in her career and was proud of her, but then again, he always had been. "Thank you Josh," she tells him. "I'll be living the city for at least six months; maybe longer. I want to do at least one show with the studio in SoHo that first showed my work, as a fund raiser for them."
"And you'll be moving back to Paris after that?" He asks.
"If I get the offer I'm expecting, and I'm confident I will;" she answers, "yes, I'll move back to Paris, become a French citizen, and live there permanently.
"So you've learned to speak French?" He asks teasingly.
"Oui, oui, je parle Français," she says as proof she does, in fact, speak French.
"What about you Josh," she begins, "what are you doing here?"
"Oh," he says, "I come to this park a lot."
"No, no," Maya interrupts, "I mean why are in New York? Don't you live in Philadelphia?"
"Oh," he repeats, realizing she didn't know he'd moved. "We moved here a little over a year ago. We needed a change, a new start, and since Cory, Topanga, Riley, and her kids lived here, I decided to move back.
"Well this is great," Maya says with a smile. "I was planning to take a trip to Philadelphia, while I was in the states, to see your parents and you and your family, but this way I'll get to visit with you more than I thought I would.
Josh started to say something, but was interrupted by running footsteps heard coming toward them. Maya looked in the footsteps direction and saw the little girl she'd been drawing with the ducks sprinting toward them as fast as she could run. He long brown hair flowing back behind her as she ran. As she approached, she began shouting: "Dad! Dad! Dad!" She stopped in front of Josh and exclaimed breathlessly: "That was soooo much fun. Can I have some money to buy more duck feed?"
Josh could only smile and said: "sure honey."
As he pulled out his billfold to get her the money she asked for, she turned to Maya, stuck out her hand for Maya to shake, and said: "Hello, my name's Mati, short for Matilda."
The energetic little girl had the brightest smile Maya thought she'd ever seen; and her eyes sparkled. Her smile was contagious and Maya couldn't help but smile back at her brightly as she shook her hand. "Well, hello Mati, short for Matilda," Maya began. My name's…."
"Maya Hunter," Mati finished for her, "I know exactly who you are."
This surprised Maya and she looked at Josh for an answer. He answered with one simple word: "Riley." That answered all of Maya's questions.
"Riley says that you're the greatest artist in the word," Mati said excitedly.
"Well," Maya begins, a little embarrassed, "Riley has been known to exaggerate a little when it comes to me."
"And she says you're her best friend and she loves you very much," Mati continues.
"Now that's not an exaggeration," Maya says. "She's my best friend too, and I love her very much as well."
That makes Mati's smile grow wider and she says: "Well I love Riley too, so I think we should be friends." She continues to shake Maya's hand as she declares this.
"Then I would love to be friends with you Mati," Maya says, feeding of the girl's enthusiasm.
Josh gets his daughters attention, hands her some money, and says: "here's some money for more duck feed."
"Thanks dad!" Mati says and starts running toward what seems to be a vender, who must sell the feed.
When she gets a little way away, Josh shuts: "Mati…."
Before he can say anything else, Mati turns around, running backwards, and seemingly without breaking stride, shouts back: "I know dad, don't get too close to the water!" With that, she heads off to the vender. Josh can only smile and shake his head.
"OH.…MY….GOD! Josh," Maya exclaims, "she's absolutely adorable."
"Yeah," Josh says as he puffs out his chest in exaggerated pride, "she's kinda special, even if I do say so myself."
"Oh Josh," Maya says, "don't be ashamed to brag about her. I've never seen such a happy and enthusiastic kid. You and Ann have done such a fantastic job of raising her into that little bundle of joy and excitement." Maya hesitates a minute as she realizes something. "By the way, where is Ann? Is she at work or something? I've been wanting to meet her ever since I knew I'd be home for a while. Riley's told me so much about her that I almost feel like I already know her."
As soon as Maya says this, a sadness falls over Josh's face. He looks down and away from her and she can tell he's trying to control his emotions. Even though they've been apart for ten years, she still knows Josh; and the ways he's acting gives her a very bad feeling. When he doesn't say anything or look at her for a few moments, she puts a hand softly on his shoulder and gently asks: "Josh?"
This causes him to look at her with the saddest face she's ever seen on him. He tries his best to smile, but it's a sad smile. A cold chill runs up and down Maya's spine and a dread falls over her as she waits for him to say something. Finally, he manages to speak: "A little over two years ago, Ann was coming home from a PTA meeting at Mati's school when a drunk driver ran a red light and hit her car on the driver's side door. She was killed instantly."
Maya gasped out loud when Josh tells her this and puts a hand over her mouth trying not to cry, but tears form in her eyes anyway. She feels sick at her stomach and though for a second she might throw up, but she didn't. It's easily the most shocking thing she's ever heard and completely unexpected. Her first instinct is to comfort her childhood friend. She gently hugs his neck and says: "Josh I am so sorry; I had no idea."
"Thank you," he says; grateful for her efforts to comfort him. "The only solace we had, was that the paramedics at the scene said she was killed instantly and probably never saw it coming. She didn't suffer, but just like that, she was gone."
"Oh Josh," Maya says as tears flow down her face and the pain of what she's just learned hits her hard. She hugs him again, not knowing what else to do and says: "If I had known Josh, I'd have been here with you. I can't imagine what it was like for you." Then a realization pops into her head, causing her to blurt out: "Wait, two years ago! This happened two years ago?" She asks in disbelief. "Why didn't Riley tell me? Or mom and dad? Or someone, anyone?!"
Seeing that she's upset, Josh pleas with her: "Don't be mad at them Maya, I told them not to contact you."
"What!" Maya gasps in disbelief. "Why did you tell them that Josh. If I'd have known, I'd have been on the first plane to Philadelphia."
"I know you would have Maya, that's why I asked them not to tell you." When he sees the confused look on her face, he continues. "Your career had finally taken off Maya, and I knew you would have flown home to be with me. You were in high demand then and I didn't want to run the chance of this ruining what you'd worked so hard for."
"Screw the career, Josh!" Maya exclaims. "I'm your friend and I should have been with you during what had to be the worst time of your life."
Josh can see he's hurt her, and that wasn't what he wanted to do. He tries to explain. "I'm sorry Maya. I guess I just didn't want to bother you with my troubles."
Maya is stunned by this, but then remembers who she's talking too. Every since she's known him, even when they were children, he's always thought of her first. But this time he was wrong. "It doesn't work like that Josh," she says gently.
Her reaction surprised Josh. He realized Maya was comforting him and chastising him at the same time for depriving her of what she felt like friends should do for each other: be with them during their greatest time of need, and he had denied her that. Then he reminded himself, that if their situations had been reversed, nothing would have kept him from Maya's side. "I'm sorry Maya," he tells her with genuine regret in his voice. "Riley begged me to let her tell you. She knew you'd want to be with me, but I refused. I was so distraught that I just wasn't thinking straight; none of us were."
Maya can see he's genuinely sorry for not telling her, and understands how his frame of mind was then. But now it's time to put that behind them. "It's okay Josh," she tells him gently. "But I'm here now if you ever want to talk about it."
This causes Josh to smile. And Maya can see it's not a forced smile and he does feel better. "Thank you Maya," he says. "I'd love to talk with you about her. One of the things I've missed most about you, are the conversations we used to have. Ann was really surprised when she found out I actually liked to talk. It was probably what caused her to like me in the beginning." This causes Maya to smile. "I told her that I had learned the art of conversation from my ex-girlfriend."
Maya's eyes shot wide open when Josh tells her this. Josh smiled at that. He knew that'd get a rise out of her. "You told her about me?" She asks. "That we were together once?"
"I did," he says. "Like you and I, Ann and I had no secrets from one other. I told her everything about us. From you jumping on my back, to the ski lodge and our 'someday' promise to each other, to us dating for four years, to the day you left. She knew everything." Maya was shocked at first, but the more she thought about it, the less surprised she was that Josh told Ann about her. That's just who he is. "She used to joke that she was afraid that by marring me, she'd upset the cosmic balance or something. She had a great since of humor." Maya had to laugh at that. "And she really wanted to meet you someday. Not only because we're friends, but because she was an art lover and even drew a little herself. Her most prized possession was the signed painting you did of us for a wedding gift. She always told me it's be worth a lot someday. Guess she was right."
"I wanted to meet her too Josh," Maya says. "Ever since Riley told me about her, how happy you two were, I wanted to meet her. I wanted to find out how you met; how and when you realized you loved each other, how you proposed to her. I bet it was really sweet; you were always romantic, even if I wasn't." This gets a chuckle out of Josh. "And I wanted to hear about the wedding, from her point of view, not yours," she said with a grin. "But now, I never will," she went on, "so I want to hear it all from you."
Josh's smile suddenly disappears and is replaced with sadness. Maya sees this and regrets saying she'll never talk to Ann, because it reminded him of what he's lost. "Josh I'm so sorry. I'm supposed to be comforting you, but instead all I seem to be able to do is bring up painful memories."
This returns the smile to Josh's face. Maya is doing more to comfort him and help him continue healing than she could ever realize. "It's okay Maya," he begins, which causes her to look at him with surprise, "my healing has been long and hard. I can remember the first time I went all day without thinking about her. I sat down and cried. It seemed to me that by not thinking about her for a whole day that I had somehow abandoned her. I was seeing a therapist at the time and with her help and the help of others, I came to realize that wasn't true. As far as you bringing up painful memories, I don't mind. This may sound crazy, but I've discovered that some pain is actually good pain." He gets no reaction from Maya and continues. "In this case the pain is good because…."
"Because if it didn't hurt…." she interrupts, "it would tell you, you didn't really love her. But because it does hurt, it reminds you how much you loved her, and how much she loved you."
Tears come to Josh's eyes, but not sad tears. Rather, they're tears of gratitude that this remarkable woman has been in his life. "I should have known you'd understand that. Most don't." Josh grins and continues: "you know, everyone thinks that Riley is the sensitive one between you two, but I know you're just as loving and caring as her."
Maya's face turns slightly red with embarrassment. "Well," she starts, "if that's true it's because of Riley's influence on me."
The two sit in silence for the next few moments, not knowing where their conversation should go next. Before she can think of something else to say, Maya hears Mati's laughter again, and she turns to watch her continue feeding the ducks. Then it hits her, and tears fill her eyes again. Oh God!" she exclaims. "I'd forgotten about Mati. She lost her mother."
Josh sees fresh tears flow down Maya's cheeks as she says this. Then it dawns on him. "I guess you know what she's going through more than most," he tells her.
She turns to him and tries to smile and says: "I know it's not the same; my dad left voluntarily; and he could have come back I guess. But I do know what's it's like growing up without a parent. And I know how cruel some kids can be; teasing and making fun of you; being at school functions where you're the only kid with one parent. At that age you can't understand it all." Her smile widens some, then she says: "but you've done a wonderful job with her Josh. She seems so happy and full of life."
Josh is flattered by her words. "Thank you," he says. "Ever since we lost Ann, Mati's been my whole life. I work, come home, and take care of her. The reason I moved us back to New York was because Philadelphia had so many bad memories for us. Everywhere I'd take her was a place Ann and I had been with her. It was just too painful. Mom and dad understood and urged me to move here.
"What about Ann's family?" Maya asks. "Did they live in Philadelphia?"
"No," Josh answers. "Ann had no family she knew of. She was an orphan. She was abandoned as a baby and left on the steps of a church. The authorities tried to find her mother, but couldn't. She bounced from foster family to foster family till she was eighteen, then left to go out on her own. She told me that she never had any close friends and that we were the only family she'd ever had. And everyone loved her and welcomed her into our family.
"I didn't know that Josh," Maya said sadly. But then her eyes lit up and so did her smile. "Josh," she began, "do you see what you did for her? You gave her more than just you and Mati. You gave her a whole family: brothers, sisters, a niece, and a nephew-in-law. I know that meant the world to her. Even though I never met her, I know what that meant to her. Riley did the same for me and mom."
Josh had never thought of it in that way and what it might have meant to Ann. But thanks to Maya, now he does. He looks at his old friend with grateful eyes and says: "I'm glad you're here Maya."
"Me too," she answers softly.
All of a sudden, Maya hears the now familiar running footsteps of Mati. And sure enough, she sees the little ball of energy running toward them again as fast as she can. When gets to the bench her and Josh are sitting on, she throws herself on it in between them and says breathlessly: "That was so much fun!" Once again Maya can't help but smile broadly at the little girl's enthusiasm. "Did you see them all eating out of my hands?" She asks excitedly.
"I did," Josh answers. "I think you made a lot of friends of those ducks.
"And watching them all eat like that has made me hungry too, dad," she says with a grin.
"Oh really," Josh says in mock surprise, "I would have never guessed." Mati giggles which causes Maya to smile at her reaction to her dad's words. "Hotdogs?" He asks his daughter then.
"Well of course hotdogs dad," she answers as she rolls her eye. The more Maya sees of Josh and Mati's interaction, the more she likes it.
Josh realizes that Maya has no clue and decides to let her in on their little secret. "Mati and I come to this park fairly regularly and we have a little routine we follow. She plays on the swing sets, or with other kids, or the ducks as you saw. But when she's done and hungry, we go visit a hotdog vender who brings his cart here every day."
Maya takes all of what Josh just told her in, then says: "Mmmm….hotdogs. I haven't had a hotdog in ten years. And there's nothing like a New York hot dog.
"Ten years!" Mati suddenly exclaims. "That's like, longer than I've been alive! That's just wrong Maya. You need a hotdog. You should come with us and get one."
"Well," Maya says, loving the little girl's love of hotdogs, "I'd love to Mati, if it's okay with your dad."
"My daughter's really smart," Josh says. "It is wrong that it's been ten years since you've had a hotdog. You should come with us."
"Good, that's settled," Mati says. "Let's go; I'm starving!" With that, she grabs Josh's hand and then Maya's, pulls them off the bench, and starts leading them to another part of the park. Maya decides she'll never get enough of this sweet little girl's enthusiasm.
Soon Maya sees the hotdog cart they're being pulled towards. When they get near, Mati suddenly releases their hands and runs toward it. Josh moves near Maya and says simply: "watch this." When Mati gets near the vender, she stops and just stars at the man working the cart. Maya wonders what Mati is up to, and waits anxiously to find out. The older gentleman at the cart just stares back at her with no expression whatsoever on his face. "Well, aren't you going to sing it Mr. Morrison?" She asks. Suddenly a big smile comes over the man's face as he begins singing and old Australian ditty:
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me,
He sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
As he sang, Mati began dancing around to the tune being sung. Maya couldn't help but smile from ear-to-ear as Mati was dancing. "That has to be one of the cutest things I've ever seen." Maya says excitedly. She quickly takes out her phone and snaps a few pictures.
Josh sees what sees doing and asks: "pictures?"
"Yeah," she answers. "I want to paint something while I'm here and I've been looking for inspiration. This just might be it."
Josh looks at her with bewilderment and says: "really?"
"Yes, really," she answers. "I'll call it something very creative like: 'Little Girl in the Park Dancing.'" This gets a laugh out of Josh.
As they approach Mati and the hotdog cart, Maya hears Mr. Morrison ask: "The usual Miss Matilda?" It's obvious that the older gentleman has developed quite an affection for Mati. And Maya can understand that. "Yes, please," she answers politely. "And the usual for you also Josh?" He asks. "Yes," Josh answers. "Two slaw dogs coming right up," he says and begins preparing their hotdogs. When he's finished, Mati tells him: "Mr. Morrison, this is my new friend…."
"Maya Hunter," he finishes for her, to everyone's surprise. "She's been on local news a lot since she's been in the city," he offers an explanation. "It's nice to meet you Ms. Hunter" he says with a smile."
"It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Morrison, she returns. "And please, call me Maya."
"Alright," he says. "And any friend of Miss Matilda here is a friend of mine."
Before Maya can say anything else, Mati almost shouts: "Maya hasn't had a hotdog in ten years Mr. Morrison. We need to get her one!"
He gives the trio a shocked look and says: "Well, I'll fix her one immediately." He turns to Maya and asks: "What would you like on yours Maya?"
"Mustard, onions, and chili," she replies.
"A woman after my own heart," he responds with a big smile as he begins fixing her hotdog. After he's finished and given each one a bottled water to go with their hotdogs, Maya starts to get some money out to pay him. But Mr. Morrison stops her. "No, no, no, Maya" he says. "Since it's been so long since you've had a hotdog, this one's on me. Welcome back to New York."
"Thank you," she responds with a smile as she picks up her hotdog and water. The three find a table where they all can sit and enjoy their food. After taking her first bite, Maya says: "Oh that tastes sooo good! Thank you for bringing me with you Mati."
"You're welcome, Maya," the little girl says with a big smile, happy she's done something her new friend likes. The three spend the next few minutes eating their hotdogs. When they finish, Mati asks: "Was the hotdog as good as you remember Maya?"
"Better," Maya replies which causes Mati to giggle. Maya is beginning to really like her giggle. She can't help but smile when she hears it.
Josh collects their hotdog wrappers and takes them to the nearest trash can. While he does, Mati notices Maya's tote, which she laid on the on the table while they were eating. In it, she sees Maya's sketch pad. "Is that a sketchpad?" She asks Maya.
"Yes it is," Maya answers surprised that Mati would know what one is. She notices Mati looking at it with interest and asks her: "Would you like to see what's in it?"
"Could I?" She answers eagerly.
"Of course you can," Maya replies as she pulls out the sketchpad and hands it to the little girl who's eyes have grown wide with excitement. Mati quickly opens it and begins to look through its pages.
"Be careful Mati," Josh warns her when he returns. "Some of those drawings might be valuable."
Maya smiles at his warning. "It's okay Josh," she says. "She can't hurt any of 'em." I just use this sketchpad to sketch ideas for paintings I might do later."
Josh is sitting next to Mati and looks at the sketches with his wide-eyed daughter. What he sees along with Mati are not what he'd consider simple sketches, but rather beautiful works of art. He sees several drawings of country sides, which he guesses are French country sides, because she hasn't been out of the city since she's been here. He sees city skylines, which he doesn't recognize, and assumes they're from Paris. He sees drawings of cathedrals and fountains also from France more than likely. Then, as Mati keeps flipping the pages of Maya's sketchpad, he sees drawings of familiar skylines, New York skylines. "These are all beautiful Maya," he says. "It's obvious that you've improved your sketch work since I saw some of it last."
"Yeah, these are incredible Maya," Mati agrees. Maya is about to thank them when Mati suddenly gasps. "It that me Maya? Feeding the ducks?"
"It is," she answers the excited little girl. "I drew that before I saw your dad and didn't know the cute little girl I was drawing was you." This brings a big smile to Mati's face.
Mati sighs. "I'll never be able to draw like this," she says matter-of-factly.
"Do you draw?" Maya asks her in surprise.
"Yes," she replies, "but not like this. I'm talking art in school, but I'll never be able to draw like this."
"Don't sell yourself short, Mati," the older woman tells her. I didn't start out drawing like this. And I have years of drawing experience on you." When Mati didn't seem encouraged by this, Maya tells her: "I would love to see your drawings sometime."
"Really?" Mati responds in surprise. "Even if they're bad drawings."
"I bet they're not bad Mati," Maya tells her, hoping to encourage her.
"They're not," Josh chimes in. "I have some pictures of her latest drawings if you'd like to see them, Maya."
"I would, Josh," she responds.
As he gets his phone out and looks for his pictures of Mati's drawings, Josh continues. "I think I'm a pretty good judge of drawings. I used to know a girl who didn't even know she could draw till she was thirteen. But when she did find out, she really took off, and her drawings were amazing. She eventually turned into a pretty good artist." Josh smiled at Maya and she smiled back. She knows he's referring to her when they were younger.
Mati notices the two smiling at each other. "So you're talking about Maya dad?" She asks.
"Yes I am honey," Josh responds. "I don't know how much Riley's told you about Maya, but I've known her for almost as long as Riley. And we've always been two of her biggest fans." Josh finds the pictures and hands his phone to Maya. As she begins to scroll through the pictures, Josh notices a smile beginning to form on her face. Mati sees this, but interprets it to mean Maya's about to laugh at her drawings. But she's was wrong.
"These are good Mati," Maya says as she continues to look them over, "very good."
"Really?" She asks is disbelief, smiling now at the famous artist.
"Yes, really Mati," Maya tells her. "While I've been in Europe, I've gotten to see a lot of kids who love art and want to learn to draw and paint. And I can tell you honestly, I've seen none better that yours, even in older kids." She looks at Mati, and with a slight smile tells her: "you have real talent Mati. I hope you stay with it."
"I love to draw," the little girl says excitedly. "And art class is my favorite."
"I can identify with that," Maya says with a laugh. As she thinks more about Mati's drawings, Maya thinks of something. "Mati," she begins, "your drawings are very good, but could use a little refinement, a little more attention to detail. Now I'm sure your art teacher could help you with that, but because he has a lot of students, he can't afford to concentrate on just one. So, if it's okay with your dad, I'd like to help you out with some tutoring."
"Really!" Mati exclaims with excitement. Then she turns to Josh and asks: "can she dad, can she?!"
Josh looks as his old friend and says: "Maya, you'll be busy with so much while you're in New York; I don't want you to take time out to tutor Mati."
"It won't be any trouble Josh," she says. "I love encouraging young art students like Mati. Besides, you're my childhood friend Josh," she continues. "And I would love to help your daughter with some art lessons."
"Please dad, pleeeeese," Mati pleads.
"Okay," he finally says. "Thank you Maya. It's nice of you to teach Mati."
"Yaaaaa!" Mati yells, reminding Maya of Riley when she was Mati's age.