Not Letting Go

Chapter 36

As the two girls were driving back to Blackwell, Kate began to look worried. She finally said, "Should we have left Vi like that, after what she told us?"

"Visiting hours were about to be over, we wouldn't have a choice," Max said matter of factly as she drove.

"Yeah, I know...but I don't think we really talked it all out and she probably needs some help."

"She needs professional help. We can keep talking to her about it, but maybe we can convince her to see someone."

"Yeah...I wanted to tell her my own story, but I waited too long and then Steph was there. I didn't want to bring things up in front of her. About either of us."

"Probably best. When you do talk to her, you're going to leave out the rewinding time part, right?"

Kate smiled and caressed Max's arm, sliding her hand once back and forth across it as she said, "Of course, Em."

"Just checking...but yeah...not sure we have anything to worry about with Vi right now. I believe her when she says she would never do it herself and right now she probably has Steph on the brain more than anything else."

"They seemed really into each other."

"Definitely. I just hope Steph isn't just some temporary distraction for her. Maybe she can make a turn around and start something serious."

"I really hope so."

"She deserves love too," Max said, glancing over a moment to give Kate an adoring look which she returned.

They drove in silence for a little while and then Max asked, "How are you feeling about tomorrow?"

Kate thought about it for a moment, then said, "Nervous...sad...maybe hopeful? Hoping that I'll get something good out of it, one last time."

"I know you really want to do this, but when we're there, if you are suddenly feeling like it's time to go, just let me know. If it seems like it's hurting you to be there, I don't want you to make yourself stay, okay?"

"I don't think it'll be like that, but okay, we'll go if that happens. Like I said, I'm hopeful."

"You would be. One of the reasons I love you."

Kate looked at her happily. They continued driving, again in silence. They chatted more as they travelled until they made it to their school.

When they parked and Max was helping Kate out of the car, she froze for a second, then continue to get out and said, "I still need to change my number and give it to Lynn."

"Oh yeah...we will. Tomorrow, after church, we'll do it and on Monday we'll give it to her."

Kate nodded.

The two girls made their way to the dorms and reached Kate's room without incident. They quickly got through their nighttime routine and were soon in bed together in each other's shirts.

"I missed this," Kate said as she sat in bed.

"You have no idea," Max murmured as she lifted the collar up to smell inside the shirt, not trying at all to hide it.

"How do I smell today?" Kate jokingly asked, noticing Max's movement.

"You smell good, so good, but you always do," Max said unashamedly as she began to lay down.

Kate giggled and helped Max get the covers over themselves, then said, "I don't know about that, but I'm glad you think so."

They naturally intertwined themselves and Max instinctively began stroking Kate's face, knowing her girlfriend was probably worried about tomorrow. The freckled girl was worried herself, but she wouldn't say it at this point.