Circumstances

Chapter Three

Liz was sitting out on the deck in her lawn chair. She wasn’t doing much of anything, just staring into space. Maria had been keeping her company, but she had left for a date with James. She was reveling in the fact that she had a normal boyfriend. Maria was still hung up on Michael, but she was trying not to show it. Liz couldn’t get past the speech he’d given her. Did Max honestly think she’d stay friends with him? It was times like these, she really missed her friend Alex. He was away for the weekend at cousin’s house. He’d been so excited, but Liz really wanted him there so she could talk to him. She leaned her head back and took a ragged breath. She was so lost in thought, she didn’t see the two figures climb up the ladder and over her wall. It took Kyle actually sitting down on her lawn chair, before she took notice.

“ Wow Liz, you’re really out of it. Michael told me what happened, and I thought I would come by and see how you were doing. I kind thought that Maria would be here keeping you company.” Liz smiled briefly at him.

“ She was, but she had to leave. Honestly guys, I’m okay. I hurt a little bit, but I’m not gonna collapse or anything.” Isabel Evans stepped up from behind Kyle and stopped in front Liz.

“ I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry. My brother is going through something right now, and he’s making some pretty boneheaded decisions. We just wanted to check on you. We’ll leave you alone now.” Without saying anything else, Isabel retreated back down the ladder. Kyle smiled gently at Liz, and followed Isabel soon after saying goodbye. Liz settled back once more and started dozing off. When she jerked awake, she was no longer outside, but she was in her bed. She sat up, and saw that someone had tucked her in and everything. It was extremely late and she didn’t remember coming inside. She was about to get up, when she saw a note taped to her lamp. She leaned over and picked it up.

Liz,
I came by to check on you, but you were asleep. You were also shivering, so I took you inside. So, don’t freak out.
Michael.

Liz smiled slightly, and settled back down into her bed. She had to work in the morning shift, so she needed to sleep. She had been surprised by Isabel’s remark earlier. She shook her head before she could let herself start dwelling again. After a few minutes, she’d gone back to sleep.

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The next morning, they were surprisingly not busy. They only had two customers, and Maria was waiting on both of them. Liz had offered to help her, but she didn’t want to be anywhere near Michael right now, so she’d declined. Michael had been very nice to Liz, so she wasn’t going to avoid him for her. She glanced at the door when it opened, and saw Tess and Max enter together. The sight of them holding hands, sent Liz on overload. She looked pleadingly over at Maria, and she nodded her understanding. When Maria showed up at Max’s table, he looked around for Liz. Their eyes locked briefly and then he looked away, smiling over at Tess. Liz suddenly grew very angry and stormed into the back room. Max Evans sure had some nerve bringing her in here like that. Liz was pacing back and forth when Michael walked in the back.

“ Parker, what are you doing?” Liz stopped her pacing to glare at Michael.

“ I thought we had an understanding. He tells me he’s gonna give me some space, and he brings her here? I should go and shove his dinner in his face, that’s what I should be doing!” Michael sighed, because he was thinking the same thing. Why give her this big speech if he was going to be a dick about it? Michael was following Liz’s steps with his eyes, and started to get dizzy.

“ Look, don’t get crazy on me. If you want me to, I’ll go out there and tell him to get lost.” Liz was about to object when the suddenly heard shouting. They walked to the door, and saw Isabel and Kyle standing next to Max and Tess. It was Isabel that screaming at Max.

“ I can’t believe you’d be such a jackass as to come here to your ex of one day’s work! You knew that Liz would be here, and that she’s devastated, and you bring that tramp in here! I thought you were a better person this, Max!” After saying her peace, Isabel slammed out of the diner. Kyle had stayed where he was in a shocked state. Max didn’t care, cause he fired at him.

“ Anything you want to add, Valenti?” Kyle focused his stare on Max.

“ Your sister pretty much summed it up. I will say that I wish I hadn’t been right about you. I’d warned Liz off of you, because I knew that eventually you’d show your true colors. You should have just shown them sooner, so you could have spared everyone the trouble of knowing you. You’re an ass, Max.” Kyle didn’t wait for Max’s response, just walked over to where Liz and Michael were stood glued to their spots. Michael snapped out of it first, and ushered Liz and Kyle into the back. Liz smiled gently at Kyle in a silent thank you. Kyle smiled back, but then looked hesitantly over at Michael.

“ You’re not gonna kick my ass for saying that stuff, are you ?” Michael pretended to think about it, but eventually grinned.

“ No, he is an ass.” Liz stood back up to look at the crowd. Only three tables were taken up, and Liz felt bad that Maria was doing it all. She took a deep breath and exited the back just as two more customers walked through the door. Liz forced herself to smile, and walked up to her first customers.