Chapter 17: Content In Luxury

Maryanne slowly ascends the first staircase, her shoulders pinching to the point of agony. She stretches her arms the best she can from the confines of her winter jacket.
She winces once she reaches the landing, her body aching. Tension builds in the base of her neck, a slight headache forming. She rubs it, trying to ease the pain as she walks down the hallway. She can hear the laughter echoing from Riley’s play room and she finds herself smiling even before she sets her gaze on the girl.
She tries to quietly open the door without interrupting what is happening on the other side. She peeks in and is surprised at the sight.
Max’s large frame is sitting on an overly small pink chair, the legs almost giving way. The equally small table in front of him consists of several miniature teacups and plates of fake muffins. Riley sits across from him, holding the kettle and pouring imaginary tea into all of the cups. They are giggling as Max talks to the stuffed animals lining the table.
“Oh is that right Mister Hippopotamus, you love Riley’s homemade tea? Well I will have to be the judge of that.” He takes a small sip from the miniature teacup and pauses for a second. “Mmm, actually this is very good. The best tea I have ever had. Riley, how do you do it?”
Maryanne tries to urge the door to open further, but it gives away her presence as Max’s head whips up. His eyes are wide at first, until he recognizes her and then a grin takes over.
“What are you doing?” She tilts her head, a confused smile filling her features.
Max shrugs, leaning back on his haunches, “Just entertaining her.”
“It looks like you’re the one getting the most enjoyment out of this.”
He gives her a mock scoff, “Is there a problem with that?”
“Ah, okay, okay.” She chuckles and unzips her jacket as she crouches near Riley ruffling her hair.
Max watches her for a silent second before speaking, “How was work today?”
“Long and tiring. I was forced to sit at the front desk for almost the whole day, dealing with the public. Many people decided to be grouchy.”
“Why did you have to do that? Don’t they usually split up the duties evenly?”
Riley huffs her objection to the interruption of her party and crosses her hands while they speak. It only lasts a moment though before she is distracted by the stuffed penguin doll next to her and she begins having her own conversation with him.
“Yes, but Veronica was out today, and Jessica is behind on her desk work so I told her I’d cover for her.”
“What about Shelley? She was the woman that came by the other day right?”
Maryanne’s brow twitches, irritation building in her throat as she wonders why he remembers her name so easily, but she forces it down. “Um, yes, we usually don’t put her at the front. She doesn’t have the best people skills. She speaks her mind and is very crass.”
Max furrows his brow and stands, setting a stuffed elephant on his chair as a replacement. Riley continues to poor the fake tea without him. “Shouldn’t everyone be pulling their own weight?”
“Normally,” she laughs.
“Play outside,” Riley squeaks, pausing her tea party as she sets the pot down and jumps up.
Maryanne winces, not wanting Riley to make a fuss. She thinks quickly what else they can do before she responds. “No, it’s a little too cold outside right now. Do you want to make some popcorn and watch a movie?”
“Yeah!” Riley jumps around, grabbing her stuffed bear, spinning in circles.
“Okay, let me just change first.”
“I’ll bring her into the theatre room,” Max says as Maryanne moves to the door.
“Okay, thank you.”
Maryanne makes it back to her room and when she enters, she notices right away that there is a small package on her bed. As she approaches, her heart flutters and she can’t help the smile pulling at her lips. She gently picks up the box. Maryanne unties the ribbon and opens the present. Under a thin layer of tissue paper is a navy blue cardigan. The material is soft to the touch, and the tag reads a French brand that Maryanne has not heard of before.
Her smile now grows into a grin and she laughs softly as she pulls the piece of clothing out, dangling it in the air.
“Why did he get me this?”
She should give it back. Maryanne knows that it is wrong to keep accepting these expensive gifts from Max, but she can’t help the way it makes her feel. Maybe he does have feelings for her? It is either that, or he is only doing this for Riley’s sake.
“But then why would he need to give me this cardigan?”
There is a painful tug on her heart at the thought that it isn’t for her, but because they are co-parenting Riley. She shakes it off quickly though and focuses on changing her clothes and pulling on the soft cardigan.

>><<

Max looks up as she enters, a smile splitting his lips apart.
Riley does not look up as the movie begins, her eyes glued to the screen.
Maryanne moves to the very front row where Max sits. She whispers so as not to disturb Riley, “Thank you.”
Max continues to smile as he watches her sit, “I knew it would look good on you.”
“You didn’t have to,” she huffs sitting down near him.
“I know,” he shrugs.
Riley bounces down on the ground with the popcorn bucket in her hand, causing some of its contents to spill all over.
“Riley, careful,” Maryanne chuckles.
“Oops,” she squeaks, giggling.
As the movie plays and Riley moves closer to the screen, Maryanne glances over at Max. She breathes in and for the first time realizes that she is completely at ease. She actually enjoys living in this house with Max and Riley.