Chapter 11

Max

"And so it's important for us to fall on each other. Give ourselves time to adjust to our new life. It won't always be easy, and it takes a very long time for anything to feel normal again, but I promise, once you realize that they never really leave you, that they are always inside your heart, it gives you the strength to keep moving day by day."

A round of applause circles around the large group and I continue to stare into my coffee.

It's early, not even ten am, and here I am, exhausted but determined to show my face here. I don't want to be here, hate this whole thing, but I owe it to them. I owe it to all of them.

In the corner of my eye I can see a blonde walking over to me and I stiffen automatically when I realize who it is. She stops just before the empty chair beside me and I briefly wonder if she knows you should never walk up and surprise someone in my condition or if it's just in her nature. Matthews always did tell me she was too good a person.

"Max." I look up a