Pulling Teeth(a billie joe armstrong story)

First Meetings

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a golden glow over Lakeside Park as Billie Joe and Alex Armstrong pulled into the parking lot. Billie's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his heart a swirl of excitement and nerves. Ever since reading the article about Maxine—his long-lost daughter—and arranging this meeting, he hadn't slept much, replaying the possible outcomes in his mind over and over again.

Alex, sitting beside him, squeezed his hand, offering a small smile, though her eyes betrayed the uncertainty she felt as well. "You ready for this?" she asked quietly.

Billie nodded, though he wasn't sure if it was the truth. "Yeah. Let's keep it low-key. No big scenes."

As they stepped out of the car, Billie inhaled deeply, trying to center himself. Ahead, Jess and Maxine stood near the lake, the reflection of the sun on the water casting them in silhouette. Maxine's posture was rigid, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. Jess was talking, trying to ease her friend, but Maxine's gaze remained distant, her unease apparent.

"Hey, you made it!" Jess called out with forced cheer as Billie and Alex approached. But Maxine's face was unreadable, her expression a mask of wariness.

Billie offered a warm smile. "Of course, we wouldn't miss this." Despite the casual tone, the weight of the moment pressed heavily on all of them.

Maxine shifted awkwardly, glancing at Jess before returning her gaze to Billie and Alex. She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, unable to hide the discomfort coursing through her. "H-hi," she whispered, barely meeting their eyes.

"Hi, Maxine," Alex responded softly, kneeling slightly to meet her eye level. Her voice was gentle, but there was no denying the emotional distance between them. "It's so good to finally meet you."

Maxine's eyes flicked between them, her lips pressed into a tight line. Everything about this moment felt surreal, like stepping into someone else's life. Here were two people who were supposed to be her parents, yet they felt like strangers. There was an odd familiarity, but it was buried beneath layers of awkwardness and years of separation.

Billie, sensing the tension, tried to inject some lightheartedness. "So, uh, Jess didn't warn you, but I've got a reputation for embarrassing my kids. Fair warning!" He chuckled, hoping to break the ice, but Maxine only half-smiled, her unease evident.

"Kids?" Maxine echoed, her voice hesitant, as though she wasn't sure how to respond to such a casual mention of his family.

"Yeah," Billie nodded. "I've got two boys. They're great, but definitely a handful, especially when they get into my guitars." He was trying to make a connection, but Maxine's silence only deepened the awkwardness. She didn't know how to respond to Billie's easygoing banter about being a dad—her dad. The idea felt distant and strange.

Alex chimed in, sensing Maxine's discomfort. "He's not kidding. Last week, I found a sandwich in one of his guitars." She smiled softly, but Maxine's response was minimal, just a half-hearted smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I didn't really know what to expect," Maxine muttered after a long silence. Her voice was shaky, uncertain. "I've never met anyone from my... real family before."

Billie's heart ached hearing that. He glanced at Alex, both of them painfully aware of how difficult this was for her. "It's okay to feel overwhelmed, Max," he said gently, trying to convey understanding. "This is brand new for us."

Alex's voice wavered slightly as she stepped closer. "When I gave you up, I was terrified. It wasn't a decision I made lightly." Her words were honest, but Maxine only looked down, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of her shirt. It was hard to know how to respond to something so heavy, so life-changing.