Page 7 of Max Bannon

Tessa

Max was grinning when I opened my eyes—at least, I think he was. His face was covered in dried pink stuff. I giggled. “Your face is covered with dried pink stuff?”

“Your face is covered with it, too,” he grins again.

I touched my face. Yep, it was on my face and arms. “Those bees were scary. I heard them, but I thought there must be a beehive outside, so I shook the stack on the stove to clean it out, and they were angry. At first, I was so shocked that I fell backward, and that’s when they got me.

“Damn I bet that was horrible. What happened next?” Max asked.

“I screamed, jumped up, and ran to the bedroom with bees stuck to my skin. I shut the door and put an old blanket down so they couldn’t fly under the door. I killed the ones that were on me,” I said, shivering. I’m ready to leave this place.”

“Did they take you to the hospital after the accident?”

“Yes, when I saw the speedboat hit my Mom and Cassy’s boat, I wasn’t thinking, and I jumped out of the helicopter. I wanted to save them, and I thought if I could reach them in time, then they would be fine.”

“Tessa, I’m so sorry. How badly were you injured?”

“I broke my leg and a few ribs, plus I had a concussion. Not only did we lose Mom and Cassy that day, but my Dad and Jake had to deal with me. I shut down for a long time, and I wouldn’t speak. Cassy, Mom, and I were so close that I didn’t think I wanted to live anymore. I thought I would tell you that, so when they visit, you’ll ignore how overprotective they are.”

“I’m sorry you went through that. I can’t imagine the pain you and your family went through.”

“Thank you. I wanted to explain why I’m the way I am. I don’t know why I’m like this, but maybe someday it will all shift back in place,” I said. I didn’t realize Max had climbed onto my bed until he pulled me close and hugged me.

I’m sorry about the list. I have tried to stop it. It used to make Olivia angry when I put up a list.”

“Who’s Olivia?”

I was engaged to marry her. I love that woman so much, I mean, I loved her. I was missing for three years in Afghanistan. Olivia married someone else, and they had a baby. Her husband pleaded with me to leave my hometown. He didn’t want his family broken up. He knew Olly and I were still in love.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Me too.”

“We’re pathetic, look at us. Sitting here alive, and talking about the misery in our lives. Did you save me a steak?”

“I forgot about the dinner. I don’t think anyone ate dinner. We’ll have it for lunch. Frasier will be here in a bit to pick us up.”

“Oh, I haven’t met Frasier. Do you think he’ll be angry because I was stung by those bees?”

“No, I would never be angry at you for that. I was responsible for ensuring the cabin was ready for you before you arrived. You’ll have to forgive me for not having it prepared for you,” Iturned my head and saw the chuckle he held back. When Max turned and looked at Frasier, he laughed out loud.

“Go ahead and laugh, but this felt wonderful when the nurse put it on me,” Max said. This is Tessa Swindle. Tessa, this is Michael Fraiser, we all call him Fraiser.

“Hello, Fraiser. I’m happy to meet you. I can’t wait to leave this place. I’m so hungry. Max says we will have steak for lunch. Do you think we can gather everyone together again?”

“I know we can; they are already there. We knew Max would want food, and I’m happy to see you’re hungry, too.”

“I’m ready to leave,” my stomach growled. I chuckled. I stood up and took off, walking with my hospital gowns on—one in front and one in back. There was no way I was putting my clothes back on with all those bee stingers in them. I tossed them in the garbage when I walked past it.

I didn’t see Frasier pick up my shoes. My mind was trying not to let me cry. I had never told anyone about Momma and Cassy. It felt good letting that grief out, but I was scared of the tears. I walked to a vehicle I thought would belong to Frasier. It was huge, like he was.

“Tessa, here we are,” Max said, taking my hand. I glanced down at his hand and stopped.

“Look at your poor hand. It’s all swollen.” That’s when I cried. “I’m sorry for being such a big baby, but I have never told anyone about Momma and Cassy. It felt so good, but it brought it all back. Isn’t that crazy?”

“It’s not crazy at all,” Max said, before he picked me up and carried me to the truck.

“You don’t have to carry me. Just because I’m crying.”

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