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Friday night was all I expected and more. Growing up, Maxwell had been a huge Star Wars fan so it seemed fitting that we would watch Solo. He reminded me of a big kid.
After the movie, Maxwell dropped me off at my house and walked me to my porch. I turned to him. “I enjoyed my evening with you.”
He cupped his hand under my chin. “I did as well.”
Before I knew it, Maxwell’s lips were on mine.
We were kissing. Maxwell and I were K-I-S-S-I-N-G.
He moved back, but not so far that I didn’t feel the warmth of his body. “I’m really glad we connected again. I missed you.”
I gulped, not expecting this proclamation. “I missed being around you too, Maxwell.”
He winked. “Sleep tight, Donna. I’ll see you on Sunday.”
I smiled back. “I’m looking forward to the feast.”
He laughed as he turned to head back to his SUV.
Once inside, I sprawled across my couch, and for the longest time, I held my fingers over my lips. Then I prayed. I prayed Maxwell and I were moving in a direction that wouldn’t leave either one of us heartbroken.
Sunday arrived quickly and unlike Friday night, the pending occasion felt more like a test as I drove towards the Anderson home.
My thoughts plagued me all weekend. What if I failed to get along with his kids?
Maxwell greeted me warmly at the door with a hug. The first thing I noticed when I stepped into the living room was how different it appeared from when I came here as a child.
“You weren’t kidding about the renovation. I mean it feels like the same house, but it looks totally different.”
Maxwell’s face beamed. “It does. I decided to knock down that wall so when you walk in you can see clear back to the kitchen.”
I nodded. “I like it. The open concept works well.”
“Make yourself at home. Ashlee is in the kitchen and the boys are upstairs. Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes.”
“Great.” I watched as Maxwell joined his daughter in the kitchen. Whatever they were cooking smelled delicious.
I walked around the living room slowly, glancing at the photos on the shelf above the fireplace. My eyes fell on a photo frame of a woman I vaguely remembered meeting years ago.
Alison Anderson was very pregnant with Ashlee during Maxwell mother’s funeral. When I walked over to give a condolences hug to Maxwell, his wife had glanced at me. He turned to introduce us.
“This was my dearest friend growing up.”
That was how he introduced me to his wife. And, Alison had smiled at me like she’d known me all her life. I could tell then she was a remarkable woman. No wonder Maxwell couldn’t give up his ring. He loved her. She was the mother of his children.
Suddenly, I wondered if I should be here in Maxwell’s home.
I heard my name and turned around. Maxwell was standing with his two sons next to him. He smiled. “These guys are probably a lot taller than you remember.”
I cleared my throat, forcing back the emotions that were trying to overtake me. “The last time I saw these two, they were toddlers. Now, let me guess,” I pointed to the young man wearing glasses, “you’re Adrian.” I swung around and pointed to the other boy. “Alex.”
The boys nodded.
Maxwell beamed at me. “You ready to eat?”
“Yeah, did you need my help?” I offered.
“We got it.” Maxwell pulled out a dining room chair. “You can grab a seat here.”
I sat and watched as the Anderson family brought dishes to the table. Roasted chicken, green beans, macaroni and cheese and biscuits.
I was overwhelmed. “Wow, you guys went all out. Your momma would have been proud.”
Maxwell grinned. “I agree. This was her kind of eating.”
I was expecting us to eat in silence, but Maxwell bantered back and forth with his kids. I ate and watched, surprised that I felt comfortable joining in their conversation and laughter.
Despite protests, I helped clear the table and stacked the dishes in the dishwasher. By the time I shut the dishwasher, I turned to see that Maxwell and I were alone in the kitchen.
“I didn’t scare the kids off, did I?”
He shook his head. “No, they all have their own worlds they wanted to get back to. I insist that we all eat together. It’s the main time of day I can get a sense of what’s going on in their world.”
I nodded. “I noticed your no phones rule at the table.”
“Actually, that’s a rule Alison had. I used to be as bad as the kids, checking emails at the dinner table.”
Silence fell on us. For a brief second, I felt like Alison was in the room with us. At least the memories of her were. Her family. Her rules.
Maxwell interrupted my thoughts. “Why don’t we sit outside on the patio?”
“Sure.”
I followed him outside, also not recognizing the patio. “You really did a lot of work out here. I remember when all of this was grass.”
“I wanted a place for any of us to bring friends over and hang out.” Maxwell looked pensive. “Are you okay? You seem quiet.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond, but then I remembered this was the man I grew up with and told everything. Well, mostly everything. I never really told him how I felt. “I’m good, this was good. I have to say I wasn’t sure... I mean about meeting the kids. I’m assuming that it’s good for them to meet an old friend.”
Maxwell shook his head. “You are so much more than just an old friend. It was important to me for them to meet you. You were a big part of my life for so many years.” He looked at me. “I never stopped thinking about you over the years.”
Now was the time. Now or never. “Did you know how in love I was with you back then?”
Maxwell gawked at me. “What? No. I always thought you thought of me as a brother. I had the biggest crush on you growing up. I figured I wasn’t smart enough for you or something.”
I frowned. “Really? Well, I thought you didn’t think I was one of the cool girls.”
He laughed. “You were always the coolest. I could tell you anything and you wouldn’t hesitate to set me straight.”
I was in shock, not even sure what to say next. How come neither one of us realized the depth of our feelings back then?
Maxwell looked off into the yard, his eyes not really focusing. “Before she died, Alison told me to move on. That I needed to be happy.” He turned to me. “I wasn’t sure if I could move on. I had a great relationship with Alison, but I always had something special with you. I’m praying we can see where this goes.”
He held out his hand.
For a minute, I forgot to breathe. Then I remembered what I’d been praying for and how I had sensed in my spirit it was time for a change.
“I can’t wait to see what’s next for us too.”
I grasped his hand, filling the warmth of love that spread between us, awed and grateful by the sense of God’s timing.
