Maxine

Chapter 3

My mom was waiting for me at the arriving section of the airport. She waved at me and once we locked eyes, she smiled at me. I picked up speed and end up breaking out in a jog to get to her. I almost jumped into her arms from excitement when I reached her. I dropped my bags before I threw my arms around her and hugged her tightly. It has been quite a while since I saw my parents.

“It’s been too long.” She whispered, hugging me just as tight. I nodded into her shoulder, not wanting to let go of her. It was my fault because I chose Mark over them and left them behind. The only contact we had was short conversations and, now and again small talk over video chats. But other than that, I haven’t been home in six years.

“Where is Mark?” She asked, easing back to see if he was still on his way.

“In London,” I answered. Her forehead creased.

“I thought he was joining us for the wedding at least.” I shook my head.

 “Uh, no. He is quite busy.” She just gave me a look and I knew that look quite well. She didn’t believe me. No lie goes unnoticed. She can identify when a person is being dishonest.

“Come on, let’s go. We still need to pick up our dresses and get in some food. You must be starving.” She relented, leaving the subject for another day.

“Dresses? I thought we are going to show up in matching suits.” She laughed at me and bumped my shoulder. “Do you want grandma to have a heart attack?” I shrugged.

“That might just make the wedding a bit more fun, won’t you agree?” My mother laughed out loud. Making a few heads turn. I stifled a smile and followed her out to the car. I don’t have a grandmother; I have something close to Snow White’s stepmother or maybe even worst. Mom never let me go over to her house alone. She always had to start an argument to protect me from her devilish eyes. They don’t have a good relationship or any relationship at all.

“Where is dad?” I asked when we reached the highway. Mom was driving like she always does, fast and unbothered by the other motorists. “At the gym. He has a class.” She answered, a small smiling playing on her lips. “I sometimes think that he is being tested for having such a good heart.” She admitted.

“The kids giving him a hard time?” She nodded. “Not only that. He had a fighter who looked promising. He was really one hell of a fighter until he tore a ligament by ignoring your dad’s orders. He got addicted to his painkillers because he suffered from severe pain and didn’t tell anyone. UFC suspended him.” My mom explained. “That’s when the blaming game started.” I shook my head, knowing how hard it is for a fighter to go through such pain but blaming your coach for your mistakes is unacceptable.

“Dad must be devastated,” I noted. He took over from my grandpa to train fighters for EFC and UFC since grandpa got sick and passed away a few years ago. Dad took it very badly. There were days he didn’t speak to any one of us. Having a stubborn mom like mine, she didn’t give up on him or let him sink from depression.

“He is working with a new fighter. He too looks promising even if he is a bit cocky and needs a good beating to knock him off his high horse. Other than annoying your dad, he has skill.” I looked out the window and at the passing cars. To be trained by my dad is an honour. Not only because he knows what it takes to be a champion but he knew how to defend the title for five years and only retired because of a bad knee.

“I’m still curious to know how you decided to become an MMA fighter and join Invicta FC.” She asked, her voice laced with interest. They didn’t know about my bad decisions and I was hoping they never find out. My dad would be extremely mad if he has to learn about me fighting in the underground.

“Maybe I just had it running in my veins all along because I was raised by two fighters,” I answered. Regretting that I was lying to her. I’ve never managed to lie to her not even when I was a kid. She knew everything about me and could sense from miles away that I was lying to her. She even knows about my crush on Jason, except for the part where I lost my innocence to him at a party. Okay, so maybe she doesn’t know everything.

“I thought growing up you might just learn something. You can’t lie to me, Maxine. What’s really going on? We haven’t seen you in years, we barely talk over the phone and it feels like you are hiding something.” I looked out the window, seeking any signs of strength to face her and tell the truth of what is really going in my life.

“Mark and I have been separated for six months,” I spoke as I faced the window. Her silence made me look at her. She was wearing a scowl, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the steering wheel between her hands and tried to stay focused on the road in front of us.

 “Why?” She asked without jumping down my throat.

“Two years ago, he confessed that he doesn’t love me anymore,” I told her with a heavy heart. I felt like breaking out in tears but I forced them back. It wasn’t worth it.

“That’s when you joined MMA.” She observed. She was wearing a questioning look as if she was connecting the dots.

I nodded. “Why MMA though?” She asked, looking at me before gazing back at the road. At one stage in my life, I didn’t show any interest in MMA. My dad still taught me the basics. In case I needed to defend myself but other than that, I found karate more interesting.

“Coach Vincent signed me up for Jiu-Jitsu classes. Invicta FC must have seen something in me or maybe it has to do with who my parents are.” She shook her head disagreeing with me. I know that it has everything to do with the way I fought, I wasn’t as ruthless as she and dad used to be. I was undeniably fast on my feet, my combo’s quick and unpredictable. Karate is a fighting style that teaches you to be patient and not overly cocky.

“Why did you struggle to tell us about your problems?” She asked, her voice soft. She didn’t want to show her disappointment but I know she was.

I rested my elbow against the window as I gazed out and the passing cars “I felt ashamed.” I admitted with a soft regretting voice.  

She rested a hand on my knee and gave me a reassuring squeeze. “You will never disappoint me, honey.” She assured me. “Maybe a part of me hoped that I was wrong about him. You seemed happy and I decided to be happy for you but I just didn’t bet that he will hurt you like this, honey. If I knew, maybe I would have tried to intervene but that wasn’t my place to judge.” She explained and I felt my heart crumble.

 “Is he really in London?” She questioned.

I nodded. “Yes, but he isn’t alone.” She raised an eyebrow as she frowned. She pulled up in front of a café and shut off the engine. She unbuckled her seatbelt and turned in her seat to look at me. “There is more, isn’t there?” She asked.

I nodded. I lost the fight and tears ran down my cheeks. “He filed a divorce.” I didn’t want to look at her. I don’t want her to look at me and see the hurt and pain he caused. I felt her hand against my cheek before she nudged me to look at her.

She always used to be strong. Every day I dreamt that I would be as strong as her. Even now looking at her. I felt jealous of how strong she was. “It’s never easy in the beginning. The heartache feels overwhelming and it feels like you are suffocating. But you will get through this. I can’t imagine what pain you are carrying around with you. I am here for you and will forever be. Just don’t let that pain drown you.” She pulled me to her and gathered me in her arms. “We didn’t give you the name Maxine because we thought you were weak. We believe in you and know how strong you can be.” I smiled against her shoulder. I wiped away the tears.

“I’m not as strong as you.” I pointed out.

“No, you are stronger.” She replied poking my nose playfully.