Chasing Daylight

Chapter 38

There'll be happiness after you

-Taylor Swift

Max

"How is she doing?" Sophie asked as we sat at the kitchen counter. Maria had gone to her room to plug in her laptop and Mason was on a business call on the balcony.

"I'm worried," I sighed shaking my head. "She has to tell her Uncle about what happened and I'm scared it's going to really rattle her. I can tell she's trying really hard not to let this completely take over, but it can't be easy. I'm just waiting for when she snaps. There's no way she can keep this up forever."

"You have to remember that she has been dealing with loss and trauma for way longer than we have ever known her. My hope is that she has learned some pretty good ways of coping with that stuff and that will prevent her from snapping. I mean when you met her she had lost her sister maybe three months prior and besides being a bit emotional, she really was fairly normal and well functioning," Sophie told me gently. It was a bit eye-opening to think about the way Maria had acted when I first met her in relation to the trauma she had experienced only a few months prior. She was a lot stronger than I ever gave her credit for.

"You're right," I nodded. "That makes me feel a lot better."

"Good," Sophie nodded. "You know you've helped her a lot? As someone who has lost a family member, I know how much it helps to not be pitied and to just be treated normally. I have a feeling living with you was a good way to make her feel more grounded and normal."

"She's helped me too," I nodded. "I just hope I can help her as much."

"You are," Sophie smiled patting my hand gently.

"Are you doing better? I mean I know it's been some time, but it's hard to lose a parent no matter how much time has passed."

"I'm alright. Obviously, I still miss her, but Maria and Kesem and even just hanging out here so often has really helped me start to recover and move on. My mom wouldn't want me to throw away all the work I've done in college because of her. She wouldn't want me to lose friends or jeopardize my future, so honestly thinking about what she would want for me helps too."

"Good," I nodded. Before we could further our conversation, there was a knock on the door and I watched Maria slide out of her bedroom her eyes wide.

"How is he already here?" She asked chewing on her lip. "I don't know if I can do this."

"You're going to be fine," Sophie said as I stood up.

"Let me get the door, just in case," I said touching her shoulder gently. I opened the door to reveal a middle-aged man with a deep frown.

"Where is my Maria?" He asked peering around me worriedly.

"Um she's right in the kitchen," I said moving aside to let him in. He walked in quickly his head on a swivel and I was starting to feel the nerves of meeting a parent for the first time. I mean I was just Maria's roommate and it was really her Uncle, but I wanted him to trust me with his niece. I couldn't imagine how nervous Mason would be.

"Maria sweetheart," he said letting out a breath of relief when he spotted her. He rushed over and instantly wrapped her in a hug.

"Hi Uncle Mark," she said tucking herself into his arms. I could instantly tell that the pair were close and that despite her nerves, she was glad to have her uncle here to help her.