All that changed from the moment I told him I was pregnant. I could understand the change that happened.
I was due to go off to college and Max was halfway through his degree. At eighteen and twenty, we weren’t ready to be parents.
Max had left college to get a job and I never went. I knew that he resented me for it, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
I heard a key turn in the lock and stared at it with wide eyes before rushing into the kitchen and started to warm up Max’s dinner. How had I lost track of time? I should have known better than to get stuck in my memories.
Max’s boots thumped against the floor and I knew that if I didn’t have his dinner ready by the time he sat on the couch then I had a hell of a long night ahead of me.
Our apartment wasn’t much, but I tried to make it as much of a home as I could. The cream walls gave the small space a light and airy feel, which made it easier to breath.
“Kaylee!” I grabbed the plate and a beer from the fridge, using my back to open the door that joined the living room to the kitchen.
“‘Bout fucking time,” he grunted when I placed it down on the coffee table. That was another second-hand bit of furniture.
I handed him his beer and tried my hardest to keep the disgust off my face. I spun around and left him to it. There was nothing worse than hanging around him. That was another one of his pet hates.
I finished cleaning up the kitchen and collected the plate from Max when he was done. He didn’t say anything else to me, I preferred it that way. His eyes were glued to the TV so I made sure not to disturb him.
“I’m going to bed now, Max.” I waited for a couple more seconds. Silence greeted me, but I knew better than to breathe easy yet.
I waited for his reply, when he still didn’t acknowledge me I walked out of the room and headed to the bathroom. After I brushed my teeth, I popped my head round Eli’s door, his soft snores still filled the room.
I changed into my pajamas and slid into my own bed.
That’s when I allowed myself to breathe easy. Each day that didn’t end with me doing something wrong was a day to be celebrated. My lips lifted as I closed my eyes. Today made it a week since Max had to correct me.
Once I had made it to two weeks, maybe this time I would go beyond that.
*~*~*
I woke with a start and I grabbed my cell to check the time. It felt like I had slept the day away.
Six am.
Maybe not.
I rubbed my eyes and swiveled my head, the other side of the bed hadn’t been slept in.
I was not a morning person, I needed a shower and strong coffee before I felt any semblance of normal. I rushed through having a shower, brushed my teeth and dressed in a pair of leggings and t-shirt that covered my butt.
I tiptoed down the hallway, careful not to wake Max. I could hear his loud snores, which was probably the reason that I had a good night’s sleep.
I started up the coffee pot and watched as it brewed, staring anxiously at it. Pouring myself a cup and taking a sip, I moaned as the coffee hit my tongue. The first taste was always the best.
I shuffled over to the small table that sat in the corner of the room. It wobbled as I put my cup down, a reminder that I needed to put something under one of the legs.
All three chairs were different, but I loved the quirky look. I sat on the chair nearest the window, this one was Max’s chair as it didn’t wobble at all. Eli and I didn’t get so lucky, ours were death-traps to sit on.
The sky lightened and the streetlights flickered off. My breaths became heavier the lighter it became; Max still hadn’t woken which meant I’d have to wake him.
I never knew what mood he’d be in when he awoke. I had to be gentle, the last thing I needed was to put him in a bad mood.
I stood and rinsed my cup in the sink. Took a deep breath and walked into the living room.
“Max?” I said softly. He didn’t stir so I moved closer, placed my hand on his shoulder and shook it gently.
“Max. It’s time to get up.” I spoke a little louder, this time his snoring stopped. But he still didn’t move.