Page 98 of Magic or Madness

“Max, what the fuck?” Oliver calls out, but I step forward, pushing everyone else behind me.

“Max, I know what today is. What can we do?”

“Fucking nothing, Ozzy. Nothing, because they’re not here!” He screams, the sadness cutting through the air and leaving a dark cloud over us all.

“I know, Max, I know. We all do. How old would they have been today, twenty-three?” I focus his attention onto his family, and he nods slowly, the anger exiting his eyes.

“Carly was ten minutes older, she never let Allison forget it. I can hear their little laughs, the silly fights … I was supposed to protect them,” he cries, pure sorrow escaping his body as he drops onto the couch.

I look up at Oliver, and he reads my mind, grabbing Max’s favorite liquor from the cabinet above the fridge. He rarelydrinks, but when the memories of his family come flooding back, or it’s any of their birthdays, we save the scotch just for him.

He’s our leader, strong enough to carry us all through our bullshit day in and day out, but today is a rare occasion where we have to band together to lessen his load.

“They’re lucky to have you as a big brother, Max. When was the last time you talked to Carly and Allison? It helped when we talked to Masha,” I offer, but he sits up quickly, a fire lit in his eyes.

“Fuck off, Ozzy. That reverse psychology shit worked on you all, but not me. I’m meant to drown in my guilt, there is no escape for me.”

“Alright, big guy. It’ll be alright, Carly and Allison would’ve been twenty-three today, tell me what you would do to celebrate with them,” Oliver says, sitting next to Max on the couch, handing him a glass of scotch with ice.

I wave Lex over, an idea forming that may cure the sadness, guilt, and pure loss threatening to take Max all the way under.

“Get the girls. Let’s make this a day,” I whisper, and he nods, instantly running off to rally the troops.

Sometimes, we all need a chance to drown our sorrows, and I’m officially declaring it anoff-day, wrapping up any work talk, projects, and plans. Nobody drives, leaves, or does anything productive. It’s all about Max today, and now that the girls are here most of the time, they’re about to see how we truly support each other.

“What’s the matter, baby?” Fallon comes over, rubbing my shoulders when she finds me on the floor in front of the couch.

“Max needs us today. We’re locking it down and getting drunk,” I say, and her eyes widen, her faith in me not fully present.

“Is that the best way to help him?”

“Maybe not, but it’s his twin sisters’ birthday, nothing will help him. What we can do is be here for him, forget our responsibilities, and lose ourselves with him.” I tilt my head to the side, and she smiles, bending down and placing a kiss on my forehead.

“Leave it to me.” She scurries off, gathering supplies and urging everyone into the living room.

Before I know it, all eight of us are crowded around the couch, drink in hand, ready to support Max in any way we can.

“You guys don’t have to do this, I’ll survive it, just as I always do,” Max argues, but Fallon shuts him down while shaking her head.

“What good has surviving it done for you? You shove it down until it comes back again, repeating the process without healing. Tell us about the twins,” she demands, taking control of the room with all eyes on her.

My smile can’t be hidden, enamored with how much of a force Fallon can be.

Without another word everyone lets the tension go, and Max sips his drink, closing his eyes as he remembers his little sisters.

“Carly was fierce, like a storm that took you by surprise, and never let go. She was only seven, but secretly, we were all afraid of her. I like to think that by now she’d have the world by the balls,” he says quietly, soft sniffling accompanying his words.

He downs the rest of his scotch, and Oliver immediately refills him, offering the bottle around the couch.

“And Allison?” I keep his focus, shooting my drink back and wrapping my arm around Fallon.

I want her next to me, knowing that death is a strong subject around here, and with the alcohol being passed around liberally, any of us could be the next to break, including her.

“Oh man, Allie was so quiet. She lived in Carly’s shadow proudly, but if any kid fucked with her sister, she would wage awar. Allie was the sweetheart, though, she’d bring my mom tea when the morning sickness was really bad with Jacob.” He sighs, shaking his head slowly while everyone exchanges a glance, willing one another to be the next to speak.

“My mom always said I gave hersickness, not morning sickness, up until I was born,” Cami laughs softly, sitting with her legs draped across Oliver’s lap.

“I loved having little sisters. They wore my old jerseys to every game, cheering me on from the bleachers. Jacob … I was supposed to pass him the torch and teach him how to play football from the second he could walk. The kid never took a fucking step!” He yells, his hands balling into fists, and the scotch glass dangerously close to smashing against the wall.

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