Not Letting Go

Chapter 13

When they reached Kate's room, she had finally chosen a piece to play. Something told her though, that she would change her mind as soon as she picked up her violin. She opened the door and let the Caulfields in. Vanessa instantly noted Kate's art displayed throughout the room.

"Max wasn't exaggerating. I love these. They're so cute! Look at the little legs on this guy," she said pointing for Ryan to see.

"Cutest bunny I've ever seen," he said, coming over to look closer at the drawing.

"Yeah..." Max said as she locked eyes with Kate. When her parents turned to her response, she started moving and said, "Uhh, but here is her real bunny, Alice. She's the sweetest."

When they moved to see, Max turned around briefly to see a grateful Kate who was smiling bashfully at the appropriated compliment. At least that's what it seemed like to Max. Kate then took the moment to retrieve her Violin.

Ryan put his hand to the cage and Alice sniffed from the back before hopping over to smell his fingers, the little nose wiggling away.

"Does this little guy, I mean girl, ever get out?" Ryan asked.

"Oh, Alice? Yeah, I let her run around because she needs to stretch, but she does leave little presents."

"That they do. Ever thought about getting a boy bunny to make a bunny family?"

Kate giggled. "No...well, I'd like a bunny family someday...but no boy bunnies. They're just not for me."

Max froze, feeling as if Kate was blurting out her deepest of secrets, right to her parents. She turned her head slowly to analyze her friend's expression with a sidelong glance, but Kate's demeanor was all too casual and gave away nothing.

Ryan replied, "Yeah, I hear they can be just like dogs. Always trying to...well, you know. Do ungentlemanly things with...everything."

"Very true. Female rabbits can be territorial, but it's just Alice, so no worries there."

Vanessa butted in, seeing Kate hold the violin and eager to hear the blonde perform. "So...what are you playing for us, Kate?"

Kate became timid under the pressure of Vanessa's enthusiasm. She did as she predicted of herself and changed her mind about the music, deciding to risk playing the most difficult piece she knew.

"Oh, well...I thought I'd just play part of Bach's Partita No. 2. I'm still working on perfecting it, but here we go." The Caulfield parents sat on the bed and Max sat in her desk chair. When the blonde violinist saw they were settled, she lifted her bow to begin. She first made a couple mistakes and restarted, then shifted her stance which placed Max in the center of her view and the next attempt started cleanly.

Kate, so typically unassuming and gentle became fierce and focused as she deftly continued to play the piece. Max had heard her play in the mornings, but watching her play this particular music and seeing her do it in person was very different and was having an intense effect on her. The skill of Kate's precision was impressive, so much that Max felt almost a physical effect watching her friend play. Max wondered about past memories, whether this was what those other girls were talking about when they said they were hot for musicians. She didn't think it was possible to want her more until now. The only thing that tempered her feelings was the presence of her parents.

The Caulfields were as enraptured by Kate's playing as Max, though to a much more expected effect. When the violinist ended the part of the piece she planned to play, they clapped with genuine appreciation.

"Bravo, Kate! That was amazing," Vanessa praised. "I am so glad I rudely pressured you into playing for us," She added with a wink.

Ryan nodded and said, "Yeah kiddo, I thought you might be upselling your friend, but it sounds now more like you neglected to let us know we were in the presence of a master. I might have to add that to my list of five things that make me cry, it was that beautiful."

Max felt speechless, but forced out the words, "That really was beautiful, Kate."

Kate was not used to so much admiration for her playing, but she did know that she probably got through the piece of music better than she ever had before, so she accepted the praise graciously. She also knew exactly where the determination came from that made her achieve greatness this night. Kate met Max's stare for a moment.

"Thank you," she said to all of them. "You're too kind."

"You're too modest, but that makes you even better," Vanessa said warmly, then added, "Hey Kate?" breaking the girls' shared look. When the blonde turned to her, she continued, saying, "Could I talk to you in the hall, or maybe Max's room?"

Kate could not hide her nervousness. "Yeah...sure."

"Yes mom, thanks for asking. Of course you can use my room to interrogate my friend," Max said sarcastically, hiding her apprehension under a veil of half playful teasing.

"We won't be long," Vanessa said, not bothering to reassure either girl about her intentions.

Kate put away her violin, keeping herself mostly composed while her worries swelled up inside. She approached Mrs. Caulfield to follow the woman's lead. Vanessa then opened the door and put a motherly hand on Kate's shoulder as they walked out.

"Be nice to her!" Max called after them.

Kate felt a little less tense when Vanessa side hugged her and said, "You know Max is just kidding, right? Oh, you sweet thing, you are nervous aren't you? I don't blame you. Not everyone is pulled away by their friend's parent to be talked to privately. This is just for Max though, I hope you understand. I love my daughter." She paused in thought. "Poor Joyce. You know Chloe's mom?"

Kate nodded.

Vanessa nodded as well in return. "We visited her today. Probably just missed Max when she came by. She is holding up, but I never want to have to face that fate with my daughter and I will do everything in my power to assure her wellbeing."

Kate almost didn't hear the ending statement, lost in her thoughts.

Max visited Chloe's mom and didn't tell me...but why? Probably just to visit Joyce like the woman asked, but still...

Kate's concern was apparent, which Vanessa misread.

"Don't you worry, I might turn into momma bear, but I know you care about my daughter too."

They stopped at Max's room and entered.

Vanessa looked around the room. "My child...still so messy. Can't blame her right now." She closed the door and guided Kate to sit on the bed with her.

The older woman sighed and said, "I'll just get down to it. Ryan told me he gave you his number and I will give you mine, but I have to know I can trust you not to hide anything I should know about."

Kate was about to speak, but Vanessa continued.

"If she is ever in danger, if her safety is in question at all, even in the slightest, you have to tell me. My little girl has gone through so much..." Vanessa began with increasing intensity, but broke down into a cry.

Kate came closer and rubbed her back, hoping that was okay. Vanessa did not stop her, so the young girl continued and started sadly, saying, "I know...she really has, but I am here for her...I would never let anything happen to her. She's my priority, I promise you."

"I can tell. You both seem so...close. I'm happy she has you...I just can't help worrying. I'm her mother, it's my job," Vanessa said still with a wavering voice and shaky smile.

"You're a good mom, Vanessa...I can't stop you from worrying, but I promise you, I promise you, on my life, I will keep Max safe."

Holding her smile a little better, Vanessa sniffled as she said, "I guess I can't ask more than that, can I?" She turned to hug Kate. As she did she said, "Thank you, Kate. For everything you've done to get her in a better place and for staying with her. She needs you, I know it."

"We need each other."

"Well, good. Have to stick together then, huh?"

"That's the plan."

"I'm counting on it," Vanessa said as she ended their embrace. She added while looking at Kate, "Now don't forget to call. If you need to, just do it. Also...could I get your number? I won't ask anything personal, I just will feel so much better if I can check in. Not all the time, but now and then. Max is less reliable, but she just doesn't want to worry me. The girl can't accept I'm going to worry anyways."

"Sure...I don't mind."

Kate reasoned in her mind that this would be okay, just as accepting both Caulfield's phone numbers would be okay, as long as she was honest with Max about it. Guiltily, she was ready for the pair to leave, just so she wouldn't have to hold the secret anymore. Though Max seemed to have her secrets...

"Thank you, Kate. She's lucky to have you as a friend."

"Of course, but I think-I know we're both lucky. I wouldn't be here without her."

Vanessa turned thoughtful with a realization and said, "And how are you doing, Kate? Really and truly, how are things?" She had put a hand lightly on the blonde's shoulder.

Kate hesitated, but decided to speak honestly. "Well...I can't remember things being better, so I must be doing good I guess."

"That's great. I'm so glad to hear it. For your sake, but also, Max does need someone strong right now."

"I know it."

They gave each other small appreciative smiles and both could feel that the conversation had ended. Kate gave Mrs. Caulfield her phone number, who entered it in her own cell. There was a moment afterwards where they just gave a look of understanding and then Vanessa got up, and Kate followed. When they exited Max's room, Mrs. Caulfield put an arm around Kate's shoulder as they walked down the hall.

As they came back into Kate's room, Ryan and Max were laughing about something. Kate could see tears in Max's eyes and wondered if it was from laughing too hard or if she had been crying earlier when they were gone. She had never seen Max laugh that hard before though to bring her to tears and the father and daughter seemed very close as if they were just done with an embrace, sitting on the bed side by side.

"Honey, I'm sorry to be the one who has to say it but it's time to go," Ryan said, looking at his phone.

Vanessa looked at her own phone and sighed. "You're right, it's time." She turned to Kate and gave her a hug whispering into her ear, "Please take care of my baby."

Kate gave a reassuring smile and Vanessa seemed satisfied. Max and her dad had stood to hug at the same time, and so they traded places to complete their goodbyes. Vanessa embraced Max fiercely. "I love you, baby...I'm going to miss you. Don't forget to call more."

Max sighed. "Love you too mom. Okay, okay, I won't forget," she said smiling.

"Yeah...we'll see," her mother teased. "Okay..." she breathed out after a large inhale. "Let's go."

"See you soon kiddo," Ryan said with one more half hug and a kiss on the side of her head and added, "Love you."

"Love you, Dad."

They soon were gone, leaving Kate and Max alone.

"That went well?" Kate stated, but Max could tell was meant as a question.

"Yeah...it did. Well, I'm still here, right?"

"Thank goodness for that. I really can't imagine you not being here, Max."

"I think we both know I need you more than you need me right now,"

"I don't know about that..." Kate said glancing away shyly.

Max's heart fluttered for a second before she moved the conversation on, saying, "So...Katie...what did you and my mom talk about?"

Max wondered if it was obvious why she only called her Katie in private. Her friend didn't comment on it though, but the brunette could see a sparkle in her friend's eyes at the sound of her pet name.

Kate walked over to her friend in thought and said, "How about we talk about it in your place? I know you like being in your own room more."

"Actually, I'd like to stay with you this time. Um, if that's okay?"

Kate smiled. "Of course. Need to grab anything?"

"Just a toothbrush. I guess I can just brush and come back."

"Okay. Go ahead, I'll still be here."

Max smiled and nodded before leaving.

Kate felt nervous as soon as the brunette left. A lot of concerns competed in her mind, everywhere from needing to tell Max that her parents wanted Kate to keep tabs on her, to the question she had regarding her therapy session, to how much their friendship had been accelerating, as well as the visit to Chloe's house that Max kept secret. It was hard to process. She was not sure she wanted to address everything now, but either way it was going to be a long night.