Age

Chapter 7

Flashback

It was towards the end of Casey's sophomore year at NYU. Drew was in his dorm room. Casey came in in a panic. Drew could tell she'd been crying.

"What's wrong baby?" He asked. She showed him a positive pregnancy test.

"What are we gonna do?" She said tearfully.

"It's alright Casey." "I'm gonna take care of you, and our baby."

End Of Flashback

Austin was on the phone.

"Ok bye." He said. He hung up and laughed.

"Is Max coming to lunch with us?" Britt asked.

"No." "He's going antiquing with Casey."

"Antiquing?" She laughed. "Max?" "It's official, he's in love."

"No kidding."

Casey and Max were at an antique shop. They weren't just aimlessly looking. They were looking for something specific.

"What are you we looking for again?" Max asked.

"A wooden music box with a ballerina in it." "I've been looking for it for years."

"Why?"

"When I was five my grandma gave me one just before she died." "When she was young she was a ballerina." "When I was moving out of the place I lived with Drew, the movers broke it." "I had a nervous breakdown that day."

"What song does it play?"

"Ballerina's Last Dance."

After two hours of looking they were unsuccessful.

Later that night Max was in Casey's room. They were drinking wine and talking.

"Two more weeks." Casey said happily. "I can't wait to see the boys."

"I'll bet."

"I can't believe they'll be sixteen in January."

"January what?"

"Eleventh." "I miss my little boys." "I want them to go on and be successful and happy." "It sucks though knowing that in just three years, they're gonna be off to college and they won't need me anymore."

"They'll always need you." "You're their mom."

"I'm just not looking forward to being alone." "It's one of my biggest fears." "You know, I'm sorry." "I don't know why I'm telling you this." "I'm sure you don't want to listen to me whine."

"Everyone needs to vent, it's ok:"

Max was getting ready to leave. Casey walked him to the door.

"Thanks for listening to my bullshit." She said.

"It's not bullshit."

She hugged him. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." He left. As he walked down the hall his heart was beating a million miles a second. As it always did every time he was around Casey.