I brought the fan in, I didn't see any damage to the paint… but I might not notice it until it dried. I rehung all the clothes, if there had been a 50/50 chance of getting something on the right line for each item… Robby had struck out each time. It was amazing in its own way really.
I sat on my bed with a sigh, taking deep breaths. Reminding myself that Robby had meant well. When that didn't help, I flopped back. I soon found myself with an armful of pink fox. I scratched her ears.
This was partly my fault, I should have stayed behind. I should have asked Robby to go pick the containers up. I should have watched over the food. I should have waited to do laundry until after Robby left. Or I should have hung the laundry before I left. I knew Robby couldn't help himself.
"This isn't your fault Max." Mai said rubbing her face against my stomach. "You already asked him not to go into your room."
I sighed throwing an arm over my eyes. I had asked Robby to not bother with the dishes because my dishwasher was so small. I'd also asked him to say out of my room when he'd been snooping around.
His teasing over the dolls on my bed had been the only reason I'd even noticed. Then, when I'd left, all the sin's had come with me.
"Max… talking about boundaries isn't enough. Maybe… now would be a good time to have that chat." Mai offered moving to snuggle into my neck.
"I disagree. Max is pissed, he's forcing it down yeah, but talking in anger doesn't usually end well. I think some time to cool off would be better." Ire said as I felt something pounce on my stomach. Did Tasmanian devils pounce? Pretty sure that was a mouse thing. The thought brought a small smile to my lips.
"Max… doesn't exactly… have… a lot… of time…" Ace murmured as he curled up in the corner of the bed.
Pride and Ace had been spending most of their time in their human forms. No way we were all going to fit in this bed if they were all my size.
"Let's take… 30 minutes… to… organize… our thoughts. Then… talk." Ace added as he slowly took my pillow.
"That's probably for the best, Max, this is… clearly an ongoing issue. Maybe we make a list of past transgressions. Then boundaries you set, but weren't respected. We should also add, a consequence list. Maybe with a point system." Reed offered.
"Ugh, Reed shut up. Points? Really? That's freaking childish." Ire snapped.
"No, I think that might help. It would help Robby see how often he's not respecting Max's boundaries." Pride said. I could hear him pacing back and forth.
"Consequences are also good, maybe spin it like a rage bar in games. After Robby hits certain points, there are restrictions." Lilly offered.
I sighed, I mean… I could hear them, but Robby would think I was going crazy talking to dolls… or nothing at all.
"If there are punishments, there have to be rewards." Pride reminded, "Also, Robby is texting someone."
Ugh, no doubt calling ma for reinforcements. That would be great, getting bombarded from both of them.
"I did call him to ask for help… he drove over two hours out of his way. That's time, gas…" I said with a sigh as I turned on my side.
"That doesn't change the fact he set a towel on fire. A towel that was a gift. Max, just because he means well, doesn't mean he gets a free pass for ignoring your boundaries." Mai insisted resting her paws on my cheek.
"Yeah… let… give me 30 minutes, then I'll talk to him. Thanks guys." I agreed hugging my to my face. She smelled like… something. Maybe a flower… it was relaxing. All the frustration I'd managed to settle doubled when my phone started ringing.
I took a deep breath as I pulled it out to check caller ID. Yep. Mom. I hung up. Then pulled up the family chat I'd muted. Talk in 30.
That clearly wasn't the right answer because my mother called right back.
"Don't pick up Max. Just mute your phone. You said 30 minutes. Let that be your first boundary." Mai insisted when I started to send another message.
"Seriously, she needs a chill pill. They both do." Ire complained from the doorway. "Your brother is texting even faster now. Might be breaking world records."
My finger was hovering over the text keys… right. Boundaries. I took a deep breath, put my phone in do not disturb and grabbed my computer.
I hesitated, "Maybe… I should check on the food." I offered closing my eyes. I was the one who volunteered…
"You're good, its just on simmer. Tony will keep an eye on it. He's hanging out on the fridge to watch it like a hawk." Pride informed dryly.
I didn't stop the chuckle that escaped. Tony had been great for making sure the food didn't boil or burn. Still… "Robby, I'm taking 30 minutes to cool off." I called, then shut my bedroom door.
"Personally, the lock works great." Reed reminded as he looked at the computer. I locked the door.
I made four columns. Past events, boundaries I'd set, punishments, rewards. In the rows I marked how many points on a scale of 1-5 how frustrating each event me feel. Most were 1-2s.
On Reed's advice, rewards were set in multiples of 5. Punishments were set in multiples of 7.
Knock, knock, knock. "Hey… Max?" Robby called from outside the door.
I gritted my teeth… I was less than 10 minutes into my 30. "Not now Robby. I'm serious."
Mai flicked her tail, "Add five minutes."
"I'm adding five minutes to my cooldown time. Unless the apartment is on fire or I need to take you to the hospital, we don't need to talk right now." I added letting the frustration bleed into my voice.
Pride sighed, "Well, that certainly could have been phrased differently."
"He needs to learn, talking clearly hasn't been working." Ire argued.
Mai sighed, "It's clear communication needs some work. On both ends." Mai added giving me the side eye.
I flushed… fair… snapping wasn't exactly going to make the conversation easier.
"Add the five minutes to your timer, and in the group chat. That way everyone is on the same page." Reed reminded pushing his glasses up.
I picked my phone up… 8 missed calls, ten messages… Jesus Christ…
Mai stared wide eyed at my phone, "Is this… normal?" She asked uncertainly.
I sighed, "Yeah, she'll just keep calling."
Mai flicked her tail thoughtfully. "Add one minute for each text, two for each call. Then explain why in the group text, but don't respond to any of their messages."
I blinked as yet another call came in. "That's… a lot of time."
"Boundaries should be respected, this… this is excessive." Mai said solemnly as she rested a paw on my hand.
I swallowed down what I was going to say… finally, finally someone on my side. I sent the message in the chat with the adjusted time. Two more calls came in, I didn't respond in chat, just added the extra 4 minutes to my timer.
I changed up my list to just mark the points in the bottom corner of each box. The list of frustrations… was pretty long. The list of transgressions was mildly frustrating as well, just recalling each time Robby had meant well. Or Ma just happened to drop by.
I sighed, to be fair, Ma dropping by hadn't really been the issue. It was dad eating or "borrowing" something that I'd thought I misplaced. Then finding out days later when it was returned.
I finished with almost fifteen minutes to spare.
"Let's… watch dog… reels. Something… to relax…" Ace murmured hugging my pillow as he leaned against the wall.
"Yeah, something to help lighten the mood before we go out there." Ire agreed as he found a spot to curl up in.
I searched funny dog core reels, relaxing as I sipped on my neglected coffee. I'd totally forgotten about it until seeing it on the side table.