Chapter Eight

Our first day at The Broadmoor was a raging success. Or semi-fruitful, to say the very least. Taking things slowly and respecting Lily's sensory needs, I think I've done a pretty good job so far. Getting out of Denver, even if for just a couple of days, was a brilliant idea. I would've gladly gone further afield, but Melanie is flying into DIA on Thursday.

Opening my eyes from the piercing light, I rub the exhaustion away with a satisfying yawn. As Lily's hands press into my back, sunlight streams through the French doors. I squint at the wall clock, surprised to see it's already past ten in the morning. We both slept soundly—which is a first in day. I carefully slide out of bed, relieved that the pain from yesterday's cut has subsided.

I retrieve my phone from the nightstand and pad over to the plush sofa in the sitting area. Picking up the receiver of the old-fashioned hotel phone, I thumb through the breakfast menu, pausing at a photo of powdered sugar-dusted French toast drizzled with maple syrup. It seems like the perfect choice for a quiet breakfast in bed. The downstairs attendant answers where I place the order, adding a large latte for myself and a glass of chocolate milk for Lily. Turning my head around, I check on the little munchkin, paying mind to keep my voice at a low enough decibel. She's still asleep, with a relaxed and peaceful expression on her tiny face.

The attendant tells me that our order will be up in twenty minutes, whereupon I hang up the receiver to scroll through my email on the wireless device in my other hand. Melanie's itinerary is among the first to be displayed, where I also see her comments confirming the details with a string of kissy-face emojis. She's even told me how many bags she's checking, which is helpful because I'll transfer some money to cover those fees as well. If she's doing me this huge favor by watching Lily during my fashion show, I want to ensure she's not out of any expense on her part.

With a sniffle in my nose, I quickly hammer an email reply just as I hear the rustling of sheets from the bedroom. Lily's waking up.

Sis,

I love you so much and can't wait for you to get here. Lily Bean and I will be right outside the loading zone of your terminal the minute you arrive. I've just sent you a few hundred bucks to cover your checked luggage fees and anything you might need, like airport meals or Starbucks. Literally anything at all—it's on my dime! You're the best twin sister anyone could ever ask for.

What a good idea it was to spend time out of the normal flow of things at home. I haven't slept this well in a few nights. After her very first mud bath, I even surprised myself when I was successful at encouraging Lily to try something new at lunchtime. They were miniature cucumber sandwiches with cream cheese, prosciutto, tomato, and fresh spinach. We spent the whole day yesterday pampering ourselves to distract us from thing about the missing man in both of our lives. God, I miss him so much, Mel. I'll probably never find a man as wholesome and caring as Brogan. But knowing you're gonna be here with me makes everything feel intrinsically better. You rock my socks, kid. XOXO — Max.

I hear the toilet flush, then the faucet running in the bathroom. A small wave of relief washes over me as I realize Lily Bean has remembered to wash her hands without me reminding her. She comes barreling towards me, arms outstretched. Catching her in a hug and a laugh, I let her squeeze me tight while she leans back against my chest with a contended sigh.

"Maxie, I love you so much," she says sweetly.

My head bows. "I love you more, munchkin," I respond with emotion. "Have I ever told you about the day you were born?"

Her eyes light up like the Rockefeller Christmas tree. "Oh gosh, yes," she giggles. "You and Daddy have told me a million times."

With a smile, I tuck her head under my chin, tickling her ribs. "I figured because you always remember those stories better than I do," I admit. "You're such a smarty pants and I just know you're going to grow up to be a big, beautiful nerd, and I know you'll do amazing things."

She sighs somewhat sheepishly, muffling her response into my chest. "I want to be a doctor, just like Daddy," she affirms proudly.

"If that's what you want, then you can do it, munchkin," I reply, patting her back. "I'll always support you, one hundred and eighty percent."

Lily pauses. "Speaking of stories," she says, taking a deep breath. "You never talk about how you met Daddy."

This gives me major pause, myself. "Ohh?"

Her interrogation continues. "When was it? What was it like? Did you fall in love at first sight?"

Her curiosity and maturity about romance never fail to amuse me. Kids these days are practically born with an iPad in their hands.

A grin warms my face. "You've heard this one, Silly Jilly," I tease her.

"I know, I know," she replies, shrugging. "But I want your side of the story."

Something tells me this is going to be a day of nostalgia. As much as I'd like to tell her all she wants to know, replaying the wonderful memories from the deep caverns of my brain might make my heart hurt a hundred times over again today. However, a curious Lily is a happy one.

My brow furls. "Well, wouldn't it be the same as Daddy's?" I laugh just as a knock on the door interrupts us.

"Room service!"

Lily's freshly manicured nails dig into my shirt, practically sharp as Simba's claws. "Who's that?"

"Our food—I'm starving," I advise her, settling Lily back onto the couch. "I'm coming!"

At the door, we're greeted by a gentleman in a freshly pressed red uniform pushing a cart laden with our breakfast fare into the room. The plates remain covered in gleaming domes until the attendant uncovers them, releasing the aroma of coffee into the air.

Lily gasps. "I feel like Kevin in Home Alone."

Amused, I shoot her a side glance while I fish out a tip for the room service gentleman. This leaves me curious if Brogan let her watch the Home Alone franchise recently while I was away for work.

"Yes, baby," I reply. "It's definitely an upgrade from yesterday at IHOP."

"She should pop out those doors any moment," I announce throughout the car, twisting my head to face Lily in the backseat.

Two days and I've finally snagged a new booster seat for Munchkin. Installing it in the mall parking lot wasn't ideal, but it's an insignificant victory compared to the mountain of shit I'm dealing with. Funeral arrangements, death certificates, bank accounts, life insurance—and the dreaded Baxter family.

Ugh. My in-laws. The thought of facing them makes my stomach churn. Thankfully, however, I won't be alone. My twin sister, Mel, will be here to play Switzerland. Or Team Williams, depending on how things go. I can always count on her to have my back.

"Lookie there, munchkin," I exclaim, pointing out the window. "Here comes Auntie Mel."

A look of surprise lights up Lily's face. "Yay, I missed her."

A whirlwind of emotions swirls inside me as I step out of the car. I haven't seen Melanie since Easter. Since that photo of me and Brogan in Mom's backyard with Lily, all smiles and laughter. She approaches me slowly, as if in some kind of Hallmark Christmas movie. Meanwhile, I take a few steps in her direction as well. It's difficult to hold back a torrent of salty tears as I wrap Melanie in the warmest hug I can muster.

"Oh Max," she sobs, tears streaming down her face matching mine. "I'm so sorry. For everything."

My head wavers as I pay attention to the swathe of warmth cover my heart. "I missed you so much, Mel," I reply emphatically. "There are no words for how much I need you right now."

We hold each other for a long moment while the world fades aways around us. I want to break free and grab her luggage, but her grip is too tight. I can't bear to let go just yet.

My voice creaks through the dried ravines in my chest. "Mel," I finally say. "Lily's in the car, excited to see you."

"Oh, that poor, innocent little child," she says, matching my tone. "She must be devastated."

I nod. "Yeah, it's been rough, but today was a good day," I bend down and grab her suitcase, surprised by its weight. "Jesus, what do you have in here? Bricks? "

"A woman's gotta have options," she quips. "Besides, I planned on starting for a few weeks, if that's okay with you."

My face lights up with warmth and appreciation. "I wouldn't have it any other way. But I'm especially grateful you're here for this weekend," I counter. "I just can't miss this fashion shoot," I conclude, pushing her suitcase into the back hatch. "In fact, it might be my last."

Melanie opens the front passenger door, her eyes filled with deep concern. "Max, I'm always here for you—always—and don't you dare give up your passion."

Her words fill me with a tenderness that I haven't felt in a little while. With Brogan, his support was different, coming from my doting Papa Bear. Coming from my greatest confidant in the whole wide world—surpassing that of our mom—it just hits differently. I'm not alone in this and I know that. Finally, I have my sister, my rock, right by my side.

"Mel, my job would be impossible as a single parent," I affirm, opening the car door. "I can't drag Lily all over the country—it's too dangerous for an autistic child."

Melanie buckles up. "That's not what I meant, Max."

Meanwhile, Lily squeals from the backseat. "I missed you so much!"

The light on Melanie's face could light my heart right about now. "Aww, honey," she says. "I missed you even more."

I sigh as the intricacies of the past few days press down on me. "Mel, I don't have the energy for twenty questions—I've got a million things on my plate—there's no way I can argue about this right now—" I stammer breathlessly, turning over the ignition.

Melanie's insistence endures. "I'm just saying, you could always freelance occasionally," she clarifies, placing her hand on my thigh. "Take things one step at a time—shit—if anyone can afford to take some time off—it's you, Max."

I can hear Lily gasping from the backseat.

"Yes, munchkin, Auntie Mel owes a dollar to the swear jar," I announce, rolling my eyes in Lily's direction to clue her in that we're around a kid.

A kid. My kid. My single-father prerogative is now to protect Lily from the obtrusiveness of the world and it's kicking in naturally. I glance quickly, re-affixing my gaze with Melanie's while a flicker of hope sparks within me.

"True enough," I admit, advancing forward in the busy parking lot.

As we navigate the Denver traffic, my anxiety spikes dramatically. The accident, the fear of something happening to Lily—it's all too much. The evening sky, ablaze with orange and purple hues, does little to soothe my frayed nerves.

Meanwhile, my stomach growls louder than a lion's roar. It's at this moment that I realize Lily and I haven't eaten since breakfast. I glance at Mel, who's engrossed in her phone.

"Sis, you must be starving," I say, changing lanes.

She nods, looking up from her phone. "I could definitely eat."

The reply coming from my backseat is enough to chide my lackluster parenting skills one more time. "Me too, Maxie," Lily chimes in, waving her arms excitedly.

A small smile tugs at my lips, but I pay more attention to the regret screaming deep within. As if Brogan's spirit is sitting at the top of my ribcage, admonishing me for making his little girl starve all fucking day, whether or not she reminded me she was hungry. Yet at the same time, maybe tonight—if for just a little while—we can forget about the grief and the worries. Perhaps we can just be a family, enjoying a meal together.

"Well, I could eat a horse," I say, extending my hand back for a high-five from Lily.

She slaps it with a giggle. "Can we go to the goat place?" She asks, her eyes twinkling with exhilaration.

"I couldn't think of a better place, Princess," I reply, offering a wink in the rearview mirror.

Mel seems confused. "The goat place?"

My head bows with a sigh. "Yeah, that's what she calls it," I explain. "It's a pub called The Goat and Clover Tavern on Havana Street," I continue, carefully switching back into the farthest lane. "She loves it because it's usually not too crowded and the lighting is dim."

Lily squeaks from the backseat. "They have the best chicken fingers in the whole wide world, Mellie," she gasps, loud enough to shatter glass.

My eyes roll to the side. "We're right here, sweetheart," I remind her gently. "Use your inside voice, please."

Lily's face sinks for a moment, but she quickly recovers. "Sorry," she mumbles.

I blow her a kiss from the driver's seat. "It's alright, munchkin," I affirm. "Just remember to use your inside voice, okay?"

"Okaayyy," she agrees quietly.

Mel stifles a yawn, tapping on her phone. "I don't know if I'm as hungry as I am tired. Flying always takes it out of me."

I smile, resonating with that sentiment about traveling. "Don't worry, the chicken fingers will perk you right up."