Not Letting Go

Chapter 5

After a few moments of waiting, the door opened to reveal Joyce. Her surprise was replaced instantly with a smile when she recognized one of the two girls on her porch. Her pleasant demeanor couldn't hide her exhaustion.

"Oh Max. I didn't know you were coming, I would have cleaned up. And you brought a friend."

"Hi Joyce. S-sorry I didn't call. Yeah, this is my friend, Kate. We go to school together."

"Hi, nice to meet you. I am so sorry for your loss," Kate usually would offer a handshake, but it seemed an inadequate gesture at this time. She wanted to give a hug, but held back for now, feeling a little like an intruding outsider.

"Thank you, darling. Any friend of Max is a friend of mine. Come on in you two."

"Thank you, Joyce," Max said and they followed the older woman inside. Once in, Kate waited politely at the door while Max started to wander slightly further in, following the pictures along the walls.

Joyce closed the door and smiled knowingly at Max.

"The photographer goes straight to the photos."

Max looked guiltily back to Joyce. "Oh, no, it's not-"

Joyce waved away Max's concerns and said, "I am just playing with you, Max. I know you are looking for my daughter in those pictures."

Max smiled shyly as a reply, glad Joyce understood. She settled on a picture of Chloe holding a science trophy. That's the Chloe Max had remembered. The smart dorky girl who had so much potential and possibilities. She met the new Chloe for a week but the old one was still in there. She would take any version of Chloe now to have her here, or even just to see one more time.

"She was so proud that day." Joyce said while leaning against the door, not needing to come close to know the photo. She had her phone out and seemed to be texting briefly before putting it away.

"I remember. We all were," Max said, turning back to her.

Joyce gave a sad smile and said, "Please have a seat girls."

After they both complied, Joyce asked, "Either of you thirsty?"

They both thanked her, but assured her they were fine for now. When Joyce double checked they did not need anything and was satisfied, she finally sat down herself.

Max took a deep breath and spoke, "So, I'm sorry if you um, don't want to talk about it, but how have you been holding up?"

Joyce looked off to nowhere for a moment before meeting Max's nervous gaze as she responded, "As well as can be expected, I suppose. Life has dealt me a poor hand. Feels like the worst, but it can always get worse. Still, for Chloe...she deserved better. She was too young. William, he was too young too, but my poor girl..."

Max could see tears forming in Joyce's distant eyes and her own started to water at the sight. Kate frowned and subtlety fidgeted on the couch. With a false start of hesitation, Max then moved to sit next to Joyce and took one of her hands in both of hers. She took a gulp before speaking. Her nervousness slipped quickly into a break down of emotions.

"I...I'm so sorry, Joyce. I should have saved her. I should have...done so many things different. I am so, so sorry. I just miss her so much." She was crying as she spoke and ended with a sob while putting her head to Joyce's hand that she held.

Joyce looked over to Kate for a moment who saw the older woman's shock and concern. Kate returned a worried look of her own, but remained sitting across from them, letting Ms. Price take care of her friend for now. Joyce looked back down to Max and found the words to say after her initial surprise.