Who: Liz and Max (narrative) What: Max tries to talk to Liz When: Friday Where: Jendrys Rating: low
Max had kept his distance... more or less. They had texted a lot - something that was easier to do now than it had been in 2000. Texting was easier because she could take her time to reply and figure out how to word things. She could also distance herself from whatever was being said if she needed to. It seemed like her luck had run out, though, as Max showed up at Jendrys, again, at closing. She should have expected it - this is what he always did at The Crashdown, after all.
"I don't get it Liz - I know we have our differences, but I thought you'd never completely shut me out."
"I'm not shutting you out, Max, I've just been busy." She didn't looked up from organizing the cutlery, focusing instead on wrapping the knife, fork, and spoon in the napkin.
Max did not seem to like this answer, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, though to his credit he didn't move towards her. Instead, he just watched her for a moment or two before he spoke again. "I don't believe you're dating that girl."
She paused and in that pause she knew she gave herself away. She also blushed just a little before taking a breath and looking up to Max. "We kind of are." Maybe, probably. Liz wasn't sure yet how to classify their whole 'set up'.
"What does that even mean? You don't like girls, Liz."
"Maybe I do." Liz countered, but when Max simply stared at her, she rolled her eyes and exhaled. "Fine. Okay, I don't. But it's still true. We're both dating the same guy."
Max's brow creased. "Do you even hear yourself right now?"
"It's a thing, Max. Polyamory. Look it up." Liz sounded far more confident about than she felt about it, but she wasn't about to show Max she had a lot of reservations on the subject.
Max blinked, staring at her with an incredulous look. "So you get angry at me for Tess, but some other guy can have another girlfriend and you're suddenly okay with it?"
"Is that what this is about?" Liz put down the items she was holding. "You slept with Tess, Max. And got her pregnant!"
"Newsflash, Liz, I doubt this guy is only planning on sleeping with you in the future!"
There was a hesitation in Liz before she shouted back, "Well maybe it's different if he doesn't go behind my back. Plus MJ isn't a murdering bitch!" The word 'bitch' was punctuated by three of the lightbulbs overhead bursting which made Liz jump and startled Max.
There was a pause as Max looked up at the lights then slowly look to Liz. "Li-"
"I think you should go, Max."
Max paused for a long moment as if considered. To his credit, he did look worried. "...I'm here if you need me Liz." Then he turned to go.