by Karen Pokras
Max put his fingers up to Ava’s lip to wipe away the tear. “You don’t have to say anything.” He gazed at her, and Ava understood that everything she wanted to say he could read in her eyes. The apology he started earlier was just a distant memory. None of that mattered at the moment.
As if breaking a spell, Ava sat up and glanced around. The sun had long since gone down. “What time is it?” she asked.
“Around ten o’clock,” Max replied.
“I’ve been asleep that long? Carly left around two! I guess I’m not going home today.”
“No, I imagine your parents wouldn’t want you showing up after midnight,” Max added.
“It’s probably better anyway. I’m not feeling 100% yet, and I’m certainly not ready to answer all of their questions right now. I’m sure Holly’s seen the news and has probably figured out I’m the one who was attacked. Hell, if Carly could figure it out, anyone can.”
Max laughed.
“Speaking of Holly,” Ava said, looking around, “do you know where my phone is?”
“I moved it to the kitchen counter,” Max replied, grabbing it and handing it to Ava. “It was buzzing and beeping non-stop. I didn’t want it to wake you.”
Max was right. Ava had what seemed like an unending stream of messages and calls. The calls were all from Holly, which meant she either knew or suspected. The text messages were a hodgepodge from Tessa, Holly, and Carly.
Carly: OMG, girlfriend, what is going on between you and the hunk? He better be taking good care of you. Text me back.
Holly: How was your exam? Mine sucked, but it’s over. Hope the opening was a huge hit. Wish you were coming home this week xoxo.
Tessa: When r u coming home? Mom & Dad r driving me totes nuts. Have big news about cute boy in chem class. Mwah.
Holly: Are you okay? Just saw on news about an attack at a gallery. It wasn’t yours, was it? Text me back—love you. Xoxo
Carly: This bus ride is taking forever! Cute guy 4 rows up, I’m going for it. Wish me luck. Still waiting to hear about you and Max.
Tessa: Boys suck. My friend Juls saw cute boy from chem class at mall with slut from 11th grade. When *are* u coming home? Miss u!!
Holly: Ava, you’re scaring me. Why aren’t you answering your phone or any of your texts? Are you okay? I wish I could remember the name of the gallery you worked at! Damn. Please text or call! Love you.
Carly: So Mr. 4th row hottie claims to have a wife. Whatever. I’m going to try to take a nap for the rest of the ride. Hope you’re having fun *wink wink.
“Everything okay?” Max asked.
“Mostly,” Ava answered. “My sister, Holly, is worried about me. I really need to call her. Do you mind?”
“Oh, no,” Max said, looking around the small apartment. “I can go wait outside if you want.”
“No, it’s okay. You can stay.”
“Well, how about I fix you something to eat then?” Max offered. “You must be hungry. I’m not the best cook, but I know how to make spaghetti. I think I saw a box in your cabinet earlier when I was looking for a glass for water.”
“That would be great,” Ava said. “Thanks.”
She watched for a minute as Max fumbled around the kitchen and giggled to herself before picking up the phone. She supposed she had to get this call over with eventually. She slowly dialed Holly’s number and prepared herself. The phone only rang half a ring.
“Ava? What took you so long? I’ve been worried sick! Are you okay? Was that your gallery in the news? Were you the person attacked? Isn’t that the Thomas guy you told me about? What happened? Why didn’t you call me back? Ava! Why aren’t you answering me?”
Ava took a deep breath and let it out slowly before answering. “Can I speak now?” she asked and continued before giving her sister a chance to respond. “Holly, I’m okay. Yes, that was my gallery, and yes, I was the one who was attacked—”
“Oh my God!” Holly shrieked.
“Holly! Let me finish!” Ava took another long breath. “It wasn’t exactly like they were reporting on the news. He didn’t rape me or anything.”
“Thank goodness,” Holly said, sighing in relief. “So what did happen then?”
Ava retold the story again. Between the doctor at the hospital, the counselor, the police, Carly, and now Holly, she had told the story five times already today. It didn’t get any easier as the day went on.
“That’s unbelievable, Ava. He seemed like such a decent guy. Especially after he took you home that night you got drunk.”
“I know,” Ava agreed. “The police think he might have drugged me that night also.”
“No!” Holly exclaimed. “But you told me he was a perfect gentleman that night.”
“He was. The officer I spoke with thinks he may have been testing my system. You know, to see how I reacted to the drug … sort of as a trial run. Max thinks he was either trying to gain my trust or trying to build up his own character, as if he knew he might get caught at some point.”
“Wow, that’s crazy. Wait a minute. Max?”
“Well, yes. He spoke to the police also. He was a witness to part of it, remember?” Ava stated. She wasn’t quite ready to mention that Max hadn’t left her side since the incident took place. That would just bring up an entirely new line of questions Ava didn’t want to answer with Max in earshot.
“Right. So, the news report says others have come forward, and Thomas has been arrested,” Holly said.
“Yes. According to Cynthia, he’s getting kicked out of the country.”
“Good riddance!” Holly exclaimed. “Are you sure you’re all right? Do you want me to come stay with you? I was headed home tomorrow, but I can come stay with you instead.”
Ava looked into the kitchen. Max furiously moved back and forth between two pots on the stove. The water from the boiling pasta of the first pot bubbled over the sides, while a second pot on the stove spewed tomato sauce all over Max’s shirt and chin as he attempted to stir it. He looked up at Ava and waved.
“No, that’s okay,” Ava stated, smiling. “I’ve got a friend staying with me. As soon as I’m up for it, I’ll make the drive home. Do me a favor and don’t tell Mom and Dad, I’m pretty sure they don’t know, or they would have called by now. No need to worry them. I’m really fine, honest.”
“Okay, sis. As long as you’re okay. See you soon. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Chapter 28
“So, you haven’t said much,” Max noted. “Is it that bad?”
“What?” Ava asked. “Oh, no, the spaghetti is just fine, thanks. It’s been a crazy twenty-four hours, huh?”
“That’s for sure,” Max replied.
“It’s getting kind of late,” Ava said, looking out the window. “I … um … well…”
“What is it, Ava? Is something wrong? Do you want me to go?”
Ava put her fork down and looked at Max. “No. Unless … do you need to go? We never discussed how long you planned to stay or anything. I just … I guess this is kind of awkward, you know, for sleeping arrangements.” Ava glanced around her one room apartment. Her queen size bed was pushed up against the back wall. In front of that there was enough room for her small couch, a coffee table, and her TV stand. They were eating at the little table that also doubled as Ava’s desk. A small galley kitchen lined the left wall, while Ava’s dresser, a tiny closet, and the door to the even tinier bathroom lined the right wall. It wasn’t exactly lush accommodations, nor was it designed for overnight guests who wouldn’t be sharing the bed.
“I can take the couch. It’s no big deal,” Max offered.
“No, no. I’m already set up on the couch, and it’s not even a full size couch—it’s more like a loveseat. You’ll be all scrunched up. You take the bed, I insist.”
“Absolutely not,” Max stated. “I’ve slept on smaller than this couch and been just fine. And I can stay for as long as you need … until you go back home, or until someone else comes to sta
y with you. Isn’t that what we agreed to when Carly was here? It’s really not a problem.”
Ava nodded, feeling relieved. The thought of spending the night alone was beyond terrifying.
“Good,” Max continued. “I will need to go back to my place in the morning to get my toothbrush and some clean clothes, though.” He smiled. “Otherwise, you might just kick me out. I can get a little stinky. But you can come with me if you don’t want to be alone.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine for a half hour or so.” Ava laughed. “And I doubt you get very stinky. I appreciate all that you’re doing for me. Are you sure you don’t want the bed?”
“Positive,” Max stated, putting another forkful of spaghetti in his mouth.
~~~
The next morning, Ava woke to the smell of eggs and coffee.
“You do know how to cook something other than spaghetti,” she remarked as she walked over to the kitchen.
Max smiled. “Spaghetti and eggs. That’s pretty much it. You’ve now seen my entire repertoire. Oh, and I can brew a mean cup of coffee, too. Want some?”
“Thanks.” Ava grabbed two mugs out of the cabinet and began pouring. “How do you like yours? I don’t know if I have milk that’s any good, but I’ve got that nasty powder stuff. I swiped a bunch of packets from the student center last week.”
“Perfect,” Max responded. “Coffee with nasty powder stuff. That’s exactly how I take my coffee, anyway. I kid you not.”
Ava laughed. “Me too, actually. We’ll both be nuclear in about twenty years from the chemicals they put in that crap.”
“Ten if we’re lucky. Here you go. I wasn’t sure how you liked your eggs. Scrambled okay?”
“Scrambled is great,” Ava answered, feeling so comfortable having Max there with her.
They sat down at the table together and started eating.
“You seem like you slept well,” Max said. “I’m a pretty light sleeper. I guess I was keeping one ear open in case you had any more bad dreams.”
Ava sighed. “I knew you weren’t going to sleep well on that couch wanna-be. Tonight you take the bed.”
“No way,” Max said. “I told you, I’m a light sleeper. It had nothing to do with the couch.”
“Okay, but it will probably just be one more night. I should really start thinking about heading home. Don’t you need to go home?” Ava asked.
“I’m not in any rush,” Max said. “My family is better taken in small doses. A month at home is a long time.”
Ava giggled. “Ah, one of those types of families? An Uncle Eddie that everyone avoids and flying Christmas china in the middle of dinner?”
Max smiled broadly. “So you’ve met my family! Yeah, that’s pretty much how it goes. You left out the part about my mom getting on my case from the moment I walk through the door about how I really should be thinking about law school or medical school instead of pilot school. Oh, and of course then there’s Aunt Sheila who always asks: ‘Why don’t you have a serious girlfriend yet, Maxie, hmm? Are you gay? Because if you are, I have a lovely boy I can introduce you to’.”
“No!” Ava laughed so hard, her eyes began to water.
“Yup. So you can see why I’m not in a big hurry to rush home.”
“I guess not,” Ava said, wiping her eyes.
“Anyway, as soon as I help you clean up, I have to run out for a little bit. Are you sure you’ll be okay alone? You could come with me,” Max asked.
“No, I’ll be okay. I have to get used to being by myself eventually … you won’t be long, right?” she asked hesitantly.
“Maybe an hour,” he said. “I want to run by my apartment to grab a few things, then go up to campus to see if grades are posted yet. On the way back, I’ll swing by the market to re-stock some food for us. I promise to keep my phone right by me at all times.”
“I’ll be fine, really.” Ava stood up to help Max clear the dishes and followed him into the kitchen. “So, um, you’re not, are you?” she asked.
“Not what?” he asked, washing the plates.
She grinned at him. “Gay.”
“No!” He threw the sponge at her and laughed.
Chapter 29
Ava paced the floor. Max had only been gone ten minutes. Why did it feel like ten hours? Ugh. She should have gone with him. It was too soon for her to be alone. Thomas is in custody. You’re fine, Ava. Holly. Holly could help keep her mind busy. She just needed someone to distract her.
She picked up her phone and dialed her sister’s number. Pick up, Hol. Pick up!
“Hi, you’ve reached Holly Haines. Sorry I missed your call. Please leave a message. Beep.”
“Hey, Hol, it’s Ava. Everything’s fine. Just checking in. Call me. Love you.”
Carly or Tessa? Did she want twenty-year-old drama or teen drama? Carly would ask too many questions about Max. Tessa it was, although she doubted she’d be up this early on a Sunday morning. She dialed again. Tessa would forgive her for waking her up.
“Ava? Is that you? Are you on your way home? Please say you are. Mom and Dad are driving me nuts!”
“Hey, Tessa. No, sorry, I’m stuck here another few days. So what’s going on? Are you still upset about that boy from chemistry class?” Ava asked.
“Who? Oh, him? No. He can go suck it.”
“Nice language, Tessa.”
“What? I can say a lot worse you know.”
“Yes, I know,” Ava stated. Sometimes she felt like she and Tessa lived worlds apart. I guess having six years between them had that effect.
“Anyway, he’s not worth crying over,” Tessa added.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Are you studying for midterms yet?”
“Trying to. That’s the part where Mom and Dad are driving me crazy. It would be a lot easier to study if they didn’t keep trying to help.”
Ava laughed. “Yeah, I remember their help. Dad always wanted to explain stuff completely differently than the teacher taught it. Mom had this incessant need to test me on the material every ten minutes, and then get angry because I didn’t know it. When I would try to explain that I would know it if she’d give me enough time to study, she’d get all insulted. You’d think with kid number three, she’d have gotten the hint.”
“Well she didn’t. I was hoping you’d be here to give me a little back up,” Tessa added.
“What about Holly?” Ava asked. “Isn’t she coming home today?”
“Yeah, but you know, ever since she decided she wanted to become a teacher, she wants to get in and help, too. So now I’ve got three of them helping. Anyway, I gotta run. I’m at work. My boss already warned me once today about being on my phone.”
Ava looked at the clock. It was nine-fifteen. She forgot that Tessa worked the breakfast shift at the diner that was down the street from their local university on Sundays. Ava didn’t envy her one bit. She’d had the same job when she was sixteen. The customers were either coming in drunk from a night of partying, hungover, or both.
“Okay, sweets. I’ll see you in a few days. Hang in there! Love you,” Ava said.
“Love you back, bye.”
Ten more minutes gone … forty minutes to go. Ava sat on the couch and flipped on the television. Maybe some cheesy morning talk show would relax her, or she could take one of those pills. While she sat and contemplated her options, a noise coming from outside the front of her apartment diverted her attention. She watched as the doorknob to the front door to her apartment jiggled. Her phone sat only inches away, but she couldn’t reach for it; her entire body paralyzed but for the pounding in her heart. Louder, louder, louder—she couldn’t concentrate on anything except the pounding and the knob. She watched as it slowly started to turn. The door creaked as it began to open, steadily, deliberately. She heard the scream, but wasn’t conscious of the fact that it came from her body. She no longer had control of any of her own movements or reactions.
“Ava! It’s just me!” the familiar voice rang out. Running to the couch, h
e grabbed her shoulders, trying to get her eyes to focus on his face. “It’s Max. Can you hear me?”
Ava stopped screaming and stared blankly at Max. Bursting into tears, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I thought you were—” She stopped and gasped for air, as if trying to fill her lungs for the very first time.
“I’m so sorry, Ava. I went to campus first, and when I was on my way to my apartment, I felt bad about leaving you alone. So, I decided to come back to get you. I should have called. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He hugged her close again, not letting go until the last of her trembles subsided.
Chapter 30
“Are you feeling better?” Max put the cup of tea on the table and sat next to Ava on the couch.
“Yes,” she smiled, “I’m sorry. I feel so silly. I totally overreacted.”
Max took Ava’s hands in his own. “You had a very traumatic experience just over twenty-four hours ago. I think you’re entitled to be a little jumpy.”
“That was more than a little jumpy,” she commented. “That was like horror movie theatrics.”
“You have some good lungs on you, that’s for sure,” Max remarked.
“So you said you went up to campus earlier to see if your grades were posted. Were they?”
A huge smiled appeared on Max’s face. “Some of them.”
“I’m gathering by the look on your face, you did quite well,” Ava said, smiling also. She couldn’t help it; his good mood was contagious. It was just what she needed to help her feel better.
“I did okay,” he replied, still smiling.
Ava cocked her head and wondered what Max was up to. “Why the goofy grin then?”
“Promise not to get upset?”
“I don’t know yet,” Ava cautiously responded.
“Well, as I was walking down the hall of the business department getting ready to leave, Professor Eisen was coming out of his office holding a sheet of paper.”