Chapter 17 #2
It’s the cruelest part of it all because I like her enough that I want her to have everything she’s hoping to find, even if none of it includes me. The possibility of her leaving is the one thing keeping my feet planted. The one fear that keeps me from reaching for her.
I shove the thought aside before it can settle too deeply. Across from me, Annabelle finishes painting Maxinne’s fingernails and immediately reaches for her sandals so she can tackle her toes next.
“How come I got the whole rainbow and Maxinne only gets one color?” I ask.
Annabelle shrugs, her attention fixed on her task. “Because when Maxinne smiles, it’s like sunshine. So, yellow is her color.”
Maxinne presses a hand to her chest and lets out a soft, “Aww.”
“Do I not have a color that fits me?”
“Nope,” Annabelle says without hesitation.
Maxinne presses her lips together, clearly trying—and failing—to hold back a laugh.
I decide to get back at her by pointing out that she’s never seen Frozen, which prompts Annabelle to snatch up the remote and declare that we have to watch it.
But not before she makes sure Maxinne gets a face full of green goo.
Before I go to the bathroom to wash mine away, I take a photo with the three of us and our green faces so I can send it to my brother. To my surprise, I see a new group message in my notifications. Maxinne has started one between her, Ashton, Wren, and me.
Butterfly
*Photo of me with the green face mask*
Came to get my daily Sven fix and walked in on a Shrek-core spa day.
Wren
You’re having a spa day without me? Rude.
Ashton
Don’t worry, Wren, you don’t need the face mask to look like Shrek.
Wren
Now that was mean!
Ashton
No, you’re right. That was mean. The red hair makes you Princess Fiona, then.
Wren
I will only agree to that if it’s Fiona as a HUMAN!!!
Me
For the record, I was not a willing participant.
Butterfly
Lies. You are very committed.
Me
*Sends photo I took of the three of us with face masks*
Ashton
Blink twice if you’re being held hostage by an eight-year-old with nail polish.
Wren
Next time, include me on the spa day. I could use one.
Butterfly
We can have one on Tuesday night when you come over.
Wren
Can’t wait!
I look up from my phone and raise a brow at Maxinne. “You and Wren have become quick friends.”
She shrugs as if it’s not a big deal, but there’s a pleased brightness in her eyes. “Yes, we have.”
Maxinne has folded herself into the fabric of Covewood with an ease that’s hard to ignore. Wren, Olivia, Raine, and even Annabelle seem to have made a connection with her. She shows up and somehow the space around her becomes fuller. Like she belongs here without even trying.
Annabelle interrupts my thoughts by clapping her hands together.
“Okay, spa day is officially over. Now it’s movie time.”
“I need to de-green myself first,” I say, gesturing vaguely to my face. “Don’t start without me.”
I retreat to the bathroom, rinsing away the dried mask, and by the time I’m done, my jaw feels tight from smiling so much this evening.
I move into the kitchen next and start preparing a charcuterie board.
I cube fresh watermelon in a small ceramic bowl and place it in the middle.
I add three different types of cubed cheeses, pretzels, chocolate-covered almonds, and an assortment of crackers.
By the time I carry the board back into the living room, Annabelle scoots things around to make a place on the coffee table, her eyes widening like I’ve delivered a five-star meal instead of movie snacks.
I drop onto the couch, grab the bowl of watermelon, and sprinkle salt over the top of it.
Maxinne gasps as if I’ve committed a crime.
“You did not just do that.”
Annabelle’s eyes widen in horror. “Yuck, salt on watermelon is gross.”
“What?” I glance between them. “It enhances the flavor.”
“It ruins it,” Maxinne says firmly. “Watermelon is supposed to be sweet.”
I hold my bowl closer to my chest. “You’re both wrong. But that’s okay. It means more for me.”
Annabelle grabs the remote and points it toward the TV. “Shh, Frozen is starting.”
She turns to Maxinne, already mid-explanation. “So, Anna is the sister, and Elsa has ice powers, but she’s sad about it, and Kristoff is my favorite.”
Maxinne laughs softly, settling in beside me. I lean back, snacks within reach, watermelon in my lap, and let the moment stretch between us.
By the time Elsa is singing “Let It Go,” Annabelle has fallen asleep on the couch.
Maxinne leans in toward me and whispers, “I can see why she picked the name Sven for your dog.”
“I knew you’d get it once you watched the movie.”
She grins and tosses the last piece of cheese into her mouth. My eyes linger, especially when her tongue darts out to lick her lips. Sven grunts from his place next to our feet, and he twists until he’s on his back, paws dangling in the air. We both chuckle at him.
“You know, since she’s asleep, we could put something on for us to watch,” she suggests.
“You mean to tell me you don’t want to see if Anna will figure out how to cure her icy heart?”
“As tempting as that is, I’ve been watching The Chosen recently, and I’m dying to know what happens.”
Her words catch me off guard. I’m not sure why, exactly. They just do.
She’s being brave enough to search for Jesus and who He really is beneath all the things that once hurt her.
I want to make sure that I’m providing a safe space for her to keep asking questions.
Because I want to encourage her to keep seeking and remind her that God isn’t standing at a distance with his arms crossed.
He is patient, and kind, and closer than she realizes.
“What season and episode are you on?”
She hesitates then pulls out her phone, scrolling until she finds it. “Season one, episode five.”
“Alright.” I reach for the remote, our shoulders nearly brushing as I queue it up. “Let’s watch it.”