Finally

Part 52: Closure

Tears prick my eyes as I look at her.

Two years.

I'm two very long years without her face or her voice.

Two years of solitude- per my own safety.

So they say.

So they all say.

"You look..." She begins, but her over all demeanor is that of fright and nerves. No doubt that heart of hers is pounding horribly.

Possibly to the point of breaking altogether.

Not that one could blame her.

Having to come all the way here to deal with me.

"Like Hell. You can say it." I'm not unaware of my appearance. The tip of my nose removed due to forth degree frostbite and deep pink lesions on my cheeks and forehead from it as well. My hair is shaved off religiously by guards and I'm simply stubbled. "Shaving days tomorrow...so I could've looked better if you would've came then."

She just nods and swallows hard in her throat.

"How are you? How are the kids?" I can't help but feel my chest swell. I've missed them.

I've missed playing in the yard with Vincent and watching Luna do ballet.

Just like her Mother- a beautifully talented dancer.

"Fine...we're...fine." She quietly remarks and her eyes search my entire body. "You've lost weight."

"The time in the yard can get rough. Basketball against some of them is just...phhh..." I joke and yet she doesn't laugh or smile. "I'm kidding. Obviously I'm not allowed outside. Or in Gen-Pop. Not until everything gets situated."

Nervously running my hands over my upper thighs- my chains jingle and it nearly frightens her.

"Sorry." She apologizes and I sigh heavily.

"Don't be. I'm sure this is all too...well...too much. I'm glad you came though." I say with the biggest smile I can muster- but it doesn't seem to comfort her. "I um... I'm sorry you had to drive all the way up here to Wakefield. I heard it was raining outside. Did... did it feel nice...what am I saying. No one wants to be soggy in a prison. I'm sorry."

If I lost part of my sanity, it's only because I've been deprived of everything.

People.

The sun.

Fresh air.

All I've known for the passed two years is silence, and fluorescent lights and garish white walls.

"Max..." When she says my name, my heart skips and I become slightly frantic.  It makes me jump slightly- which in turn causes her to step back.

"Sorry...sorry...you just...I've missed you."

"I...I've missed you as well. The kids have missed you. Very much." Incessantly nodding, I feel my smile twitch in the corners of my mouth and she seems sorrowful.

"How are they?" I ask...again.

I've replayed this exact moment in my mind.

How I wanted it to go.

When and if she ever came to visit.

Which up until now has been never.

Per my request.

Per the advisement of the legal council.

Until everything is settled.

"Sorry...I know I already asked that and you said fine." Quickly reiterating the already had conversation- I look around and scratch my fingers of my right hand on my left- which causes the chains to jingle again and her to flinch. "These damn things never shut up...I'm sorry."