Make It To Me

Chapter 11

After Ralph had told Maks where Antonio could be found, he began to plan. Maks knew that he wouldn't be able to see Antonio this afternoon. Meryl was exhausted from their small trip and needed Maks' attention. Maks walked into Meryl's room to hear a sort of grumble come from her stomach. Trying to contain his excitement, Maks ran into his room and searched through his bag. Finally he pulled out a power bar that he'd packed before he had gotten on the plan

"No Maks...It'll make me get sick." Meryl shook her head and pushed the bar away. Without another word, Maks ran into the small kitchen and searched the refrigerator and pantry. His hand grazed over a croissant roll in the pantry, and he instantly picked it up.

"Here, try this." Maks handed her the bread, silently praying that she would eat it. As if it was something harmful, Meryl inspected the bread and slowly brought it to her mouth. Maks' heart leapt when he saw her nibble like a little bird and swallow. Little by little, Meryl ate the entire croissant. "Good job, baby." Maks sat down beside her on her quilted bed, and rubbed her back.

Maks was unbelievably proud of Meryl. He noticed something change in her on the boat, something drastic. He was trying to figure out how he would do this; how could he make her better? Meryl had lied down while Maks was lost in his thoughts, and fallen asleep. After a while of just watching her sleep peacefully, Maks stood and closed the white door quietly.

Before he could walk away, he heard footsteps and a slamming door. Maks walked into the empty room, looking for Meryl. He suddenly noticed that the bathroom door was closed. Walking over to the door, he put his ear against it and listened intently. Maks could faintly hear Meryl vomiting; he knocked.

"Babe, are you okay?" Maks opened the bathroom door when he didn't hear a response. Meryl was slumped over the toilet, dry-heaving.

There was nothing else left to come up. She was shaking violently and crying. Maks sat down behind her and reached for a hair tie on the counter, gathering her hair into a messy bun. Meryl relaxed into his arms, leaning into his chest with her head on his shoulder. Maks began to run his fingers against her arm, attempting to comfort her in every way possible.

"We'll keep trying new things." Maks kissed the top of her shoulder, moving his hands so that they were holding hers. "I won't give up on you. Do you know that?" He kissed her shoulder twice more, patiently waiting for a response.

"Да. (Yes)" Maks smiled, hearing Meryl speak in his mother tongue pulled at his heartstrings. Her voice was shaky, like her body. For a while, they just sat there in complete silence, until Meryl spoke.

"Maks," She couldn't believe she was doing this. "I have to tell you something..." Meryl took a deep breath, feeling the tears start to form in her eyes. Maks' heart dropped to his stomach, he knew exactly what was to come next.

//

They had moved into her bedroom, sitting up in a more comfortable position. Maks was leaning up against her headboard and Meryl was sitting a foot away from him, sitting with her legs crisscrossed. Meryl was as nervous as ever; she was more nervous now than she was in Sochi. Although she didn't want to, she knew it was time to tell him

"We were in Rome for Christmas, and everything was going great; up until Friday. He was a little drunk when we had gotten back to the hotel from dinner. But, he wasn't entirely intoxicated. When we walked in, he lied down on the bed and asked me to join him. I don't remember the details, but I do remember him wanting me to say that I loved him. But I couldn't; I was still in love with you..." Meryl trailed off, looking down and not wanting to continue. Maks touched her hand reassuringly, wanting to hear what Antonio had done wrong.

"When I didn't say it, he choked me. After he let go, I ran to the other side of the room and he followed me. He tried to-um," Meryl nodded towards Maks, obviously uncomfortable with saying the word. "I pushed him away and then he started yelling at me. He called me selfish, worthless, ugly, and...fat," Meryl finished quietly, looking up at Maks who now had her in his arms.