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Isobel had made her life into her own. She wasn’t a shadow, not her mother’s and not Noah’s. She knew her egg order - scrambled eggs with garlic and parsley, Michael was the one to teach her how to cook. She had a stable job, working as an event planner again, but this time with more control over the events held, and how they were presented. She was close to her parents, but not known as Ann and Dave Evans’ daughter. She had a very solid relationship with her siblings, had more friends than she ever remembered having, and even had a girlfriend.
Overall her life was perfect, and most importantly, it was hers. But she had to fight for it. Break down walls that had been there for years, and had to learn who she was.
She did as Maria suggested, starting with eggs. Remembering what Maria had said about Michael’s junkyard omelett, she drove out to see him, bringing bagels and coffee (three cups, as she had correctly guessed that Alex would be around). Michael then proceeded to cook her different variations of eggs, under the amused glaze of both Alex and her own, who were discovering a facet of Michael they didn’t know about.
After many breakfasts spent at the junkyard (more breakfasts than Isobel had ever eaten in her life - turns out that she did actually enjoy eating food in the morning, especially Michael’s inventions), she settled on scrambled eggs with three cloves of garlic and sprinkles of parsley.
But after having figured out how she liked her eggs, there were still many more pieces of her that she didn’t know. So she went to see Max next.
At Max’s house, the two of them sat on a couch, “What’s my favourite book?” Isobel asked, making Max turn to her with wide eyes and confused look.
“I didn’t know you read.” he replied slowly, trying to remember ever seeing her with a book. She usually only read articles, whether it was online or in the local newspapers, Isobel always made sure to keep on top of the latest. But she didn’t read many books, at least not that Max knew.
“No, I don’t, that’s the point,” Isobel said back, dropping her head in her hands. She took a few shallow breaths, before speaking up again, her head still hidden. “At first I followed what mom did, which was reading health and fitness magazines. And then with Noah, he would read the local news so I would do the same. I don’t have a favourite book, Max! Hell, I can’t even tell you the last book I read.” She nearly shouted at the end, raising her head to meet Max.
Max, feeling his sister’s distress he scooped closer to her on the couch, wrapping an arm around her, Isobel leaning into the touch, her head dropping on his shoulder.
“Well, I have many books around here, and I have a library subscription so we can go check it out if you want,” he suggested, rubbing his thumb in circles on her shoulder.
Isobel snorted, “I don’t even know where to start.” After a beat, she spoke again, “And please, don’t make me read your boring russian literature, I already know I won’t like it,” she said teasingly.
“You never know,” Max chuckled back, before going back to the subject at hand. “But more seriously, I don’t only read boring russian literature, I have some old english stuff too, and quite a big collection of fantasy books. And I know Alex and Michael have read their fair share of science fiction books too, so maybe between all of us we can help find which genre you prefer.” he said, warmly, trying to convey how much he wanted to help.
There wasn’t much Max could do about the past, about Noah and their mother, but he could be there in the present and in the future. He could share his book collection with Isobel, maybe even start a book club, anything she needed from him.
Isobel sniffed and sat up. “Okay, yeah let’s do that!” she said excitedly, standing up. “So,” she continued, turning to Max who was still sitting on the couch with an arm on the back, her hands on her hips, “where do we begin, coach?”
Max laughed and stood up, leading Isobel to his fantasy and romance books, explaining the plot to each book, and giving his opinion on each. Isobel made a few jokes, but both appreciated this little moment, where Max got to share something he was passionate about.
After having gone through all of Max’s books, they headed to the library the next day, to have a look there. Isobel had taken three books from Max’s house and three more from the library, with the promise to come back and discuss books more, until she knew which one she liked. And maybe discuss the movie adaptations too.
She settled on The Sisterhood of the traveling pants , a book that initially didn’t attract her, but the nice (and very attractive librarian) told her that it was a good book that all young teenagers could relate to. Putting aside how she could’ve known that Isobel didn’t necessarily have any characters she could understand growing up, she smiled and grabbed the book. And read it in just two days, going back to the library to finish the series.
Continuing on her path, she discovered her favourite movies with the help of Maria, her favourite music genre thanks to Rosa and Alex, and even her favourite exhibition by dragging Kyle or Liz around to Albuquerque (mostly because those two needed a break from work, and they were both people Isobel liked to hang out with).
Overall, it took her a month to rebuild her life and feel like she was her own person, not someone who was pretending for the sake of others. And she knew that she still had work to do, so when her hot librarian broke up with her, she stayed single for a while, figuring out more about herself in that time.
And eventually, she looked at the people around her. Her sister who had started Isobel’s self discovery journey. Her brothers on whose shoulder she rested her head, her problems, her sorrows. Her friends who became like a family, present in her daily life but allowing her to grow by herself, having her back whenever she needed to rest before fighting again. And even the funny, smart, very good looking doctor, who recently had started to become more than just a friend.
Isobel knew what she liked. She knew who she was. She was ready to live.