Part 5

         Max spotted the Jeep about a block down from the Crashdown. "I wonder why she parked so far away?" he thought. He continued on down the sidewalk. When he reached the door, he hesitated. Should he knock, or just wait? "I'll wait," he thought.

         He peered in through the glass. Isabel was at the jukebox. After a moment she went over and sat down. She and Liz were eating cake. Max frowned. Two of the most important people in his life were right there in front of him, yet he felt like an outsider. Much of it was his fault, of course. He was the one who had forbade any contact after Alex had died. He had only been looking out for everyone's best interests, but his ultimatum only served to push Liz away from him.

         Max shook his head and then rested it on the glass. He hadn't wanted to lose their friendship, but, if that's what it took to keep Liz safe, he would have to live with it. He couldn't live with himself if something happened to
her because of him.

         "You were doing something to him?" Liz asked uncertainly. "How could you possibly know that."
 Isabel sniffled.  "I just did. I could feel a connection, but it was different. Instead of seeing thoughts and images and putting them back, I was taking energy. As soon as I realized it was happening, I broke contact. But it was too late. I had drained him too much."

         "But why......why was it happening? Did you lose control of your powers in the heat of the moment....or is that just a natural part of your alien sex drive?"

         Isabel laughed bitterly. "I ask myself that every day. The worst part of it was, it was the most pleasurable experience of my life. I mean, I was draining the life of my soul mate, and it was turning me on." It was then that Isabel broke down. The tears that had been threatening all night poured out. Liz held Isabel as sobs racked her body. She didn't bother talking. She really didn't know what to say. Isabel's revelation had left her speechless. She had never even considered that the consequences of sleeping with one of the alien's could be her life. But Isabel's experience seemed to point in that direction.

         "Alex knew what had happened," stammered Isabel. "I could see it in his eyes. He put his hand on my cheek and stroked it tenderly. Then he let out a shuddering breath and lay still." Isabel sat up and tried to regain her composer. She dabbed at her eyes with  a napkin from the dispenser. "I tried to connect again, you know, to heal him. But it was too late. It was like his body was empty."

         "It was then that I lost control. I hugged him to me and wailed at the top of my lungs. I was surprised when Max appeared at my door, but I yelled to him anyway. He came and tried to heal Alex, but he had no more luck than I did.  His face just sort of fell as he realized that he couldn't do a thing.  When he left to call the paramedics, I just kept holding Alex. It was like I thought that, by holding on to him, I could help him in some way."

         "You know what happened after that," Isabel stated flatly. "I'm sure the entire town does."

         "Yeah, I do." Liz grimaced. The events of that night had been a hot topic all around town. Everyone had their own opinion of what had happened that night, and no one had been shy about expressing them.
 Isabel grabbed another napkin and blew her nose. She felt like part of the weight she had been bearing for the last nine months had been lifted, just by sharing what had happened. She knew it was time to lift the rest of the load.

        "Liz, that is only part of what I came here to tell you," she said.

         Liz's mind swam back from the thoughts swirling around in her head. "Only part? What could you possibly follow that with?" she asked.

         Isabel's mind whirled. Should she tell her. Should she wait and let her process what she had already been told? Isabel knew the answer. She needed to just put it out there. "Well, Liz, I am pregnant."

         Liz was speechless. To say that she was surprised was an understatement. Her mind just couldn't come up with a response to Isabel's revelation. She finally summoned up her voice. "Could you repeat that please? I want to be sure I heard you right."

         "I said I was pregnant," said Isabel.

         "But with who.....it can't be.....you're not even showing," rambled Liz.

         Isabel rubbed her stomach as she replied. "I know I'm not. That has been a great help hiding it all these months." She took Liz's hand. "You are the only person that knows. The only person."

        "You mean you haven't told your mom and dad? Or Max?" asked Liz. She was still  having trouble processing the meaning of Isabel's words.

         "Ummm, I couldn't talk to him about Alex dying, why could I be able to talk to him about this? Besides, I told you that you were the only person that knows."

         "But...why me? Why did you decide to reveal this to me?" asked Liz.

         "Mostly because I wanted advice.......advice as to how to tell my family about this."

         "I see," said Liz. She paused a moment and looked at Isabel. "Why did you hide it in the first place? You know that is the first question they will ask."

         Isabel sighed. "I don't really know. I guess I just didn't want to give the rumor mongers more juicy tidbits to run with. Besides, my parents were disappointed enough, I didn't want to add to it."

         "But, you knew you would eventually have to tell them, didn't you?" asked Liz. "Or were you contemplating other avenues?"

         "No, no, no," Isabel said. "The thought of abortion never crossed my mind. I mean, this child is the last link I have to Alex. It is the his last contribution to this world. It would be a crime to deny the world that joy."

         "So....what.....were you just planning on waiting for the baby to arrive to let everyone know about it, or did you have some sort of plan to tell everyone...."

         Isabel shook her head. "I don't know what I was thinking. I mean, the past months have past like I was in a haze. I haven't been thinking clearly for a while."

         "I can understand that," Liz said. She looked down at Isabel's hand, clasped in her own. "So, when is it due? Do you know?" She looked back to Isabel's face. "I mean, in human terms, the baby is ready to come."

         Isabel smiled weakly. "I don't really know. I don't know if it will take nine months, like a normal person, or nine years. That is part of the reason I never told anyone."

         "Yeah, I guess it would look weird if they knew you were pregnant and you didn't have the baby for like 14 months," laughed Liz.

         "Exactly," said Isabel. "I think it will be coming soon, though."

         "Why do you say that?" Liz asked.

         "I feel it kicking all the time," said Isabel. "The action has increased in the past month too."

         Liz sipped the coke in front of her. "Um, can you connect with it? Or have you even tried?"

         Isabel looked down to her stomach. "Nope, I can't. All I can do is sense it there. I sensed it as soon as......well, you know how babies come about."

         "Ah," murmured Liz. "Umm, did Alex know? I mean, did you tell him before he died?"

         Isabel went silent. "No. No I didn't. I was too busy trying to save him." She grabbed another napkin and dabbed at her eyes. "I wish I had though. I don't know , but I think he would have been happy."

         Max shifted uncomfortably. The hard concrete of the sidewalk wasn't that comfortable. It was making his butt hurt. He stood up and looked through the window again. Isabel was in Liz's arms, crying. He really wished he could be in there, but Isabel obviously didn't want to talk to him about whatever was bothering her.

         He frowned as he rubbed the small of his back. He would know never to prop himself against a brick wall for any length of time from now on. He checked his watch. 12:30. Damn, were they ever gonna leave? He again considered knocking on the glass. "No, it was just make Isabel mad," he thought. "Besides, if I did that, I would have to talk to Liz, and I'm not sure I'm up to that right now.

         Isabel looked down at her watch. 12:30. Her mom and dad were gonna kill her. "Well, it is getting late Liz. My mom and dad are gonna worry." She took one last ice chip from the cup in front of her. "Can we talk about this more tomorrow?"

         Liz slid out of her seat and stood. "Yeah, sure. I think we really do need to discuss this further." She waited until Isabel stood and leaned in to hug her. Isabel squeezed her hard. Liz put her head on Isabel's shoulder and whispered, "Thank you for trusting me with this."

         Isabel hugged her tighter. "Thank you for listening." She pulled back and smiled. "And thank you for being trustworthy enough to tell."

         Max fiddled with the radio, trying to find a station worth listening to. He had decided to return to the jeep to wait, mainly because it was more comfortable. He checked his watch. 12:30. His mom and dad would kill him if they knew he was out this late. Where was Isabel anyway?

         Isabel waved to Liz through the door of the Crashdown. Liz waved back and mouthed, "see you tomorrow." Isabel smiled and then turned to walk towards her jeep. She heard the dead bolt engage behind her. Liz was probably glad to get rid of her. It was probably past Liz's bedtime anyway.

         Isabel was glad she had come though. She felt immensely better. A part of the crushing weight that she had borne for the past few months had been lifted. If she'd known how much better telling Liz would make her feel, she'd have done it long ago.

         Her good feelings abruptly left her as she noticed the jeep came into view. There was a figure that looked suspiciously like Max seated on the passenger side. Her stomach began to knot up as she came closer and closer to the jeep. How long had he been there? Had he been at the Crashdown? Had he heard her talking to Liz?
 "What are you doing here?" she asked as she reached the drivers side.

         The coldness in her voice caused Max to sit up and look at her. "I just wanted to talk to you," he mumbled, looking hurt. "I didn't realize that 'd be such a problem."

         Isabel's face softened slightly. "Sorry," she said as she climbed in the jeep. "I've had a lot on my mind today."
 Max slid his seat belt on as Isabel pulled away from the curb. It was way past curfew, and he didn't want to give Valenti the slightest excuse to harass them if they were caught. Valenti had been eyeing them all more closely in the past months, so it paid to be a little cautious.

         "So, how'd you find me?" Isabel asked as she pulled to a stop sign. "I don't remember telling any of you where I was going."

         "Um, I called Maria," he said. "She told me that she saw you at the Crashdown, so I figured you would still be there."

         "Hmmm...So you were checking up on me? You know I hate it when you do stuff like that."

         Max sighed softly. "I just really wanted to talk to you," he said softly. "I'm sorry if that bothers you."
 Isabel glanced over at him as she turned down the street to their house. She didn't say anything for a moment. She reached over and turned the radio down a little. "What did you want to talk to me about?"

         Max fidgeted around in his seat as he responded. "Everything. All the stuff that has happened. I want to know how you are doing."

         Isabel pulled into the driveway and killed the engine. She turned the key back so the radio would stay on and then looked at Max. "I don't want to talk about that."

         Max laughed. "You didn't seem to mind talking to Liz," he said.

         So he had spied on them. Obviously he hadn't heard what was said, or he wouldn't be trying to find out. Anger flared up in Isabel. "What were you doing spying on us?"

         "I wasn't spying; I was trying to find out what was going on with my sister." Max sighed and put his head in his hands. "I mean, we used to talk about everything Iz, and, now, it's like I don't even know you anymore."

         Isabel's anger dissipated. She looked down at her hands as she replied. "I know Max. I know you want to hear about everything....I'm just not ready."

         There was a hint of anger in Max's voice as he spoke. "So, you were ready to talk to Liz, who you used to despise, and not your own flesh and blood." An exasperated laugh escaped him as he released his seat belt. "That doesn't make a whole lot of sense Isabel."

         Isabel was surprised. She hadn't realized that Max was so bothered by the fact that she wasn't confiding in him. She put her hand on his knee. "I...I will be ready to tell you everything," she said. "It will just take a little more time."

         Max studied her hand a moment, and then took it into his hand. "But wouldn't you feel better getting whatever you're hiding out in the open?" he asked. "I mean, didn't you feel better after you told Liz."

         He had her there. She had felt a lot better. But the idea of telling Max still made her queasy for some reason. She knew she wasn't ready to tell him. "That was different," she said.

         "Why? Why is it so different?" Max asked. "What have I done that you can't talk to me anymore?"

         Isabel sighed. She really didn't want to do this right now. "It is nothing you did...I'm just not ready for you to know." She turned the key off. "Of all the people I know, Liz came the closest to knowing what I am going through."

         Max was taken aback for a minute. "How could she have any idea what you are going through?"
 Isabel looked into Max's face. "She lost you." She saw a grimace pass quickly over Max's face as she continued. "I mean, I know that you didn't die, but she is completely and totally in love with you, and you won't have a thing to do with her."

         Isabel's words hit him like fists. Didn't she know how hard it was for him to be separated from Liz, when all he wanted in the world was to be with her? Why couldn't any of them realize that his decision had been the best for all of them?
         Isabel's words broke into his thoughts. "Plus, she was one of Alex's best friends. I knew she would want to know....Ah...I don't know...how it had ended; what had happened and what it had done to me." She looked down at her watch. "It's late Max. Can we do this later?"

         Max didn't say anything as Isabel studied him. Maybe she shouldn't have said what she did about Liz, but it was the truth. Max thought he was doing the right thing keeping them apart. But he was wrong. This was the time they needed each other the most. And they needed it without the qualifications that Max had foisted upon them.

         "I'm going inside," said Isabel as she stepped out of the jeep. "I'll talk to you in the morning." She paused a moment, waiting for Max to answer. When he didn't, she turned and walked into the house, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

         Isabel sighed and tied to focus on the book in front of her. At the front of the room, the teacher was droning on about participles or phrases or something else sufficiently boring. She finally flipped her book closed in exasperation, knowing that there was no way she would be able to pay attention any time soon. It had been hard to concentrate on anything since this morning.

         As she stared out the window, her thoughts returned to the morning. Max hadn't said anything to her on the way to school. Every attempt to make conversation was met with stony silence. When they had arrived at the school, he had jumped out of the jeep and walked away, without a word. She hadn't guessed that their conversation the previous night had affected him so profoundly, but obviously it had.

         As soon as she entered the school, Isabel had been called to the principal's office. He informed her that she had a meeting with the new guidance counselor immediately after lunch. When she had questioned him, the principal simply told her that the school wanted to do all it could to help her through that rough time. "We all know what yesterday was," he had said.

         Isabel's mind refocused as she realized that the teacher was asking questions of the class. She grabbed her pen, hoping to look like she was taking notes as studiously as everyone else. She listened as he went around the room, all the while praying he wouldn't call on her.

         After a few minutes, the teacher went back to lecturing on the structure of sentences. Isabel slid slowly reached down and pulled a worn notebook from her backpack. She laid it on the desk and studied it for a moment. She opened the cover. The words Isabel Whitman were written, over and over, and in several different colors of ink, inside. She remembered the first time she had noticed it. "I thought girls were the only ones who did stuff like this," she had said.

         Alex had looked embarrassed as he had quickly closed the book and shoved it into his bag. "Ummm....usually, yeah," he had said. "But...well...a man can dream can't he?"

         Tears filled Isabel's eyes as she flipped to the back cover. A small bulletin was glued neatly to the cardboard. She opened it carefully. She slowly rubbed her fingers over it as she read the first words on the page: In Memory of Alex Whitman. Tears slid down her cheeks as she read the poem that Alex's mom had recited at the funeral, a poem she had read a thousand times:

       Isabel blinked tears from her eyes and slowly closed the notebook. "Why do I do this?" she thought as another tear rolled down her cheek. As she looked around the room, she noticed two girls in the next row looking at her. They were whispering back and forth and pointing in her direction. "Great," she thought. "Just what I needed."

         Anger filled her as she checked her watch. There were just ten minutes until lunch anyway. She stood up abruptly and began to push her books into her bag. "Uh, may I help you Ms. Evans?" queried the teacher.

         "No, I don't think you can," she said as she slung her bag over her shoulder. She stalked down the aisle until she reached the girls' desks. "Enjoy the show?" she asked as she passed them and went out the door.

         "Isabel?" Kyle said as he turned. He noticed the redness in Isabel's eyes and the wet tears on her cheeks. "Are you all right?"

         Isabel immediately froze. Why was Kyle interested in her? "I'm fine," she said harshly. "As if you care."

         Kyle was taken aback by the hard expression on her face and the anger in her voice, but he answered anyway. "Just wondering. I mean, I know what yesterday was." He paused for a minute and studied her. "You've probably heard that enough though, haven't you."

         The anger and fear drained out of Isabel and sadness threatened to overwhelm her. "Yeah. I have," she said in a small voice. "I wish everyone would quit harping on it and leave me alone."

         "You know," Kyle said awkwardly as he stepped closer to Isabel. "I know that you guys don't like me much; probably because of my dad." He rubbed the back of his neck and looked down. "But, if you ever need a fresh face to talk to, you can call me."

         Tears brimmed in Isabel's eyes and a small sob escaped her lips. Kyle stepped in and put a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, are you sure you are all right?" he asked quietly.

         Isabel nodded her head and sucked in a breath. She dabbed at her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater. "I'm fine," she said. She looked to the ground, not wanting to meet Kyle's eyes. "Look," she said. "I need to go eat lunch."

         "Sure," said Kyle. "I understand. He turned slowly and began to walk down the hall.

         "Kyle," Isabel called. He paused, and slowly turned to face her. "Thanks for the offer," she said quietly. "I may take you up on it."