Part 1

Liz strolled into her bright, sunny kitchen in high spirits. “Mom, I’m home!” she called. When there was no answer, Liz shrugged. ‘Must be out,’ she decided, not giving the matter another thought.

Instead, she flopped down onto the couch, and started daydreaming about her incredible boyfriend. After their silly little fight the other day, he had been continuously dousing her with attention, even though she had started the dispute. Whether it was a note in her locker, flowers on her desk, or just simply a long, intense stare from across the room, he was constantly thinking of her. It was so sweet!

Still caught up in her daydream, Liz walked over to the fridge, and took out the carton of vanilla ice cream. Humming to herself, she got out a spoon and bowl from the cabinet, scooped two spoonfuls of ice cream out, and climbed the stairs to her room.

As she passed her parents’ bedroom, she heard a faint noise which sounded like snoring. Frowning, she slowly tiptoed towards the slightly open doorway, apprenhensive of what she would find. “Mom?” When she spotted the still figure sprawled across the bed, with a broken beer bottle still clutched in her hand, Liz’s worst fears were confirmed. Her mom was drunk again. The bowl of ice cream slowly to the floor, forgotten. She had promised Liz that she would stop, and she had stopped for a while, or at least, Liz looked at the beer bottle ruefully, managed to keep it from Liz for a while.

Wait a second, what was that smell? No, it couldn’t be…could it? She glanced over at the ash tray, where the cigarette was still smoldering. Well, make that two broken promises. ‘So much for my good mood,’ Liz thought bitterly.

“Oh, mom, why can’t you just…stop?” Liz whispered, tears slowly taking form in her eyes.

She had to get out of the house. She couldn’t stand to be within a mile of this woman who dared to call herself her mother, let alone in the same room.

They’d never miss her. Her mom probably wouldn’t even wake up until the next morning, as was her usual habit when drunk. As for her dad, well, he usually didn’t get home from his office until around midnight, and he’d be too worn-out to do anything else except to take a shower, if that, and collapse gratefully into bed, thoroughly drained. Who had time to worry about their apparently perfect little angel, who always gets straight A’s on her report cards, cooks dinner although no one was there to eat it most of the time except for herself, and is absolutely worry-free and totally responsible when it comes to boys? Yep, she could probably elope and they wouldn’t even blink an eye.

Liz knew that she was being unfair to her parents with thoughts like this. Her dad couldn’t help it if he barely had time to eat, let alone come home and enjoy some quality ‘family’ time. And her mom, well, it really wasn’t that easy, trying to quit smoking or drinking. After all, she had gotten into the habit 20 years ago, when some college friends of hers had pressured her to try a Budweiser, which then lead to the Marlboro. The only time that she’d been able to successfully take a break from it was when she had been pregnant with Liz, and that had been because of the life-threatening hazard to her unborn child. Immediately after she’d stopped breast-feeding Liz, she had gone back to her old ways again. And Liz’s overwhleming concern just wasn’t enough to bring her out of the hole again.

Liz turned away from the form on the bed, and, for the first time, noticed the wet, puddle on the floor which could not be considered to be ice cream anymore. ‘This room’s already a dump. Who cares about a little wet goo?’ She felt slightly guilty because her dad will probably wind up cleaning up the mess after his exhausting work day, but it wasn’t Liz’s fault that he chose to spend so much time at the office, right?

As soon as Liz reached the bottom of the stairs, the front door opened to reveal none other than her…dad? What was he doing home so early? It wasn’t even 5:00 yet. And stranger still, he was practically grinning from ear to ear. Her dad never had the energy anymore to even attempt something approaching a smile, and here he was, looking as if his face would split wide open. What was going on?

“Hey, dad, why are you home while it’s still light outside?” Liz questioned.

“Hi, honey! Good news! Where’s your mother? Go tell her to-” Noticing Liz’s downcast eyes, he broke off in midsentence. “Is something wrong?”

“Mom’s drunk again.” Liz’s voice was barely above a murmur, and her dad had to lean in in order hear.

In the instant of a heartbeat, Jeff Parker went from looking as if he would burst with joy to looking like he had just seen a ghost. “Oh my god, no,” he whispered, shaking his head in denial. “Nancy said that she would make a conscious effort to quit…she can’t be drunk again!” He slumped against the staircase, his face ashen.

‘I guess that makes two people that her broken promises have ruined the day for.’

Part 2

Surprisingly, at around 9:30 that same night, Liz’s mom awoke. Liz had been in the bathroom, brushing her teeth ‘like a good little girl’ her mom always used to say to her when she was younger, when she heard a soft groan come from her parents’ room.

Going to investigate, she discovered that it was indeed her mother. Nancy was lying in bed, sideways, and holding her stomach. ‘Hangover,’ Liz thought with disgust. Her mom turned her head, and upon seeing Liz hovering in the doorway, weakly motioned for her to come in. Still, Liz wavered, not sure as to whether she should go help her mother, or let her suffer like she deserved. Another groan escaped from Nancy Parker’s mouth, louder this time. Liz took a hesitant step forward, then another.

“Liz,” Nancy rasped, her voice hoarse. “I’m so sorry, baby. I…tried.” Then, she got up as quickly as she could, and wobbled to the bathroom. From outside the door, Liz could hear her mother gagging, and flushing the toilet. And then came the nauseating sounds of dry heaves.

When Nancy finally immerged from the bathroom, her hair was even more of a mess than before, and her face had turned a sickly bluish-green. Liz’s heart gave a lurch, and she was sorry that she had thought all of those horrible things earlier. Yeah, sure her mother knew that this had been inevitable if she choose to have a drink, but it really wasn’t that easy to get off an addiction.

Liz stepped forward, and took her mother’s arm. Slowly, she guided the weak woman to the bed, and peeled back the covers. It was very clear that her mother was immensely grateful that her wonderful daughter had understood her problems enough to help her. Once Nancy was safely tucked in bed, Liz left the room, promising to be nearby just in case she needed something.

About ten minutes later, and there had been no disturbance in the room, Liz decided to go check up on her mother. She was greatly relieved to find that she was fast asleep, in a normal position this time.

Suddenly, she remembered that her dad had been practically jumping up and down when he’d come home early that afternoon. Now that Liz knew that her mother was going to be okay, at least for the time-being, she was curious as to what exactly had made her dad so cheerful.

Liz went downstairs and saw that Jeff had his head buried in some magazine. Liz paused and took a second look at the cover. “The Chef’s Digest?” Since when did her dad have time for cooking? She faintly recalled her mother saying once that Jeff had been a terrific cook when he was younger, but he hadn’t had time for it ever since he’d gotten into business and finance.

“Uh, dad?” Liz questioned.

Jeff looked up from his magazine. “Oh, hey honey. What’s up?”

“Well, mom woke up, but I tended to her already. She’s sleeping peacefully now.”

He frowned worriedly at his daughter, searching for any traces of frustration or annoyance. When he was satisfied that there wasn’t any, he sighed. “I wish you would’ve come and gotten me. I could’ve done all that.”

“No, it’s okay, dad. I don’t mind, really.”

“I’m glad that you don’t hold this against Nancy. It’s hard to break old habits, you know.” Liz nodded.

“Don’t worry, dad. I understand,” Liz reassured him. Then, she pointed to the magazine on the table. “Why are you reading that?”

Jeff’s face fairly lighted up with delight. “Oh, that was part of what I was going to tell you when I got home, honey! I know that both you and your mother think that I work too much and wear myself out. So, I think I’ve found the perfect solution!”

Liz’s curiosity heightened. “What?”

“This!” He proudly held up a brochure.

“Roswell, New Mexico,” she read. Liz’s brow furrowed. “Isn’t that the infamous little town where the weather balloon landed in 1947? Are we going there on vacation, or something?” Liz prayed that he would say no. Because if the Parkers went THERE, of all places, for some R and R, boy, would her friends get a kick out of that!

“Better than that. A lot better.”

“Okay, so if we aren’t going there for vacation, why did you show me the brochure?” ‘And why do I get the feeling that I’m not going to like this?’ Liz secretly thought.

“Well, pack your bags, honey. It’s going to be our new home!”

Liz’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets. “WHAT? We’re MOVING? And to THERE?”

“Well, you’ve told me yourself that I was a workaholic. So, I decided to just give it all away for a cozy life in a nice, quaint little town, doing something I actually enjoy: cooking! The three of us are going to be the proud owners of a restaurant in Roswell! The Crashdown! Isn’t that a great name, considering where it’s located?”

Liz just stared at her father, too shocked to say anything. ‘What, he was just going to throw away EVERYTHING that he’d worked so hard towards for the past, what, 20 years? And for what? A cheesy little tourist trap in the middle of a cheesy little town?’

“How does mom feel about this? Have you even discussed it with her, yet?” Since her dad looked like he was absolutely sure of himself, Liz was holding on to the hope that her mom wouldn’t agree to this.

“Well, I thought that getting away from the big city would help her with her smoking and drinking problems. She does want to quit, Liz. Whether you believe it or not, she really does. And this is the perfect opportunity for her! To just relax and help me with the restaurant. That’s what she’d always wanted, you know. To have a nice, simple life in a small town, not LA with its neon lights and noisy streets. She’d never wanted to live in a huge house like this, said that it made her feel lonely. The only reason that she’d put up with it for so many years was for my sake, and when you were born, yours. Oh, Liz, she’s made so many sacrifices for the two of us, even though you may not realize it. I think it’s time that we give a little of that back.”

Liz was ready to cry. How could she move away from the people she’d known almost her whole life? And her sweet, caring boyfriend. How could she leave Josh?

Part 3

The front doors of the Crashdown flew open, and an energized blonde dashed in. She quickly darted her eyes around the restaurant, then, obviously spotting someone she recognized, raced to a corner booth where five teenagers were sitting.

“Hey, everybody! Guess what!” she fairly shrieked, getting several annoyed glances from the other customers in the restaurant.

“Heeeey, everybody! Guess what?” A tall, built dark-haired boy repeated in a high, squeaky voice, mimicking her. When she shot a glare in his direction, he merely stood up and smirked at her.

A spiky-haired guy raised himself to his feet and let out a long, irritated sigh. “Okay, you two. That’s enough. Maxwell, sit back down. And Maria,” he paused, glancing around the crowded booth, “well, you can sit on my lap honey.” He patted his thigh invitingly.

Without hesitation, the girl apparently known as Maria hopped onto his lap, and leaned back contently.

The dark-haired boy just rolled his eyes. “Get a room,” he muttered under his breath, but clearly not low enough to escape the ears of the tall blonde next to him, who let out a giggle.

The spiky-haired boy scowled suspiciously. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. So, what were you going to tell us, Maria?” she replied, hastily changing the subject.

Maria beamed, pleased to find out that someone had remembered, and eagerly launched into her explanation. “The Crashdown is getting new owners!”

Liz Parker propped her elbow up on the armrest in the family Honda, and stared gloomily out the window.

Even though she had begged and coaxed, her parents were both convinced that this move was the best thing to do for all of them. She had tried all sorts of methods, from saying that her grades would drop as a result of switching schools to that a small town would be unbearably dull. And the sympathy tactic hadn’t worked, either. “But what about my friends? How can I leave them?” she had pleaded, attempting to persuade her parents. They had merely responded like typical adults and said, “Don’t worry, you’ll make new ones.”

So, now, here she was, stuck in the backseat of the car, going to a place where she didn’t want to be. The only thing she could look forward to was talking to Josh. She had promised to call him as soon as she got settled in, and her parents had given her their permission, on the condition that she would help out with the moving and the customers during the daytime.

She must have dozed off for some time, because the next thing she heard was, “We’re here!”

Liz groggily took in her surroundings, and instantly became fully awake. She found herself staring at a rundown little brick building. When she saw the word “Crashdown” flashing across the top of a flying saucer in neon lights, her heart sank. ‘This was where they were going to work?’ When she had heard the word restaurant, she’d at least imagined something more…modern, even if it was in Roswell. But this, this was…she couldn’t even finish the thought.

“Well, what are you waiting for, Lizzie? Get out of the car and help your mother and I move all this luggage inside!” Jeff Parker picked up a heavy duffel bag from the trunk and started to haul it towards the main doors.

Wait…a…second. Why were they moving their things into the restaurant?

Noticing his daughter’s confused face, he explained, “Oh, I must have forgotten to tell you. We are going to live right up there.” Using his free hand, he pointed to a tiny upstairs window that Liz hadn’t noticed before nestled in all that brick. It was an apartment. They were actually going to live above the restaurant!

“Lizzie,” her father’s voice cut into her thoughts again, “come on!”

Liz groaned as she grabbed a suitcase and followed her parents in. Nine o’clock couldn’t come fast enough!

Five pairs of eyes zoomed to Maria. Pleased with her friends’ reactions, she plunged on. “I heard, from a very reliable source, of course, that a new family was moving into town, and the Crashdown was going to be turned over to them.”

Max raised his eyebrows skeptically. “And what reliable source is this, exactly?”

“Oh, I have my ways of getting the latest scoops,” she intoned mysteriously.

Max snorted. “Yeah, right.” Her source was probably Pam Troy, the gossip queen. Max snickered in amusement. “And did you catch ‘from your very reliable source’ why the Madisons would want to sell their beloved Crashdown?”

It was Maria’s turn to snort. “I didn’t have to. Any fool could see that the Madisons are getting way too old to be able to keep this place in shape. Mr. Madison’s 73 years old, for Pete’s sake! He should’ve retired, like, ten years ago!”

“But isn’t this place supposed to have been in their family for 3 generations? Why wouldn’t they just hand it down to their son, instead of selling it?” the tall blonde hurriedly cut in, interrupting what Max was going to say.

“Rob?” Maria exclaimed incredulously. “Isn’t he supposed to be an investor who’s making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year? You actually think that he would settle for owning his family’s restaurant? And in Roswell, of all places!”

Before anyone could answer her, the door chime jingled, announcing the arrival of more customers.

Max watched as a man and a woman walked in, each carrying a duffel bag. Following closely behind was a petite brunette close to his age, who looked as if the suitcase she was trying to drag was way too heavy for her.

These weren’t customers! They were the new owners! Blabbermouth Maria Deluca, the gossip princess who was second only to Pam Troy, had been right for once! The Crashdown was switching hands!

“See? What’d I tell you, Mr. Know-It-All Evans?”

Max ignored Maria’s smug voice, and instead, he focused on the girl. She had finally reached the counter, and gratefully set her suitcase on the floor.

Liz’s eyes started to roam around this strange new place while her parents were being heartily greeted by the plump, pleasant-looking restaurant owners, Mr. And Mrs. Madison.

“Are the people friendly here?” Liz heard her dad ask.

“Oh, they are most gracious! I’m sure the two of you and this delightful young lady here will be given a very warm welcome by our townsfolk here! And your daughter will be very happy here, as well.”

When Liz heard this, she wanted to laugh out loud at the man’s ignorance. ‘Be happy here? Her, Liz Parker? Hah! Fat chance. The only place she could ever be happy was back in LA, with her gentle, considerate boyfriend. Not in Roswell. Not now, not ever!’ Liz vowed to herself.

Max saw that the girl looked rather bored, standing there through all of the “adult talk.” He couldn’t help but notice that she was rather pretty, and she looked so lost, standing there all by herself.

He was just about to get up to introduce himself when Maria squealed, evidently ecstatic that the family had a teenage kid. And a girl at that, which was even better.

Max almost covered his ears. God, that girl was so annoying. Maybe he could convince his best friend to dump her once and for all, so he wouldn’t have to suffer with her tagging along everywhere Michael went. He was probably going to go crazy if he didn’t find some way to get rid of her soon.

He got even more annoyed when Maria rushed past him, and up to the girl. ‘Darn,’ he thought, ‘Maria got to her first. Now she’ll surely turn her against me.’

Maria hurriedly got up out of her seat and went to welcome the new girl. She had observed that Max had been about to get up as well, and hadn’t wanted him to corrupt her before Maria had a chance to get to know her. It would have been such a shame, because the girl looked so nice. ‘Hah, beat you to it,’ she gloated and threw a triumphant glance over her shoulder, which was met by Max’s poisonous one.

She bounced energetically up to the girl, and stepped into her line of vision. “Hi! You and your family must be the new owners of this restaurant, right? I want to be the first to welcome you to Roswell! I’m Maria!”

Liz blinked as she looked at the bubbly blonde in front of her. ‘Looks like the Sunshine Committee has arrived,’ she thought. She watched as a spiky-haired boy rose from the table where Maria had been sitting and walked over as well. When he took Maria’s hand and gently caressed it, Liz felt a pang of sadness. It was obvious that they were an “item” and that reminded Liz of Josh. Liz shook off the feeling. She couldn’t let her mind dwell on her boyfriend too much. She had plenty of time for that when she called him tonight.

Maria nudged her boyfriend in the ribs lightly. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Michael.”

Liz forced a smile at the couple. “I’m pleased to meet both of you. I’m Liz.”

Max watched as Maria approached the new girl and just started ranting. He snorted. That girl never shut up. He might as well get on up there and see how much damage the hyper blonde had done, he thought, as Michael got to his feet to join his girlfriend.

Liz tracked the dark-haired boy’s movement as he advanced towards her. She couldn’t help but observe how built and muscular he was, even through his leather jacket. ‘No, bad Liz,’ she scolded herself, ‘don’t think thoughts like that. You haven’t been away from Josh for even one full day yet!’ She shoved the thought out of her mind. ‘And his eyes are so…captivating.’

“Max Evans.” Liz was snapped out of her musings with a start. Embarrassed, she accepted his outstretched hand.

“Liz Parker.”

Part 4a

As soon as their hands touched, they both felt a spark go shooting throughout their bodies that neither of them could deny. Slowly, Liz extracted her hand, not wanting to feel these unfaithful things. She had a steady boyfriend. ‘You mean a steady, boring boyfriend,’ her inner voice piped up. ‘Shut up,’ she told it, not wanting to hear anymore. Nevertheless, the irritating voice persisted. ‘Let’s see, what are his good qualities? Oh yes, sweet, loyal, appreciative, and a good snuggler. Not unlike a fluffy little poodle. How cute,’ it taunted. ‘I said I don’t want to hear anymore!’

“Liz? Uh, Liz? Are you okay?”

“Huh?” Liz was jerked from her private inner battle by Max snapping his fingers in front of her face. “Oh yeah, fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know. You looked kind of spaced out there for a second. Is anything wrong?” Max said with concern in his voice.

“NO!” Max looked taken back. “I mean, no, nothing’s wrong,” Liz put on what she hoped was a convincing smile.

At this point, Maria jumped into the conversation. “Great! In that case, how about a grand tour around Roswell provided by yours truly?”

Just as Liz was about to answer, Nancy called for her. “Liz! Honey, we have to go unpack some of this stuff! You can talk to your new friends later!”

“Sure, that’d be great,” she said to Maria before trotting after her mother. Grabbing the suitcase that she’d had so much trouble with earlier, she reflected on what had just occurred. The major part of her was mortified that they, and most importantly Max, had caught her having one of her private quarrels. But the other part, the part containing the disloyal voice just screaming to be heard, that part was thoroughly satisfied that it had dominated her thoughts with it’s treacherous ideas, if only for a little while.

She couldn’t lie to herself and say that she wasn’t disappointed that it wasn’t Max showing her around town. But, then again, it was better this way. She couldn’t risk losing herself in laa-laa land in front of him again. Perhaps she should just try to stay away from him as much as possible, at least until this temporary attraction was over. Besides, she’d probably forget all about him once she talked to Josh that night. Yes, this way was for the best.

Part 4b

Max stretched out comfortably on his bed, content to just lay there and think about that new girl, Liz Parker.

Had he just done that? Walked up to a girl, of his own free will, and introduced himself like an eager little puppy dog? That wasn’t like him, Max Evans, at all. No, he waited for the girls to come to him, not the other way around. And there had always been plenty of girls standing in line, waiting for their golden opportunity to hit it big, although no one ever had. It had always been Max’s habit to jump freely from one girl to the next, never lingering too long for any real feelings to develop. At least, not on his part.

But this girl, Liz, she was different. He could sense it down in his very being that she wouldn’t turn out to be like all the other girls he’d met.

When their hands had touched, though ever so briefly, he had felt emotions that he had never experienced before, not even in his dreams. And that had only been a simple touch. Who knew what would happen when they hugged, or even kissed. If, he reminded himself, not when, if.

He tried to place his thoughts elsewhere, but his mind refused to budge. He rolled over on his back and groaned. She was going to drive him completely insane.

Part 5

Maria pulled up in her little red Jetta in front of the Crashdown where Liz was waiting for the tour. “Hey, Liz! Ready to be amazed by the wonders of this fascinating town?”

“All set to go!” Liz replied, getting up from the booth in which she had been sitting. Liz hollered to her parents that she was leaving, and then walked out the front doors of the Crashdown into the bright, morning sunshine. Both girls had donned a tank top and shorts, since it was a hot summer day, and Liz had sunglasses perched on her head.

“So, where to first?” Liz wanted to know.

“Well, I thought we could start with the UFO center since it’s right across the street. It has a lot of the things Roswell is famous for.”

“Sounds good.” Liz answered, trying to keep a straight face.

“I’ll just keep the Jetta parked here, if that’s okay with you.”

“No problem. Let’s go,” Liz replied while pushing down that persistent bubble of humor that was quickly rising to the surface. ‘Here’s the part where I get to laugh my head off.’

As they passed through the entrance of the museum, Maria cautioned Liz. “Liz, be careful. This place is seriously freaky. They have the weirdest exhibits here, and they’re totally nuts. Steer clear of the owner, Milton, he’s a total UFO nut. Obsessed with the stuff,” Maria let out a shudder. “Oh yeah, and Max works here.”

Liz froze in the doorway, causing the door to almost smack her while it was swinging shut. Maria pulled her out of the way just in time, and gave her a curious look. “What’s wrong? Was it something I said?”

“No, nothing. I’m okay, really. So, how about these exhibits?”

Maria was only too glad to slip into her role as tour guide. “Well, here we have the…” Maria rambled on and on, and Liz listened with half an ear. Her eyes wandered around this strange building, decorated with alien themes galore, just like her new “home,” the Crashdown. Finally, they rested on a tall, dark-haired boy watching the two of them with laughter twinkling in his eyes. Liz drew in a sharp breath. It was him. Max.

Max regarded the two girls from across the room. If it had been just Liz, he would have been over there in a flash. But, since that snob, Maria, was with her, he thought twice about it. She was pointing excitedly to display after display, completely unaware that Liz was barely even listening. Max shook his head, amused at the girl’s total ignorance.

He saw Liz looking everywhere around the room, and finally spotted him. Darn! Now he’ll have to go over there and say hi. If it had only been Maria, he would’ve walked past her without a second glance, but this was Liz. Sweet, pretty, and soon-to-be turned-against-him Liz. He had to stop that from happening.

He covered the distance from one end of the room to the other in a fairly short amount of time, probably influenced by his attraction towards her. She flashed him a killer smile, and he almost melted. ‘Geez, what’s the matter with me? Girls are the ones who are supposed to have the weak knees, not me.’

“Hey, Max,” Liz greeted him, secretly ecstatic that he was here, although she wouldn’t even admit it to herself.

At Liz’s voice, Maria turned around and glared at the offending presence. “What are you doing here, Max?”

“I work here,” he retorted.

Maria rolled her eyes. “On a Saturday? Somebody needs a life.”

“For your information, Deluca, the only reason I got stuck with this shift was because I missed that day last week. You know, when you got both of us in after-school detention? Milton had to bring that up and put me on the spot when no one else wanted to fill in for the guy who went out of town.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Maria dismissed his explanation. “Liz, listen to that pathetic guy, trying to cover for himself. You’re in denial, Max Evans.”

The effect Maria’s words had on him was a lot more than she had intended. She was right, he was in denial, although not for the reason that she meant. He was in denial that he was attracted to Liz Parker. That he had actually developed feelings for a girl he’d barely even known for a day. They had exchanged one sentence the other day, and already, he was feeling these strange, new things.

Wanting to shake these bothersome thoughts from his head, he attempted to make small talk. “Liz, I don’t think I ever caught where you were from?”

“Oh, I’m from LA.”

Maria let out a gasp. “LA?” she shrieked. “I’ve always wanted to go there! Oh, you are so lucky! Why in the world would you want to move from there to this dump?”

Max choked back a laugh at Maria’s overreacting, but all humor left his mind when he caught sight of Liz’s miserable expression.

“What’s wrong, Liz?” he inquired.

“Nothing,” she whispered.

“Oh, come on. You can confide in us,” Maria tried to reassure the distressed girl.

“It’s just that I never wanted to move here. It was all my parents’, mostly my dad’s, doing. That’s all,” she replied, not wanting them to ask any more questions. She didn’t want them to know that her mom was a druggie, or that her dad had almost never been around.

“Okay, if you’re sure that’s all it is,” Max said, seeing right through her but not wanting to cause her any more pain.

“Well, then! In that case, let’s get on with the tour, shall we?”

*~TBC~*