Question F

[Jonetta]

Max receives a less than warm welcome from family upon her return. What do you think did the most damage, her exposure of Uncle Brooks’ cheating on his wife or her support of Kevin when he was tried for Lindy’s murder? What do you make of them? Is it best for Max to maintain her distance or should she put more effort into her relationship with grandmother Eleanor and great uncle Archer?

[Robin]

I'm not sure which made it worse. Her Uncle Brooks didn't like Max from day one. Several members of the family were upset when Max inherited money from her great-grandmother. They see her as an outsider even though she is related.

I think if Max wanted to, she could make a relationship with Eleanor and Archer. She just has to put forth the effort.

[Sharon]

Personally, I would keep my distance. Through most of the book her family treated her badly. It would be good to have a relationship with Eleanor, even if it is superficial. Eleanor is getting old and there isn't much time left.

I like Archer. Max could be close to him with very little effort. Maybe she could talk him into visiting her in NYC more than her coming to California.

[Jonetta]

My feelings lean more towards your perspective, Sharon. For family to want to exclude her from her inheritance for the pitiful reasons they stated point to much deeper issues. Max should keep her distance but definitely maintain a relationship with her grandmother who raised her. Despite Eleanor’s issues, it’s clear she loves Max. She’s older, of a different generation, and just because they approach life differently isn’t enough of a reason to cut her off.

Archer is the most sane of all of them and it would be in Max’s best interest to deepen that relationship. He’s supported her even when it wasn’t popular.

I’d put Uncle Brooks and his entire family on ice. Despite what history Max had with William, he never stood up for her. Caitlin’s behavior toward her was nasty and he should have intervened, if only to require her civility. Even now he’d rather have the murderous woman home with him than behind bars where she belongs. William is toxic.

[Melissa]

Eleanor and Archer really seem to care about Max. I think it would be good for them all to stay in touch. She should definitely keep her distance from Brooks and William. I think there has been animosity toward her since her mom dropped her off. The family was mad at her mom, not her. The secrets and loyalty to Kevin just added to the whole mess.

[Anita]

Uncle Brooks is a jerk. The whole inheritance issue was totally ridiculous. Max had every right to the inheritance in her mother's place. Of course, every effort should have been made to find Martha. I think her support of Kevin was the least of the problems her family had. Obviously, Caitlin was all for Kevin being guilty. William's reasons were strictly self serving too. Eleanor was a wonderful lady, but she should have defended Max more forcefully.

[Jonetta]

Everyone’s behavior seemed in character for how they showed up except for Eleanor. Her mixed signals confused me throughout and at the end.

[Sharon]

Eleanor confuses me too. I'm still not sure that she loves Max.

[Jonetta]

I think she does…?

[Sharon]

You could be right. Some people don't know how to show their love.

[Anita]

Eleanor loves Max's spirit and determination to see justice done. It felt like had Eleanor not been constrained by her role, she may have been more like Max. I think she may have some guilt for what happened with Martha. I really didn't understand how she didn't support Max in the inheritance issue.