bChapter /bb7 /b

It bwasn’t /blike Maxine’d never cooked for him.

Brian’s health had always been shaky, with a long list of foods he couldn’t touch. Sebastian, buried in work, had picked up a stomach issue bover /bthe

years.

To look after them, Maxine used to drag herself out of bed early to whip up meals, even when herw firm job ate up all her time. She’d skip sleep just bto /bmake sure they had something homemade.

Most of it ended up in the trash.

After a while, Maxine took the hint and stopped bothering.

“I hate you!” Brian’s emotions burst out as he bolted to his room.

Maxine didn’t blink. She grabbed a water bottle from the fridge, popped the cap, and took a slow sip. Her calm vibe made Sebastian’s brow crease.

Lately, his wife seemed… off. He med it on her recent hospital stay after the ident.

“If you’re not up for cooking, let Alisson take over,” he said casually. “You should chill for a bit.”

Maxine just gave a half–shrug.

Later that night, as they got ready for bed, Sebastian spoke up. “Brian’s got a school break soon, and I’m bnot /bswamped at work for once. Wanna hit Six gs?”

He hesitated, then added, “Didn’t you always wanna go?”

Maxine’s eyes flickered, but the excitement she once felt was gone.

That dream was from five years back, when Six gs first opened.

Brian was starting to push her away then, shutting her out at

every turnb. /b

She’d hoped a fun day at the park might bring them closer. But Sebastian,

her heart.

endless work schedule kept dying bthe /btrip, and it became a quiet ache in

‘Maybe, before everything fall apart, I could make it happen,‘ she thought.

“Alright,” she said softly, nodding.

Sebastian’s tense look eased. His eyes flicked to the bedside calendar, lingered a beatb, /bthen moved on.

Three dayster, Brian was free from school, and Sebastian had sorted his work. They hit the road for Six gs.

Brian, as always, imed shotgun, shoving Maxine to the back.

Since she’d mentioned divorce, Brian had been ice–cold–ring, huffing, but stealing nces to check her vibe.

Maxine got it. He wasn’t her everything anymore, and it was messing with his head.

“Yo, gimme water,” Brian said, eyeing her.

Maxine didn’t bite, just closed her eyes and leaned against the window.

He called out,“Hey-”

b“/bDeal with it,” Sebastian cut in, shutting Brian down.

bMaxine /bstayed quiet, soaking up the rare peace.

Half an hourter, they rolled up to the park. Brian had never done anything like this, and despite his too–cool act, he was practically bbuzzing /b

He yanked Sebastian toward the pirate ship ride.

Sebastian didn’t push back. He nced at Maxine. “If it’s too wild, just hang back.”

Brian smirked. “She’s gonna chicken out. She’s scared of her own shadow. If Kathleen was here, she’d beat me to the line. C’mon, Dad, leave bher/bb./bb” /b

Maxine swallowed a retort. ‘Should’ve popped out a burger instead of this kid‘

She didn’t engage, just snagged her ticket and followed.

On the pirate ship, Brian shrieked like a toddler, while Maxine was all grins. When they climbed off, her face was glowing, and Brian looked like he’d seen a ghost.

She tossed him a look. “Kinda weak, huh, kid?”

With that, she strutted off, leaving Brian fuming. “Y–You’re the weak one!” he yelled, scrambling after her.

Sebastian watched Maxine go, lost in thought.

After all these years married, he rarely saw her this alive–like a faded photo suddenly popping with color.

Not one to back down, Brian insisted on the roller coaster next. One crazy loopter, he stumbled off, legs wobbling, nearly faceb–/bnting.

Maxine grabbed him with augh. “Tapping out already?”

“No way!” he shot back, voice shaky. “I’m good!”

“Hey, you guys want a pic?” A perky photographer bounced over, grinning. “Y’all are too cute together.

“Gotta snap this moment–three shots for seven bucks, deal?”

Sebastiani, /inever big on photos, started to wave it off, but Maxine chimed in. “Hell yeah. Make us look good, alright?”

She shed a smile, sending the payment. Knew this was probably theirst family photo.

She shed a smile, sending the payment. This was probably theirst family photo.

Brian pouted but didn’t fight it. The photographer pped, all hyped. i“/iOkay, Mom and Dad, snuggle up! Kid, big smile!

“Three, two-”

Sebastian’s phone buzzed. He checked the screen and stepped aside to answer.