Take 2 Times 2? Future Book 3?

3. Communication barrier

(still Sam's POV)

I Don't know how long it was that I was just sitting there crying my eyes out. Bear was holding me, and it felt nice. I felt safe in his big strong arms. My tears slowed and I started to get warm. I wanted to stay like this forever. Now I knew how Max felt all safe and warm. It was like when I was younger, and I had a nightmare. My mom would come in and wrap me in a blanket, hold me tight and rock me back to sleep while humming a lullaby to me.

"Are you mauling her, Bear?"

"Yes, now go away." Bear went back to humming.

Wait, Bear was humming? I thought I was just remembering my mom. I must be more out of it then I thought. It is nice though. It's soothing. I was in my own little world until trays and plates started getting set on the table.

Then I opened my eyes to see that our food was here. I grabbed one of Bear's arms, squeezing it tightly and said, "Thanks, Bear, I needed that."

He nodded and let me go. He took his seat, leaned back a little and asked. "You going to be alright?" I nodded but kept quiet.

"Ok," Bear started. "You all need to understand something about Max." That got everyone's attention. They all sat down and waited to see what Bear had to say. "He is what he calls 'stuck.' I'll explain the best that I can. Guys, imagine all four of your limbs are numb. You can't really feel them or use them. Now imagine your tongue is also numb. You can talk but only a little. You can't say f,t,b,r, or most of the hard letter sounds. You still have your mind and know how old you are. Now, how would you feel? Don't answer that yet. First, I want you to say 'I have to go to the bathroom.'"

All the guys tried it, even Dad tried. None came close. Then I said, "Go potty." Only it came out "Go poddy". The guys, Dad included, chuckled at me. Then a tear ran down my cheek and I hung my head.

"That, right there, is what Max had to do just a minute ago. Are all of you going to laugh at him when Panther comes back from changing his diaper, thanks to Jack here?" Everyone looked ashamed for what they just did. No one could meet Bear's hard gaze as he looked at each of us. Shame weighed heavier than fear and we all realized too late that we had woken Mama Bear when we laughed at his sweet, innocent cub.

"Max, a 15-year-old kid just had to say he had to potty. That kid is probably smarter than all of us combined, and he couldn't even say 'bathroom'. So, if one of you snicker or laugh at him, I swear I will put you over my knee and spank you right in front of him. I will treat you like a toddler. That includes you, Jack. I know he's your son, but the only 2 people here that can help Max right now Panther and me. We at least know something about what he's going through." Bear spoke firmly without needing to raise his voice to draw attention. No one else around us would know we were getting scolded unless they stood beside the table actually listening.

"Now, you talk to him like an adult, not a child. You treat him like an adult, not a child. He is an adult, not a child. You all got that?" Bear hammered each word slowly emphasizing how serious he was.

Everyone nodded. The guys all said, "Yes, sir."

"If, or more likely when, he has a temper tantrum, let me or Panther handle him. He is going to get frustrated with things he can't do right now, however, this is only temporary." Bear stared straight at me when he said that last bit. And I was hoping it was true. I hurt when Max hurt.

"If you're not comfortable with giving and receiving cuddles, Bull, Wolf, Jack." He stared and pointed to each in kind. "That's fine. Don't fake it, he will know. He seems to be 'stuck' or small somewhere between 1 and 4. He keeps changing depending on the situation. A 3- or 4-year-old would tell me 'No cussing'. But a 1-year-old would find it funny having their hand in your mouth."