Two hours after his nap, he headed outside but could hear Anastasia and Max speaking. "I told you he didn't want me here."
"But I do Max, just because he doesn't mean that I don't. Come on you are the only one that I ever told about me liking your brother. All I can say is that don't mind him."
"That's what my mother said about Neil and Billy."
"See. Look if it gets too bad, let me handle it."
"He doesn't like to be handled or told what to do."
"Yeah, well I can say. 'I don't like assholes treating treating someone who is younger in life for no reason.' "
"He'll chew you out."
"As true as that may be. But at least it is worth a shot. Besides this isn't about him. It's about all of us."
"I know.. but he always treated me like this."
Tapping her nose. "If I was your sister, he would have to answer to me."
While he listened he took out a cig and headed out. While smoking it, Max came out. "Billy, Anastasia asked me what kind of snack do you want before we headed out."
Billy turns to face her a little and then faced back to the beach side. "Whatever she wants to make."
"That doesn't help Billy."
"Look, I don't care what she makes Max." He got upset with her.
Max rolled her eyes as she went back inside, Anastasia came to see him. He was leaning on the railing letting the smoke fill his lungs. Her arms went around his waist. "You know Joe wouldn't let me go to the beach ever while I was growing up. He said it would wash me away and swallow me in and spit me right back out as I'm dead." Her chin went to his shoulder. "I think once you get some waves in, you'll feel like your old self again."
His right arm went around her back. "I can't help it that I'm awful to her."
"Do you think your mom would want you to treat her like that?"
"No. I get the anger from him, picking on her, HARD from him. It's like I see myself not being myself. If that make sense."
"It does Billy. It's hard fighting it off, shes young and sees her as the the target. But she's not Billy. You are much braver and tuff than your asshole of a father. I get that you want your father to see you for who you are. Don't lose yourself. He can't always win." Kissing his cheek.
"No, I ruined that for Max and I to get along long ago. I don't even know how to fix it even if I wanted too."
"That may be.. it's never to turn over a new leaf in life. You have to that part yourself." Giving him a little side hug. "Struggle is apart of life and if you want to change Billy it will be a struggle."
"Would you stand with me even if it got rough."
"Of course." Patting his back. "Come on. Before it gets dark."
They all left to go to the beach. Billy and Max were left alone, so Billy thought he might give it a try to be nice to her even if it kills him. "I'm glad that you came Max." That was a struggle but he did it.
"Really? I thought you didn't."
"At first maybe, but truly I'm. Even if we do argue or have a little fit." This was his best that he could do.
"Thanks, I guess. Billy?"
"Yeah?"
"I think that Anastasia has changed you."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, look at you. You're trying your best to be nice. All because of her. I hope maybe this could be a new leaf in our life."
"You mean that?"
"For now."
He felt like he had changed since he met Anastasia, he didn't know how to really feel about it, but it was a nice change for once. Never having to fake it to a girl that may be a one night stand or to piss someone off.
